Somerset-based cosmetic ingredients supplier Presperse Corp. announced a leadership change Friday.
The company said its CEO and president, Koh Akiyama, has been promoted to deputy general manager in the Medical Science Department of parent Sumitomo Corp.’s Global Cosmetics Group, based in Tokyo. Presperse’s executive vice president of commercial operations, Paulo Rodrigues, has been named the new CEO and president. The changes are effective April 1.
“Paulo has demonstrated exceptional commercial leadership since joining Presperse, and has positioned the business for sustained growth through innovation and operational excellence,” Akiyama said in a prepared statement. “He has gained the respect of the employees, shareholders and our business partners. I am looking forward to continuing to work with Paulo to grow Sumitomo’s global cosmetics business.”
Rodrigues joined Presperse in July 2015 as director of sales, before being promoted to his current position. In that role, he has overseen all of the company’s commercial operations, including marketing, research and development, supply chain and sales.
“I am honored that the Presperse board of directors chose me to follow in the footsteps of Mr. Akiyama, and I am humbled to work with such an amazingly talented team,” he said in a statement. “Delighting our customers as an innovation partner and delivering operational excellence will be the focus for continued future growth; combined with the backing of Sumitomo and its network, I see tremendous potential for our business in the future, and look forward to leading our team toward greater opportunities.”
Akiyama, who has more than 30 years of experience in the chemicals industry, took over as CEO and president of Presperse in 2014, after serving as chairman of the company’s board as well as on the boards of two other Sumitomo cosmetics companies, Cosmotec and Summit Pharmaceuticals Europe.
Sumitomo acquired 100 percent ownership in Presperse in 2010.
