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Coty Names P&G Veteran Markus Strobel Executive Chairman and Interim CEO Starting Jan. 1, 2026

The leadership change signals a board-backed reset focused on Coty’s Consumer Beauty review.

Overview

  • Strobel will take the dual roles on January 1, 2026 as Sue Nabi exits and longtime director Peter Harf retires.
  • The Procter & Gamble veteran spent 33 years at the company, led global skin and personal care, and is credited with revitalizing SK-II and overseeing prestige fragrance licenses including Gucci.
  • He will steer a board-supported strategic review of Consumer Beauty with options under consideration that include partnerships, divestitures or spin-offs, as reported.
  • Coty recently agreed to sell its remaining 25.8% stake in Wella to KKR for $750 million upfront plus 45% of future proceeds, with cash earmarked to pay down debt and keep net leverage near 3x.
  • The reset follows weakening performance and market pressure—Coty reported a fiscal 2024/25 net loss, a softer first quarter, and a share price drop of over 50% this year—alongside the scheduled loss of the Gucci license in 2028.