.jpg)
Effective 1 June 2025, Kao Salon has announced that Christel Grootentraast, currently General Manager, Salon Benelux and Distributors for non-EU countries, will assume the expanded role of General Manager for Kao Salon Division UK & Ireland.
A seasoned executive known for her strong leadership and passion for creativity, Christel joined Kao in 2002 as Marketing Manager for the Salon Benelux team. She was appointed as General Manager for Kao Salon Benelux in 2014. Under her leadership, the Benelux subsidiary consistently delivered strong performance and positive results, achieving a leading position in the Dutch market. She also successfully hosted the Kao Salon Global Experience in Amsterdam, uniting more than 2,000 stylists from across the globe to celebrate innovation and artistry in hairdressing.
In her new expanded leadership role across both markets, Christel will leverage her deep industry knowledge and extensive experience to drive fresh growth and innovation, aligning with the company's values and commitment to excellence in the professional haircare industry.
“I’m truly excited to be taking on the role of General Manager for Kao Salon Division UK & Ireland alongside my responsibilities for the Benelux region,” explains Christel. “The UK & Ireland is an incredibly dynamic and important market; I’m looking forward to building strong relationships and collaborating with our passionate and dedicated UK team as well as our valued and incredibly inspiring salon partners. Together, I know we will continue to drive even greater mutual growth and success. I can’t wait to get started and see what we can achieve together.”
