Gasperment will take over from Peter Saunders, who will become chairman. Incumbent chairman Adrian Bellamy will retire in March.
The moves follow speculation about whether the two businesses will be integrated, following the French cosmetics giant’s acquisition of Body Shop in March last year for£650 million.
However, a Body Shop spokesman said the retailer would continue to operate as a distinct division. “Body Shop is a sub-brand of L’Oréal and will continue to be run independently,” he said. “Sophie was chosen to head Body Shop because she showed the right leadership qualities. She also has excellent experience in strategic development and operational management.”
Gasperment joins Body Shop in January and, following a transitional period, will become chief executive in June.
At present, she is managing director of L’Oréal’s UK and Ireland subsidiary and, prior to that, she held senior positions at European and global levels within the group.
Body Shop founder Anita Roddick – who died in September – surprised the City when she sold the ethical beauty retailer to L’Oréal.
Roddick, who founded the business more than 30 years ago, was an active environmental campaigner and some commentators accused her of selling out. However, she became a Body Shop adviser on community trade for L’Oréal and said at the time: “The most exciting thing about this is being able to teach L’Oréal about community trade.”
Bellamy said Body Shop is one of the world’s most successful ethical brands and will continue in natural product innovation under the L’Oréal umbrella.
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