The Estée Lauder Companies (NYSE:EL) announced that Stéphane de La Faverie has been promoted to Group President, while continuing in his role as Global Brand President, Estée Lauder and AERIN. He will report directly to Fabrizio Freda, President and Chief Executive Officer in his role as Group President, and will continue to report to Jane Hertzmark Hudis, Executive Group President, for his Global Brand President responsibilities for Estée Lauder and AERIN.
As Group President, Stéphane will oversee and drive ELC’s recently-announced third brand cluster, which is focused primarily on artisanal and luxury fragrances. In addition to the Company’s enterprise fragrance strategy, Stéphane will leverage his skin care expertise to drive differentiation for cult-favorite brands in this category, as well as opportunities in China and Travel Retail.
The new portfolio of brands under his lead in his new position as Group President will include Jo Malone London, Aramis and Designer Fragrances, Le Labo, Darphin, Lab Series, By Kilian, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, RODIN olio lusso and Prescriptives.
One among other key new appointments and hires, including two first row female leaders
The promotion of Stéphane de La Faverie follows some other A level promotions and appointments within the Group.
On 24th June the company announced the appointment of Jane Hertzmark Hudis to Executive Group President and that John Demsey (Executive Group President) will evolve his brand portfolio.
Demsey keeps overseeing M·A·C, Clinique, BECCA, Too Faced, Smashbox, GLAMGLOW and TOM FORD BEAUTY brands amnd will be a key advisor to the Group’s new brand integration capability. He will also continue to lead Estée Lauder’s enterprise-wide Creative Organization. He keeps on reporting directly to Fabrizio Freda.
Last 18th June the US cosmetics multinational announced that Michelle Freyre will join The Estée Lauder Companies as Senior Vice President, Global General Manager, Clinique, effective July 1st, 2020.
She will report to John Demsey, Executive Group President, The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC), and will succeed Jane Lauder, who has been appointed Executive Vice President, Enterprise Marketing and Chief Data Officer.
Michelle Freyre joins The Estée Lauder Companies from Johnson & Johnson, where she had an impressive 20-year career holding various leadership roles within its Consumer Health Products division, most recently serving as President, U.S. Beauty.
She has received several awards and honors in recognition of her exceptional career, including being named to Fortune’s 2018 “50 Most Powerful Latinas in Business.” Additionally, she sits on the Board of Directors of Cynosure, LLC, and is a founding member of CHIEF, a private network designed to accelerate women in business and support women leaders.
Experienced leader in the luxury cosmetics industry who combines elevated brand storytelling with disruptive partnerships
Stéphane was named Global Brand President of Estée Lauder and AERIN in July 2016, and his successful leadership has driven Estée Lauder’s tremendous global performance across demographics, regions and channels. Under his oversight, Estée Lauder continues to exercise its power of recruitment and loyalty around the world, with a special focus on Chinese consumers globally. The brand’s hero strategy continues to demonstrate its strength across existing, globally iconic franchises like Advanced Night Repair and Double Wear.
Stéphane’s unique ability to cultivate and honor the brand’s authentic roots while simultaneously connecting with consumers of all ages, backgrounds and ethnicities, has helped make Estée Lauder one of the world’s most beloved prestige beauty brands.
He has continued to reinforce Estée Lauder’s aspirational positioning through elevated brand storytelling and disruptive partnerships including cult streetwear designer KITH and Japanese graffiti artist LADY AIKO.
Before joining Estée Lauder he was Global Brand President, Origins and Darphin, where he led Origins’ rapid double-digit growth in China, while simultaneously reinvigorating the brand’s footprint in heritage markets such as North America through innovative retail capabilities. Notably, he has also played an important leadership role in the Company’s fragrance portfolio, having served as Senior Vice President/Global General Manager, Aramis and Designer Fragrances.
“Stéphane has extensive expertise leading brands, making him well suited to the significant leadership responsibilities of the Group President role,” said Fabrizio Freda. “As Global Brand President, Estée Lauder and AERIN, he has been the ideal leader to bring our company’s iconic namesake brand into an incredible phase of broad-based growth. His well-deserved promotion reflects his excellent track record of building and leading global brands, his expertise across categories and channels, and a keen understanding of local relevance.”
Image over the headline.- Stéphane de La Faverie (Group President at The Estée Lauder Companies). photo Estée Lauder / Businesswire.
