Henkel has named Pernille Lind Olsen as its new President for North America.
Lind Olsen succeeds Steven Essick, who has retired after 27 years with the owner of Schwarzkopf, LIVE hair colour and got2b.
Henkel said her appointment will “empower” its North America teams and drive growth across the industries and markets it operates in.
She will continue to serve as Corporate Senior Vice President and Regional Head of the German consumer goods company’s adhesives division.
“I am excited to take on this role and together with my fellow leadership team and our colleagues across the region continue building on our strong position in the North American region, by delivering innovative products and sustainable solutions that help our customers solve their most urgent challenges and improve the lives of our consumers,” said Lind Olsen.
Prior to joining Henkel in January 2022, Lind Olsen worked for Hempel A/S for eight years.
Her tenure with the coating supplier saw her working in a variety of roles including Group Product & Portfolio Director and as Group Vice President for South & East Asia.
She began her professional career at global biotechnology company Novozymes in November 2000.
“I believe that we have an enormous potential to bring our company purpose – pioneers at heart for the good of generations – to life by playing together as a team and by leveraging the market know-how and collaborative spirit of the Henkel team,” added Lind Olsen.
It comes after Henkel sold its business in Russia for €600m in April 2023.
“All acquirers have established and long-standing business relationships in Western countries and are not subject to EU or US sanctions,” Henkel said in a statement at the time.
Henkel previously defended its decision to continue operating in Russia after its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The German conglomerate said at the time that a full withdrawal could have “far-fetching” consequences, in consideration of the 2,500 staff it had in the country.
Henkel also opened a new J-beauty innovation hub in Tokyo, Japan, in March 2023.
The space includes a research and development lab and a product evaluation studio, aimed at increasing its capabilities for product development and ingredient formulation.
Henkel is now developing Asian and Western beauty fusion concepts, trends and solutions for consumers in Japan and Asia in the new hub.