The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. has made the following global leadership updates, effective January 1, 2020—Justin Boxford has been promoted to global brand president, La Mer; Philippe Pinatel has been promoted to global brand president, MAC Cosmetics; Deborah Royer has been promoted to global brand president and chief creative officer, Le Labo; and Christopher Wood has been named president, North Asia (Japan, Korea), Dr. Jart+ and Do The Right Thing.
 
“As a company, we strive to create opportunities that harness the unique talents of our dynamic and high-potential leaders and fuel our multiple engines of growth strategy,” said Fabrizio Freda, president and CEO, The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC). “Justin, Philippe, Deborah and Christopher each demonstrate the strategic leadership and vision to deliver impressive results today, while transforming their respective business areas to support ELC’s continued growth and win into the future.”
 
Justin Boxford
 
Boxford has been appointed global brand president of La Mer after three years leading the brand as global general manager. During that time, he accelerated growth in fast-growing channels and markets, transformed the brand’s digital platforms and increased consumer engagement globally. In his new role, Boxford will help engineer La Mer’s continued growth by nurturing and strengthening its brand equity.
 
“Justin’s extensive luxury beauty experience and global point of view, combined with his expertise in brand-building, driving engagement, and omnichannel strategies make him uniquely suited to lead La Mer’s next phase of global growth,” said Jane Hertzmark Hudis, group president. “I am thrilled Justin will continue leading La Mer as global brand president, further leveraging the brand’s luxury skin care position and engaging new generations of consumers.”
 
Philippe Pinatel
 
Since joining MAC Cosmetics in 2018 as senior vice president and global general manager, Pinatel has brought versatile capabilities to the brand, and has driven positive momentum across key areas of the business. Pinatel led the brand’s evolved strategic direction and vision, developing new capabilities in a dynamic beauty market while leveraging the historical strengths on which MAC Cosmetics was built.
 
Pinatel has more than 20 years of global retail and beauty experience. Most recently he led several key functions, including merchandising, retail, operations and international as president and COO at digital-first beauty subscription service Birchbox. As global brand president, MAC cosmetics, Pinatel will continue to lead the transformation efforts at MAC, maintaining a focus on evolving the brand’s culture and organizational model, targeting new capabilities and building a solid infrastructure to support growth and execution.
 
Deborah Royer
 
With nearly 20 years of experience in the beauty industry, Royer is a highly talented executive with global expertise in fragrance, retail dynamics, creative development and brand building. Royer was appointed global general manager and chief creative officer in 2015, following ELC’s acquisition of Le Labo one year earlier. To date, Royer has leveraged the scale, expertise and global capacities of ELC while ensuring Le Labo maintains the entrepreneurial mindset, unique positioning and nuanced touches that have been part of the brand’s DNA since its founding. Under Royer’s leadership during this formative time, Le Labo has experienced double-digit global growth, developed new capabilities, partnerships and categories, and expanded globally.
 
As global brand president and chief creative officer, Royer will continue to execute a growth model for Le Labo that leverages a go-to-market strategy, fosters the brand’s unique appeal with consumers and promotes an innovative and collaborative workplace. Royer’s leadership, eye for design and understanding of emerging trends in the worlds of fashion, beauty and art, make her the ideal leader to further drive Le Labo’s growth globally.
 
“Philippe’s and Deborah’s respective promotions recognize their outstanding leadership and ability to cultivate and nurture two iconic brands,” said John Demsey, executive group president. “Artistry, culture and creativity are at the heart of both MAC Cosmetics and Le Labo, and Philippe and Deborah have each demonstrated the ability to preserve and leverage the core brand equities while driving growth and accelerating the strategic evolution of their businesses to meet the needs of consumers today.”
 
Christopher Wood
 
As president, North Asia (Japan, Korea), Dr. Jart+ and Do The Right Thing, Wood will take on brand leadership responsibilities following the completion of ELC’s acquisition of Have & Be Co. Ltd., the Seoul-based, global skin care company behind Dr. Jart+ and men’s grooming brand Do The Right Thing in 2019. In this new role, he will be responsible for overseeing the continued growth of Dr. Jart+ and Do The Right Thing around the world. His revised regional responsibilities including oversight of ELC’s Korea and Japan affiliates, as well as select corporate functions for the region.
 
“We’re delighted that Christopher will lead our first acquisitions in the Asia/Pacific region, given his deep knowledge of Korea and the APAC region with all its opportunities,” said Mark Loomis, president, Asia/Pacific. “This is coupled with his exceptional understanding of Korean beauty, trends in the region, and his proven abilities as a brand-builder. I know Christopher is excited to take on this new challenge and I have no doubt that he will do an outstanding job.”