Chanel’s Global CFO Philippe Blondiaux will retire on 31 December 2026, marking the end of a 14-year career with the French beauty giant.
Blondiaux, who joined Chanel in 2011, announced his retirement in a LinkedIn post on 17 July, stating that it was not an end but the “beginning of something even bigger”.
The executive became a board member for the maker of Chanel No. 5 in 2018.
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“This week, I announced my decision to retire from ChaneI, effective 31 December 2026, bringing to a close a 40-years executive career that has taken me around the world,” Blondiaux wrote in the LinkedIn post.
“From Burkina-Faso to London, through Pakistan, Russia, Switzerland, the USand many other countries along the way.”
Blondiaux extended his thanks to several beauty industry leaders, including Wolfgang Reichenberger, a former CFO at French beauty giant L'Oréal.
The list also included Paul Polman, who previously headed up UK consumer conglomerate Unilever as CEO between 2009 and 2019.
Blondiaux added: “At pivotal moments in my life, each of them saw potential in me that I probably could not see myself.
“They took a chance on an unknown, outspoken Frenchman from nowhere special – a descendant of 17 generations of agricultural and textile workers in Picardie.”
Looking ahead, Blondiaux claimed 2027 will mark the start of a new non-executive career.
Blondiaux continued: “I owe my life to my family, who embraced our constant moves to unfamiliar and, sometimes surprising, places with curiosity, open-mindedness, and genuine interest.
“I am also proud to leave behind the only legacy for which I would like to be remembered: an outstanding finance team at Chanel, each member chosen with great care.
“I am deeply proud of all of them, and I have no doubt they will help write the next chapter of Chanel's success.”
The announcement of Blondiaux’s departure follows Sephora Global COO Alexis Rollier stepping down after 14 years with the LVMH-owned beauty retailer in July.
Rollier, who joined Sephora in 2014 as CFO and COO Americas, revealed his departure in a LinkedIn post on 14 July, stating it was time to “open a new chapter”.
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