L’Oréal is changing the geographical scope of some of its commercial zones. The decision follows the departure of Jochen Zaumseil, President of the APAC Zone, who has expressed the wish to retire on 1st January 2021.

According to the group, it is a question of greater coherence to each zone, particularly in terms of consumer behaviour and market maturity. The aim is therefore, “to respond even better to the diversity of our consumers and their expectations, by providing them with products and services adapted to their local realities, wherever they are,” said Jean-Paul Agon, CEO of L’Oréal.

New organization in Asia and Africa

The North Asia Zone will regroup Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. The Zone will be led by Fabrice Megarbane, in addition to his current duties as CEO of L’Oréal China and member of the Executive Committee.

South Asia and the Middle East/North Africa Zone will be joined to create the SAPMENA Zone (South Asia Pacific - Middle East - North Africa). This new zone will be entrusted to Vismay Sharma, who will join L’Oréal’s Executive Committee. An Indian national, Vismay joined the Group in India in 1994, where he has led both the Consumer Products and Professional Products Divisions. In 2012 he was appointed CEO for L’Oréal Indonesia. Since 2016 he has been CEO for L’Oréal in the UK and Ireland.

A new Sub-Saharan Africa Zone will be entrusted to Burkhard Pieroth. Of German nationality, Burkhard joined L’Oréal in 2017 after a previous experience with Procter & Gamble. His first mission was the transformation of the haircare business for the Consumer Products Division. Since 2018 he has been General Manager for Emerging Markets, also for the Consumer Products Division.

Chief Global Growth Officer

In order to animate this new organization, enable transversal synergies and strategies, and enhance global growth, the Group has decided to create the role of Chief Global Growth Officer, to which all zone Presidents as well as the Travel Retail business will report. This position will be entrusted to Frédéric Roze, currently President of the Americas Zone and member of the Executive Committee.

“This new organization will give us more agility and the leverage to accelerate our growth, particularly in new areas of high potential,” commented Nicolas Hieronimus, who will take over the group in May 2021.

These appointments will take effect progressively from 1st January 2021.