THE WHAT? Coty has appointed Soraya Benchikh as Chief Financial Officer, effective September 1, 2026, as the beauty group continues to reshape its leadership and operating structure. Benchikh succeeds Laurent Mercier.
THE DETAILS Benchikh joins Coty following senior finance and operational roles at British American Tobacco and Diageo, bringing more than two decades of international consumer goods experience. Most recently CFO of BAT, she has also served as President of BAT France, Area Director for East and Southern Africa and Regional Finance Director for Europe. At Coty, Benchikh will join the Executive Committee and report to Executive Chairman and Interim CEO Markus Strobel, with priorities including strengthening the balance sheet and sharpening capital allocation.
THE WHY? The appointment comes at a pivotal stage in Coty’s wider transformation, following the introduction of a new operating structure in July designed to move commercial decision-making closer to individual markets and combine R&D and supply chain operations. Benchikh’s financial and operational experience will support Coty as it focuses on greater financial discipline, capital allocation and sustained value creation.
Source: Coty
