James C. Wei, 54, executive board member for the region Asia for Beiersdorf, will leave the company on December 31, 2011, to pursue other career interests. Wei was appointed to the Executive Board of Beiersdorf in 2009. “James Wei is a proven Asia expert. We regret his departure,” said CEO Thomas-B. Quaas, in a statement to the press.

Quaas, who will take Wei’s responsibilities until further notice, said he will focus on the Beiersdorf business in China. “China is an important future growth market for Beiersdorf,” he said. “A comprehensive revision of the company’s business structures in China was already launched in the current year 2011. We aim to develop and stabilize the strengths of our two Chinese companies NIVEA Shanghai and Beiersdorf Hair Care separately.”