Fast-moving consumer goods giant Unilever has appointed Mary Carmen Gasco-Buisson to the role of CEO of its prestige division, effective November 1.

Gasco-Buisson succeeds Vasiliki Petrou, who departed from the company in July after a decade at the helm.

She will report to Priya Nair, Unilever president, beauty and wellbeing.

The appointment marks the return of Gasco-Buisson to Unilever, having previously served as worldwide brand leader and P&L owner for the group’s mass brands Axe and Lynx from 2020 to 2022. 

In addition to Unilever, the executive has held several leadership positions, including her most recent role as CMO and executive VP of global business units at jewellery brand Pandora since October 2022, as well as more than 20 years of experience working on mass brands at rival P&G.
These roles included global marketing and innovation director for Hugo Boss fragrances and brand manager for Olay global skin care and North America. 

“Incredibly excited to announce that as of November 1, I will be the new CEO of Unilever prestige,” Gasco-Buisson posted on LinkedIn.

“Unilever prestige is a portfolio of ten beautiful brands across skin, hair and colour cosmetics, built over the last ten years by Vasiliki Petrou – a leader I know and respect enormously. I have worked in beauty for most of my career and I am thrilled to be returning to lead these brands and teams of entrepreneurial, talented and passionate people into the next chapter of growth. huge thank you to Priya Nair for this exciting opportunity to join the beauty and wellbeing team.”

Unilever’s prestige division was founded in 2014 and comprises ten premium beauty brands, including biotech hair care line K18, Dermalogica, Paula’s Choice, Murad, Kate Somerville, Ren Clean Skincare, Garancia, Tatcha, Living Proof and Hourglass.