Wella unites CFO and COO role to drive prominence in beauty industry

Wella Company has appointed Frank Smalla to the roles of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, uniting the roles to drive its growth within the beauty industry.  

Smalla joins Wella Company from Boston Beer Company, where he served as Chief Financial Officer since 2016. During this time, he oversaw an "unprecedented era of both growth and transformation, doubling revenues as the company entered new categories, whilst also capitalising on growing the existing businesses".

Prior to this, Smalla worked at Kraft Foods Group for over 20 years, where he directed finance operations across multiple functions, business units and geographies.

The group emphasised that Smalla joins Wella Company as the organisation’s transformation is "building capability" and expanding into new categories and markets.

Since Wella Company became a stand-alone entity, now owned by American global investment firm KKR & Co, the company has delivered year-over-year double-digit growth. Wella Company's portfolio includes Wella, OPI, GHD, Briogeo, Nioxin, Sebastian Professionals, and Clairol.

The New York and Switzerland based company operates in over 100 countries and employs more than 6,000 employees.

Frank Smalla, newly appointed Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Wella Company, said: “The opportunity to take an iconic business whose brands have such high-growth potential and unlock its full value is a once-in-a-career opportunity."

Annie Young-Scrivner, CEO Wella Company, added: "Frank is the right leader at the right time to accelerate Wella Company’s transformation and enable us to fast-track our maturation into a best-in-class beauty leader."