At a Glance
- Nabi stabilized Coty, refocused on prestige beauty and fragrances, and repaired the balance sheet.
- Net leverage fell to about 3x, restoring investor confidence and improving long-term profitability outlook.
- Markus Strobel, ex-P&G executive, takes over as interim CEO from January 1, 2026.
Coty Inc., one of the world’s largest beauty companies, has announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Sue Nabi, will step down following a five-year tenure that reshaped the group’s financial and brand trajectory.
Her departure coincides with a leadership transition that will see Markus Strobel assume the roles of Executive Chairman and Interim CEO, effective January 1, 2026.
Nabi, an Algerian-born French executive and one of the most influential women in global beauty, leaves Coty after steering the company through a critical turnaround phase marked by brand revitalization and balance sheet repair.
Sue Nabi’s impact on Coty
Since taking the helm in 2020, Nabi has been central to stabilizing Coty after years of underperformance.
Under her leadership, the company sharpened its focus on prestige fragrances and beauty, delivering blockbuster launches such as Burberry Goddess and strengthening the appeal of its high-margin brand portfolio.
Beyond product innovation, Nabi oversaw a material improvement in Coty’s financial health. Net leverage was reduced to around 3x, easing investor concerns and restoring confidence in the company’s long-term outlook. Her tenure also emphasized operational discipline, selective brand investment, and clearer capital allocation, laying the groundwork for sustainable profitability.
Peter Harf, who will also retire from Coty’s board after more than three decades, played a complementary role during this period, helping guide the company through strategic shifts that reinforced its position as a global beauty leader.
Markus Strobel steps in as Interim CEO
Coty has appointed Markus Strobel, a veteran of Procter & Gamble, as Executive Chairman and Interim CEO. Strobel brings more than 33 years of experience at P&G, where he most recently led its Global Skin & Personal Care business, managing a multi-billion-dollar portfolio of over a dozen global brands.
Widely regarded for transforming SK-II into a leading prestige skincare brand in Asia, Strobel has held senior roles across fragrance, grooming, and hair care, overseeing iconic names such as Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, and Hugo Boss. His career spans North America, Greater China, Japan, Korea, and Europe.
What’s next for Coty?
Founded in Paris in 1904, Coty sells prestige and mass-market beauty products in more than 120 countries. With a strategic review of its Consumer Beauty business underway, Strobel’s immediate task will be to reinforce Coty’s leadership across both prestige and mass segments while unlocking new avenues for profitable growth.
As Nabi exits, she leaves behind a leaner, more focused Coty, one positioned to build on its renewed momentum in a fiercely competitive global beauty industry.
