Sephora North America promotes Delphine Herve to finance chief—its first female CFO

Sep 12, 2024 at 10:55 AM

Sephora's Trailblazing Appointments: Empowering Women in the C-Suite

Sephora North America is making waves in the beauty industry, with the appointment of a woman as its finance chief, following the recent selection of its first female CEO. This historic move underscores the company's commitment to diversity and inclusion at the highest levels of leadership.

Shattering Glass Ceilings: Sephora's Commitment to Empowering Women in Leadership

Delphine Herve Takes the Helm as Sephora North America's First Female CFO

Sephora North America, a division of the French multinational beauty giant owned by luxury conglomerate LVMH, has made a groundbreaking move by appointing Delphine Herve as its new Chief Financial Officer. Herve's promotion to this pivotal role marks the first time a woman has held the position of finance chief for the North American operations of the company.Herve's journey with Sephora began in 2014 when she joined the company from LVMH's spirits division, Moet Hennessy, where she served in an audit function. Since then, she has held various finance roles, "strengthening the finance team's process and leading with excellence," according to the company. Her extensive experience and proven track record have now culminated in this historic appointment.

Artemis Patrick: Sephora North America's First Female President and CEO

Herve's promotion to finance chief follows another significant leadership transition at Sephora North America. Artemis Patrick, who was previously the global chief merchandising officer, has been appointed as the first female president and CEO of the North American division. Patrick, who was born in Iran and immigrated to the U.S. as a child, brings a unique perspective to her role, shaped by her personal experiences.In a recent interview, Patrick emphasized the importance of hiring people with diverse viewpoints, stating, "I think it's critical that as a leader you hire people that have different points of view than you do. You need to surround yourself with people who know more than you on certain topics." This philosophy aligns with Sephora's commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce, which is reflected in the appointments of Herve and Patrick.

Sephora's Expansion and Financial Performance

Sephora, a private company acquired by LVMH in 1997, has been experiencing significant growth and success. In January 2023, LVMH announced revenue of 86.2 billion euros (roughly $94.98 billion) for the previous year, up 13% from 2022. LVMH's CEO, Bernard Arnault, also highlighted the "ever-growing popularity of Sephora's store concept worldwide."Sephora currently operates 2,700 stores in 35 countries worldwide, with an expanding base of over 700 stores across the Americas. The company's unique shopping experience, which includes an open-sell environment, personalized recommendations, and the integration of digital tools, has contributed to its growing popularity and success.

Herve and Patrick: Driving Inclusiveness and Belonging in the Beauty Industry

As Delphine Herve and Artemis Patrick take on their respective leadership roles, they are poised to become strategic partners with a shared agenda of fostering inclusiveness and a sense of belonging within the beauty industry. Patrick has emphasized the importance of this aspect, stating, "I would say what's incredible about beauty is it's always had this tactile feeling of connection and belonging and being able to try new things."The appointments of Herve and Patrick represent a significant milestone for Sephora North America, as the company continues to break down barriers and pave the way for greater diversity and representation in the C-suite. These trailblazing leaders are not only shaping the future of Sephora but also inspiring others to follow in their footsteps and redefine the landscape of the beauty industry.