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Inter view with
ADIL MEHBOOB-KHAN,
GLOBAL PRESIDENT OF WELLA,
THE SALON PROFESSIONAL DIVISION
OF PROCTER & GAMBLEMr. Mehboob-Khan, you are an expert in the world of
beauty, since May 2011 as President of Wella, the salon
professional division of Procter & Gamble. What is your
vision for the Wella business?
It is always a privilege and a responsibility to manage an
"institution" like Wella, as it was the company that started
the hairdressing industry 132 years ago. Innovation has
always played a strong role for Wella, but what makes Wella
special is the fantastic spirit of partnership, education and
support that has taken many stylists from being a young
talent at the start of their career to a top stylist and salon
owner later in life. My vision is centered on that Wella
legacy; I want Wella and our people to be the partners that
take stylists, salons and the salon industry forward.
What can we expect from Wella in 2013?
2012 was already a very exciting year. We launched Illumina
Color, successfully expanded Nioxin, innovated with Shine
Kick on Sebastian and a new SP Men line. ITVA in Madrid
has simply been a stunning example of hairdressing talent
from around the world. Our stylists showed they have a big
heart too, via programs like the Olympic Salon in London or
Making Waves program with Unicef.
2013 will bring even more news on the whole portfolio of
our brands, particularly on color, more inspiration and more
tailored partnership programs that elevate stylists and the
salon industry.
There is a long-standing partnership of Wella and
Intercoiffure Mondial - which common ideas and
values are you pursuing?
Wella and Intercoiffure partners have a lot in common. We
both want to further stylist careers via high level education
and provide a global stage for young talent and industry
veterans alike. We are also both taking an active role with
social responsibility for disadvantaged young people, such
as the ICD Education for Life program which Wella supported
from its inception. In many ways, this program is comple-
mentary to Wella/UNICEF Making Waves and having both
enables us to do more good in the world.
TAKING
THE
INDUSTRY
FORWARD
How important is this partnership in a global world? Are
there new aims in the cooperation with Intercoiffure
Mondial?
We strongly believe in this partnership and are committed
to cultivate new opportunities at both local and global
levels. It’s important to set the highest standard, keep
elevating hairdressing and provide a united front when
representing the industry interests – Wella and Intercoiffure
Mondial are uniquely positioned to do this well.You participated in the ICD World Congress in Rome -
could you share your impressions?
The event in Rome was incredibly inspiring. Italy’s Intercoiffure
President Alberto Rossi along with Klaus Peter Ochs and the
Global ICD Board were very gracious hosts and set a gold
standard in terms of talent display, hospitality and an endu-
ring statement of commitment to the industry. I was also
proud that my home city showed up so well. This said the
one element that really stood out was the quality of the hair
shows - very inspirational!Could you give us three key words explaining beauty in
your point of view?
Dreams, self-realization and craftsmanship.How do you see the development of the global hair care
business?
We’re looking at a very exciting future, as beauty paradigms
are shifting and previously established barriers are disappe-
aring. Take gender as an example, with men becoming much
more engaged beauty users. Age limits are shifting on both
sides of the spectrum and channel barriers are coming down
too, as hair salons become more and more beauty and life-
style providers for their clients.
In this exciting new era, salons will need to evolve and stay
a destination of choice for people to realize their beauty
dreams. We are working hard to help salons be more
commercially successful and our business education is
developed to make salons run well, sell well and succeed
now and in the future.Wella and ICD – par tners for a better future