Unilever Cosmetics director quits

Unilever Cosmetics International (UCI) European marketing director Janey Pumphrey has left after two years in the job to join cosmetics distribution company Aspects Beauty. UCI is looking for a replacement.

Pumphrey joined UCI in 2001 from rival Coty, where she was fragrance and colour commercial marketing director for export (MW June 7, 2001). At UCI, she reported to vice-president for European marketing and strategic development Shelly Smyth.

Pumphrey’s appointment came as part of a board-level restructure at UCI, aimed at giving better support to its expanding portfolio of global brands. Her appointment followed that of UK managing director Teresa Townsend, a former Harvey Nichols store controller (MW March 8, 2001).

UCI manufactures cosmetics and fragrances for Calvin Klein; fragrances for the Unilever Prestige brands, which include Nautica, Vera Wang, BCBG Max Azria and Chloe; and fragrances for the European Designer Perfume brands, which include Cerruti, Lagerfeld and Valentino.

Last September, it was rumoured that Unilever was to sell off UCI, as part of its plan to trim its brands from 1,600 to 400, and to focus on its mainstream food and personal care businesses. The company, however, denied the rumours. In 2000, Unilever sold off its Elizabeth Arden division to concentrate on its core designer fragrances.