Aveda, Bobbi Brown, La Mer, and Bumble and bumble are set for leadership changes, according to a press release posted on The Estée Lauder Companies site Tuesday. “Today’s announcement reflects the Company’s thoughtful succession planning philosophy,” says Fabrizio Freda, president and CEO.
“We are focused on leveraging the diverse strengths, experiences and perspectives of our leaders to further grow our brands and our business. The success of our people is a cornerstone of our long-term strategy,” Freda remarks.
Retirements
Effective July 1, Dominique Conseil, global brand president of Aveda will retire, according to the company announcement. Conseil has been with the company for some 17 years and in beauty for more than 25 years. He’s credited with developing Aveda as a socially and environmentally responsible brand, with growing Aveda internationally, and with overseeing the launches of some of the brand’s top-performing product lines. “Under Mr. Conseil, Aveda became an industry leader in the development of environmentally responsible packaging, and was the first beauty company to achieve carbon balance in its in-house manufacturing, headquarters and retail operations,” according to the press release announcing the leadership changes.
In January 2018, Peter Lichtenthal, global brand president of both Bobbi Brown and Bumble and bumble will retire. Having joined The Estée Lauder Companies in 1989, “Lichtenthal’s career has touched every category with numerous leadership roles across the Company’s brand portfolio, including as Global Brand President, Bumble and bumble, where he reinvigorated its professional salon channel and expanded the brand into new high-growth channels, such as Sephora, to drive sales and cultivate brand appeal,” notes the release.
Both Conseil and Lichtenthal report to group president Jane Hertzmark Hudis. Commenting on their plans to leave the company, Hertzmark Hudis says, “Dominique’s and Peter’s excellent leadership has helped shape some of our most beloved prestige beauty brands. As we honor their amazing careers, I’m also proud of the strong foundation they’ve built for their successors to achieve the next wave of growth.”
Transitions
Barbara De Laere will be the senior vice president and global general manager of Aveda going forward. She will also join the company’s executive leadership team and report to Hertzmark Hudis.
For Bumble and bumble, Zach Rieken will remain the brand’s senior vice president and global general manager and then succeed Lichtenthal, once he retires next year.
Sandra Main, current global brand president of La Mer will take on the Bobbi Brown brand as well. And Justin Boxford will become senior vice president and global general manager for La Mer (reporting to Main). Boxford will also be joining the company’s executive leadership team.
“We’ve always been a company of brand-builders and the home for the best industry talent,” explains Hertzmark Hudis. “Barbara, Sandra and Justin each have highly unique business expertise and leadership skills that will further accelerate their brands’ growth potential in today’s dynamic prestige beauty landscape.”