The Body Shop CEO stepping down

By Dean Blake

The Body Shop’s CEO, David Boynton, is leaving the role after five years at the top of the business.

Cosmetics Business reports that Boynton’s exit comes at a difficult time for the business, which posted its fourth consecutive quarter of declining sales in March, and cut its leadership team by 25 per cent while making 12 per cent of its staff redundant in February.

The business’ owner, Natura & Co, is exploring cost savings initiatives for the business, and recently sold Australian beauty brand Aesop to L’Oréal for a hefty $3.7 billion.

The reason for Boynton’s departure isn’t known, but in a LinkedIn post announcing his resignation, he said he was confident the business would do well moving forward.

“I’ll be cheering you on from the sidelines and wishing you only wonderful things,” Boynton wrote. “Keep up the great work team, you should be proud of all we have accomplished together and please know you have been incredible to work with.”

Coles loses liquor chief, consolidates head of marketing role

By Dean Blake

Coles liquor CEO Darren Blackhurst has announced he will step away from the business at the end of June.

Blackhurst will return to the UK to spend time with his family, The Shout reported.

“Under his leadership, we reset our liquor strategy to be a simpler, more accessible and locally relevant drinks specialist,” Outgoing CEO Steven Cain said.

Blackhurst said it had been a pleasure to be a part of the Coles business, and that the Coles Liquor team should be proud of the work it has achieved.

Coles has also consolidated a number of its marketing roles into a single position, and appointed Kate Bailey as general manager of brand, digital and media, Mumbrella reports.

Bailey was previously GM for media, sponsorships and events, and will now take on the expanded remit of brand, digital and design – verticals that were previously headed by Sam McLeod, who left the company in December – as well as the company’s marketing.

The business’ head of marketing role has been vacant for over six months, and Coles’ executive team decided to rethink its search for a replacement after McLeod left the business, Mumbrella reported.

Sephora names Jenny Cheah MD of ​​Southeast Asia, Oceania and Korea

By Tong Van

Sephora has appointed former Bulgari executive Jenny Cheah as its new MD of Southeast Asia, Oceania and South Korea.

In her new role, Cheah will work closely with Sephora Asia president Alia Gogi to oversee the business growth in these regions.

Cheah had worked at LVMH from 1999. She spent seven years at Bulgari, overseeing the expansion of South Asia as regional MD before being appointed president of Greater China in 2021. She joined the French luxury group as a management trainee at DFS.

“With her robust knowledge of the prestige industry and Southeast Asia, she will play an instrumental role in our ambition to continuously elevate the Sephora experience to create the most loved beauty community in the world,” Gogi said.

Sephora has about 3000 points of sales across 36 markets. The multi-brand retailer launched its first ‘Store of Future’ concept in Asia at Singapore’s Raffles City last September.