Fabrizio Freda

Fabrizio Freda is one of the most influential figures in modern beauty, serving as President and CEO of The Estée Lauder Companies from July 2009 until his announced retirement at the end of fiscal 2025. Not only did he become the first non-family member to lead the iconic beauty group, but he also spearheaded a transformative era—guiding Estée Lauder through unprecedented growth, diversification, strategic innovation, and challenging global shifts.

Career and Background

Fabrizio Freda was born in Naples, Italy, in 1957 and earned his degree from the University of Naples Federico II in 1981. He began his career at Procter & Gamble, where he rose through the ranks over two decades, leading the Global Snacks division and later heading health and beauty segments, where he honed his consumer-centric approach. He also briefly served as International Director of Marketing & Strategy at Gucci during the late 1980s.

Joining The Estée Lauder Companies as President and COO in March 2008, Freda quickly earned the board’s trust and stepped up as CEO in July 2009, taking the reins from William P. Lauder. This marked a distinctive break from the company’s tradition of Lauder family leadership.

Vision, Strategy, and Achievements

Freda’s leadership is defined by strategic vision and adaptability. Upon taking charge, he launched a sweeping restructuring plan—cutting costs, consolidating brand pipelines, and globalizing the company’s scope. He famously said: “A truly global company is one that can take the best ideas, the best creativity, the best profits, and then bring them to the rest of the globe wherever those best ideas are”. His mission: to build a physical and digital distribution powerhouse able to grow across emerging markets like China, Russia, India, and Brazil.

Under Freda, Estée Lauder nearly doubled its sales and profits: Revenue climbed from $7.3 billion in 2009 to over $17 billion in 2023, despite turbulent times and pandemic challenges. Freda’s strategy emphasized brand acquisitions—adding Tom Ford Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, and The Ordinary to Estée Lauder’s diverse luxury and indie brand roster.

He expanded digital and e-commerce, led sustainability programs, and helped the company weather the COVID-19 crisis by driving their Prestige Beauty Recovery Plan—a blueprint for profit recovery and renewed growth. In a statement upon retirement, Freda said: “Leading The Estée Lauder Companies for sixteen years is and has been, a true honour and privilege. I am so proud of our company’s incredible accomplishments and to have built the most talented, dedicated, and passionate team in the industry. Together we have transformed the company in beautiful ways and we have set new standards for excellence”.

Recent Developments and Legacy

Freda’s tenure included some challenges. In 2023–24, Estée Lauder faced global market pressures and revenue contraction, prompting layoffs and a Profit Recovery and Growth Plan. Freda remained hands-on with the strategic reset, focusing on emerging markets and digital expansion even as demand shifted in China and other key regions.

Freda also brought contemporary leadership to sustainability and corporate governance. He serves on the board of BlackRock and Georgetown University’s business school, and was awarded the “Order of Merit for Labour” by the President of Italy in 2015 for his outstanding contribution to global business.

Milestones and Achievements

Fabrizio Freda’s legacy is one of transformation, global growth, and resilience—setting up Estée Lauder for the future while keeping its prestige heritage alive.