Estée Lauder has appointed René Lammers, Ph.D., as Chief Research & Innovation Officer to drive the transformation of its global R&D with a focus on consumer-led innovation, sustainability, advanced science, and strategic biotech partnerships.
New Leadership for Global R&D
Starting October 1, 2025, René Lammers, Ph.D., will join The Estée Lauder Companies as Executive Vice President and Chief Research & Innovation Officer. He will report directly to CEO Stéphane de La Faverie and join the company’s Executive Leadership Team.
Strategic Mission and Responsibilities
Lammers will be responsible for leading Estée Lauder’s global research and innovation capabilities, including product innovation, clinical and scientific affairs, regulatory strategy, and upstream technologies. A key goal will be to accelerate innovation cycles to respond faster to emerging market trends while ensuring excellence in performance, quality, safety, and sustainability.
Consumer-Centric Innovation and Disruptive Science
The company aims to strengthen its high-touch innovation model by leveraging disruptive technologies and breakthrough scientific platforms beyond traditional methods. Lammers will also expand external collaborations with scientific institutions, academia, and technology partners, with a particular focus on biotechnology and longevity science.
René Lammers: A Proven Global Leader
Lammers brings nearly 30 years of experience to his new role. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Science Officer at PepsiCo, where he led a global R&D organization of thousands, driving large-scale innovation and sustainability initiatives. Previously, he held senior roles at Unilever, overseeing technology development across personal care, home care, and other categories. He holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Delft University of Technology and an MSc from Leiden University.
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Advancing the “Beauty Reimagined” Strategy
This appointment aligns with Estée Lauder’s global “Beauty Reimagined” strategy, which aims to transform the company’s approach to innovation, sustainability, and consumer centricity. With Lammers leading global R&D, the company plans to accelerate time-to-market in emerging segments while maintaining scientific excellence and consumer trust.
