Coty appoints five independent directors in major board revamp

USA – Coty has overhauled its Board of Directors, appointing five new independent directors as part of a comprehensive board refresh designed to strengthen governance and support the company’s strategic evolution in the global beauty market. 

The company has expanded its Board to 10 members, adding Carsten Fischer, Alia Gogi, Robert Kunze‑Concewitz, Maria Carla Liuni, and Stephanie Plaines, all of whom bring extensive experience in beauty, luxury, branding, and financial leadership. 

Fischer has been designated as Lead Independent Director, a role that enhances Board independence and supports the Chair in coordinating with the independent directors. 

Alia will also serve as an independent director.

Kunze‑Concewitz will serve as Chair of the Board’s Remuneration (Compensation) Committee, overseeing executive pay and incentive structures to ensure they are aligned with long‑term shareholder value. 

Plaines has been appointed Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee, where she will lead the Board’s oversight of financial reporting, internal controls, audit quality, and capital‑structure decisions. 

Markus Strobel, Executive Chairman of the Board and Interim Chief Executive Officer, described the reshuffle as a pivotal step in Coty’s journey, saying the new directors offer fresh perspectives and proven track records in prestige fragrances, global branding, portfolio transformation, and financial discipline. 

He added that, together with the existing board members, the refreshed group is expected to sharpen strategic direction, strengthen execution, and foster sustainable value creation for shareholders as Coty navigates a rapidly evolving beauty landscape. 

Fischer, former CEO of Ferrari, brings deep expertise in luxury‑brand strategy and global operations, while Gogi, ex‑global CEO of Sephora, contributes a strong background in prestige beauty retail and omnichannel consumer experiences. 

Kunze‑Concewitz, the former CEO of Campari Group, adds experience in managing premium international brands, Liuni brings corporate‑finance and governance know‑how from her tenure as CFO of Shiseido Europe, and Plaines, ex‑CFO of L’Oréal USA, reinforces the Board’s financial acumen and capital‑allocation capabilities.

The company also clarified that the departure of several long‑standing directors, among them Robert Singer, Beatrice Weder di Mauro, Isabelle Studer, Anna‑Kristiina Keskinen, and Gordon Wren, is part of a planned governance rotation and not due to any disagreement over the company’s operations, policies, or practices.

Coty has also realigned its committee structure to deepen oversight in key areas. 

Coty aims to underpin its ongoing portfolio‑rebalancing and cost‑efficiency initiatives while reinforcing its position in the prestige and mass‑market segments under Strobel’s leadership.

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