Mumbai: Gary Coombe has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of P&G Gillette, marking his final day in the role ahead of his retirement from Procter & Gamble in September after a 40-year career with the company.
In a farewell message shared on LinkedIn, Coombe described his decision to retire as one of the easiest of his career, while acknowledging that the process of leaving the organisation had been far more emotional than anticipated.
Reflecting on his tenure, Coombe expressed gratitude for the opportunities, experiences and people who shaped his four decades at Procter & Gamble, highlighting the company’s role in his professional and personal growth.
He also thanked employees across Gillette and the wider organisation for their support and contributions during his leadership, particularly as the company navigated a period of transformation.
Commenting on his retirement, Gary Coombe, said, “The decision to retire was one of the easiest I have taken in my four decades with P&G. The time was right for someone else to have a go and there is so much waiting for me in retirement with family, friends, passion projects and board roles. But executing this decision has been more difficult and more emotional than I imagined. Thank you to everyone in the Gillette team and beyond who has made the past few weeks so special; for your kind words, your generosity and your support.”
Reflecting on his journey with Procter & Gamble, he added, “Reflecting on 40 years with P&G, I feel immense gratitude for the experiences the company has given me – the challenges, the opportunities to learn, the successes and failures, and all the people I have met, worked with, worked for, and managed over the years. One of the reasons I have stayed so long with P&G is that I felt I owed the company more than it owed me – a debt of gratitude for what the company has provided me over all this time that I will never be able to repay. It has been an honour to serve this company and be part of this remarkable organization.”
Speaking about his time leading the grooming business, Coombe said, “And it has been the privilege of my professional life to lead the Gillette company and play a small role in the storied history of these iconic brands. To the thousands of men and women who have worked alongside me in our journey of transformation, thank you. You have given me energy and inspired me every day with your talent, your spirit and camaraderie, your passion for our brands, our products, and delighting consumers with the quality and performance they expect from Gillette, Venus and Braun. I am immensely proud of everything we have achieved together and to have been part of the team with all of you.”
Coombe also confirmed that Juliana Azevedo will succeed him as CEO of P&G Gillette, expressing confidence in her ability to lead the business through its next phase of growth.
He said, “I am thrilled to be passing the torch to Juliana Azevedo. Ju is an outstanding leader and the perfect person to lead Gillette and P&G Grooming into the future. She is a passionate brand-builder, a razor-sharp mind, a kind and empathetic leader, and she will bring boundless energy and enthusiasm with brilliant creativity to her work every day. Together with the incredible P&G Gillette team, I know you will write the next great chapter in this company’s proud history.”
Coombe’s departure marks the end of a four-decade career with Procter & Gamble, during which he held multiple leadership positions before taking charge of Gillette, overseeing some of the company’s most recognised grooming brands, including Gillette, Venus and Braun.
