Avon Products, Inc. announced a comprehensive management realignment to enhance the companys operational and executional effectiveness. “The reorganization, the companys most significant since it reduced management layers in 2005, provides added management depth and increased operational oversight of its Commercial Business Units and also reflects leadership changes in the companys priority geographies,” the company said.
Commenting on the changes, Andrea Jung, Avons Chairman and CEO said: "Avon continues to have significant growth opportunities across our global geographic portfolio. Our goal is to capture these opportunities by realigning our top management talent and also through strategic new hires that bring added management capabilities. The reduction in management layers in 2005 set the stage for renewed growth by enabling us to be faster and nimbler, but since then our business has grown significantly and become increasingly complex. The realigned management structure reflects this new reality and is designed to enhance operational rigor and better position us to execute effectively across the portfolio."
As part of the reorganization, the company said it is repositioning its six Commercial Business Units into two major business groups -- the Developed Market Group and the Developing Market Group. In connection with these changes, Avon announced the following senior management appointments, effective March 1:
- Charles (Chuck) Cramb, (age 64), Vice Chairman, Chief Finance and Strategy Officer, has been named Vice Chairman of Avons Developed Market Group. The Developed Market Group comprises the Commercial Business Units of North America and Western Europe, Middle East and Africa, which include the companys recently-acquired new businesses, Silpada and Liz Earle. These are headquartered respectively in the US and the UK. Mr. Cramb joined Avon in 2005 following a distinguished, 35-year career at Gillette. At Avon, he has led the companys restructuring and acquisition strategies. In his new role he will continue to oversee corporate strategy.
- Charles Herington, (age 51), Executive Vice President, Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe, has been named Executive Vice President of Avons Developing Market Group. The Developing Market Group includes the Commercial Business Units of: Latin America; Central and Eastern Europe; and Asia Pacific (which will now include China). Mr. Herington joined Avon in 2006 from AOL Latin America, where he was President and Chief Executive Officer. Under his leadership, Avons Latin America business has almost doubled in size and gained market share.
- In addition, Avon announced that an external search is underway for a new Chief Financial Officer. The company said that Mr. Cramb will continue to serve as Avons Chief Financial Officer on an interim basis pending the announcement of the new CFO.
These three executive positions will report directly to Ms. Jung. In a series of related changes, the company announced the following leadership appointments for its Commercial Business Units:
Developed Market Group Changes:
- Jorge Martinez-Quiroga, (age 55), has been named Senior Vice President and Commercial Business Unit leader, Avon North America. One of Avons most experienced direct selling operating leaders, with 33 years at the company, Mr. Martinez-Quiroga has served as General Manager Avon Argentina and Southern Latin America, as well as General Manager Avon North Latin America, where he led the resurgence of growth in Avon Mexico following many quarters of sales decline. Most recently, Mr. Martinez-Quiroga headed up the companys initiative to contemporize its Representative service model. Earlier in his career he also served as Vice President, Global Sales Development.
- Anna Segatti (age 58), has been named Senior Vice President and Commercial Business Unit leader, Western Europe, Middle East and Africa. Also an Avon veteran with 33 years at the company, Ms. Segatti was formerly Group Vice President, Western Europe and the Middle East. She has been instrumental in driving Avons strong recent performance in Western Europe while also simultaneously serving as General Manager, Avon UK, sustaining growth in this market through the recession.
Developing Market Group Changes:
The company said an external search is underway for a new Commercial Business Unit leader to oversee Latin America, its largest region.
- Srdjan Mijuskovic (age 55), has been named Senior Vice President and Commercial Business Unit leader for Central and Eastern Europe. Mr. Mijuskovic was previously Senior Vice President, Central and Southeastern Europe including Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Romania. During his 14 years with Avon, Mr. Mijuskovic has served in a range of capacities, including a tenure as head of Global Sales where he led the global rollout of Sales Leadership, the companys multi-level earning opportunity.
- Also in Central and Eastern Europe, Angela Cretu (age 36), assumes the position of General Manager, Avon Russia. Ms. Cretu joined Avon in 1999, rising rapidly through the sales organization to become General Manager Avon Romania and ultimately expanding her responsibilities to include oversight for the ten countries in Avons Southeastern Europe Cluster. Most recently, Ms. Cretu was Vice President, Business Model Innovation, where she led the implementation of many of the companys technology tools to unleash the productivity of its sales representatives.
- Bob Briddon (age 57), has been named Senior Vice President and Commercial Business Unit leader, Asia Pacific including China. During his 33 years with Avon, Mr. Briddon has held a range of senior operating roles. Earlier in his career, he served as General Manager, Avon Philippines, where he led a significant turnaround in this market. Mr. Briddon was also instrumental in establishing the South Asia Cluster Marketing group, and also served as General Manager, Avon Thailand. Most recently he held the position of Group Vice President, North America Marketing, Canada and the Caribbean.
Commenting on these management appointments Ms. Jung said: "With these changes we are capitalizing on the enormous talents of a very diverse and seasoned group of executives to strengthen regional and country leadership across our global portfolio. We are also rebuilding a team of dedicated Commercial Business Unit leaders consistent with our focus on executional excellence and operational rigor going forward."
About Avon
Avon, the company for women, is a leading global beauty company, with over USD 10 billion in annual revenue. As the worlds largest direct seller, Avon markets to women in more than 100 countries through approximately 6.5 million active independent Avon Sales Representatives. Avons product line includes beauty products, as well as fashion and home products, and features such well-recognized brand names as Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Advance Techniques, Avon Naturals, and mark.
