PARIS – Jose Manuel Albesa has been appointed chief executive officer of Puig, effective Tuesday. He had been deputy CEO.
Marc Puig, formerly chairman and CEO of Puig, is to continue as executive chairman of the company. “This is an exciting time in Puig’s evolution, building on very strong foundations and growth to set the platform for the next stage of our development,” he said in a statement.
“With this important announcement, the board of Puig opens a new chapter in the company’s governance,” he continued. “The separation of the roles of executive chairman and chief executive officer is fully aligned with the highest standards of best practice for listed companies.
“I have worked closely with Jose Manuel for over 20 years and I have every confidence that his talent, leadership and vision make him ideally suited to become CEO of Puig,” Marc Puig continued. “His deep understanding of our brands, our culture and the way we work will be crucial to drive our company forward.”
Puig said he remains fully committed to the company as executive chairman and looks forward to continuing to work with Albesa.
“Becoming chief executive officer of Puig is both a privilege and a responsibility, and I am extremely grateful for the trust the Puig family and the Puig board of directors have placed in me for this next chapter,” Albesa said. “The entrepreneurial spirit, values and creativity that underpin our company remain core to the future we will build together. I am also very proud to lead such an exceptional team whose talent, commitment and creativity are at the heart of everything we achieve. We are an agile, decisive business and experts in what we do.”
Jose Manuel Albesa and Marc Puig
Courtesy
Albesa said he believes there is still significant potential ahead. “This next phase is about renewing our energy, sharpening our focus and building on what makes Puig distinctive, and I look forward to continuing this journey together with Marc Puig and all of our teams,” Albesa continued.
He will be proposed as a member of the Puig board at the company’s annual general meeting in May.
“Marc Puig will work closely with Jose Manuel Albesa to align the strategic vision, while focusing on M&A strategy,” the beauty group said in the statement. “Marc Puig will also remain involved in key appointments and continue to act as the custodian of the Puig’s family culture and values.”
In September 2025, Albesa was appointed to the-then newly created role of deputy CEO of Puig, in charge of all divisions at the group. He also continued to remain president of Puig beauty and fashion, as well. In that job, Albesa has been reporting to Marc Puig. Albesa was tasked with driving the group’s vision and strategy across the business.
Marc Puig had worked closely with Albesa since 2024 and attested to the executive’s passion and deep understanding of the company’s story. Albesa was also lauded as an exceptionally talented brand-builder and leader instrumental in the group’s transformation to becoming a global premium beauty player. Albesa was instrumental in repositioning Rabanne, Carolina Herrera and Jean Paul Gaultier, transforming them into three of the world’s top-10 fragrance brands.
Albesa joined Puig in 1998 and has held senior leadership roles spanning brand development, marketing and operations. The executive also played a key role in the strategic development and international expansion of the company’s fragrance and fashion portfolio.
“This appointment is the result of a rigorous and formal process initiated over a year ago by the board of directors of Puig, including a thorough succession and assessment process and an extensive review of both internal and external candidates,” the company said.
Puig has been clocking healthy growth. In 2025, the company’s net profit reached 594 million euros, up 11.9 percent versus 2024, while net sales surpassed the 5-billion-euro mark for the first time. They came in at 5.04 billion euros, representing a 5.3 percent gain in reported terms and 7.8 percent on a like-for-like basis.
The organic growth was at the top end of Puig’s guidance for 2025, of 6 percent to 8 percent, and outperformed the market. It absorbed a 2.6 percent negative foreign exchange impact, as well.
Puig outperformed the premium beauty market and also last year completed its former five-year strategic plan announced in early 2021. That set the goal to double the company’s 2020 sales in three years and triple them in five.
Puig exceeded the goals, more than doubling sales by 2022 and more than tripling them by 2025.
