Read on FashionNetwork.comShiseido Appoints Alberto Noe as Americas CEO Amid Leadership Reshuffle and Job Cuts
Japanese beauty giant Shiseido has announced significant leadership changes, including the appointment of Alberto Noe as CEO of the Americas. The company is undergoing a major executive reshuffle while implementing job cuts and reporting substantial financial losses. Noe, a veteran with over a decade at Shiseido, will concurrently maintain his role as president and CEO of the EMEA region while leading the Americas operations.
Japanese beauty conglomerate Shiseido has initiated a comprehensive leadership restructuring, appointing Alberto Noe as the permanent CEO of the Americas region. This strategic move comes as the company navigates challenging financial performance and implements workforce reductions across its operations.
Leadership Transition and Executive Appointments
Alberto Noe's appointment to the permanent role of Americas CEO follows his interim leadership position earlier this year. According to the company's announcement, Noe replaces Ron Gee, who stepped down from the Americas CEO role in April 2025. Noe brings extensive experience within the Shiseido organization, having first joined the company in 2013 as president and CEO of Italy.
Noe's career progression within Shiseido demonstrates the company's internal talent development strategy. His promotion through various regional leadership roles culminated in his March 2024 appointment as president and CEO of Shiseido EMEA, a position he will continue to hold alongside his new Americas responsibilities.
Broader Executive Reshuffle
The leadership changes extend beyond the Americas region, with several key promotions announced simultaneously. Makoto Toyoda has been elevated to chief information technology officer, while Hidefumi Araki assumes the role of global brand and product innovation officer. Naomi Kawanishi has been appointed as the new global brand president of Clé de Peau, Shiseido's super-luxury skincare brand.
Concurrently, the company confirmed several executive departures effective January 1, 2026. Angelica Munson, chief digital officer; Tomoko Ikeda, chief brand and product innovation officer; and So George Sugitomo, chief creative officer are all leaving the Tokyo-based organization.
Financial Context and Workforce Reductions
These leadership changes occur against a challenging financial backdrop for the beauty giant. Shiseido reported an attributable net loss of 43,983 million yen (approximately €246 million) for the first nine months of 2025, a significant reversal from the profit of 754 million yen (€4.2 million) recorded during the same period in 2024.
The company also revealed plans to cut approximately 200 domestic jobs through its "Next Career Support Plan" early retirement program. This workforce reduction initiative underscores the broader restructuring efforts Shiseido is implementing to address its financial challenges and streamline operations.
Strategic Implications
The consolidation of leadership responsibilities with Alberto Noe overseeing both EMEA and Americas regions suggests Shiseido's strategy to create greater operational efficiency and cross-regional coordination. This approach may help the company better navigate the current market challenges while leveraging Noe's extensive international experience.
These executive changes represent a significant shift in Shiseido's global leadership structure as the company works to stabilize its financial performance and position itself for future growth in competitive beauty markets worldwide.
