Aesop
Michael O’Keeffe, the CEO of Australian skincare brand Aesop (owned by L’Oréal Group), has announced his departure after 22 years in the role.
Speaking to the Australian Financial Review, O’Keeffe said, “I need a break and some time off before moving on to the next project.”
When O’Keeffe joined Aesop, it was a small company with only 10 employees. Today, the brand boasts over 4,500 employees and a retail presence spanning the Americas, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.
Under his leadership, Aesop achieved remarkable milestones, including a more than 300-fold increase in sales, B Corp certification, and the establishment of the Aesop Foundation. As of this year, the brand’s annual sales have surpassed $1 billion.
Founded in 1987 by Melbourne hairdresser Dennis Paphitis, Aesop was acquired in 2012 by Brazilian beauty group Natura & Co, which purchased 65% of the brand for $71.6 million. Four years later, the remaining shares were acquired. In April 2023, L’Oréal Group bought Aesop for $2.525 billion.
Beyond Aesop, O’Keeffe has made other investments through his family office, including a 30% stake in the British fashion brand Sunspel.
Burberry
British luxury brand Burberry has appointed Stella King as an independent non-executive director and a member of the nomination committee, effective April 1, 2025.
Stella King currently works with the Moncler Group, where she has served since 2011. She was previously President of the Asia Pacific region and transitioned to Chief China Business Officer in January 2022, a role she will step down from on December 31, 2024. From March 2021 to April 2024, she also served as a non-executive director of Stone Island.
Earlier in her career, Stella King held positions as President of Sergio Rossi Asia Pacific and various management roles at Lane Crawford in the Chinese Mainland.
Burberry also announced that non-executive directors Fabiola Arredondo and Antoine de Saint-Affrique will step down following the annual shareholders’ meeting in July 2025.
Marquee Brands
U.S.-based brand management company Marquee Brands has appointed Natasha Fishman as Chief Marketing Officer.
In her new role, Fishman will oversee marketing, creative, and corporate communications.
A seasoned professional in brand management, Fishman previously spent 10 years at Authentic Brands Group, another prominent U.S. brand management company, where she held positions such as Chief Communications Officer and Executive Vice President of Marketing for the Lifestyle Division.
| Sources: Inside Retail, Fashion Network, PR Week
| Image Credit: Official company websites, personal social media accounts
| Editor: LeZhi
