Chanel has named Simona Cattaneo as its new President of Fragrance and Beauty.

Cattaneo will take over from Anne Kirby, who is retiring at the end of 2024 after five years in the role.

She joins from Tod’s group, an Italian luxury fashion house focused on footwear and apparel, where she served as General Manager for three years.

Cattaneo also spent five years at Coty as President of Luxury Brands and Chief Marketing Officer.

The incoming fragrance and beauty lead, who will commence her new role in January 2025, has also held positions at L’Oréal, Burberry and Parfums Christian Dior.

“As a seasoned global business leader, Simona brings over 30 years of experience in the luxury beauty industry,” Chanel said in a statement.

“She has managed prestige brands, built new businesses across product categories and led large transformations within complex global organisations based around the world.”

Cattaneo’s appointment follows a recent executive shakeup at Chanel, which saw the departure of its Artistic Director Virginie Viard.

Fabrice Raoul, meanwhile, was named MD of Chanel.

Kirby’s exit ends a 35-year career at the luxury firm.

The executive has been credited with strengthening Chanel’s Fragrance and Beauty division during her tenure as President.

Kirby was behind the launch of the Comètes Collective in October 2022, an initiative aimed at reinvigorating and diversifying Chanel’s make-up division.

Chanel reported sales of nearly US$20bn in 2023 with its Fragrance and Beauty division said to have experienced “very strong growth” across all categories.