John Molloy, who co-founded the high-end perfume brand Memo Paris with his wife Clara, will hand over the reins to Marc-André Heller in early 2026. The former L’Oréal executive has been in charge of sales since last year. The three want to lead the company into a new phase of growth, both online and in exports.
A new CEO for Memo Paris.
Co-founder, in 2007, with his wife Clara, of this pioneering French niche perfume brand, Irishman John Molloy is handing over the operational reins to Marc-André Heller. The latter will take the reins in January 2026 as CEO.
He will work alongside John, who remains chairman, and his wife Clara Molloy, who remain in charge of the company’s strategy.
New phase of expansion
The new management team will thus embark on a new phase of expansion for the House, including, in the short term, the continuation of the renovation of the historic boutique, inaugurated in 2010, at 24 rue Cambon in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, and the opening of a new store in Abu Dhabi ( (United Arab Emirates). In the same region, it already has a boutique in the Dubai Mall.
Thanks to their subtle fragrances, which place travel at the heart of their inspiration, evoking destinations, emotions, and other memories, and using high-quality raw materials, most of which are natural, Memo Paris perfumes have also succeeded in winning over several hundred retailers (department stores, specialty perfume shops, etc.) in some 40 countries.
A cosmopolitan career
A graduate of HEC Lausanne and with a rich 18-year career in the luxury cosmetics industry in Switzerland, Paris, and Canada, Swiss national Marc-André Heller had already joined Memo Paris as Global Chief Commercial Officer (editor’s note) in September 2024.
After starting out in Switzerland from 1999 to 2002 with the famous watch brand Swatch and then at IRIL, at the time the flagship of Swiss textiles, Marc-André Heller joined L’Oréal in 2004, where he spent more than 17 years.
He took on increasing responsibilities, starting as Commercial Director (from 2004 to 2010), before becoming Director of Perfumes in charge of the Central and Eastern European markets, based in Paris, from 2010 to 2012, then as general manager and country manager in Switzerland, based in Geneva, from 2012 to 2018, before taking up the position of vice president of L’Oréal in Montreal, Canada, from 2018 to 2021.
Between 2021 and 2024, Marc-André Heller took over as head of the Dermis Hautklinik clinic, a specialist in high-end dermatology in Zurich.
Development of online and international trade
“Thanks to his expertise in marketing, retail, and e-commerce, combined with his proven leadership and management skills, he has already contributed greatly to Memo Paris,” ,“ the brand said in a message posted on LinkedIn, adding that ”in his new role, his strategic vision and leadership will be essential to ensuring the continued growth and international development of the niche perfume house, in close collaboration with the brand’s founders and its talented teams.”
The future CEO has already indicated that the consolidation of the company internationally, and even more so, the development of its online sales, are among his priorities. In an interview with The Business of Beauty, he stated that he wants to achieve 20% of sales online, either through the company’s own e-commerce site or through a retailer.
Geographically, in addition to ramping up operations in the Middle East and Asia, Marc-André Heller has said he wants to focus over the next five years on the US market, “a huge market, especially for these perfumes,” where the brand currently has less of a presence than in European countries.
Read also > [Luxus Magazine] Memo, the up-and-coming luxury perfume brand!
Featured photo: © Memo Paris
