Avon announces new GM and growth plans in Central America

The multinational direct-sales beauty company has undergone numerous organizational and leadership changes over the past year. Jan Zijderveld took his post as CEO in February; in April, Avon Japan was acquired by an affiliate of LG Household & Health Care; in July the company announced Bill Rahm as the new vice president of Avon Products in the APAC region; in Brazil, Avon appointed Jose Vicente Marino as vice president and general manager in August; and Dronacharya Chakraborty became general manager of the company’s India business in October.

New leadership in Latin America​

Now Magdalena Ferreira-Lamas, group vice president and general manager of Avon in North Latin America welcomes Jorge Leonardo Palomera Ruiz as the beauty maker’s new CARD markets GM "We are delighted to welcome a proven leader with Leonardo's expertise and particular geographical and industry insight to this role,” ​she tells the press.

With industry and social selling experience in the region, Palomera Ruiz looks to be a good fit for the company. He’s worked most recently with Oriflame and before that at CPG companies including Alberto Culver, American Greetings, Beiersdorf, and Kellogg's.

“He brings a strong track record and deep knowledge of the direct selling space and the CARD markets,” ​says Ferreira-Lamas, “making him ideally suited to drive growth for Avon. We look forward to Leonardo joining our team as we work to improve performance and better capture the significant opportunities in Central America.”​

New company agenda​

The appointment of Palomera Ruiz is framed in the company press release as a sort of recommitment to Central America by the beauty maker. And in his remarks, Palomera Ruiz suggests that Avon is still very much in the process of reworking its business globally to remain competitive.

“I look forward to leveraging my deep understanding of the Central American markets, as well as my commercial, financial and operational expertise to ensure Avon's CARD markets contribute to its transformation,” ​he says in the release.

"I recognise and appreciate the power of Avon's renewed commitment to Her [Central America and the Dominican Republic] as central to its future success, and am eager to hit the ground running in this important territory."​

---​

Deanna Utroske, CosmeticsDesign.com Editor, covers beauty business news in the Americas region and publishes the weekly Indie Beauty Profile column, showcasing the inspiring work of entrepreneurs and innovative brands.