Aaron Chatterley, President, indu

When Aaron Chatterley set up indu in August 2021, he and co-founder Richard Schiessl were in the process of selling their online beauty business Feelunique to Sephora. The idea for a teen skincare brand was sparked by Aaron’s teenage daughters who struggled to find suitable products. Aaron spotted a gap and what began as a family project turned into a new business, developing a product line of non-comedogenic, paraben-free formulations that came to market October 2023. 

“It was a very quick turn around for a beauty brand,” Aaron said, “And we needed our banking partner to be able to move quickly with us. We had seen first hand how complicated it can sometimes be to get bank accounts for a new company up and running, and how delays can hamper trade. For indu our choice of bank came down to the quality of relationship management. We’d had a very good experience with the relationship manager from our Feelunique days, John Macready, and knew we would be well looked after by Santander International.  

“Santander International understood what we were doing as a business, and were able to offer a good degree of flexibility and personal service that helped us get our accounts opened so we could start trading as soon as we were ready.” 

Just six months after the products came to market, indu signed an exclusive distribution contract with Sephora, taking the brand to a vast global audience. In July 2024 indu raised £4 million to fund international growth - £2 million from Unilever with individual investors and beauty-based family offices completing the buy-in. 

“indu is growing rapidly, and we are seeing double digit growth month on month,” Aaron said. “But to become an exclusive partner with Sephora so early on is our proudest achievement. Our banking is split between the UK where indu is based, and internationally. A lot of what we do now is transactional and online. Santander International’s digital platforms offer a good user experience, however, having a local presence and knowledge is equally important as we know that when we do need support, we can access resources that understand what we are doing.” 

With its fresh white packaging and neon gradient lettering, indu is designed to appeal to Gen Z and the newest wave of consumers, Gen A. Aaron’s daughters are not commercially involved, however, they continue to give feedback via the indu community, a committee of 13–17-year-olds who provide input and form the brand’s own internal focus group.  

“We’re a youthful business and it was important to use a bank that is friendly and accessible. Santander International is a modern bank, however, it is relationship driven and no matter what you’re dealing with, it always feels like you’re dealing with people who want to help.” 

As an online business, with offices in London, and officers based in various locations, many of indu’s meetings end up taking place remotely, sometimes from Jersey’s Work Café.  

“I use the Work Café regularly.” Aaron said. “I’m a big fan, especially of the meeting rooms. The system is exceptional – so easy to book and the fact you can access a meeting space of this calibre in Jersey for free is amazing.”