P&G names John Brownlee new CEO of Speciality Beauty Division
Brownlee brings over 20 years of experience within P&G.
USA – Procter & Gamble has announced a leadership transition within its Speciality Beauty Division, appointing John Brownlee as the new Chief Executive Officer.
Brownlee, who currently serves as Senior Vice President of North America Hair Care, will assume his new role effective August 1, 2025, while continuing to oversee P&G’s hair care portfolio.
Brownlee succeeds Colin Walsh, who has led the division since July 2023.
Walsh played a pivotal role in shaping P&G’s Speciality Beauty portfolio, which includes brands such as Ouai, Farmacy, and Tula.
His tenure was marked by strategic acquisitions and the expansion of P&G’s presence in the prestige beauty sector.
Before joining P&G, Walsh held leadership positions at DevaCurl, L’Oréal-owned Matrix, and Redken, and co-founded the gut health startup YayDay.
Brownlee brings over 20 years of experience within P&G, having held leadership roles across oral care, skin care, and professional hair care.
He was instrumental in P&G’s acquisition of Mielle Organics, a textured hair care brand, and has driven growth across Pantene, Head & Shoulders, and Herbal Essences.
His appointment signals P&G’s commitment to strengthening its Speciality Beauty portfolio, integrating cross-category expertise, and accelerating growth within its premium beauty offerings.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Brownlee stated, “Working with and learning from Colin across these past years has been fun, engaging and a genuine privilege.”
“I’m excited to pick up the baton from him and look forward to working more closely with these brands and teams. I’m especially energized to build on what makes Speciality Beauty’s brands uniquely relevant to their consumers.”
Recently, P&G appointed Craig Arnold to its Board of Directors, effective June 9, 2025.
Arnold’s addition to the board reflects P&G’s ongoing efforts to strengthen governance and strategic direction, ensuring continued innovation and operational excellence in the evolving consumer landscape.
Arnold, the former Chairman and CEO of Eaton Corporation, brings extensive leadership experience in power infrastructure, technology, and global business operations.
Currently, Arnold serves as the lead independent board director for Medtronic, Inc..
He is actively involved in community initiatives through the United Way of Greater Cleveland and the Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland.
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