By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
Estée Lauder president and CEO Fabrizio Freda has informed the company’s board of directors that he will retire at the end of 2025.
“Leading The Estée Lauder Companies for sixteen years, is and has been, a true honor and privilege,” Freda said. “I am so proud of our company’s incredible accomplishments, and to have built the most talented, dedicated, and passionate team in the industry. Together we have transformed the Company in beautiful ways; and we have set new standards for excellence.”
The company says it is “well advanced” in a long established CEO succession planning process, whereby the board has already considered many highly qualified internal and external candidates.
Freda says he will continue to oversee the company’s operations until his successor is appointed. “I will continue to be fully focused on the execution of our strategic reset and the Profit Recovery and Growth Plan, as we continue to address the current challenges,” Freda said. “As we manage for the long term, now is the right time to look ahead to the next generation of leadership for this great company.”
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Once a successor has been named, Freda intends to partner with the new leader to ensure a smooth transition and will also be available in fiscal year 2026 as an advisor.
“On behalf of the entire Board of Directors and the Lauder family, we wish to extend our sincere gratitude to Fabrizio for over sixteen years of devoted service to the Company,” said William P. Lauder, Executive Chairman. “We look forward to celebrating Fabrizio’s many amazing accomplishments as his formal retirement date nears. Until then, the Board, Fabrizio and the entire leadership team are laser-focused on navigating the current challenges faced by the Company.”
Lauder also says he and the rest of the family at the head of the global brand feel a great deal of gratitude for Freda’s support over the years.
“On a personal note, Fabrizio has been an incredible partner to me as well as other members of the Lauder family,” Lauder said. “He understands the uniqueness of this family business and has used our long-term focus and principle of patient capital as a point of strength as he has transformed the business to meet evolving consumer aspirations.”