Jeff Benjamin has been at his post since 2012 and in corporate law for nearly 45 years. “With the announcement of Jeff's retirement, in the coming months we will be working to ensure a smooth transition to a new General Counsel & Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer,” Sheri McCoy, CEO of Avon, says in a recent press release.
McCoy goes on to express the company’s gratitude for the contribution Benjamin made to the beauty company: “I would like to thank Jeff for his counsel and support throughout the past four and a half years and I wish him and his family good health and happiness.”
Past achievements
Before joining Avon Products in 2012, Benjamin worked 37 years with Novartis Corporation (previously the Ciba Geigy Corporation) in a series of ethics, compliance, and counseling roles.
He holds a JD degree from New York University as well as a Bachelor’s degree in government from Cornell. And, Benjamin has been active in several relevant associations and professional organizations, including serving on the Ethics Resource Center's Advisory Group in 2012, acting as a member of the Advisory Board of the Brennan Center for Justice since 2012, and earning emeritus board members status at the Ethics & Compliance Officer Association.
Global enterprise
Since Avon Products relocated company headquarters to the UK in January of this year, there have been other leadership changes.
At the same time as the move, Jamie Wilson came on board as the company’s executive vice president and chief financial officer. His predecessor James Scully held both the title of CFO and of COO. He remains part of the Avon team as chief operating officer and collaborated with Wilson during a transition period. Late last year, Scully commented to the press that, “Avon has made significant progress over the last year, and I am happy to continue to be part of the team as we strategically position the Company for its next chapter,” as Cosmetics Design reported.
Also in January, Avon’s senior vice president of corporate relations and chief communications officer Cheryl Heinonen left the company after 12 years. She remains on the Avon Foundation Board.
Chris Wermann was hired as Avon’s new chief communications officer, having worked previously with the UK’ Home Retail Group, Kellogg in Europe, and Avis Europe. “I look forward to working with Sheri and the rest of the management team to ensure Avon's strategic communications best supports the Company's business and financial objectives,” Wermann commented in January.