Avon reveals details of CEO handover plan

On the back of disappointing second-quarter results, Avon has confirmed that current CEO, Sheri McCoy, is to step down in spring 2018.

Effective March 31 2018, McCoy will be leaving the company, with a statement by Avon saying this is “in line with her commitments to Avon's Board of Directors to transform the business.”

The announcement came alongside the company's recent underwhelming second quarter financial results.

New platform and successfully recruited senior team in place

Since joining the Company in 2012, McCoy has been responsible for driving long-term growth objectives, developing earnings opportunities for women and advancing Avon as a leading global direct seller of quality beauty products.

During McCoy's tenure, Avon has sustained its position as the #1 direct selling beauty company, and has risen to become the #1 Word of Mouth Beauty Brand and the #3 Beauty Brand on Facebook, the company says. McCoy has helped build Avon's leadership in beauty globally, including the Company's top-3 market share position in color cosmetics, skincare and fragrance in the majority of our key markets.

"Leading Avon for the past five years alongside Avon's dedicated management, associates and Representatives has been an honor, and I am proud of what we have achieved together," says the CEO.

With the successful recruitment of a senior executive team with the skill and experience to implement the next phase of our strategy, the platform is in place for a new CEO to continue accelerating the pace of change and take Avon to sustainable profitable growth. I look forward to continuing to drive the Avon business forward and to working with our leadership team to ensure a smooth transition."

Path to improvement

Commenting on behalf of the Board, Chan Galbato, non-executive Chairman of Avon Products' Board of Directors, suggested that McCoy has been instrumental in what the company hopes will be its current path towards profit.

Sheri has been a steward for Avon, leading the Company through a transformative period for the business that has included instituting a culture of accountability. Sheri has launched critical initiatives to meet the challenges of global economic and industry trends, strengthening Avon's brand and reinforcing its leading position in beauty while ensuring Avon Representatives remain at the forefront of all the Company does,” Galbato says.

Most recently, Sheri has set Avon on a path to improved growth and profitability through the design and execution of the Company's strategic plan and the recruitment of a team of executives to carry the plan to the next phase.”