In a noteworthy move, Ian Bickley, who held the interim CEO position at The Body Shop since last spring, has officially departed following the completion of the sale to private equity group Aurelius, a recent report reveals.
The sale, initiated last year by Brazil’s Natura &Co, culminated in Aurelius acquiring the ethical beauty firm at a valuation of £207 million. This shift in ownership prompts Bickley’s exit, acknowledged for his instrumental role in steering The Body Shop through a turnaround.
The official statement released to Retail Week highlights Bickley’s impact: «Ian, a former member of Natura &Co’s board, assumed the interim CEO role in April 2023, tasked with stabilizing The Body Shop. His efforts in turning around performance and facilitating the sale process have met their objectives. With Aurelius now at the helm, it is time to transition leadership.»
While the successor remains undisclosed, The Body Shop collaborates with Aurelius on crafting a robust, long-term strategy. The statement assures that the announcement of a new chief executive will follow «in due course.»
This development follows the completion of the sale, which, at £207 million, notably differs from the €1 billion valuation when L’Oréal sold it to Natura in 2017. Stay tuned for updates as The Body Shop navigates this transition and charts its course under new leadership.
