Global beauty company Coty Inc. has appointed Soraya Benchikh as Chief Financial Officer, effective 1 September 2026. She succeeds Laurent Mercier and will join the company’s Executive Committee, reporting directly to Executive Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer Markus Strobel.
Benchikh joins Coty at an important stage in the company’s transformation. The appointment follows changes to its operating model introduced in July, which moved commercial decision-making closer to its markets and brought research and development and supply chain under one function.
With more than two decades of experience across international finance and general management, Benchikh has held senior leadership positions with major consumer goods companies. Most recently, she was Chief Financial Officer at British American Tobacco (BAT), where she also served as President of BAT France, Area Director for East and Southern Africa, and Regional Finance Director for Europe. She previously spent nearly four years at Diageo, serving most recently as President, Europe. Her career began in finance with General Electric and Gillette.
Commenting on the appointment, Markus Strobel, Executive Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer, said, “Soraya is a seasoned global executive with a strong track record of financial and operational leadership, and she is the right leader for Coty’s next phase. As we welcome her to Coty, I would like to sincerely thank Laurent for his leadership in strengthening Coty’s financial foundation over the past five years. He shaped a better finance organization, built greater financial discipline, and created a clear financial roadmap.”
Benchikh will take responsibility for Coty’s financial leadership as the company moves into its next phase of transformation. She said, “Coty has one of the strongest portfolios in global beauty, and Laurent leaves the finance function in great shape. I’m joining at a pivotal moment in Coty’s transformation, with a clear strategy and a real opportunity to accelerate it alongside Markus and the team. My focus will be strengthening the balance sheet, sharpening capital allocation, and helping drive the next phase of sustained value creation.”
About Coty Inc.
Coty is a global leader in beauty, spanning fragrance, color cosmetics, and skin and body care. Founded in Paris in 1904, the Company has grown into one of the largest beauty companies in the world, selling prestige and mass-market products in more than 120 countries. Coty gives people the confidence to express their individuality, and the Company continues to advance sustainability across its operations through its Beauty That Lasts program.
