Estée Lauder Appoints René Lammers as Chief Research & Innovation Officer. The Estée Lauder Companies have announced the appointment of René Lammers, Ph.D., as Executive Vice President and Chief Research & Innovation Officer, effective October 2025. With nearly 30 years of global experience in science and innovation leadership, Lammers is set to drive transformative product development and accelerate on-trend innovations across the company’s prestigious beauty brands. His appointment signals a strategic emphasis on consumer-centric innovation, sustainability, and cutting-edge technologies within the cosmetics and perfumery sectors.
Introducing René Lammers: A Visionary Leader for Innovation
The Estée Lauder Companies have named René Lammers, Ph.D., as their new Chief Research & Innovation Officer. Reporting directly to CEO Stéphane de La Faverie, Lammers will join the executive team and spearhead the company’s research and innovation strategy starting October 1, 2025. This appointment completes the company’s executive leadership lineup as it embarks on its next phase of growth and transformation under the “Beauty Reimagined” vision.
Lammers brings a unique combination of scientific expertise and consumer insight, honed over nearly three decades in senior innovation roles across major multinational corporations. His background in organic chemistry and extensive leadership experience in research and development make him ideally suited to accelerate Estée Lauder’s ambitions for breakthrough product innovation.
Driving Consumer-Centric Innovation in Beauty
One of Lammers’ key responsibilities will be to evolve Estée Lauder’s global Research & Innovation capabilities, encompassing product development, clinical science, regulatory strategy, and emerging technologies. His leadership is expected to enhance the company’s “high-touch innovation model” – a framework focused on delivering fast-to-market, trend-responsive products that meet diverse consumer needs across multiple price tiers.
Under his guidance, Estée Lauder aims to introduce disruptive technologies and science-based platforms that elevate product performance, safety, and sustainability. This approach aligns with growing consumer demand for transparency, efficacy, and environmentally responsible beauty solutions.
Moreover, Lammers will oversee the company’s worldwide Research and Innovation Centres, ensuring they remain at the forefront of scientific excellence. He will also foster collaborations with leading academic and scientific institutions globally, particularly in cutting-edge fields such as biotechnology and longevity science, which are increasingly relevant to skincare and wellness trends.
Estée Lauder Appoints René Lammers as Chief Research & Innovation Officer – A Proven Track Record in Global Innovation
Before joining Estée Lauder, René Lammers served as Executive Vice President and Chief Science Officer at PepsiCo, where he led a 3,000-strong global R&D organisation. There, he was instrumental in creating and scaling some of the world’s most popular food and beverage products, blending scientific rigour with consumer insights to drive innovation and sustainability.
Prior to PepsiCo, Lammers held senior roles at Unilever, where he developed pioneering technologies across personal care, home care, and laundry categories, and established innovation hubs across Europe and Asia. His broad experience across consumer goods sectors equips him with a deep understanding of market dynamics and the importance of aligning innovation with evolving consumer preferences.
For further details, the official press release is available at Business Wire.
[Text: epcnews/photo: The Estée Lauder Companies]
