Estée Lauder appoints Wood to lead global Strategic Modernisation Initiative

Nicole Mezzasalma

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Christopher Wood has most recently worked as general manager of the supplier’s affiliate in South Korea

Beauty supplier Estée Lauder Companies has appointed Christopher Wood as senior vice-president global Strategic Modernisation Initiative (SMI). Wood has been with the company since 1993, most recently as general manager of its affiliate in South Korea, where he will be replaced by Hervé Bouvier, who currently heads the Estée Lauder brand in the Asia/Pacific region. Both appointments will take effect by April 15.

In this newly-created position he will be based in New York and become a member of the company's Executive Leadership Team, Program Management Team and SMI Steering Team. Wood will oversee all aspects of the SMI project “including the ongoing design and execution, integration of people and processes and timing of future phases” as the programme is rolled out to affiliates and regional operations.

SMI processes are currently being used by the Aveda brand, UK manufacturing operations and the North American financial structure. The project is expected to be largely complete by the end of the 2012 financial year.

Estée Lauder Companies president and CEO Fabrizio Freda said: “I am pleased to have such a talented and experienced executive heading up SMI, which is important to the success of our long-term corporate strategy. I'm also looking forward to the valuable perspective and insights he will contribute to our Executive Leadership Team.”