Estée Lauder appoints Karen Housman as SVP/GM, Travel Retail, APAC

Estée Lauder Companies has named Karen Housman as its new Senior Vice President and General Manager of Travel Retail APAC, effective 1 July 2022.

In her new role, Housman will be responsible for driving growth and profitability within the travel retail business across Asia Pacific, building on Estée Lauder Companies’ track record of success with the Asian consumer and strong retailer relationships to bring the travel retail business to new heights as travel returns.

She will report directly to Javier Simon, President of Commercial and Travel Retail Worldwide, and will be based in Singapore.

As a member of Travel Retail’s Leadership Team, Housman previously led the La Mer and Le Labo brands as Senior Vice President and General Manager.

Prior to joining Travel Retail with The Estée Lauder Companies, Housman was Vice President of Marketing at AmorePacific US, where she led marketing and communications strategies for the AmorePacific, Sulwhasoo and Laneige brands.

Israel Assa, Global President, Travel Retail Worldwide, The Estée Lauder Companies, said: "With over 20 years’ experience in the beauty industry in both travel retail and local markets, her deep knowledge of luxury skincare and fragrance, store design, sales and marketing, along with her keen understanding of international business and of our key Asian consumers, Karen is uniquely positioned to lead travel retail’s APAC region to continued success."

Javier Simon, president, Commercial, Travel Retail Worldwide, The Estée Lauder Companies added: "Karen is a highly respected professional across the beauty industry with a track record of building innovative teams who continually set the bar for excellence. In addition, with her strong retailer relationships and deep understanding of consumer behaviour, I look forward to seeing how she will steer the Travel Retail Asia Pacific region to capture the next generation of growth."