On October 28, multiple media outlets reported that The Estée Lauder Companies intends to appoint Stéphane de La Faverie, the company’s Executive Group President, as its next CEO. This comes as the current CEO, Fabrizio Freda, is set to retire next fiscal year, prompting an accelerated search for his successor.
Initially, not only de La Faverie but also Jane Lauder, a member of the Estée Lauder family and the current Chief Data Officer and Executive Vice President of Enterprise Marketing, was considered a strong candidate for the CEO position. However, Jane Lauder announced her intention to step down from her executive role at the end of the year, effectively positioning de La Faverie as the leading candidate for the CEO role.
Jane Lauder stated that she believes she can best contribute to the company’s “necessary reforms and brand revitalization” by serving on the board. Moving forward, she plans to support the CEO as an advisor, focusing on profit recovery and growth plans from her position as a director and shareholder. With her departure, William P. Lauder will be the only family member involved in the company’s day-to-day operations, although Aerin Lauder will continue her work as a brand consultant.
De La Faverie, now the top CEO candidate, joined Estée Lauder in 2013 and has since overseen prestigious brands such as Estée Lauder, Jo Malone London, Le Labo, and KILIAN PARIS. Prior to joining Estée Lauder, he served as a senior executive at L’Oreal, bringing significant experience to his current role.
If de La Faverie assumes the CEO position, he will face the challenge of driving growth and restoring brand value under new leadership. The company is currently facing a decline in demand, especially in the Chinese market, which requires fresh strategies to meet evolving consumer expectations.
Estée Lauder’s quarterly earnings report is set to be released on October 31.