Connor Martin, founder and managing director of The JAQ Group, has been awarded the accolade of Young Business Leader of the Year 2025, sponsored by Queen’s University at the recent Irish News Workplace and Employment Awards in Belfast.
With over 230 employees, The JAQ Group is an impressive fast growth, innovative e-commerce group based in Randalstown with plans submitted for a new facility just outside Ballymena. The company produces a popular range of perfumes and skincare products including well-known brands, The Essence Vault, Liquid London and Thomson Carter.
The Irish News Workplace and Employment Awards highlights the best places to work across Ireland and has evolved into one of the country’s most prestigious business awards, attracting hundreds of entries and culminating in a high-profile presentation ceremony attended by over 500 guests.
Being recognised as Young Business Leader of the Year demonstrates how Connor impressed the judging panel with his leadership, innovation and determination to build a successful portfolio of brands and providing employment to the local area. In the space of just five years, he has established and grown a local company into a global multimillion-pound brand.
The JAQ Group
Connor said: “I am honoured to receive the award of Young Business Leader of the Year. I was delighted to have been shortlisted amongst my peers in the category and to win was fantastic. I’ve been on quite a journey since starting The JAQ Group and would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my team for their enthusiasm and support in helping me build the business into the success it is today.
“I am passionate about creating a workplace where people want to be and have the opportunity to progress in their careers and develop new skills, and I hope my leadership style demonstrates this. As a native of Ballymena, I am keen to bring further investment and jobs to the area. With a potential new facility in the pipeline, earmarked for just outside Ballymena, this will bring significant economic benefits with 300 new jobs and an investment of £11 million.”
Connor’s journey from hand-packing orders in a small warehouse to leading a multimillion-pound enterprise is testament to his resilience, vision, and ability to inspire. He started out selling perfume in 2019 under the brand The Essence Vault and saw a gap in the market to provide good quality, long-lasting scents inspired by popular high street brands but at a more affordable price. The current product range now includes full strength eau de parfums, fragrance oils, diffusers, candles and skincare. We only use vegan friendly fragrance oil.
The Essence Vault has achieved extraordinary growth with over 2.5 million online customers helping it become a £100 million brand.
Following the success of The Essence Vault, Connor re-invested into the business by creating two further fragrance brands, Thomson Carter (which achieved £5 million growth within 16 months of its launch and Liquid London (which achieved £2 million in the first seven months of its launch and was named TikTok’s Beauty Brand of the Year).
Now consisting of the three fragrance brands and a third-party logistics company, JAQ Fulfilment, the company leads the way in product development, manufacturing, packaging, and shipping, ensuring excellence in every aspect of its diverse portfolio.
Under Connor’s leadership, the company has ambitious growth plans and is proposing building a bespoke new commercial development comprising of a manufacturing unit, offices and storage. This new facility will be located just outside Ballymena and will become the company’s principal facility, creating perfumes and skincare products, with the Randalstown site also continuing to operate. The new facility will create a further 300 jobs within The JAQ Group and will see the Group invest a total of £11 million.
As an alumnus of St. Louis Grammar School, Ballymena, Connor has funded the enhancement of the school’s science facilities, supporting future innovators. The company actively participates in charity fundraising and local sponsorships, including the Antrim All Stars for All GAA, which supports players of all abilities, and FC Antrim and Antrim Rovers Football Club. These sponsorships align with Connor’s commitment to community involvement by supporting innovative, inclusive organisations and local groups.
The JAQ Group has achieved remarkable financial success generating over £50 million in annual turnover. The workforce has expanded from 63 to 230 employees, reflecting the company’s robust growth and commitment to job creation. Connor’s ability to inspire and motivate his team has been crucial in achieving these results and the Young Business Leader of the Year award is confirmation of this.
