The board of Helen of Troy Limited named former Nike and Converse leader G. Scott Uzzell CEO, effective September 1.
Uzzell (pictured above) will take over the chief executive post at Helen of Troy from interim CEO Brian Grass, who will return to his role as the company’s CFO. Grass was named interim CEO following the departure of previous Helen of Troy CEO, Noel Geoffroy, in May of this year.
Helen of Troy develops and markets housewares, beauty, wellness and outdoor products under such brands as Oxo, Revlon, Honeywell, PUR, Braun, Vicks, Osprey and Hydro Flask,
Uzzell most recently was corporate vice president and general manager of Nike North America, which generates more than $21 billion in revenue across the Nike and Jordan activewear and footwear brands. Prior to joining Nike North America, Uzzell was president and CEO of Converse, Inc. for four years. He previously served at The Coca-Cola Company as president of the Venturing & Emerging Brands Group, leading development of such brands as Honest Tea, Body Armor, Health-Ade Kombucha and Fairlife Milk. Uzzell began his career in sales and marketing for leading consumer goods companies, including Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, and Nabisco. He also serves on the SC Johnson Company Board of Directors.
Timothy F. Meeker, Helen of Troy’s Chairman of the Board, said, “(Uzzell) is a strategic leader with a strong track record of building and growing consumer brands. We believe he has the ability to bring people together, develop and retain talent, and enrich our culture and values, all while being a strong allocator of capital with sound risk management. Scott has great sensitivity to the needs, wants, and expectations of consumers and has the ability to grasp the spirit of the times. His intimate knowledge of brand building and his ability to unite and engage teams is exactly what Helen of Troy needs as it enters its next chapter to boost product innovation and growth.”
Uzzell said, “I am excited to have the opportunity to lead Helen of Troy and continue to develop its distinguished family of highly trusted brands and innovations that delight consumers. I intend to leverage the company’s durable foundation as a purpose-driven innovation leader to serve the needs of consumers and to elevate lives in moments that matter everywhere, every day. I look forward to working with Helen of Troy’s talented associates to return the company to consistent growth and deliver strong value creation for shareholders.”
