Leah Totton (born 22 January 1988) is a British practising physician, entrepreneur and former model from Derry, Northern Ireland, who won the 2013 series of BBC One's The Apprentice.[1][2] Her business plan, a cosmetic clinic chain, named Dr Leah Clinics, co-owned with Alan Sugar, launched in 2014. Their business was a success; with their London clinic winning national awards. Dr Leah Clinics expanded to open further branches in London and Essex & the pair have also launched Dr Leah skincare products.[1][2][3][4] Dr Leah received media attention for her glamorous appearance, her success on the show, the success of her resulting business[1][2] and for advocacy of improved ethics and integrity in the cosmetic treatment industry.[1][5] Despite the success of her business she remained committed to NHS and returned to work part-time as a GP in 2017.[6]
In 2013, Totton won the £250,000 prize for business acumen on BBC One's The Apprentice, a British reality television competition that offers the winner an opportunity to start a business with British business magnateAlan Sugar.[14][15] Along with Alan Sugar, she set up a chain of ethical Cosmetic Clinics, Dr Leah Clinics. She continued work as a physician within the NHS on a part-time basis.[2][14]
Dr Leah Clinic
In 2014, Dr Leah Clinic, co-owned with Lord Sugar, opened in central London.[1][7][16][17] There was criticism at the time regarding Totton's young age and level of experience by several members of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS).[18][19][20][21] Alongside Lord Sugar she has gone on to open further Dr Leah Clinic branches in Essex and London.[22] Her Clinics have been voted ‘Best Clinic London’ and awarded ‘Most Trusted UK Clinic 2023’ and reported a yearly turnover of £2.7 million in 2022.[23] The pair also launched a Skincare line, Dr Leah Skincare in October 2022.[24]
Industry standards
Totton has advocated better regulation and improved standards in the cosmetic industry.[3][7][14][16][25] She endorsed a 2013 review by Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS medical director, that expressed concern over lack of proper qualifications for some dermal filler treatments.[16][21] Her expressed reason for being drawn to the field was to improve standards and help reduce adverse outcomes.[7][20][26]
1 2 3 4 5 Metro Reporter. The Apprentice winner Dr Leah Totton launches her first clinic as she hopes to 'change the industry'. Metro. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
1 2 3 4 McCormack, Jayne. Apprentice winner Leah Totton launches business. BBC News, Northern Ireland. 22 January 2014.
↑ Hill, Patrick. Apprentice 2013 finalist Leah Totton targeted by internet trolls questioning if she is a doctor. Daily Mirror. 13 July 2013
1 2 3 Evening Standard Reporter. The Apprentice: Lord Sugar’s sweet for thrilled winner Leah Totton. London Evening Standard. 18 July 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
↑ Morgan, Clive. The Apprentice 2013: Leah Totton crowned winner of the business contest. The Telegraph. 17 July 2013.
1 2 3 Sherwin, Adam. Apprentice winner Leah Totton opens first cosmetic surgery clinic. The Independent. Wednesday 22 January 2014.
↑ Sanghani, Radhika. Apprentice winner Dr Leah Totton: 'Botox isn't the same as a manicure or pedicure, it's a medical intervention'. The Telegraph. 12 February 2014
↑ Dr Bowler, Patrick. Why Dr Leah's Clinics Might Actually Be Brilliant for the Cosmetic Industries. Huffington Post. 23 September 2013
1 2 Apprentice winner Leah Totton lacks 'expertise'. The Week. 18 July 2013.
1 2 Surgeons put knife into The Apprentice winner Leah Totton's plan for Botox clinic chain. Belfast Telegraph. 19 July 2013.
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