Boohoo calls for leadership shake-up at Revolution Beauty

Boohoo is seeking to oust the management of Revolution Beauty at its forthcoming annual shareholder meeting and install its own candidates at the helm of the embattled cosmetics retailer. 

The British online fashion retailer, which owns about 26.6 per cent of Revolution Beauty, said on Monday that it intended to vote against the reappointment of chief executive Bob Holt, as well as Derek Zissman, non-executive chair, and finance chief Elizabeth Lake. 

Separately, the fast-fashion group also called for a general meeting at which it intends to appoint Alistair McGeorge, currently on the board of Boohoo, as director and added that if appointed, he would serve as interim executive chair of Revolution Beauty. Neil Catto, who held the same role at Boohoo, would eventually become finance chief. 

Boohoo said that as the other company’s largest shareholder it was “grateful to Bob, Derek and Elizabeth for stabilising the business”, but added that “the focus must switch to growth” as crisis-hit Revolution Beauty recovers from an accounting probe.

The move comes after a torrid period for the cosmetics business, whose shares have been suspended since September last year after it failed to deliver its audited accounts by the deadline.

Revolution Beauty listed on the junior Aim market in the summer of 2021 with a market capitalisation of almost £500mn. The company sells its make-up online and via retailers including Superdrug in the UK and beauty chain Ulta in the US. 

However, an investigation into its accounts uncovered a series of issues, including overstating sales by £9mn. It also emerged that co-founders Adam Minto and Tom Allsworth made personal loans or other investments of approximately £1mn without the board’s knowledge.

Minto, who was chief executive, resigned in November, followed by Allsworth in May. Holt stepped up to become interim chief operating officer and he was subsequently named chief executive. 

“A senior leadership team with the right retail, ecommerce and consumer brands experience is required to deliver shareholder value,” Boohoo added.

This month, Revolution Beauty posted a £13.4mn loss for the six months to August 2022, down from £28.9mn the prior year. It expects to report a slight underlying earnings loss this financial year.

Revolution Beauty said in a statement its board “is in the process of reviewing the content and validity of the requisition with its advisers . . . In the meantime, shareholders are urged to take no action.”

Boohoo, meanwhile, is on course for a shareholder rebellion at its own annual meeting with investors on Thursday over what shareholder advisers say is excessive executive pay.