Yesterday, Sephora has announced the appointment of Catherine Spindler as president of its Europe and Middle East operations, effective January 27. Spindler will join Sephora’s global leadership team and report directly to Guillaume Motte, president and CEO of the prestige beauty retailer, which is part of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.
Spindler succeeds Sylvie Moreau, who previously held the role. In an internal memo, Motte emphasized that Spindler’s appointment marks an important step in continuing Sephora’s growth trajectory in these key regions. “Catherine’s mission will be to continue writing Sephora’s growth story in Europe and the Middle East with our talented teams, gaining market shares in this historic region for Sephora,” Motte stated. “She will keep elevating our brand and customer experience across all touchpoints, while reinforcing loyalty.”
Bringing a wealth of international experience in omnichannel retail, Spindler’s background spans leadership roles at major global brands. Prior to joining Sephora, she worked at Lacoste, where she served as deputy CEO for three years and was a member of the executive committee.
She also held the position of chief brand officer at Lacoste. Spindler’s career includes key positions at Vente-Privée Group, where she started as chief marketing officer and later became managing director for France, as well as overseeing customer experience at the group level. Earlier in her career, Spindler helped expand the Yves Rocher brand in Asia, and was a member of the executive committee for the Dr. Pierre Ricaud brand.
Spindler started her professional journey at LVMH, working at Guerlain, and is a graduate of EDHEC Business School.
Under Spindler’s leadership, Sephora aims to continue its impressive growth in the region. Between 2022 and 2024, the company reported annual gains of more than 20 percent, far outpacing market growth. Additionally, Sephora has been actively renovating and opening stores in Europe, including the notable reopening of its flagship on the Champs-Élysées in 2023, further reinforcing its commitment to expanding its retail footprint.
