On March 18, 2026, Coty Inc. (NYSE: COTY) unveiled a significant restructuring of its Board of Directors, appointing five new independent directors as part of a comprehensive board refreshment initiative. This strategic move signals Coty's commitment to enhancing its governance structure and aligning with the evolving beauty market landscape. The newly appointed directors are Carsten Fischer, Alia Gogi, Robert Kunze-Concewitz, Maria Carla Liuni, and Stephanie Plaines, each bringing a wealth of experience from prestigious global companies.

2. Leadership Experience and Expertise

The newly appointed directors collectively represent decades of leadership experience across a variety of sectors, including beauty, luxury, and consumer goods. Their backgrounds include senior roles at renowned organizations such as Shiseido, Procter & Gamble, Ferrari, Bulgari, Pandora, Campari Group, Starbucks, Walmart, and Sephora. This diverse expertise is expected to bolster Coty's strategic focus on prestige fragrance and global brand building.

Highlights of the New Directors

Carsten Fischer: Previously President of Rea.deeming Beauty (Beautyblender) and a key figure at Shiseido, Fischer has a proven track record in global business operations and brand expansion.

Alia Gogi: A seasoned beauty retail executive, Gogi has extensive experience in omnichannel strategies and market expansion, having served as President of Asia at Sephora.

Robert Kunze-Concewitz: Former CEO of Campari Group, Kunze-Concewitz brings significant expertise in consumer goods and strategic acquisitions, and he will chair the Remuneration Committee.

Maria Carla Liuni: Currently the Chief Brand Officer at Ferrari, Liuni has held pivotal marketing roles in luxury brands, with a strong background in Procter & Gamble’s Prestige Beauty division.

Stephanie Plaines: As a financial executive with over 30 years of experience, Plaines will chair the Audit and Finance Committee, having held key financial roles at major corporations including Starbucks and Walmart.

3. Leadership Remarks

Markus Strobel, Executive Chairman of the Board and Interim Chief Executive Officer, expressed optimism over the new appointments. “This Board refreshment marks a defining step in Coty’s strategic evolution,” he stated. Strobel emphasized the importance of the new directors’ varied experiences in navigating the rapidly transforming beauty market and their potential to drive sustainable value for shareholders.

4. Current Board Composition and Changes

Alongside the newly appointed directors, current members Markus Strobel, Joachim Creus, Frank Engelen, and Patricia Capel will continue to serve on the Board. Gordon von Bretten has stepped down following his appointment as President of Consumer Beauty at Coty. The company also announced the immediate resignation of directors Beatrice Ballini, Isabelle Parize, and Anna Adeola Makanju. Additionally, Robert Singer plans to resign on June 30, 2026, but will remain on the Audit and Finance Committee until that date.

5. Acknowledgment of Departing Directors

In his remarks, Strobel thanked the departing directors for their service during a transformative period for Coty. Their contributions were recognized as instrumental in strengthening the company's financial position and advancing strategic priorities.

6. About Coty Inc.

Founded in Paris in 1904, Coty stands as one of the world's leading beauty companies, with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands spanning fragrance, color cosmetics, and skin and body care. The company operates in over 120 countries, dedicated to empowering consumers to express their unique visions of beauty while remaining committed to sustainability.

As Coty embarks on this new chapter with a revamped Board of Directors, stakeholders are keenly watching how these strategic changes will influence the company’s trajectory in the competitive beauty landscape.

Original press release