Luxury Fragrance Powerhouse Sprecher Berrier Group Appoints Patrice Béliard as New CEO Amidst Record Growth

The Sprecher Berrier Group of Companies, which oversees the distinguished French fragrance houses Parfums de Marly and Initio Parfums Privés, has announced the appointment of Patrice Béliard as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1. Béliard steps into the role previously held by Julien Sausset, who departs after a transformative decade marked by significant growth and strategic evolution for the group.

Patrice Béliard brings an impressive twenty-five years of experience within the luxury and beauty sectors, with a career spanning both French and international markets. His extensive background includes sixteen years with the Japanese cosmetics giant Shiseido, where he notably spent five years from 2011 to 2016 overseeing a subsidiary in the American market. More recently, Béliard joined Estée Lauder in July 2016, and since 2022, he has been responsible for a portfolio that includes acclaimed fragrance houses such as Kilian Paris and Frédéric Malle. Expressing his enthusiasm, Béliard stated in a press release, "I'm honored and excited to be joining Parfums de Marly and Initio, two brands I've long admired. We have everything we need to write a new chapter of growth and excellence together."

For Julien Sprecher, the executive chairman of the group and founder of Parfums de Marly, this leadership transition signifies a strategic continuity aligned with the group's overarching ambitions. Sprecher remarked, "Patrice Béliard's experience in the world of luxury and niche perfumery is perfectly aligned with our ambition to establish our two houses as world leaders." This sentiment underscores the group's commitment to reinforcing its position within the competitive high-end fragrance market.

The leadership change comes at a particularly strong moment for The Sprecher Berrier Group. The fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, saw the group record impressive sales of $775 million (€684 million), marking a substantial 41% increase. Parfums de Marly played a significant role, contributing $586 million (€517 million) to these figures, driven by remarkable growth in Europe (+72%) and the Americas (+30%). Initio Parfums Privés also demonstrated robust performance, reporting a 50% increase in ex-cash sales to reach $189 million (€167 million), bolstered by strong results in the United States (+58%) and Europe (+56%).

Julien Sausset's tenure, which began in 2016, was characterized by a period of decisive expansion. His leadership was instrumental in driving the group forward, most notably overseeing the entry of private equity firm Advent International into the capital of both fragrance houses in 2023. Reflecting on his departure, Sausset shared, "The time seemed right for me to hand over the reins. I'm immensely proud of what we've achieved," acknowledging the significant milestones accomplished under his guidance.

This strategic transition highlights the group’s dedication to solidifying its leading position in the rapidly expanding niche perfumery market. With Parfums de Marly and Initio Parfums Privés firmly established among the most recognized global players, the appointment of Patrice Béliard is poised to steer the companies toward continued success and further global leadership.