Ulta Beauty, Inc. has named Revolution Beauty CEO Lauren Brindley as its chief merchandising and digital officer effective June 3, 2025, succeeding Monica Arnaudo, who will retire in June.
Brindley will solely oversee the company's merchandising, ecommerce, wellness and marketplace strategies, while also leading the company’s assortment brand building strategy.
She is set to exit Revolution Beauty on May 31, 2025, succeeded by Colin Henry, who will serve as interim CEO.
Beyond her role at Revolution Beauty, Brindley Brindley previously held senior leadership roles at Walgreens and Boots UK.
The move comes at a time when Ulta has experienced sales challenges, as well as a pause in growth of its Ulta Beauty at Target store-in-store program.
That said, Goldman Sachs reportedly said the company had “likely reached a bottom" regarding issues such as increased competition.
Furthermore, Seeking Alpha analyst Gary Alexander declared Ulta a “steady ship for unsteady times."
“Providing our guests with the best beauty and wellness assortment while building strong, strategic partnerships with our brands is critical to Ulta Beauty’s future growth,” said Kecia Steelman, president and CEO of Ulta. “I’m confident Lauren is the right person to fuel our continued success. She is a proven, strategic leader with deep industry expertise, a global perspective, and a passion for beauty that aligns with our vision for the future. My sincere thanks to Monica, who has shaped Ulta Beauty’s world-class assortment and category innovation, and for her support during this transition.”
“I am truly honored to join Ulta Beauty and build upon the company’s exceptional legacy of innovation and impact,” said Brindley. “As a long-time admirer of the brand, I’m thrilled to step into this role and work alongside an incredible leadership team to help shape the next chapter of growth and continue to elevate the beauty experience for guests and partners alike.”
Of Brindley's departure from Revolution Beauty, that company's chairman, Alistair McGeorge, said, "On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Lauren for her considerable contribution to Revolution Beauty. We now have a clear strategy, a stronger management team, more efficient operations, and a sustainable financial model. Lauren leaves the group well-placed for future success and we wish her all the best in her new role. Colin's time on the board, which played a key role in defining the group's new strategy, and his significant sector experience mean he is very well suited to take up the position of interim CEO."
Brindley added, "It has been a privilege to lead Revolution Beauty and our brilliant team. This is a business with unique capabilities, a loyal customer base and now a compelling strategy for future growth. I am confident that the focus on the masterbrand and our core portfolio of products will continue to deliver benefits and I look forward to following the group's success in the future."
