Deciem CEO on life under Estée Lauder, expansion and The Ordinary's copycats

By Sarah Parsons | Published: 7-Feb-2022
Skin Care Finance Retail Marketing

Nicola Kilner, the leader of the Canadian maker of NIOD, joined founder Brandon Truaxe on his mission to create a transparent beauty company in 2013

You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.

Nicola Kilner, CEO of Deciem, has navigated a billion-dollar sale to Estée Lauder Companies; landed on Forbes' 40 Under 40 list; achieved nearly US$500m in annual sales, and is about to expand the company's wildly successful skin care brand The Ordinary into new categories.

But the modest industry leader still questions her capabilities. "I'm the least qualified CEO ever," she says while on a video call from Mexico to meet with Sephora.

Despite her

Not yet a Subscriber?

This is a small extract of the full article which is available ONLY to premium content subscribers. Click below to get premium content on Cosmetics Business.

Subscribe now Already a subscriber? Sign in here.
  • Companies:
  • Estée Lauder Companies
  • Deciem
See more

You may also like

You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Hair Care

Year in review: 2024’s top beauty stories and highlights

Read more
A look at the beauty industry news stories that dominated this year, covering bankruptcy, legal woes and a celeb hair care boom

Trending Articles

  1. Chanel N°5 unveils new campaign starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi Margot Robbie succeeds Marion Cotillard as the new face of fragrance
  2. You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
    Click here to find out more.
    UK exclusive: MAC scraps free lipstick initiative in Back to MAC recycling scheme The model, where customers are gifted a free lipstick for bringing make-up empties back to store, is being replaced with the brand’s ‘Impact for Change’ scheme
  3. Justmylook Celebrates 10th Anniversary with a Night of Beauty and Celebration Leading online beauty retailer Justmylook marked its 10th anniversary last Thursday with a glamorous evening celebrating a decade of success
  4. Matilda Djerf responds to toxic workplace allegations The influencer says she was ‘not ready’ to lead Djerf Avenue but takes responsibility for toxic workplace environment
  5. Burberry taps Emma Mackey as face of new Goddess fragrance The Sex Education and Barbie star follows the likes of Adam Driver and Lily James as the Coty-licensed brand’s newest ambassador

Upcoming event

Launch Lab: Future-Forward Cosmetics – Beyond Packaging 2025 - WEBINAR

17 January 2025 See all

You may also like

You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Hair Care

Year in review: 2024’s top beauty stories and highlights

A look at the beauty industry news stories that dominated this year, covering bankruptcy, legal woes and a celeb hair care boom
Finance

Estée Lauder Companies’ board member Richard Parsons retires

Parsons has departed the US beauty giant's board and all his other current board roles due to health reasons
You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Colour Cosmetics

Clinique celebrates Black Honey’s viral success with festive pop-up

The ‘Hot Honey’ activation will promote the brand’s Black Honey Lip & Cheek Oil and Almost Lipstick after #BlackHoney accumulated more than one billion views on TikTok
Skin Care

Neiman Marcus honours Estée Lauder Companies’ Leonard Lauder

ELC’s Chairman Emeritus has received the retailer’s award for Distinguished Service in the Field of Fashion for his impact on the luxury industry
Skin Care

The Ordinary co-founder Nicola Kilner to cede Deciem CEO role

Kilner will step down as CEO at the end of the year, but will remain as co-founder and continue to be involved
You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Finance

Exclusive: Estée Lauder Companies names UK & Ireland President successor

The appointment follows UK & Ireland President Sue Fox announcing her retirement after 30 years with the US beauty giant
You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Finance

Can Estée Lauder Companies’ new boss reverse its fortunes?

With Stéphane de La Faverie confirmed to take the reins from Fabrizio Freda at Estée Lauder Companies, Cosmetics Business explores how the new regime might shape the luxury giant
Subscribe now