A.G. Lafley to Become Executive Chairman
The Procter & Gamble Company has announced that David S. Taylor (pictured), Group President of Global Beauty, Grooming and Health Care, will succeed A.G. Lafley as Procter & Gamble’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Taylor has been appointed to the company’s Board of Directors.
A.G. Lafley will become Procter & Gamble’s Executive Chairman. In this role, Lafley will lead the Board of Directors, and provide advice and counsel to the CEO and P&G leadership on company and business strategies, portfolio choices, and organisation decisions.
Both appointments are effective from 1 November 2015.
“We thank A.G. for returning as CEO to lead P&G’s transformation. The company is now organised into four industry-based sectors with a focused portfolio of 10 categories and 65 brands that play to P&G’s strengths. Productivity results are strong and sustainable. Stronger category business and product innovation plans are in place. Now is the time to transition to David as CEO, while continuing to benefit from A.G.’s strategic counsel as Executive Chairman,” said Jim McNerney, lead director of P&G’s Board.
Taylor joined P&G in 1980. He has helped to build many of P&G’s core businesses, including Baby Care, Family Care, Hair Care and Home Care. He has led global businesses, and lived and worked in North America, Europe and Asia. Most recently, he served as Group President of Global Beauty, Grooming and Health Care. Prior to that, Taylor was responsible for Family Care and Home Care, both of which delivered consistent double-digit profit and mid-single-digit sales growth under his leadership. He has worked closely with Lafley on the company’s strategy to strengthen and focus P&G’s business and brand portfolio.
“I am honoured to serve as P&G’s CEO,” said Taylor. “I believe in the power of P&G people, brands, products and values. P&G is transforming to be a faster-growing, more profitable company. I am committed to the strategies, and look forward to leading the people of P&G to win with consumers, drive growth and create shareholder value.”
A.G. Lafley served as CEO from 2000 to 2009, and returned from retirement to serve as CEO in 2013. Since 2000, he has played a central role in leading P&G to double the company’s sales and nearly triple its market capitalisation, resulting in significant value creation for shareholders. Since 2013, Lafley has led the P&G team to focus and balance the company’s goals, strategies, portfolio and structure for improved performance.
“We are leading P&G’s most comprehensive transformation in our history,” said Lafley. “We are a more focused and balanced company, committed to winning with consumers and creating value for shareholders. We have strengthened our brand and product innovation pipeline, while streamlining our cost structure. With our plans for portfolio realignment essentially complete, P&G is positioned to deliver improved results. The Board and I are confident that now is the time to transition the CEO role to David who will sharpen the strategies and lead the execution of the next important phase of building a better P&G.”
