The Body Shop has expanded its leadership with two new appointments as the embattled British retailer continues to course correct its operations following its bankruptcy last year.
Hitesh Amin has been appointed Chief Technology & Transformation Officer, and Victor Sabbe named Chief Marketing Officer.
The Body Shop, now owned by global private equity group Auréa, said in a statement that this was a pivotal step in the brand’s “next chapter of purpose-led growth and operational excellence”.
It added that Amin and Sabbe will also help support the business' focus on “renewed consumer connection” under the leadership of The Body Shop CEO Mike Jatania.
Jatania, who is also Executive Chairman of the retailer, said: “These appointments represent another important step in our transformation journey.
“Transformation is not a one-time project – it is the path to unlocking sustainable growth, staying competitive, and leading the way in both retail and digital.
“By strengthening our executive team with Hitesh and Victor, we are building the capability and leadership required to deliver against our ambitious plans and to keep The Body Shop at the forefront of purpose-led beauty.”
Amin has more than 30 years of leadership experience at multinational technology company IBM and accounting firm PwC.
His role will focus on streamlining The Body Shop’s processes, operations and digital technology infrastructure to ensure they are optimised to deliver long-term success.
Amin said: “By bringing technology and transformation together, we will create a business that is more agile, more connected, and more future-ready.
“Unlocking growth that is not only commercially strong but also true to our values of sustainability and purpose.
“This is about building a model where data is our competitive advantage, artificial intelligence (AI) is our growth engine, and technology and transformation is the bridge between our heritage and the next chapter of beauty retail.”
Sabbe, meanwhile, brings more than a decade of global beauty sector experience, specialising in strategic brand building and consumer-centric product innovation.
He joins from beauty giant L’Occitane Group, where he most recently served as Global Marketing Director.
Sabbe will lead global marketing strategy and execution across channels, aligning brand vision and product strategy with regional needs.
Sabbe added: “I am thrilled to join The Body Shop at such a pivotal time and on the cusp of its 50th anniversary.
“Our brand has a powerful heritage and an equally exciting future.
“My focus will be on making sure we stay bold, playful and purposeful.
“The Body Shop has always stood apart by putting love where its labour is, by seeing customers as people, and by responding to their real needs rather than creating them.”
These appointments follow The Body Shop naming ex-L’Occitane Managing Director Alia Sirina Hawa its Chief Commercial & Brand Officer in August.
Auréa is preparing to rebuild The Body Shop’s UK business and international presence in 2025 after falling into administration last year.
This came just months after being acquired by private equity firm Aurelius for £207m.
The store closures and job cuts came after a period of financial challenges for The Body Shop, including multiple consecutive quarters of losses with former owner Natura & Co.
This eventually resulted in insolvency in the UK, with 197 stores closing as part of its restructuring process.