Natura taps Coach veteran for board

By

Robin Driver

Published
Apr 12, 2019

Brazilian cosmetics group Natura &Co announced on Friday that it has appointed Ian Bickley, former president for global business development and strategic alliances at Kate Spade, Stuart Weitzman and Coach parent company Tapestry, Inc. to its board of directors.

 
Bickley, who left Tapestry in 2018, brings over 25 years of experience in global omnichannel retail and brand building to Natura’s board.
 
The Harvard graduate first joined Tapestry – then known as Coach, Inc. – in 1993 as director of planning and international operations. In 1995, he led the development of Coach’s Japanese business, before moving to Tokyo in 1997 to become VP of the company’s Japanese operations and ultimately president of Coach Japan, Inc., a role in which he quadrupled the subsidiary’s business by 2006.

Prior to joining Coach, Bickley served as COO of Germany’s Quick Response GmbH and also worked at Munich-based strategic consultancy firm LEK Partnership.
 
Bickley also currently serves on the board of footwear brand Crocs.
 
“I'm delighted to be joining the Natura &Co. board at such an exciting time in their evolution,” said Bickley in a release. “I look forward to supporting the global omnichannel expansion of their distinctive brands as they continue to build their leadership position in the beauty industry as a company that cares about a sustainable environment and society.”
 
"Ian has a privileged view of the consumer goods industry. His strategic vision, and deep knowledge of the dynamics of Asian markets, will contribute greatly to solutions that will drive Natura &Co's different businesses," added Roberto Marques, CEO of Natura &Co.
 
Formed from the union of Natura, Aesop and The Body Shop, the São Paulo-based Natura &Co. group reported net revenues of R$13.4 billion in 2018. The company is reportedly currently in talks with Avon concerning a possible acquisition that could reunite Avon's private North American business, with its UK-based publicly traded business.