Coty appoints food boss Elio Leoni Sceti as CEO

Leoni Sceti, an Italian national, has built up specific experience and skills in the areas of executing corporate strategies, building global brands and achieving strong financial results.

As well as Iglo, the European frozen foods giant, he has also served as the CEO of EMI Music, underlining a variety of types of businesses all serving the consumer sector, while also putting in time at senior leadership roles in both Reckitt Benckiser (RB) and P&G, exposing him to the personal care field.

Leoni Sceti’s third CEO appointment​

During his time at Iglo Leoni Sceti has overseen a period of extensive brand rebuilding and recovery at the business, which has focused on the core Iglo and Birds Eye brands.

He introduced the ‘Better Meals Together’ strategy, which is credited with helping turn around the company and serving to increase the company’s market share, as well as a sustainability program that focused on freezing to reduce food waste.

He likewise helped turn around the EMI business, helping to return the business to growth after a prolonged period of decline, in turn expanding profit margins.

Experience and track record got him hired​

“Elio’s significant experience and proven track record in building successful, global brands will be a tremendous asset to COTY as it continues to enhance its position in the Global Beauty industry,” ​said Bart Brecht, interim CEO and chairman.

Brecht will be relinquishing his interim role, but will remain chairman at the company.

“I have known Elio on a professional level for many years, dating back to our days together at RB, and I firmly believe he is the right leader to oversee the next stage of COTY’s development,”​ Brecht continued.

Overseeing growth of global brands​

Leoni Scati will take over the new position from July 1st 2015, and will be primarily responsible for the growth of Coty’s global brand portfolio, which covers the fragrance, color cosmetics, skin and body care categories in 130 countries.

He is currently an independent member of the board of directors of Anheuser-Busch InBev, and will remain as a non-executive board member for the Iglo Group, while also serving as chairman for Beamly social and content discovery platform and Chairman of LSG.