Beiersdorf appoints new executive brand leader

Beiersdorf has announced that Ralph Gusko has been appointed as the company's new executive board member responsible for brands and supply chain.

The current general manager for northern Europe will take up the role on July 1st 2011, with predecessor Markus Pinger set to depart the company the preceding day at his own request.

Mr Gusko has been with the company for 22 years in a variety of central brand management and regional market management roles and has been credited with driving its skincare sector consumer business strategy in the UK.

This represents the latest phase of the brand realignment process initiated by executive board chairman Thomas Quaas last year.

Mr Quaas said: "The appointment of Ralph Gusko means that the brands and supply chain area will be managed in the future by a successful Beiersdorf manager with extensive international experience."

Last month, the company stated that its corporate realignment programme is progressing as planned after recording modest sales growth in the first quarter of 2011.