The Body Shop’s ‘Next Chapter’ Begins with CEO Departure

The Body Shop has announced what it is calling “the next chapter in its history” with David Boynton stepping down as chief executive. Ian Bickley, a Natura &Co board director, is taking the helm as interim CEO.

Natura owns The Body Shop, having acquired the naturals company in 2017 from L’Oréal. L'Oréal purchased The Body Shop from Founder Anita Roddick in 2006. Roddick founded the company in 1976.

Bickley Is Interim CEO

Bickley is a seasoned expert in the retail and branded consumer goods sector and has an extensive background in managing and growing international franchise opportunities, driving global omnichannel growth, and pioneering innovation. With a successful track record in accelerating the international growth of Coach and Crocs, as well as advising purpose-driven companies, he brings a wealth of relevant experience to The Body Shop, according to the naturals personal care company. Bickley has a deep understanding of the business, having previously served on Natura &Co's Board Committee dedicated to The Body Shop, as well as acting as an advisor, said The Body Shop in a statement from London today.

Bickley will work closely with The Body Shop's executive leadership team to refine and expand upon the current business plan and accelerate the transformation agenda, to speed up the road to profitability together with a return to sustainable revenue.

He will also be working closely with Natura &Co Leadership to find a permanent successor to Boynton, according to The Body Shop.

“I am proud and honored to assume the important responsibility of stewarding The Body Shop's tremendous legacy into the future. In these incredibly challenging times, the world needs The Body Shop's spirit of activism and outstanding social and environmental credentials more than ever. It will be my privilege to support the brand as we move into this next chapter and expand its economic, social, and environmental potential to deliver tangible and impactful results,” Boynton said in a statement.

Boynton's Leadership

Boynton led a brand and business transformation following the acquisition of The Body Shop from L'Oréal. He is said to have also steered the company through extraordinary circumstances, including the global pandemic, the war in Ukraine, supply chain and cost inflation challenges, and consumer uncertainty. More recently, nearly 500 products have been rejuvenated as well as the launch of the new Changemaking Workshop concept stores, according to The Body Shop.

“We have achieved an incredible amount over the last five and a half years. I am incredibly proud of the business we have built together and the work we have done to get The Body Shop back to the exciting and inspiring brand it was born to be. I want to thank each and every person at The Body Shop for their resourcefulness, resilience, creativity, passion and determination. While I will no longer be chief executive of The Body Shop I will continue to be cheering from the sidelines and look forward to watching the business go on to even greater heights. I wish The Body Shop every success for the future,” said Boynton in a statement.

Fabio Barbosa, Natura &Co's Group CEO, said, “David has shown incredible passion for The Body Shop during his tenure. On behalf of the entire Natura &Co Board, we want to acknowledge and thank him for his leadership. As we bid farewell to David, we also look forward to this next chapter in the story of The Body Shop. A chapter that holds endless possibilities and prospects for success. It is with great excitement that we welcome Ian Bickley. Ian's passion for the retail sector and his track record of success makes him the right leader to bring new energy to the company. As part of his role, Ian will be working closely with us to find a permanent successor and champion of Anita's legacy – a legacy that continues to inspire us all.”