Masahiko Uotani

Masahiko Uotani is President and Group CEO of Shiseido, a Japan-based beauty company founded in 1872. Mr. Uotani joined Shiseido in April, 2014 as the first Shiseido president appointed from outside of the company in its 140-year history. This decision reflected the board’s sense of urgency and determination to transform Shiseido. Mr. Uotani defined his mission as rejuvenating Shiseido so that the company becomes a major global player, building on the Japanese heritage it has cultivated for many years.

Shiseido currently employs 46,000 people around the world, operates in 120 countries and has sales of 1 trillion yen from multiple prestige brands such as SHISEIDO, clé de peau BEAUTÉ, NARS, bareMinerals, and Dolce&Gabbana fragrance.

Prior to joining Shiseido, Mr. Uotani had more than 30 years in marketing and management at both Japanese and global FMCG companies. Among his various posts, he spent 18 years as CMO and CEO at Coca-Cola in Japan. With this experience he developed the “hybrid model” leadership capacity leveraging both Japanese and global strengths. Mr. Uotani also serves in other roles, including President of Japan Cosmetic Industry Association, director of Japan Business Federation, director of Japan Marketing Association and board member of Columbia Business School Japan Alumni Club.

Mr. Uotani earned a bachelor’s degree in 1977 from Doshisha University in Kyoto and a Master of Business Administration degree in 1983 from Columbia Business School in NYC. He has a wife and two daughters (as well as two dogs who are important family members.)