Yesterday, L’Oréal has appointed Delphine Viguier-Hovasse as its first-ever Chief Innovation and Prospective Officer, a newly created role aimed at reinforcing the group’s leadership in a rapidly transforming beauty industry. Viguier-Hovasse, currently serving as Global Brand President of L’Oréal Paris, will assume the position on July 1, reporting directly to Barbara Lavernos, Deputy CEO in charge of research, innovation, and technology. She will also join the company’s executive committee.
The role will oversee L’Oréal’s existing innovation teams and its strategic prospective department, reflecting the company’s ambition to adopt a comprehensive and future-focused approach to beauty innovation. “This new role builds on L’Oréal’s long track record in innovation,” the group said in a statement, highlighting its intention to stay at the forefront of industry transformation.
An engineer by training, Viguier-Hovasse joined L’Oréal in 1997 and made history in 2019 as the first woman to lead L’Oréal Paris. During her tenure, the brand experienced substantial growth, bolstered by breakthrough product innovations such as Elsève Glycolic Gloss and Panorama Mascara. She also championed initiatives focused on women’s empowerment, including the annual Le Défilé runway show during Paris Fashion Week and the Lights on Women’s Worth Award at the Cannes Film Festival. Additionally, her leadership saw the global expansion of the Stand-Up program against street harassment, which has trained nearly 3 million people worldwide.
L’Oréal CEO Nicolas Hieronimus praised her appointment, stating, “Her exceptional track record of innovation and her strategic vision make her ideally suited to elevate our company’s innovation to new heights.” He emphasized her forward-thinking leadership and deep industry insight as key assets in shaping L’Oréal’s future.
