Coty’s New Organizational Changes Shake Up R&D

Coty unveiled a set of organizational changes in which Executive Chairman and Interim CEO Markus Strobel will take direct control of prestige commercial operations, with Coty’s regional leaders reporting to him. In this realignment, there are some big changes for R&D.

Coty will integrate Prestige R&D and sustainability with supply chain into one simplified function under the interim leadership of Graeme Carter, chief supply chain officer.

R&D Departure

Dr. Shimei Fan, chief scientific and sustainability officer, will leave the company at the end of August. She led the company’s R&D organization and sustainability agenda, helped launch key innovations, and oversaw significant progress including multiple ESG ratings upgrades and the first approval of Coty’s science-based carbon reduction targets by the SBTi.

Fan arrived at Coty after serving as SVP of Shiseido’s Americas Innovation Center. She reported directly to then CEO Sue Y. Nabi.

Bringing prestige innovation, sustainability and supply chain together under one leader streamlines how the company develops and delivers behind its core businesses, said Coty, in its press announcement.

The plan is being called “Coty.Curated.”

Coty says Gordon von Bretten, president of Consumer Beauty, will continue to drive an “already integrated model” in that unit.

Caroline Andreotti, chief commercial officer, prestige, will exit at the end September after three years in the role and almost two decades with the company.  

CEO’s Take

“Coty.Curated is about clarity and focus, and a simpler operating model helps us deliver on that,” said Markus Strobel, executive chairman and interim CEO. “ It positions us to keep building behind our core brands and to support our teams as the business moves forward. I want to thank Caroline and Shimei for their leadership and their many years of contribution to Coty, and wish them every success for their future endeavors.”

Additionally, Priya Srinivasan, chief people and purpose officer, has decided to step down for personal reasons and will leave Coty in August. She led the global people function, including leadership development and engagement, and played an important role in advancing Coty’s talent agenda.

Séverine Charbon will join Coty as chief people and purpose officer effective September 1. She most recently was chief talent officer international at Publicis Groupe.