In Review 2024: This year's big beauty appointments
The beauty industry has witnessed a number of new senior leadership appointments from a variety of big beauty brands and retailers this year.
From CEO appointments at The Estée Lauder Companies to a new Managing Director at Boots, and more, TheIndustry.beauty has put together a list of the top appointments from 2024.
Boots names Anthony Hemmerdinger as new Managing Director
Boots appointed Anthony Hemmerdinger as its new Managing Director, replacing Seb James, who exited the business in November. Hemmerdinger had served as Executive Retail & Operations Director at Boots since April 2023, having first joined the health and beauty retailer as Executive Retail Director in September 2022.
In his previous role, he spearheaded the high street retailer's significant beauty refit and brand expansion programme across the company’s store estate and has been "instrumental" in the delivery of its enhanced healthcare and beauty services in-store. Prior to joining Boots, he was Chief Operation Officer at supermarket chain Asda.
The Body Shop appoints new CMO and CFO as it continues post-acquisition reset
British brand The Body Shop strengthened its leadership team with the appointments of a new Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Financial & Operations Officer, who will help to "steer the company into a new period of growth".
Penny Brook joined as CMO, following a decade at Canada Goose. Meanwhile, Sally Dowling was named as Chief Financial & Operations Officer. The two appointments came after the business was rescued from administration by a consortium led by British tycoon Mike Jatania.
Estée Lauder confirms Stéphane de La Faverie as new CEO
The Estée Lauder Companies appointed Stéphane de La Faverie as its new CEO, effective 1 January 2025. de La Faverie first joined the US-based company in January 2011 as Senior Vice President General Manager ADF Global, working his way up to Executive Group President in 2022.
The appointment comes after Fabrizio Freda announced his intention to retire as President and CEO at the end of FY25, after more than 16 years at the business. Freda first joined The Estée Lauder Companies in 2008, having previously served as President at Procter & Gamble for over 20 years.
Estée Lauder Companies names new UK&I General Manager
The Estée Lauder Companies named Pernilla Nyberg as Senior Vice President and General Manager in the UK and Ireland, replacing Sue Fox, who will retire next year.
With a background in finance, strategy, marketing, and enterprise-wide transformation, Nyberg previously held a leadership role in the UK and Ireland from 2012 to 2016 as Vice President, Regional CFO and Strategy Leader. In November 2020, she returned to the UK in a dual global role as Senior Vice President Global Marketing Planning & Transformation Lead for integrated business planning.
Unilever appoints new CEO for prestige beauty division
Unilever appointed Mary Carmen Gasco-Buisson as the new Chief Executive of its prestige beauty division, following the exit of Vasiliki Petrou earlier this year.
It marked a return for Gasco-Buisson to Unilever, having previously served as the Worldwide Brand Leader for Axe/Lynx from January 2020 to October 2022, returning the business to double-digit, profitable growth. She most recently served as Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Global Business Units at Pandora from October 2022. Prior to this, Gasco-Buisson spent more than 22 years at Procter & Gamble in various roles.
Chanel names new President of Fragrance and Beauty
Chanel appointed Simona Cattaneo as its new President of Fragrance and Beauty, replacing Anne Kirby, who announced her intention to retire earlier this year. Effective January 2025, Cattaneo joined the luxury brand in October to start onboarding beside Kirby.
Cattaneo joins Chanel from Tod's, where she has served as General Manager since October 2021. Prior to this, she was President of Luxury Brands and Chief Marketing Officer at Coty, as well as SVP Beauty at Burberry and Director General of Makeup at Parfums Christian Dior.
The Inkey List Co-founder returns as CEO
Mark Curry, the co-founder of British skincare brand The Inkey List, returned as Chief Executive Officer after stepping back from leading the company last year.
It followed the appointment of Stephanie Davis Michelman as CEO in 2023, previously replacing founders Curry and Colette Laxton as they focused on "driving global growth and expanding the brand mission". Davis Michelman supported the professionalisation of the business and its geographic expansion," according to The Inkey List.
British Beauty Council names former PZ Cussons executive as new CCO
The British Beauty Council welcomed Jacqui Burchell as its new Chief Commercial Officer. Burchell brings experience from beauty companies including PZ Cussons, Sanctuary Spa and Boots, having held various senior roles across marketing, product development and beauty buying.
She most recently served as Executive Vice President at dietary supplement brand 8Greens from January 2022 to August 2023. At the British Beauty Council, she is working with its Executive Board to develop industry-focused strategies and initiatives to drive growth and impact.
Dermalogica appoints new General Manager for UK and Ireland
Professional skincare brand Dermalogica appointed Cirsten Hannken as General Manager for the UK and Ireland. Hannken assumed the role after serving in the same position at Dermalogica Germany for the past seven years.
As General Manager for the UK and Ireland, she will continue to contribute to the growth of the business and the long-term success of the Dermalogica brand. She replaced Mark Hermann, who exits the business after five years.
Tom Ford Beauty appoints new Global General Manager
The Estée Lauder Companies promoted Dexter King to Senior Vice President, Global General Manager of Tom Ford Beauty. Prior to this, King held a number of leadership roles at the luxury brand, including Senior Vice President of Global Marketing and Strategy.
As Global General Manager, King leads the team in all aspects of category, channel and geography strategic growth plans. As part of this, he is focusing on driving its luxury beauty positioning through "world-class innovation across makeup, fragrance and skincare and continuing to elevate the brand’s signature storytelling of modern luxury glamour and amplifying individual beauty".
Supergoop appoints Lisa Sequino as CEO
Sun protection brand Supergoop appointed Lisa Sequino as its new Chief Executive Officer to further accelerate global growth and product innovation. Sequino joined the US-based business from JLo Beauty, where she has served as co-founder and CEO since March 2022.
Prior to this, she spent nearly a decade in leadership positions at the Estee Lauder Companies, overseeing the global strategy and growth for a number of its consumer and lifestyle brands. She also previously held senior marketing, innovation, sales and M&A roles at Procter & Gamble, focusing on its extensive portfolio of beauty, personal care and wellness brands.
Aromatherapy Associates names former Charlotte Tilbury manager as new Chief Commercial Officer
Aromatherapy Associates announced the appointment of Serina Sandhu as Chief Commercial Officer. Sandhu brought 16 years of experience in the cosmetics industry to the role, having previously served as Chief Sales, Marketing & Education Officer at Voya Organic Beauty.
In this role at Aromatherapy Associates, Sandhu is helping to bring new cutting-edge innovations to market while accelerating growth across the brand's spa and retail outlets.
Armani Beauty appointed Richard Pinabel as Global President, replacing Véronique Gautier. Pinabel joined Armani Beauty from Lancôme, another L'Oréal-owned brand, where he previously served as Deputy General Manager Worldwide for more than two years.
Prior to this, he was General Manager at L'Oréal's Luxe division in Portugal and Yves Saint Laurent Beauté in Japan, as well as Brand President Worldwide at Shu Uemura.
Hailey Bieber’s Rhode appoints new CEO
Rhode, the skincare brand founded by American model Hailey Bieber, appointed Nick Vlahos as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Vlahos joined Rhode from The Honest Company - actress Jessica Alba's personal care brand - where he served as CEO until January 2023. Prior to this, he was EVP and Chief Operating Officer at The Clorox Company and VP and Global General Manager at Burt's Bees.
Haeckels undergoes rebrand with founder back at helm and new CEO
Haeckels, which is currently operating without a formal name, marked a new chapter of innovation, responsibility and growth, bolstered by the return of its founder and the appointment of a new CEO. This period of realignment is driven by the British skincare brand's need to address an important issue surrounding its namesake, Ernst Haeckel.
At the heart of the relaunch was founder Dom Bridges, who returned full time to Haeckels as part of its renewed leadership strategy. It also appointed Ann-Margret Kearney as CEO to help navigate the brand through its current transition. Her expertise in operational efficiency and brand development is "pivotal" as the brand focuses on enhancing its responsible practices and product offerings.
MAC Cosmetics appoints new GM to "drive business forward"
MAC Cosmetics promoted "inspiring" leader Aïda Moudachirou-Rebois from SVP Global Marketing to SVP General Manager in an effort to "push the business forward". She succeeded Philippe Pinatel, who has decided to step down after six years in the role to "pursue an outside opportunity".
Moudachirou-Rebois first joined MAC Cosmetics in 2021 to lead the Consumer & Product Marketing teams and deliver "breakthrough innovation through insights and analytics". She brings to the role an "innovative and inspiring leadership style" and significant global brand-building expertise.
Merit Beauty names former MAC Global President as CEO
Minimalist makeup brand Merit Beauty appointed Philippe Pinatel as its new Chief Executive Officer. Pinatel brings years of experience in the beauty industry, having previously served as Global President at MAC Cosmetics following his promotion from Global General Manager in 2020.
Prior to this, he held the position of President and COO at Birchbox for two years, as well as a number of senior roles at Sephora, Guerlain and Clarins across various regions.
THG hires new CEO of Beauty Brands
THG, the owner of Cult Beauty and Lookfantastic, appointed Amy Fisher as CEO of Beauty Brands. Fisher most recently served as Chief Executive at women’s reproductive care brand Lola until December 2023.
Prior to this, she was President of Wander Beauty and Chief Marketing Officer at Stila Cosmetics. She has also worked at Ralph Lauren, Elizabeth Arden, The Estée Lauder Companies and L'Oréal in various roles.
