Estée Lauder names Fabrice Weber as Asia/Pacific president

Tina Milton

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President of Aramis and Designer Fragrances division Fabrice Weber will succeed Michel Grunberg as head of the Asia/Pacific division

The Estée Lauder Companies has announced that Fabrice Weber will become president of its Asia/Pacific division. The appointment is effective from January 1 and Weber will be based in Hong Kong. He will report to group president international Cedric Prouvé and will succeed senior vice-p resident and regional head of Asia/Pacific Michel Grunberg who is retiring.

Since 2004, Weber has served as president of the Aramis and Designer Fragrances division, overseeing the Aramis, Lab Series skincare for men, Tommy Hilfiger fragrances, Donna Karan cosmetics, Michael Kors beauty, Kiton and Missoni Profumi brands. His leadership in that role resulted in strong market share growth for the division.

Prouvé said: “Fabrice’s expert knowledge of how to build a global business and sophisticated understanding of the international marketplace and its retail channels make him the ideal choice for this role. He is a gifted executive who has capably navigated the formidable risks and challenges of the fragrance business while nurturing a wide variety of important relationships, including those with our designers and celebrities. His vision and leadership will be great assets as we continue to expand in the crucial Asia/Pacific region.”

Weber joined Estée Lauder as vice-president and general manager, travel retailing worldwide in March 2001 and guided the division to accelerated growth despite several difficult seasons. Previously, he was the general manager of Chanel’s fragrance and beauty division in Japan, Chanel’s regional head for Southeast Asia, and he also held several positions in Europe and Asia/Pacific for L’Oréal.

Veronique Gabai-Pinsky will succeed Weber as president of the company’s Aramis and Designer Fragrances division on January 1 and report to group president Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne. Gabai-Pinsky has been senior vice-president, general manager of the Aramis and Designer Fragrances division since 2003.