NEW YORK — Consumer goods executive Elio Leoni Sceti is joining Coty Inc. as chief executive officer.
Sceti, 49, comes to Coty from European frozen food company Iglo Group, where he served as CEO since May 2013. He takes over from Bart Becht, interim CEO and chairman at Coty.
Elio Leoni Sceti
Coty said Monday that Sceti is slated to take the CEO reins on July 1, and Becht will remain chairman following the transition. Becht had been appointed as interim CEO last September when Michele Scannavini stepped down from the chief executive post and Coty’s board.
Coty noted that Sceti’s track record in managing multiple global businesses, building global brands and achieving strong financial results across a range of consumer-oriented companies will be a significant asset, since Coty’s fragrance, color cosmetics, and skin care brands are sold in more than 130 countries and territories.
At Iglo Group, he helped refocus the company’s growth and investment models behind the “Better Meals Together” strategy and re-energize its core Birds Eye, Iglo and Findus frozen food brands. As CEO of EMI Music, he returned the company to revenue growth and expanded profit margins as well as led EMI’s transformation from a traditional record label into a consumer-led music company, helping achieve the global success of established and new artists, such as Coldplay, Katy Perry and David Guetta, and building the global reach of catalogue masterpieces like the digital remaster of The Beatles’ full collection, according to Coty
In addition, Sceti worked for Procter & Gamble Co. and, subsequently, for 16 years in marketing and senior leadership roles at Reckitt Benckiser (RB), where he oversaw the North American, European and global categories.
“We are extremely pleased to welcome Elio to the top position at Coty,” Becht said in a statement. “Elio’s significant experience and proven track record in building successful, global brands will be a tremendous asset to Coty as it continues to enhance its position in the global beauty industry. I have known Elio on a professional level for many years, dating back to our days together at RB, and I firmly believe he is the right leader to oversee the next stage of Coty’s development.”
Sceti is currently an independent member of the Anheuser-Busch InBev board and will remain as a nonexecutive board member of Iglo Group. He also serves as chairman of Beamly Ltd., a social networking and television platform for mobile devices; chairman of LSG Holdings, an investment and advisory boutique; and a counselor at One Young World, a global forum of future leaders from more than 160 countries.
“I am honored and excited to be joining Coty at this important juncture in the company’s growth,” Sceti stated. “Coty combines my love for building global brands with a passion for innovation and great products that connect with consumers at an emotional level. I believe there is an incredible opportunity to build upon Coty’s established, leading global platform throughout the world, and I look forward to working with all the company’s employees to build upon the amazing collection of Coty global brands and beauty platforms.
“I am also thrilled to be working again with Bart as my chairman at Coty,” Sceti added. “I hugely respect Bart’s vision and guidance and look forward to working with him. I am very much looking forward to taking Coty to new heights.”
