Beauty giant Avon Products Inc. has appointed Chris Wermann to the role of Chief Communications Officer.
Effective Jan. 3, Wermann will take on oversight of communications and corporate social responsibility at Avon, as well as operations at the Avon Foundation for Women. He has been tapped to replace outgoing Senior Vice President of Corporate Relations, Cheryl Heinonen, who advised consumer brands on communications, branding and public affairs at Burson-Marsteller before joining Avon in 2012.
Wermann hails from United Kingdom-based retailer Home Retail Group, where he led communications as Group Director of Corporate Affairs. Previously, Wermann served as European Director of Corporate Affairs for Kellogg, and in that role led a total realignment of the company’s CSR programs in Europe. Other past roles have included Director of Corporate Affairs for Avis Europe and Deputy Director, Group Communications, for the Royal Bank of Scotland Group.
Wermann’s appointment comes at a time when, according to CEO Sheri McCoy, effective communication is “more important than ever” for Avon. The second-largest direct sales company in the world is currently executing a three-year turnaround plan and transitioning its headquarters to the U.K. “With his strong leadership and impressive strategic communications experience, Chris will be an invaluable addition to our management team,” said McCoy.
