Marc Rey, CEO, Shiseido Americas, has a new role and title -- Chief Growth Officer.

In this newly established role at Shiseido Group, ranked at #6 on our list of Top Global Beauty Companies, Rey's goal will be to drive the company's leadership in global beauty through technology, innovation and strategic M&A. The additional responsibility, as chief growth officer, effective January 1st, 2019, comes as Shiseido launches a new Technology Acceleration Hub based in Cambridge, MA. 

Shiseido’s strengthened focus on external growth strategies and technology will build on the company’s storied legacy of innovation, the company states. Rey will continue to report to Masahiko Uotani, president and CEO of Shiseido.
 
In his expanded role, Rey will continue to identify opportunities for growth, both organically and through strategic acquisitions, to ensure growth remains at the core of the company’s present and future strategies.

To support Rey, Ron Gee, chief financial officer of Shiseido Americas, has been named global M&A leader, and will oversee a newly-established global team to support the company’s acquisition strategy across all geographies and categories, including emerging technologies.

Shiseido's New Technology Acceleration Hub

Shiseido’s new Technology Acceleration Hub is dedicated to creating new disruptive models for consumer engagement and intimacy. It will support new technological innovation efforts across the company and its global brand portfolio, and will be led by seasoned technology executive and entrepreneur Jim Mainard.

Previously executive vice president of digital strategy and new business development at DreamWorks Animation, Mainard joins Shiseido Americas as president of the Technology Acceleration Hub on November 12th. He will work closely with the company’s Digital Center of Excellence in New York City and the Global Innovation Center based in Japan, to maximize the ecosystem and intersection of digital, innovation and technology within the company.

Shiseido's Second Phase of its 'Vision 2020' Strategy

Masahiko Uotani, president and CEO of Shiseido, said, “Shiseido is in the second phase of our VISION 2020 strategy, and we remain firmly committed to global growth in our portfolio through digital acceleration, new business development and new value creation through innovation, acquisitions and partnerships."

Uotani continues, "During his tenure, Marc has led, with great success, acquisitions in both technology and traditional beauty which are helping to pave the way for Shiseido’s future growth toward 2020 and beyond. With Marc as Chief Growth Officer, we are ensuring that sustained growth remains at the forefront of our company’s strategy. With the support of a global M&A group headed by Ron, we are squarely focused on putting external growth at the core of our business strategy in the near and long term."

Uotani adds, "I am confident that with this dedicated team in place, Shiseido will successfully enter the next chapter of our transformation. I’m also pleased to have Jim Mainard lead our Technology Acceleration Hub. Jim’s valuable expertise and experience will help us define how we build technology as a competitive advantage. I look forward to seeing the great impact this team has moving forward.”
 
Rey comments, “There has never been a more exciting time in the beauty industry."

Rey continues, "A strong M&A strategy with continued development of new technologies is what keeps growth sustainable. Indeed, engagement and intimacy with the consumer will bring long-term value...This enhanced structure, with M&A and technology as our key enablers, will help us to more proactively seek new business partnerships, while keeping technological innovation at the core of everything we do."

Rey adds, "I am honored to spearhead these important growth strategies and continue building on the momentum Uotani has created over the past few years, harnessing the potential of emerging technologies, business models and brands. The very definition of beauty is being reinvented, and we are thrilled to be at the forefront of these transformations, helping to define the future of beauty.”
 
In addition to his new responsibilities as Chief Growth Officer, Rey will continue as global brandholder for the NARS, Laura Mercier and bareMinerals brands, in addition to leading Shiseido’s commercial business in the Americas, and overseeing Shiseido’s Centers of Excellence for Makeup and Digital.

Rey was recently honored at the CEW Achiever Awards, and received the organization's inaugural MEN-tor award. 
 
 PHOTO: Marc Rey, courtesy of Shiseido