PZ Cussons gets new CEO from Avon

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Mar 19, 2020

Imperial Leather owner PZ Cussons has hired an expereciend consumer goods specialist to be its new chief executive officer.

Jonathan Myers, who was most recently chief operating officer at Avon Products, has been appointed to the top role, with effect from 1 May.

He has worked for several well-known businesses in the fast-moving consumer goods sector during his career. This includes his latest position at Avon, where he was responsible for supply chain, marketing, digital, research and development and IT, as well as a long period at PZ Cussons rival Procter & Gamble.

There, he worked across a range of categories and held various senior roles, including general manager of oral care and feminine care for the Greater China Region and managing director of Kellogg Company in the UK and Ireland.

PZ Cussons lost its CEO Alex Kanellis in January after challenging market conditions led to a decline in revenue and profits in the first half of the year. Kanellis had been with the company for 25 years.

Carline Silver, chair of PZ Cussons, said Jonathan Myers was an “excellent” candidate for the job. “His wealth of experience in our product categories and of doing business in both developed and developing markets will be invaluable. In addition, Jonathan's track record of successful business turnarounds will serve us well as we continue to deliver on the company's strategy of Focus, Scale and Accelerate,” she said.

The company has a portfolio of consumer product brands including beauty specialist Sanctuary Spa, haircare brand Charles Worthington and tanning expert St. Tropez.