In the first major announcement, L’Oréal’s Board of Directors are to keep Jean-Paul Agon’s on as Chairman, a position he has held since 2011, and appoint Nicolas Hieronimus as Chief Executive Officer.
Hieronimus joined L’Oréal 33 years ago and has spent all his career with the Group, in many countries and divisions. He has been Deputy CEO in charge of various divisions since 2017.
“The Board of Directors is delighted to be able to count on Jean-Paul Agon as Chairman and is keen to pay tribute to him when the time comes,” says Sophie Bellon, Chairwoman of the appointments and governance committee and independent director
The Board would like to thank him for his 15 years as the Group’s CEO. Jean-Paul Agon imagined the future of beauty and fundamentally transformed the company to adapt it to the challenges of its time, while remaining faithful to L’Oréal’s core fundamentals.
Agon, with the agreement of the Board, also agree to keep Nicolas Hieronimus on as Deputy CEO, a position he has held since 2017.
Barbara Lavernos, who will lead research, innovation and technology from February 2021, will be appointed deputy CEO on 1 May 2021.
“With her appointment, research is placed at the highest level of the Group, confirming its critical role for L’Oréal,” the company states. “The new direction will be the cradle of the Group’s great inventions for the future.”
RB poaches Nestlé SVP
Meanwhile, Reckitt Benckiser announces the appointment of Filippo Catalano as Chief Information and Digitisation Officer.
Effective from 1 April 2021, Catalano arrives at RB from Nestlé, where he was SVP Chief Information Officer overseeing the company’s upgrade of technology platforms, data processes, digital capabilities and tech skills.
“I am pleased to be able to welcome Filippo to RB,” says the company’s Chief Executive Officer Laxman Narasimhan.
“Building and maintaining a competitive, leading edge IT and Digital capabilities are key to being successful and agile.
“Developments over the last decade and now - whether it's the growth of e-Commerce, the power of data analytics, social media pervasiveness or more recently the need to remain connected virtually - all further highlight that the IT and Digital Function is the backbone and engine of growth of RB.
“Additionally, technology underpins our ability to create new businesses and new business models for our increasingly digital consumer.”
Gelita and Glanbia hires
Meanwhile, gelatine and collagen peptides manufacturer Gelita appoints Dr Sven Abend to the Executive Board of Gelita effective from 1 November 2020.
Dr Abend's most recent position was COO of the Lonza Group, where he was responsible for the Specialty Ingredients division, and was also a member of the Executive Board.
Gelita also appoints Jan Christoph Teetz as CFO of Gelita from 1 October 2020. Teetz was CFO at Tesa, a company of the Beiersdorf Group, for over 10 years.
More additions to the board were announced over at Irish global nutrition group Glanbia, which appoints independent non-executive director, Donard Gaynor, as Chairman effective from 8th October 2020.
Gaynor’s time on the board means he is expected to remain as Glanbia’s Chairman up to the firm’s 2022 AGM, where he will have served on the Board for nine years.
“It is a privilege to be appointed Chairman of Glanbia,” says Gaynor. “I look forward to working with the Glanbia team and my Board colleagues on the successful delivery of strategy and value creation for our stakeholders.”
Outgoing Chairman Martin Keane adds, “Since joining the Board Donard has brought experience and energy to Glanbia and in his role as Remuneration Committee Chair, he has led prior engagements with our shareholders.
“I know he will use those qualities and his experience to make an excellent Chairman. I would like to wish Donard well as he takes up his new role.”