The Chief Exec of beauty brand owner Beiersdorf has quit the business after two years in the role.
Stefan De Loecker joined the Nivea maker in 2012 as Corporate Senior VP in Dubai, before heading up its sales department and latterly taking up the top role in 2019.
Prior to coming aboard the personal care company, De Loecker served as CEO of Tesco Slovakia and in a number of senior roles at confectionary business Nestlé.
Vincent Warnery, a member of Beiersdorf’s Executive Committee, will fill De Loecker’s shoes as CEO from 1 May, two months before De Loecker’s official departure on 30 June.
“On behalf of the whole of Beiersdorf, the Supervisory Board would like to thank Mr De Loecker for his outstanding achievements over many years,” said Reinhard Pöllath, Chairman of the Supervisory Board.
“He has made a decisive and lasting contribution to the company,” he added.
“We wish him and his family all the very best for the future and I am looking forward to staying in touch.”
Speaking about his exit, De Loecker said: “I would like to thank all employees, customers and partners for the great cooperation over the past years.
“My goal was to strengthen Beiersdorf in an era of digital disruption and environmental challenges to keep the company on track for success in the long term.
“I am convinced that we have laid this foundation. I personally wish my successor as CEO, Vincent Warnery, all the best and every success on the journey ahead.”
Under De Loecker’s command Beiersdorf was able to successfully navigate through the pandemic and reported an increase in market share for Nivea in more than half of its operating countries, according to the company’s 2020 year review.
While its high-end skin care brand La Prairie suffered in the first half of 2020, growth in China during the latter half of the year gave the Swiss brand a much needed sales boost.
Commenting at the time of the review, De Loecker said 2020 was “challenging, but it was also a landmark year for Beiersdorf”.
To capitalise on its market position, the beauty owner has upped its investment to €300m to put towards digitalisation and market growth over the next five years.
