Kao further drives sustainability efforts with the appointment of Nicola Bäuerle as Director Sustainability, AEMEA 

Kao, known for brands like Molton Brown, John Frieda and Goldwell, has announced the appointment of Nicola Bäuerle as Director Sustainability, AEMEA. With the newly created position, Kao is joining up its sustainability expertise in a central function, across all three business sectors of Kao (Salon, Consumer Care and Cosmetics). Bäuerle will lead the newly formed AEMEA Sustainability department and report into the President, Global Operations, Guido Kirchhoff.
 
“We have made great progress to reduce our environmental footprint over the past years”, says Bäuerle, who previously headed the sustainability efforts of Kao’s Consumer Care Business for AEMEA. “We now need to step up even further to address mounting environmental concerns, but also to meet increasing international
regulations and our own ambitious goals and milestones at Kao. Bringing together the great resources we have in the business will enable us to synergize, speed up processes, decisions and actions and I am excited to be leading these efforts to future-proof the organization and build our position as a leader in sustainability in the beauty and consumer goods industry.”
 
In this new position, Bäuerle will act as the central sustainability lead for Kao’s business in the AEMEA region, driving strategies, policies, and guidelines in alignment with Kao’s global sustainability strategy, the Kirei Lifestyle Plan. In her AEMEA role, Bäuerle will lead various project teams across the business with the aim to advance collaboration, synergies, and consistency. Priority projects across the business include packaging, sustainability communications, external partnerships, lifecycle analysis and sustainability data reporting.
Bäuerle will also represent Kao in external forums and partnerships.

Bäuerle has extensive experience with Kao, where she started her career in the company’s Consumer Care Business 25 years ago, working in both the America’s and EMEA region. She held multiple marketing roles in Skincare and Haircare, working at local, regional and global levels. In 2020, she assumed the position of
Director Sustainability, Consumer Care AEMEA, and in her new role is now expanding her responsibilities to the other sectors.
 
“Nicola has led the Consumer Care sustainability efforts with great dedication, passion and professionalism”, says Guido Kirchhoff, President, Global Operations, Kao. “With her vast business experience and knowledge in the field of sustainability, she is best placed to further advance the joint efforts and goals of our AEMEA business.”