Leading Japanese Consumer Goods Manufacturer Kao has announced two new appointments to its Global Management Team. Karen Frank, President, Consumer Care, AEMEA, and Dominic Pratt, President, Salon, Global have been appointed Executive Officers.
With these moves, Kao is recognizing the important role of the Kao businesses in the Americas and EMEA regions for the future globalization of the Kao Group while strengthening the international representation and diversity of their management board.
With their new roles, Karen Frank and Dominic Pratt will be able to further strengthen the role of the AEMEA Consumer Products Business within the global business operations by giving the regions a strong voice within the Global Management Team and the ability to lead the businesses with faster decision making and greater autonomy.
In addition, Kao has announced that its consumer business in the Americas and EMEA regions – with leading brands such as John Frieda and Jergens -will now operate as Kao Consumer Care Business AEMEA. The renaming reflects the future plans of the business to serve more consumers with a broader portfolio of brands beyond its current beauty focus.
Karen Frank joined Kao in 2009 and has led the AEMEA Consumer Care Business in a variety of roles of increasing responsibility over the years. Currently, in conjunction with leading the AEMEA Consumer Care Business as President, Karen Frank is also managing the role of President, Kao USA. She has expertly handled the demands of both roles through her strong focus on the brand priorities, consumers and customers along with the development of the right team to lead the Consumer Care Business.
“I feel honored to join Kao´s global management team as the first Western female Executive Officer. Becoming a more international and diverse leadership team will enable Kao´s business growth in the future and I am committed to support the company on this important journey”, says Karen Frank.
Dominic Pratt has been with the Kao since 2000, he started his career as Senior Scientist mainly working in hair color development, specifically the innovative Rainbow Technology, used in Goldwell Pure Pigments and other products. In 2015 he was appointed Vice President R&D, European Research Laboratories. Since 2019 he has led the Skin Care Research group in Kao´s Tokyo headquarters before he was appointed President Global Salon in September 2021.
“Listening to the Genba, the local markets has always been a core principle at Kao. Together with Karen, I want to ensure that the Americas and EMEA markets get a stronger voice in our global operations while driving our businesses with more agility and faster decision making”, comments Dominic Pratt.
