Kao Salon Divisionhas announced that Dominic Pratt, Vice President R&D, Skin Care Products Research, will succeed Cory Couts as Global President, Kao Salon Division, in his role leading the Goldwell, KMS, Oribe and VARIS brands worldwide, effective September 1, 2021. After nine years as Global President based in Darmstadt, Germany, Couts will leave the company to return to his home country of the United States.

Dominic Pratt

Pratt has a long history in the Kao Salon Division, having led the division’s innovative R&D efforts, and as a member of the Executive Salon Lead Team for many years.

Cory Couts

“I would like to thank Kao´s leadership team for the trust and support they have given me during my time as president of our Salon Business," Couts says. "I am especially grateful for the opportunity to work with the people of Kao Salon Division, who are among the most passionate and skilled people in our industry. Dominic’s commitment to the salon industry, in-depth knowledge of the needs of stylists and business acumen will serve him well in his new role. He is a trusted leader in our organization and comes to this challenge with a large reserve of goodwill and respect.”

Pratt notes, “I look forward to continuing to create value and opportunity for our team and our customers with this new challenge. Kao Salon Division and our brands enjoy an enormous amount of trust in the industry, and I am committed to building on that trust as core to my mission. I feel privileged to be able to work with such valued customers, a dedicated and talented team and renowned brands.”

In a statement, Satoru Tanaka, President Consumer Products, AEMEA, thanked Couts for his outstanding contribution to the brand's global Salon Business. "During his tenure, Cory has transformed the Salon Business by creating clear strategies, strengthening our brands and refining our organization, always focusing on salons first and foremost," Tanaka said. "With his in-depth understanding of the salon industry, we are convinced that Dominic Pratt is the ideal person to further build the future of Kao's global salon business.”

Dominic Pratt will be located in the Kao Salon Division Global Headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany.