PRECISION, PASSION AND PERSPECTIVE

Former editor Anna Dobbie speaks to Dr Jenny Doyle about her illustrious medical career, while also making time for her passions outside of work

It’s not every day you meet an aesthetic practitioner whose journey has involved double bass, oculoplastics, farm animals and five orchestras, but Dr Jenny Doyle is anything but conventional. A consultant ophthalmologist, aesthetics trainer, key opinion leader (KOL), clinic co-founder and self-professed time-juggling enthusiast, she embodies the new face of aesthetic leadership: clinical precision balanced with personal warmth and a real-world perspective.

So let’s find out how Dr Doyle went from the NHS operating theatre to co-founding a fast-growing aesthetics clinic, all with refreshing honesty and a smile.

FROM EYES TO AESTHETICS

Dr Doyle’s career began in ophthalmic surgery, training full-time in the NHS while clocking countless hours on call. But something was missing.

“I think what made me first consider aesthetics was the frustration around not having enough control in the NHS, not being able to deliver the standard of care I wanted to,” she explains.

A turning point came in 2017 when she and a couple of close friends from Oxford University decided to take the Level 7 qualification through Harley Academy. “We thought, ‘even if it doesn’t take off, at least we’ll be young and beautiful together’,” she laughs.

But, as we now know, it did take off. She began running a small clinic from Bicester on evenings and weekends, squeezing patients in between her hospital shifts. It was hectic, but fulfilling – and she quickly found herself invited back to Harley Academy as a trainer.

BUILDING THE CLINIC – AND THE DREAM

A background in ophthalmology paved the way for an interest in oculoplastics and a natural overlap with aesthetic treatments like toxins. It was through this sub-speciality that she met Richard Scawn, her now business partner. “We talked for years before it happened. Eventually, he asked if I’d not only do the injectables, but help run the whole thing.”

And so, in late 2021, The Clinic Holland Park was born. Dr Doyle was on maternity leave at the time, which paradoxically gave her a window to focus on launching the business. “It was still madness. I was finishing a full-time fellowship in oculoplastics and running the clinic during every other waking hour.”

Those early months were intense. “We didn’t pay ourselves for a while. Everything went back into the business – the fit-out, the equipment, the theatre.” But it paid off. Within two years, the clinic caught the attention of the physician-led network Cosmetic Physician Partners (CPP), leading to a partnership that arrived far sooner than expected.

LEADERSHIP, BALANCE AND BURNOUT PREVENTION

With a part-time NHS consultant post and a thriving clinic, how does she keep it all going without burning out?

“You have to love it. That’s the key. If it feels like work, you’ll hate it,” she says frankly. “I do a day and a half a week in the NHS, and I was clear with them from the start – this is the time I can give you. Take it or leave it. Thankfully, they took it.”

Running a clinic is 24/7, she acknowledges. “All my patients have my mobile number and my email. I’m always contactable. That’s not for everyone.” She’s built an efficient team of five core staff who keep things running like clockwork. “On clinic days, we’re like a slick machine, and keeping your team happy is everything.”

Her perspective is shaped not only by her dual clinical life but also by her upbringing. “I had a lot of hobbies growing up – playing multiple instruments, being in five orchestras. I played the double bass because no one else did, so I was in demand!” she smiles. “At Oxford University, my tutors said, ‘You can’t do all of this and medicine.’ That just made me more determined. As well as rowing and playing in the top orchestras, I came second academically in my year.”

That ability to juggle multiple demands, paired with a deep sense of gratitude, is her foundation. “What’s the worst that can happen? My NHS work keeps me grounded. I see patients with real problems every day. Aesthetic medicine is powerful, but you need to keep perspective.”

CHOOSING PATIENTS – AND SAYING NO

As the clinic grew, so did Dr Doyle’s clarity around boundaries.

“As time becomes more precious, you have to get comfortable saying no,” she says. “If someone isn’t suitable or if red flags come up with how they’ve spoken to the team, I won’t book them in. Your time – and your peace – is valuable.”

That self-respect extends to her financial approach. “At the start, we didn’t draw salaries. Everything was seen as a bonus. If it didn’t work out, it would still have been a fun journey with my friends, learning something new.”

STAYING SUNNY – AND STAYING REAL

Spend any time with Dr Doyle and you’ll notice her positive outlook. “People always ask why I’m so cheerful. Even now, our NHS eye unit’s being moved, morale’s low, and I’m still smiling. You just have to focus on what you can control. There’s no point wasting energy on what you can’t.”

That pragmatism extends to her role as a KOL for leading brands like Sofwave, Sciton, Skinstorm, Ameela and Galderma, among others. But she’s careful to only endorse products she genuinely believes in.

“When I do talks, the feedback I get is that it’s organic. I’m not trying to sell – I’m speaking honestly. That’s the only way I’d want to do it.”

For others hoping to become KOLs, she offers balanced advice. “You can seek it out, but you need to deliver. There’s a difference between being keen and being credible.”

FROM KOL TO COUNTRY LIFE

As a KOL, Dr Doyle sits at the intersection of clinical expertise and industry insight, but what sets her apart is not only her professional achievements but also the life she’s built outside the clinic.

“People often ask how I manage a 12-hour day in London and then drive back to a farm,” she laughs. “But I honestly love both. I thrive on the energy of the city, but I find peace and restoration in the countryside.”

It all began with an unexpected wedding anniversary present, a difficult horse that no one else wanted to ride. That gift became the start of what is now a small farm. With horses, sheep, ducks and chickens, her lifestyle has a touch of Farmville about it. Fittingly, her husband once worked for the company that owned the game.

REGENERATIVE AESTHETICS: THE NEXT FRONTIER

Clinically, Dr Doyle is excited about the growing focus on regenerative aesthetics. “New technologies like exosomes and polynucleotides are changing the way we practise,” she says. “They don’t replace traditional treatments like toxin or filler, but they allow us to offer something more holistic.”

London remains a hub for innovation, but she’s seeing growing curiosity outside the capital too. At her Bicester clinic, where she still sees loyal patients once a week, she’s noticed the shift. “They’re more traditional in their preferences, but they’re starting to ask about newer options. The interest is there.”

STAYING AHEAD OF THE CURVE

As a faculty member and clinical trial investigator, Dr Doyle stays immersed in the latest developments.

“This year I’ve probably attended at least one conference a month,” she says, “not just in the UK, but across Europe and Asia too. Seeing what people are doing globally is invaluable. It really broadens your thinking.”

Keeping up to date is not just helpful, it’s vital: “You can’t lead, teach or innovate if you’re not learning yourself.”

BUILDING MORE THAN A BRAND

One of Dr Doyle’s most exciting ventures right now is her partnership with aesthetic network CPP, alongside Prof Ali Ghanem, Dr Benji Dillon, Mr Richard Scawn and Dr Priyanka Chadha. The goal is collaboration. In an industry where practitioners often work in isolation, this feels like a refreshing shift.

“Aesthetics can be a lonely space,” she says. “You might be surrounded by hundreds of clinics in London, but still feel like you’re working alone. CPP is helping to change that.”

For her, the next five years will focus on building that collaborative network. “What they’ve done in the US is inspiring. It’s exciting to create something similar here.”

LEADERSHIP, LIVESTOCK AND LESSONS LEARNED

Running a business is a completely different skill, she admits, but she had a head start. “My husband is a finance director. He’s bought and sold companies, so I had a fantastic source of advice from the beginning.”

Still, she emphasises that it’s all about smart decisions, surrounding yourself with the right people, and being willing to learn. “You don’t know what you don’t know, but if you’re open and build the right team, you can figure it out.”

And the countryside helps keep everything in perspective. “Wandering around the farm or feeding the animals clears my head. You need somewhere that recharges you.”

LOOKING AHEAD

Dr Jenny Doyle represents a modern, thoughtful approach to aesthetics. She’s forward-thinking and clinically sharp, yet firmly grounded in what matters. Whether she’s introducing new treatments in London or caring for sheep at dawn, her balance of innovation and calm is rare and refreshing. As the sector continues to evolve, Dr Doyle is moving with it, one patient, one conference, and one early morning feed at a time.