Leah Totton (born 22 January 1988) is a Northern Irish practising physician, entrepreneur and former model 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]
Leah Totton | |
|---|---|
 Totton in 2013 | |
| Born | 22 January 1989 |
| Other names | Dr Leah |
| Education | Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (Distinction) |
| Occupation(s) | Doctor (NHS & private), business owner |
| Employer | Dr Leah Cosmetic Skin Clinics |
| Known for | Winning the 9th series of The Apprentice, Owner Dr Leah Cosmetic Skin Clinics |
| Awards | Most Trusted UK Clinics 2023 |
| Website | www.drleah.co.uk |
Background
editLeah Totton grew up in Derry, Northern Ireland.[7][8] She attended Foyle College.[9] She studied medicine at the University of East Anglia in Norwich,[10][11] graduating as a physician in 2011, aged 23 after working as a model until that point.[12] She subsequently registered with the General Medical Council.[11][13]
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 magnate Alan 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
editIn 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
editTotton 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]
Personal life
editShe has frequently spoken out on women's issues.[27][28]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e 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]
- ^ a b c d McCormack, Jayne. Apprentice winner Leah Totton launches business. BBC News, Northern Ireland. 22 January 2014. [2]
- ^ a b BBC One. The Apprentice. BBC. May 2014. Retrieved on 16 October 2014
- ^ Audley, Fiona. Apprentice winner Leah Totton opens first cosmetic surgery clinic in London. The Irish Post. 23 January 2014 [3]
- ^ Audley, Fiona. Apprentice star eyeing success with 'game changing' cream. The Irish Post. 16 January 2015 [4]
- ^ "Dr Leah Totton: 'I'm glad to be working as an NHS doctor - it's different from business, but it gives me perspective'". Belfast Telegraph.
- ^ a b c d Apprentice winner Dr Leah Totton opens first Botox clinic following £250,000 win. Business Matters. 23 January 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014. [5]
- ^ "The Apprentice winner Dr Leah joins Tanaiste for Derry dinner". Derry Journal. 22 October 2013. Archived from the original on 25 January 2014.
- ^ "Derry Apprentice hopeful Leah Totton will hold her own". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 30 June 2013. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ McDonald, Sally. Dr Leah: Fraser and I had to split. Sunday Post. 23 February 2014. [6]
- ^ a b "The medical register". www.gmc-uk.org.
- ^ Pingitore, Silvia (30 December 2015). "The BBC Apprentice winners: interview with Dr Leah Totton". the-shortlisted.co.uk. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- ^ Hill, Patrick. Apprentice 2013 finalist Leah Totton targeted by internet trolls questioning if she is a doctor. Daily Mirror. 13 July 2013 [7]
- ^ a b c Evening Standard Reporter. The Apprentice: Lord Sugar’s sweet for thrilled winner Leah Totton. London Evening Standard. 18 July 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2014. [8]
- ^ Morgan, Clive. The Apprentice 2013: Leah Totton crowned winner of the business contest. The Telegraph. 17 July 2013. [9]
- ^ a b c Sherwin, Adam. Apprentice winner Leah Totton opens first cosmetic surgery clinic. The Independent. Wednesday 22 January 2014. [10]
- ^ "Boardroom games". 14 October 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 [11]
- ^ Dr Bowler, Patrick. Why Dr Leah's Clinics Might Actually Be Brilliant for the Cosmetic Industries. Huffington Post. 23 September 2013 [12]
- ^ a b Apprentice winner Leah Totton lacks 'expertise'. The Week. 18 July 2013. [13]
- ^ a b Surgeons put knife into The Apprentice winner Leah Totton's plan for Botox clinic chain. Belfast Telegraph. 19 July 2013. [14]
- ^ "Dr Leah enjoys record year's sales and profit - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk". Archived from the original on 12 October 2018.
- ^ "Dr Leah Clinics success".
- ^ "Dr Leah skincare launch".
- ^ Hassan, Anas. The world of Botox® and why I strongly support Dr Leah Totton. Pharmaceutical Journal. 17 December 2013. Retrieved 10 October 2014. [15]
- ^ McNally, Kelby. 'I feel so lucky!' The Apprentice winner Dr Leah Totton opens her first botox clinic. Sunday Express. 22 January 2014. [16]
- ^ Frearson, Joanne. Business Reporter 3 July 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2014. "Dr Leah Totton: 'I hope I can inspire other young women to believe in themselves' - Business Reporter". Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ Thistlethwaite, Felicity. Alan's in his prime!' The Apprentice winner Leah Totton discusses Lord Sugar. The Express. 14 October 2014 [17]