LVMH has appointed Stéphane Rinderknech as Chairman and CEO of its Beauty Division.
Rinderknech will have global responsibility for the division, with Parfums Christian Dior, Guerlain, LVMH Fragrance Brands (Parfums Givenchy and Kenzo) and Kendo reporting to him directly.
He takes on the new position in addition to his current responsibilities as head of LVMH Hospitality Excellence.
Rinderknech joined LVMH in 2022, and had previously worked at L’Oréal since 2001. His most recent position at L’Oréal was President and CEO of L’Oréal USA. At L’Oréal he was also President and CEO of L’Oréal China.
LVMH also announced key changes at its Parfums Christian Dior, Guerlain and Make Up For Ever brands.
The group has appointed Véronique Courtois as President and CEO of Parfums Christian Dior. Courtois was most recently President and CEO of Guerlain, a position she has held since 2019. Laurent Kleitman, who has headed Parfums Christian Dior since November 2019, is to leave the group.
At Guerlain, Gabrielle Saint-Genis Rodriguez is to replace Courtois as President and CEO. Saint-Genis Rodriguez most recently headed Make Up For Ever.
Charles-Henri Levaillant, who has been Digital and Client Development Director at Louis Vuitton since December 2020, succeeds Gabrielle Saint-Genis Rodriguez as President and CEO of Make Up For Ever.
Commenting on the changes, LVMH Chariman and CEO Bernard Arnault said: “The appointment of Stéphane Rinderknech at the head of the Beauty Division completes the reorganization of the group by category. Stéphane has since his arrival guided the rebound of our hotel activities with considerable strategic agility. […] His deep understanding of the beauty industry will help him leverage the unique assets of each of our maisons.”
As part of the reorganization LVMH stated that Stéphanie Médioni, Executive President of the Beauty Division, will report to Rinderknech and retain her responsibilities for Acqua di Parma, Benefit Cosmetics, Fresh, Make Up For Ever, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Loewe Perfumes, Officine Universelle Buly and STELLA by Stella McCartney.
Hugues Dusseaux, Deputy President of the Beauty Division (and also President of LVMH SEA-Oceania); Maud Alvarez-Pereyre, Senior Vice President Human Resources; Bruno Bavouzet, Research & Development Director and Jean-Michel Moutin, Chief Operating Officer, will also report to Rinderknech.
In addition and in conjunction with this new organization, Claude Martinez has been appointed President and CEO of GAIA, the LVMH Group Research and Innovation Center. He is to step down from his responsibilities for the Beauty Division and will become Advisor to Arnault on topics related to innovation.