Estée Lauder’s Global President for Travel Retail and Retail Development is stepping away from the business after 26 years at the company.
Olivier Bottrie will transition to a special advisory role from 1 May and depart the New York-based conglomerate from 30 June.
Since taking over the role in 2004, Bottrie has been instrumental in expanding Estée Lauder’s global reach to some 140 countries.
The category has also grown from 6% of the business’ net sales to 28% in fiscal year 2021.
“Olivier is a strategic leader with clarity of vision, deep international expertise and a dynamic and inclusive leadership style,” said Fabrizio Freda, President and CEO of Estée Lauder Companies (ELC).
“He has been a driving force for innovation and growth, leveraging his strong relationships, commitment to excellence and laser focus on the travelling consumer’s needs to transform Travel Retail into a growth and profit driver for the company.
“Throughout his career and especially over the last two years, Olivier has been a guiding force and mentor for his talented team, always leading with confidence and compassion.
“His presence will be greatly missed across the organisation and throughout the industry.”
Bottrie’s parting initiative was the creation of the travel retail department’s own sustainability goals.
In recognition for his work in helping people Haiti, through his non-for-profit Hand in Hand for Haiti, he received the National Order of Merit in France, as well as the National Order of Honor and Merit of Haiti.
Speaking about his departure, William Lauder, Executive Chairman for the company, added: “We are grateful for Olivier’s tremendous contributions to our business over the past 26 years, and the ground-breaking initiatives he has led for Travel Retail and the company.”
His exit comes just days after John Demsey, ELC’s former Group President, was sacked for posting an offensive racial slur on Instagram.
A week after the 65-year-old was suspended without pay, Freda made the decision to dismiss the ELC veteran of 31 years.
