Coty names Soraya Benchikh CFO amid rocky Q4 financial update

By Alessandro Carrara | Published: 21-Aug-2026

Soraya Benchikh brings more than two decades of international finance and general management experience to the role, and will report into Markus Strobel, Executive Chairman and Interim CEO of Coty

Coty has named Soraya Benchikh CFO, effective 1 September, succeeding Laurent Mercier.

The appointment follows the new operating structure Coty put in place on 2 July, which has brought commercial decision-making closer to the markets Coty operates, and combined research and development (R&D) and supply chain into a single function.

Benchikh brings more than two decades of international finance and general management experience across major global consumer goods companies to the role.

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She most recently served as CFO of British American Tobacco (BAT), where she held several senior roles, including President of BAT France, Area Director for East and Southern Africa, and Regional Finance Director for Europe.

Benchikh started her career in finance with personal care brand Gillette.

Markus Strobel, Executive Chairman and Interim CEO, said: “Soraya is a seasoned global executive with a strong track record of financial and operational leadership, and she is the right leader for Coty’s next phase.

“As we welcome her to Coty, I would like to sincerely thank Laurent for his leadership in strengthening Coty’s financial foundation over the past five years.

“He shaped a better finance organisation, built greater financial discipline and created a clear financial roadmap.”

Benchikh will also join Coty's Executive Committee and report directly to Strobel.

Benchikh added: “Coty has one of the strongest portfolios in global beauty, and Laurent leaves the finance function in great shape.

“I am joining at a pivotal moment in Coty’s transformation, with a clear strategy and a real opportunity to accelerate it alongside Markus and the team.

“My focus will be strengthening the balance sheet, sharpening capital allocation and helping drive the next phase of sustained value creation.”

Benchikh’s appointment follows Coty reporting a mixed final quarter of trading in 2026, with revenue gains offset by pressure on underlying consumer beauty sales growth.

The multinational, which owns brands including Kylie Cosmetics, Marc Jacobs Beauty and Rimmel London, has been reshaping its portfolio over the past year.

This includes L’Oréal taking over the Gucci Beauty licence from Coty one year earlier than expected after a deal was reached with Gucci’s owner Kering.

The termination of Coty’s licence to produce Gucci’s range of fragrance and make-up had been expected in 2028, following L’Oréal’s €4bn acquisition of Kering Beauté last year.