The Japanese beauty giant has announced the promotion of Ron Gee to President & CEO of Shiseido Americas, effective July 1, 2021. In addition to his role as CEO, Gee will continue to serve as Global M&A Leader for Shiseido Group. Gee previously served as Interim CEO and as CFO, having held the latter position since 2016. He will continue to report to Masahiko Uotani, President and Group CEO of Shiseido Company, Limited.
As regional CEO, Gee will be responsible for driving Shiseido Americas’ strategic vision, in addition to strengthening the region’s organizational structure, optimizing operations and championing its ambitious business objectives. Gee will continue to lead a portfolio of prestige beauty businesses and will assume global brand holder responsibility for Shiseido’s Americas-based brands including bareMinerals, BUXOM, Drunk Elephant, Laura Mercier, NARS Cosmetics and Tory Burch Beauty, as well as oversight of the region’s shared service functions. He will also lead the company’s commercial businesses in the U.S. and will oversee subsidiaries in Latin America and Canada.
A nearly twenty-year veteran of the beauty industry, Gee has overseen businesses across all categories, including makeup, skincare, fragrance and haircare, and in all channels, including luxury/prestige, mass market and salon. Prior to joining Shiseido Americas, Gee served as Chief Financial Officer of the Americas at Coty, Inc., where he was responsible for leading the region’s strategic plan and commercial execution across all businesses and multiple manufacturing sites. Earlier in his career, he served in various financial leadership positions at L’Oréal USA, working on brands such as Maybelline, Garnier, Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren and Yves Saint Laurent. Gee received his Master of Business Administration in Finance and Marketing from the New York University Stern Graduate School of Business and his Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University.
Masahiko Uotani stated, “During his time as CFO and more recently as Interim CEO of the Americas, Ron has indisputably earned his reputation as a keen business leader, collaborative team builder, skilled problem solver and invaluable partner. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, he has shown remarkable leadership in a time of crisis, protecting our business in the region while continuing to drive our ongoing digital transformation. With his leadership, I am confident that Shiseido Americas will achieve even greater success in the market and will continue to contribute boldly to the future of Shiseido Group and our WIN 2023 strategy.”
Gee’s replacement as CFO for Shiseido Americas is expected to be announced imminently.
