2024 in Review: Executive Moves

In Q1,   Wendy C. Arlin joined Kohl’s Board of Directors as an independent director.  Nivea India appointed Geetika Mehtal as its new managing director. The L’Occitane Group announced Laurent Marteau CEO. The Body Shop’s Interim CEO, Ian Bickley, stepped down. Juice Beauty appointed  Lance Patterson as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer. Anca Marola was named global chief digital officer at Sephora. The Estee Lauder Companies announced the appointment of Venetia Varney as Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Communications, UK&I. Target named  Michael Fiddelke as the new Chief Operating Officer.  Maggie Chan, CEO of Sephora Greater China, resigned. And Counter Beauty announced the return of  Greg Renfrew as  CEO of Beautycounter.

Meanwhile,  Veronique Gautier departed L’Oréal. Vincent Shaw, Asia Pacific President of Chanel, announced his retirement. Hailey Bieber appointed Nick Vlahos as CEO of Rhode Skin. L’Oreal announced Ezgi Barcenas as Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer.  Revlon named David J. Schwartz’s as General Counsel.  Coty entered into a separation agreement with its Chief Transformation Officer, Gordon von Bretten.  Unilever’s Chief Brand Officer and Chief Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Aline Santos Farhat departed the UK-based FMCG giant after a 35-year career. Supergoop appointed Lisa Sequino as Chief Executive Officer.  Boots named Preyash Thakrar, a former Asda executive, its new strategy and transformation director. Last,  Huda Kattan returned as CEO of her eponymous beauty brand.

In the US, Procter & Gamble announced that Chief Information Officer Vittorio Cretella will retire in July, and Fresh announced Ada Lien as CEO . AS Watson Group appointed Kulvinder Birring as CEO and Gabriele Betti as Deputy CEO of Marionnaud Group.  Deirdre Stanley, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of The Estée Lauder Companies, announced that she was stepping down. Markus Strobel, a key figure at Procter & Gamble’s skin and personal care divisions, announced his retirement. LVMH allocated new responsibilities to two of its senior executives. Romain Spitzer, CEO of LVMH Fragrance Brands, had New Ventures added to his role, while Stéphanie Medioni, Executive President of LVMH Perfumes & Cosmetics, took on leadership of CMI, Media, Retail, and Omnichannel. Chanel named Emilie de Tramasure, General Manager of Fragrance and Beauty.  Last, Beiersdorf’s La Prairie named Philippe Lamy as its new CEO.

In Q2, Good Glamm Group announced Kamal Lath as its new Group Chief Financial Officer. Kering appointed Stefano Cantino as deputy CEO of Gucci. Sephora named Xia Ding as the Managing Director of Greater China.  L’Oreal USA  announced the appointment of Silvia Galfo as President.  ​​Henry Rose,  appointment  Laure de Metz Chief Executive Officer. Revlon appointment  Tchernavia Rocker  Chief People Officer. The Estee Lauder Companies named Shane Wolf, President, Global Brands, Aveda and Bumble and Bumble.  The L’Occitane Group appointed Evelyne LY-Wainer as the new Managing Director of Global Travel Retail. LVMH  announced that the Managing Director of its Fashion Group, Pierre Emmanuel Angeloglou, will take on additional responsibilities as CEO of Fendi and Megan Grant will take on the role of President and CEO of Americas for its Louis Vuitton brand.  Kering appointed Laurent Claquin as the Group’s Chief Brand Officer. The Good Glamm Group names Lauren Bloomer as President – International. Virginie Viard announced her departure from Chanel. Last, AmorePacific named Taeho Park President of its China division. 

In Q3, Sebastian James, CEO of Boots, the UK’s largest high-street pharmacy chain, announced his departure from the company. Ren CEO, Michelle Brett, stepped down. Manzanita Capital named Laurence Semichon CEO of Diptyque. Walmart announced Vinima Shekhar as Vice President of Merchandising – Beauty. The Estee Lauder Companies named Akhil Shrivastana as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Over in Paris, Chanel announced that Anne Kirby, President of Fragrance and Beauty, would retire. Shiseido announced that Kentaro Fujiwara will take over as CEO. The Estee Lauder Companies named Rashida La Lande as Executive Vice President and General Counsel.  Unilever named Anuradha Razdan Global Chief Human Resources Officer, Beauty & Wellbeing.  Chanel appointed Simona Cattaneo president of fragrance and beauty. Nykaa announced Sukhleen Aneja as Senior Vice President and Head of Kay Beauty. Anthony Hemmerdinger was appointed Managing Director of Boots UK and Ireland. Sephora North America announced the appointment of Delphine Herve to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Skinfix appointed Stuart Leitch as its new Chief Executive Officer. Last, L’Occitane Group announced the resignation of its CEO, Laurent Marteau.

In Q4, LVMH announced that Chris de Lapuente, head of its selective retailing division, will be stepping down from his role.  The Estée Lauder Companies announced that Mark Loomis, Group President of North America, will retire at the end of fiscal 2025. Unilever named Mary Carmen Gasco-Buisson, the new chief executive officer of its Prestige division. Benjamin Vuchot, Chairman and CEO of DFS, stepped down.  Stéphane de La Faverie, a long-time Estée Lauder executive, was chosen as the new CEO of Estée Lauder.  Kenvue appointed Andrew Stanleick as President of Skin Health & Beauty for North America, Europe, the Middle East & Africa.  The Estee Lauder Companies announced the planned retirement of Sue Fox, President of UK & Ireland. Shiseido nominated two new Board members following the retirement of incumbents Masahiko Uotani and Hiroshi Ozu. 

Back in the States, Monica Arnaudo, Ulta Beauty’s Chief Merchandising Officer, announced her plans to retire in the spring of 2025. Kohl’s announced the appointment of Ashley Buchanan as CEO and Board Member. Nicola Kilner, co-founder and CEO of Deciem,  announced she will step down from her role at the end of the year. The Estée Lauder Companies announced the immediate retirement of long-serving board member Richard D. Parsons. Dollar Tree announced that Jeff Davis, Chief Financial Officer, will resign following the filing of the company’s annual report for fiscal 2024. Last, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL)  named Dr Vivek Mittal its new Executive Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs.