Carol Hamilton, the Group President of Acquisitions for L’Oréal USA, has announced her retirement.
Hamilton, who has been with L’Oréal for over 40 years, will retire on 1 May.
Hamilton recently led the development and launch of L’Oréal’s 120,000sqft West Coast headquarters, situated on a 25-acre campus in Los Angeles.
Speaking to WWD on her departure from the beauty giant, she said: “I’m full of reflection and gratitude and perspective on what a 40-year career has looked like in beauty and specifically at L’Oréal.
“Over the last four decades, beauty has transformed itself into such a powerful and respected industry.
“It’s so gratifying to see how important the industry has become to consumers and the business world.”
David Greenberg, Chief Executive Officer of L’Oréal USA and president of the North America Zone, added: “Carol Hamilton’s leadership at L’Oréal has been nothing short of transformative.
“Her strategic vision propelled unprecedented growth for many brands in the portfolio, achieving market leadership across multiple categories.”
Hamilton began her career at L’Oréal in 1984 as a marketing director for L’Oréal Paris in the consumer products division.
She became US Brand President in 2000 before rising to Global Brand President of the beauty giant.
In 2008, Hamilton took over L’Oréal Luxe, where she is said to have doubled the business and achieved record profitability during her eight year leadership.
She was named US President of Acquisitions in 2018, overseeing the acquisition and integration of brands like Kiehl’s, Urban Decay and It Cosmetics.
Hamilton is also recognised for her support of issues that affect women both within and outside of the company.
In 2013, she launched the Women in Power course advocating for gender equality at L’Oréal in collaboration with the Harvard Women’s Leadership Board where she was also a member.
Additionally, she established the L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth philanthropic programme, which raises funds for ovarian cancer research and UNICEF.
Hamilton confirmed she will still work within the beauty industry even though she is retiring from L’Oréal.
“I’m just moving to my next chapter, I love building brands and I love building up founders, so I will continue in the industry, just from a different vantage point,” she said.
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