L’Oréal has announced that Alexandre Popoff, General Manager of the Eastern European zone, will also take over as head of the Africa-Middle East zone from Geoff Skingsley on June 1, 2016. Skingsley is set to return to the UK in order to take up the role of Non-Executive Chairman of L’Oréal UK and Ireland.

Under the leadership of Popoff, the two geographical zones will retain their individual structure and operating accounts, but benefit from a critical size in relation to the divisions and central services.

Popoff joined L’Oréal in 1989 as Product Manager for LaSCAD. He has since held several high profile roles in the company including Managing Director for L’Oréal Paris in Portugal, Managing Director for the Africa Orient Pacific zone, and a member of the Executive Committee as Managing Director for Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.

Skingsley joined L’Oréal Paris marketing in the UK in 1986, before moving to The Netherlands as General Manager of the Consumer Products Division. He has served as Country Manager for both India and the UK as well as Executive Vice President of Human Resources. “Geff Skingsley is a powerful developer who has strongly contributed to L’Oréal’s growth in terms of business and building highly qualified multicultural teams,” said the company in a statement.