Space NK has appointed Emma Simpson-Scott as CEO, according to Cosmetics Business, replacing Andy Lightfoot, who had led the chain for ten years. WWD confirms this length of tenure, citing ten years of service for Lightfoot at the helm of the chain.
Andy Lightfoot became CEO in April 2019. His tenure covered Space NK's acquisition by Ulta Beauty, which took place last year according to WWD. The reasons for his departure have not been disclosed, Cosmetics Business notes.
Emma Simpson-Scott had until now held the position of chief marketing officer (CMO) at Space NK. Cosmetics Business cites seven and a half years in that role, while WWD says more than seven years, noting that she has been with the chain for a decade. She brings more than twenty years of experience in luxury retail, brand marketing and customer experience, according to Cosmetics Business.
Kecia Steelman, president and CEO of Ulta Beauty, the company that owns Space NK, welcomed the appointment. « Emma est une dirigeante du retail très respectée, qui apporte une connaissance profonde du client, une expertise retail et une passion pour construire des équipes exceptionnelles », she said. Steelman also thanked Andy Lightfoot « pour ses dix ans de service, et tout ce qu'il a fait pour Space NK, y compris le rapprochement avec Ulta Beauty ».
For her part, Emma Simpson-Scott referred to « la passion, l'expertise et l'esprit entrepreneurial » of the teams, which she said she had witnessed firsthand, before adding that she wanted to « stimuler l'innovation et la croissance, et créer des expériences beauté encore plus inspirantes pour les clients ».
Andy Lightfoot, quoted by WWD, said he planned to remain in post for a few weeks to support the transition. He added that he believed it was a leader's role to train those around them « de telle sorte que cela rende son propre rôle redondant, poussant l'entreprise vers de plus grandes choses ».
The leadership change comes alongside two other arrivals reported by WWD: Hannah Quy joins Space NK this month as chief financial officer, overseeing finance, real estate and distribution, while Tiff Ruis arrives from Ulta Beauty to take up the role of senior vice president of retail and e-commerce.
Emma Simpson-Scott will take up her duties as CEO starting September 13th, according to Cosmetics Business, opening a new chapter for a chain recently integrated into the American group.
