A child of the 60s, Jan spent a lifetime with a deep respect for the natural world and everything in it. His quest for knowledge fostered his deep passion, love and understanding of the aromatic world.

His eclectic work experience has been in the growth of modern industries such as high vacuum engineering to radical new plastics technologies. Strangely underpinning this work was his National Diploma in Horticulture, eventually leading him and the Companies he worked for to accolades for Agricultural innovation. Becoming Marketing Manager for the Soil Association, he created and pioneered the Symbol Scheme for Organic skincare.

He formed the Fragrant Earth Company in 1987 as a challenge to the ethics and poor quality that abounds in this Natural Health and Beauty sector by providing aromatic materials and formulae of true and exceptional quality. As well as the supply of pure oils, he created an education platform, which he shared with those seeking to expand their own knowledge in this field. This led him to an international reputation and to become a consultant to many renowned firms such as the Steiner Group and LVMH.

He was a highly successful global perfumier and developer of leading regenerational cosmetic treatments worldwide for leading brands such as Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Elemis and Kanebo. Jan worked across beauty, wellness, hospitality, fashion, and celebrity with an elite list of global clients and brands. Jan's extensive experience connected him with the world's best beauty/wellness teams behind the scenes. This, coupled with 35 years of travelling internationally in his role as CEO of Genera and Fragrant Earth, took him on a personal detox/retox roller coaster, travelling from Thailand to Austria, Turkey, Spain to LA, visiting world-famous retreats only to find a quick fix or unsuitable health beauty and wellness solutions with no long term support. His love of beauty extended way past his tireless pursuit for excellent quality in aromatic ingredients into perfumery, music, poetry, history, and stories of Glastonbury's Ladies of the Lake.

His brain was rich with curiosity, adoring the quest for knowledge. His astute mind analysed, assessed, and saw to the truth of so many situations, medical, cosmetologically, political and otherwise.

His understanding of how fixed oils and essential oils affected the skin was unparalleled, and he remains one of the foremost authorities on the microbiome and how environmental factors may influence disease. And yet, alongside his scientific and rational brain, he possessed the most glorious imagination, able to create stunning word pictures that drew his listeners in. He was a gifted orator, able to connect and resonate with his audience, delivering his truth, knowledge and passion with outstanding professionalism.

Jan knew (put very simply) a great many things. Over the years, he scattered teaching seeds far and wide, generously casting them and carefully watching where they fell. When a sapling's mind burst forth, he was there to nourish and support them, always for the good of the industry that he loved so much.

He was a teacher, a creator, a builder, and a great friend. Myriad projects have been made better by his input, and while he created many wonderful things, he has probably nurtured equally many things for other people that no one talks about. Jan was the most honourable of men. A man of great vision and a visionary man. He wandered through the streets of Glastonbury, dapper in his suit, as all the finest gentlemen do, smiling at hippies in floating dresses and men in steampunk hats waved back, familiar and accepting of everyone, as he always was.

Jan was a truly inspirational man, affording his time to all who shared his many passions. His encouragement and belief in those who sought some of his knowledge will be part of his lasting legacy.

Shirley Routley - MD, Fragrant Earth

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