The Estée Lauder Companies has announced the promotions of two key leaders within the Travel Retail business — Israel Assa and Javier Simon — reflecting the growing strategic importance of the channel to the company.
Israel Assa
Both Assa and Simon are familiar to the industry in the Americas, as they held senior positions in ELC’s travel retail business in Miami.
Israel Assa has been promoted to President, Commercial, Travel Retail Worldwide, and Javier Simon has been promoted to President, Travel Retail Asia Pacific. Both will continue to report to Olivier Bottrie, Global President, Travel Retail and Retail Development and will join the extended executive leadership team.
Since 2016, Israel Assa has been Senior Vice President and General Manager, Business Operations, Travel Retail Worldwide leading The Estée Lauder Companies’ three Travel Retail regional organizations.
Assa joined The Estée Lauder Companies in New York in 2001 as Executive Director, Travel Retail Marketing and moved to Miami as Vice President and General Manager, Travel Retail Americas in July 2006. Prior to taking on his current position, Assa led the Estée Lauder brand as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Estée Lauder, Travel Retail Worldwide from 2014 to 2016.
Javier Simon
“Israel’s deep understanding of our Travel Retail business, his longstanding relationships with retailers and airport landlords, and his passion for our consumer continue to enable our business growth and advancement as the Travel Retail industry evolves,” said Bottrie. “I look forward to our ongoing partnership and I wish him all the best in this elevated role.”
Javier Simon has led the Travel Retail Asia Pacific region since 2009 as Vice President and General Manager and has played an instrumental role in guiding The Estée Lauder Companies’ portfolio of brands to success in this fast-growing and dynamic region. Under his leadership, ELC’s Travel Retail Asia Pacific business has led the way in developing innovative retail experiences, embracing omni-channel, building brand equity and expanding consumer reach.
Simon joined The Estée Lauder Companies in 2000 as Regional Director for the Estée Lauder brand in Travel Retail Americas, and he was subsequently appointed Vice President and General Manager for Travel Retail Americas in 2001.
In 2006, Javier was appointed General Manager for the Swiss Affiliate before taking on his current role in 2009, based in Singapore.
“Javier’s strong business acumen, his ability to anticipate and capitalize on trends, as well as his dedication to cultivating a team of passionate brand-builders make him an essential part of our Travel Retail leadership team,” said Bottrie.
“I wish him continued success leading our Asia Pacific region.”
In more news from The Estée Lauder Companies, Guillaume Geslin became vice president/ general manager of Travel Retail Americas effective July 1, 2019. Geslin held the position of VP/GM for Bobbi Brown within the APAC Region since 2016, following 13 years at L’Occitane en Provence.
