Surprise departure of YSL Beauté head Renaud de Lesquen

There has been surprise across the cosmetics industry at the departure of Renaud de Lesquen as head of YSL Beauté, part of the L'Oréal group. Lesquen became head of YSL Beauté after its acquisition in mid-2008.

News of the departure was confirmed by L'Oréal though no explanation has been forthcoming. YSL Beauté achieves some 95% of sales from perfumes and make-up products and is on the verge of launching a new range of care products in early 2012. Lesquen said last March that the aim was to double YSL's sales over the next five years to around €1bn.

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