Yesterday, Shiseido Americas is undergoing a major leadership shift as Ron Gee has officially exited his role as CEO of the region and global head of M&A, the company confirmed. The departure comes shortly after a broader CEO transition at the company’s helm, with Masahiko Uotani stepping down in December and passing leadership to Kentaro Fujiwara. Sources suggest Gee’s exit is connected to Uotani’s retirement, as one industry insider noted, “Gee was Uotani’s guy.”
Alberto Noe has been named interim CEO of Shiseido Americas, while continuing in his role as CEO of Shiseido EMEA. Noe, a seasoned executive with over a decade at Shiseido, previously held leadership positions at Lancôme Italy, Chanel, and LVMH.
Gee, a former chemical engineer who moved into finance, joined Shiseido in 2016 as CFO of Shiseido Americas and stepped in as interim CEO in 2020 before officially taking on the role in July 2021. During his tenure, he led the acquisition of DDG Skincare Holdings, the parent company of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, and explored further acquisitions such as Osea, which ultimately did not move forward.
Gee’s departure comes amid ongoing financial pressure in the Americas region. Shiseido’s operating profit plummeted by 73.1 percent in 2024, with the Americas underperforming significantly. Regional net sales fell 7 percent and core operating profit declined 11 percent. Drunk Elephant, acquired in 2019 for $845 million, saw its sales fall 25 percent over the year and has faced mounting online criticism and a voluntary U.S. recall tied to a production issue. Meanwhile, Nars remained flat in 2024, despite celebrating its 30th anniversary.
