Susie Ma

2010–11: The Apprentice

Susie Ma was one of the final three contestants on the seventh series of The Apprentice but lost to winner, inventor Tom Pellereau.

Tropic Skincare remains the only business run by an Apprentice runner-up, to have gone on to secure investment from Lord Sugar. He invested £200,000 for a 50% stake in Tropic in 2012.

2012–present: Tropic Skincare

In May 2013, Ma and Sugar launched Tropic's ambassador programme, a direct-selling model that allows people to earn commission through selling Tropic products. As of 2025, there are over 38,000 ambassadors in the UK.

In April 2023, Ma regained full ownership of Tropic, buying back Lord Sugar's shares in the business for an undisclosed sum. Ma commented on the news, "After founding the company at just fifteen, and spending every day since building it into the success you see today, reclaiming full ownership has always been my ambition. I am beyond excited for the infinite possibilities the future holds, and to continue making a positive impact on the planet with our natural, freshly made formulations and inspiring Ambassadors."

In 2025, Ma paid herself £20 million in dividends after buying out Lord Sugar's stake, following a 30 percent rise in profits to £8.7 million.

Susie Ma was born in Shanghai, China, and her family later relocated to Cairns, Australia in 1996. She settled in London, UK in 2002. She attended Croydon High School for Girls from 2002 to 2007. In the evenings, she took cosmetic formulation courses to extend her knowledge and Tropic's product range. She initially made the products in her kitchen at home, and sold them on weekends at markets around London. Later, in 2007, she attended University College London and graduated in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in philosophy and economics, followed by an FX sales and trading internship at Citigroup.

In 2024, Ma became a mother to a daughter.