Kotchka to resign from P&G

CINCINNATI Procter & Gamble announced on Wednesday that Claudia Kotchka, vice president of design innovation and strategy, will retire effective March 31, 2009 after more than 31 years of service.

Until that time, effective Aug. 1, 2008, Kotchka will serve as vice president on special assignment.

“Under Claudia’s leadership, in only seven years, we’ve built world-class design capacity at P&G,” stated A.G. Lafley, chairman and chief executive officer. “She has helped integrate design and design thinking into how we innovate and how we operate as a company. Her passion for the power of design has strengthened our brands and our business.”

Also on Aug. 1, Philip Duncan, currently president of the Europe and Middle East region for Landor Associates, will be appointed global design officer. Duncan will report to Lafley.