Laurent Mercier

Laurent Serge Mercier: Accomplished CFO in Cosmetics and Food Industries

Laurent Serge Mercier is an accomplished Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with a rich experience in the cosmetics and food industries. He has built a robust career that spans multiple continents, showcasing a strong proficiency in financial management, business planning, and joint ventures.

Educational Background

Laurent's educational journey began at the esteemed ESSEC Business School, where he studied from January 1991 to January 1993. It was here that he laid the foundation for his future in finance.

Early Professional Career

Laurent started his professional career at Ernst and Young as an Auditor and Business Consultant in November 1994. He worked there until October 1997, gaining significant insights into auditing and financial consultancy.

Career at LU France

In November 1997, Laurent joined LU France, where he held various roles over the next few years. He started as an Industrial Controller, working both in the office and in the plant, until January 2001. He then became the Cash Manager until February 2002, followed by his role as the Business Planning Director until July 2005. Each of these positions helped Laurent hone his skills in financial control and business strategy.

Roles at Danone

In August 2005, Laurent took on the role of CFO in the Region de Francfort, Allemagne, and later became the Directeur Controlling Groupe at Danone in October 2008. His responsibilities at Danone expanded as he was appointed VP Finance Dairy Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Southern Africa in April 2012. Here, Laurent led the finance function for Dairy across 20 markets, managing a significant number of factories. His excellence in financial leadership was further recognized when he became the VP Finance Dairy Europe in April 2014.

Achieving Excellence at Coty

In November 2017, Laurent joined Coty, where he has taken on increasingly significant roles. He began as the CFO for Coty Luxury in Paris, later becoming the Deputy CFO in Amsterdam in April 2020. Since February 2021, Laurent has been serving as the Group CFO at Coty, located in Amsterdam. In each of these positions, Laurent has demonstrated his expertise in financial reporting, forecasting, change management, and business planning.

International Experience

Throughout his career, Laurent has accumulated a wealth of experience across various geographies, including Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and North America. His multi-faceted skillset and international exposure have made him a valuable asset to the companies he has worked for.

Conclusion

Laurent Serge Mercier's journey from the halls of ESSEC Business School to leading financial roles at global firms like Danone and Coty showcases his dedication to excellence and his proficiency in financial leadership.