Gillian Franklin formed Heat in May 2000, joined by founding partner Bev Craig. With more than 20 years experience across the fashion, beauty and personal care markets, Gillian’s accolades include being awarded Global Entrepreneur of the Year 2000 for Australia at the Business Women’s Global Summit in Washington, attended by 1,000 women from 40 countries.
From start-up to early 2011, Heat’s investors were Carol Schwartz of the Besen Group, Geoff Morgan of Morgan & Banks Investments and Alan Chang of Wingo (one of the largest cosmetic manufacturers in Asia), all of whom brought financial strength and expertise to the company.
Heat confirmed its position as a major player in the cosmetic market in 2001 gaining the Australian distribution rights for Proctor & Gamble owned giant brands Max Factor and Covergirl. In just three years, Heat doubled sales of these brands, and, they continue to grow, year on year. Although owned by P&G, Heat has introduced many local initiatives on these brands, including introducing Jennifer Hawkins as the first ever Australian face that epitomises the ‘easy breezy’ attitude of the Covergirl brand.
In 2005, Heat purchased the pharmacy exclusive cosmetic brand Ulta 3. The sales of this brand’s nail polishes are more than double that of most leading competitors in the budget set.
In 2006, Heat was awarded the distribution rights in Australia for exclusive masstige brand, Bourjois, owned and manufactured by Chanel.
In 2007, Heat extended its portfolio beyond cosmetics into personal care by securing the distribution rights for the world renowned No.1 model agency Elite’s licensed range of hair, nail and beauty accessories.
In 2010, Heat gained distribution rights to Europe’s popular cosmetics brand, essence.
In 2011, with sales reaching almost $80 million, Heat proudly announced its new blue chip shareholders and Board of Directors, a move made to ensure that the business is well placed for future opportunities. Investing in the company are leading businessman and former Director of the Reserve Bank of Australia Hugh Morgan AC, Senior Vice President of Ascent Pharmaceuticals Michael Story, ex-Managing Director of National Foods Ashley Waugh, and founder of Aspect Computing and current non-executive Director of Tatts Group and other companies, Lyndsey Cattermole AM. Two members of Heat’s highly regarded Executive team have also come onboard – CFO Ruth Richardson Clark and Marketing Director Clare Lubrano di Diego.
 
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