As a well-respected leader with decades of experience in the North American professional hair industry, Couts has been chosen by CEO Stefano Banfo to lead the company’s aggressive expansion plans across the USA & Canada.
With the backing of Bluegem Capital Partners, Beautynova Group has named Cory Couts as its North American President. Known for building both entrepreneurial and legacy global beauty brands, Couts will lead the Italian company’s drive for major expansion across this region.
Over more than two decades, Couts has brought his signature practices and style to a variety of leadership roles in the professional hair care arena. As Global President of Kao Corporation’s Salon Division, he oversaw the 360-degree strategies of trusted brands Goldwell and KMS and was the architect of the company’s acquisition of Oribe. Most recently, he served as Senior VP, global professional sales, for Olaplex Inc., a fast-moving leader in omni-channel hair care.
“To ignite our aggressive expansion plans, we needed an experienced and well-respected leader who understands both the North American market and the professional hair care industry in depth and relates to his team and their customers as a true partner. We found that in Cory Couts,” says Stefano Banfo, CEO of Beautynova, to whom Couts will directly report. “Above all, this is a people business, and Cory has achieved great success through his leadership style and commitment to hairdressers. Add to that his keen insights for building teams, systems and strategies that help distributors and salons make a difference, and we are ready to embark on the aggressive North America expansion that will bring our vision of putting hair well-being first.”
“Stefano’s vision for Beautynova and its brands, and how they can support the industry, has intrigued and inspired me,” added Couts. “It’s a refreshing take on how to move both the company and the professional beauty industry as a whole forward. This, as well as strong brands, high-performing products, and a company goal to be known as ‘the home of responsible beauty,’ creates a winning combination for growth.”
