Interview with Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, Chairman of L’Oréal
The career
Lindsay Owen-Jones was born on 17th March 1946 in Great Britain. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree at Oxford University and an MBA at INSEAD (European Institute of Business Administration).
After joining L'Oréal in 1969, he pursued an international career with the company. He began as a Product Manager, and was quickly offered a position in Belgium. In 1974 he returned to France where he became the Marketing Director of the Consumer Products Division in 1976.
In 1978, Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones took over as General Manager of L’Oréal’s Italian subsidiary where he orchestrated a remarkable financial recovery and converted the business into one of Europe’s most dynamic companies.
In 1981, he was named Chairman and CEO of Cosmair Inc, which at that time was L’Oréal’s exclusive agent in the United States. He spearheaded the American company’s expansion and established its leadership in several branches of the cosmetic industry including make-up and hair colour.
In January 1984, he returned to L’Oréal headquarters in Paris as Executive Vice President, Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee and Member of the Board of Directors.
In 1988, Lindsay Owen-Jones was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of L'Oréal. He was 42 years old.
Since April 2006, Lindsay Owen-Jones has served as Chairman of the Board for L’Oréal and since October 2007, he has been the Chairman of the L’Oréal Foundation.
He also serves on the Board of Directors at Sanofi-Synthélabo and Ferrari.
Commander of the French Légion d’Honneur, Sir Owen-Jones is also Knight of the British Empire.
After joining L'Oréal in 1969, he pursued an international career with the company. He began as a Product Manager, and was quickly offered a position in Belgium. In 1974 he returned to France where he became the Marketing Director of the Consumer Products Division in 1976.
In 1978, Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones took over as General Manager of L’Oréal’s Italian subsidiary where he orchestrated a remarkable financial recovery and converted the business into one of Europe’s most dynamic companies.
In 1981, he was named Chairman and CEO of Cosmair Inc, which at that time was L’Oréal’s exclusive agent in the United States. He spearheaded the American company’s expansion and established its leadership in several branches of the cosmetic industry including make-up and hair colour.
In January 1984, he returned to L’Oréal headquarters in Paris as Executive Vice President, Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee and Member of the Board of Directors.
In 1988, Lindsay Owen-Jones was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of L'Oréal. He was 42 years old.
Since April 2006, Lindsay Owen-Jones has served as Chairman of the Board for L’Oréal and since October 2007, he has been the Chairman of the L’Oréal Foundation.
He also serves on the Board of Directors at Sanofi-Synthélabo and Ferrari.
Commander of the French Légion d’Honneur, Sir Owen-Jones is also Knight of the British Empire.