Avon has announced that a new chief executive officer will be joining its team, effective immediately. Jan Zijderveld will be taking over the role, succeeding Sheri McCoy who announced intentions to retire from the company and its board. Aside from becoming the new CEO, Zijderveld also will serve as a member of the London-based company's board of directors.
"On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are delighted to welcome Jan to Avon, who we unanimously appointed from a very strong list of seasoned global executives," Chan Galbato, chairman of the board of directors of Avon said. "With his 30-year track record as a proven global leader, Jan has driven profitable growth in large, multi-channel, complex consumer businesses across emerging, developing and developed markets."
Zijderveld previously spent 30 years with Unilever, where he was a member of the company's executive committee, served as president of the $14 billion European business, and the executive vice president in South East Asia and Australasia. Prior to that, Jan was the CEO of Unilever, Middle East and Africa where he was able to refocus the brand's food and personal care portfolio by creating dedicated modern and traditional trade channels to meet the needs of the changing marketplace.
"I am thrilled to be joining Avon at such an important chapter in the Company's turnaround. I strongly believe in the opportunity and relevance of direct selling for today's representatives and consumers. Avon is an iconic brand with an incredible global footprint as the world's leading direct selling beauty company, operating in the attractive and growing beauty category," Zijderveld said.