2026 Kicks Off: major changes in the beauty sector

The beginning of 2026 serves as a strategic reset for many companies in the beauty, perfumery, and personal care sectors. From global groups to niche brands, several high-level positions have changed hands or are in the midst of transition as the industry redefines itself in the face of new market demands, digitalization, and economic pressure.Coty and Sue Nabi's DepartureSue Nabi, after 6 years, has left her position at Coty after serving as CEO for 5 years. This departure was made official just days before the end of 2025. Markus Strobel, with extensive experience at Procter & Gamble and decades of a career at other luxury and skincare brands, assumes the role of interim CEO on January 1st to lead the new strategic direction of the giant Coty. Estée Lauder strengthens its structureStéphane de La Faverie is consolidating his position as CEO and President of the Estée Lauder group and is implementing a restructuring that began in 2025. He himself is leading a new organizational plan that seeks to accelerate and drive scientific innovation and organic growth in 2026. Just a few months before the end of 2025, René Lammers was elected Executive Vice President and Chief Research & Innovation Officer. Joan Pere Jiménez is now the new CEO of EurofraganceLast February, the fragrance company Eurofragance announced that Joan Pere Jiménez would be the new CEO of the company, replacing Laurent Mercier. Laurent Mercier has led the company since 2018 and held the role until December 31 of last year, having joined Eurofragance in 2013.Givaudan to change CEO in MarchGilles Andrier, the current CEO of the company, will retire this March. Christian Stammkoetter will be the new CEO of the company on March 1st and this marks a generational shift in one of the most important companies in the perfumery sector. Beiersdorf trusts new director for Spain and PortugalJorge Jiménez has been elected as the new director for the Iberian territory. The German company for cosmetic and personal care products has recently appointed Jiménez as the top executive for the Spanish and Portuguese market, who will report directly to the top executive in charge of the Southern European market. The luxury sector is also on the move The LVMH group has also made official the promotion of three human resources executives. One of them is the appointment of a new HR director for LVMH Americas and a human resources director for LVMH Fashion Group, the group's fashion segment. **Paula Fallowfield** is the HR director for LVMH Americas and will take office on April 1, 2026. For her part, **Claire de Coincy** succeeds Fallowfield as HR director of Moët Hennessy, effective March 23, 2026. **Anna Briem** has also been appointed HR director of LVMH Fashion Group.On the other hand, Bulgari has also chosen a new CEO. Laura Burdese will take office on July 1, 2026, succeeding Jean-Christophe Babin. Laura Burdese was already elected as deputy CEO in July of last year and has been with the LVMH group for 10 years, where she began as CEO of Acqua di Pharma, before joining Bulgari, a company she entered in 2022. Givenchy and Dior also strengthen in 2026Other companies in the LVMH group have also decided to strengthen themselves. The French group has announced the appointment of Amandine Ohayon as the new CEO of Givenchy, a role she assumed this January. Ohayon succeeds Alessandro Valenti, who has now been appointed Deputy General Manager overseeing Christian Dior Couture's commercial activities and who also takes office this January.

2026 Kicks Off: major changes in the beauty sector

Many companies and groups in the cosmetics, perfumery, and personal care sector are taking 2026 as a reset for their strategies