Harrogate, England, United Kingdom, June 2025 – CLOUD NINE, a leading name in haircare technology, has announced the appointment of Stephanie Ann Mason as Global Managing Director, marking a new chapter as the company accelerates its international growth and embarks on a bold rebranding journey.
In her new role, Mason brings an exceptional blend of entrepreneurial spirit and international business acumen to the CLOUD NINE team. Having launched and scaled Showpony to 22 countries by her mid-20s, and subsequently orchestrating a successful exit to Kevin Murphy in 2023, Mason joins CLOUD NINE at a pivotal moment. Her leadership is set to drive the brand’s global strategy with a sharp focus on expansion, innovation, and long-term market leadership.
Mason will lead the company’s global operations, leveraging her extensive background in brand building within the beauty industry. As CLOUD NINE aims to set new benchmarks in heat styling technology and product excellence, Mason’s commitment to innovation and authentic leadership will be instrumental in keeping the brand’s promise of healthy, beautiful hair at the heart of its mission.
Mason’s appointment comes as CLOUD NINE, guided by the legacy of hair styling pioneer Susan Powls, continues its tradition of strong female leadership. With a team that is two-thirds women, the brand reinforces its commitment to empowering women across the industry. Chairman Martin Rae credits Mason with accelerating CLOUD NINE’s double-digit growth since her arrival earlier this year, emphasizing the company’s intent to premiumise and further define its leadership in global haircare.
Reflecting on her new role, Mason said, “We’re entering a new chapter of accelerated growth—and we’re doing it with purpose. Our rebrand is bold, grounded in our values, and centred on innovation. With cutting-edge Intelligent Hair Technology that adapts to individual hair needs, we’re driving a movement toward stronger, shinier, and healthier hair, while remaining true to our stylist community and our commitment to excellence.”
Chairman Martin Rae added, “Stephanie’s impact since joining the business has been immediate and significant. She’s been instrumental in fuelling our ongoing double-digit growth. Female leadership has always been part of our DNA, 67% of our team is women, and we’re proud to keep that legacy alive by championing voices like Stephanie’s. It’s the leadership our brand, industry, and customers need.”
Daniel Hookway, Senior Consultant at MacGregor Black, remarked, “Coming off the back of a brand refresh and new hires, including Head of eCommerce Ian Simmons and a new Head of Sales, it’s exciting to see Stephanie now take the lead in shaping Cloud Nine’s next chapter. With her vision and the continued involvement of founders Martin Rae and Gavin Rae, the brand is in strong hands as it looks to further premiumise, evolve, and define its place at the forefront of global haircare innovation.”
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Prior to joining CLOUD NINE, Stephanie Ann Mason founded and led Showpony Professional, Australia’s premier hair extensions company, building it into a global name used by celebrities, stylists, and leading fashion brands. Her entrepreneurial vision saw Showpony expand to 22 countries and positioned the brand as a top supplier to major fashion weeks across Australia.
After the acquisition of Showpony by Kevin Murphy in 2023, Mason launched Global Brand Connect in 2025, specializing in empowering brands to achieve global growth through tailored strategies and operational excellence. She has also provided business coaching, helping entrepreneurs navigate challenges and accelerate their business journeys.
Earlier in her career, Mason gained valuable operational and administrative experience at Excelero, Decima Ventures, and Zhuti, demonstrating expertise in team leadership, brand operations, HR, and people management across international markets.
Her diverse experience in brand development, executive coaching, and international expansion makes Mason uniquely qualified to lead CLOUD NINE as it steps into a new era of beauty innovation.
About CLOUD NINE
CLOUD NINE is a pioneering brand in haircare technology, renowned for combining innovative hair styling tools with a commitment to hair and skin health. Established with the belief that great beauty tools deliver lasting benefits, CLOUD NINE empowers users to look and feel their best, today and tomorrow.
With a focus on intelligent hair technology, the company sets the industry benchmark for high-quality, healthy hair styling solutions. Guided by a legacy of strong female leadership, CLOUD NINE continues to redefine standards in beauty, supporting a global community of stylists and consumers alike.
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