• by Sarah Mahoney  @mahoney_sarah, May 15, 2007

In a move it says will allow for faster business decisions, Procter & Gamble realigned all three of its global business units under Susan E. Arnold, who has been named president, global business units. Arnold, who had been vice chair of P&G beauty and health, will now oversee the beauty care, global health and well being, and household care units.

The company also promoted Robert A. McDonald, currently vice chair, global operations, to the new role of chief operating officer. Both Arnold and McDonald report to A.G. Lafley, chairman of the board and CEO, and will continue to be based in Cincinnati.

"We are making these moves to realign our business units and top leadership structure to meet the changing needs of our larger, more diverse, faster-paced global business," the company said in a release, adding that its business has doubled since 2000 with the acquisition of such brands as Clairol, Wella and Gillette. "These changes are designed to help P&G's businesses consistently win at both the first (in-store) and second (at-home) moments of truth with consumers."

The executives who are now reporting to Arnold are Dimitri Panayotopoulos, who has just been named vice chair-global household care; Robert A. Steele, who moves to vice chair-global health and well-being; Charles V. Bergh, now group president-global personal care; Christopher de Lapuente, new group president-global hair care; and Hartwig Langer, president-global prestige products.

Reporting to McDonald are Werner Geissler, now vice chair-global operations (McDonald's former post).

P&G also announced sweeping executive changes throughout the company, including many retirements, as well as key brand-related promotions.

Among those taking retirement: Mark M. Leckie, group president, Gillette global business unit; Bruce Cleverly, president on special assignment; Mark A. Collar, president-global pharmaceuticals and personal health; Paolo De Cesare, president-global skin care; Fabrizio Freda, president-global snacks; Mary Ann Pesce, currently president-deodorants/male personal care and personal cleansing; and Richard G. Pease, senior vice president-human resources, P&G household care.

Those promoted include Melanie L. Healey, who becomes group president-global feminine and health care; Jorge Mesquita, who becomes group president-global fabric care; Charles E. Pierce, who becomes group president-global oral care and coffee/snacks; Martin Riant, who becomes group president-global baby care; and David S. Taylor, who becomes group president-global home care (which includes home care, family care, and P&G professional).

The execs promoted to president are Steven D. Bishop, who becomes president-North America market operations; Giovanni Ciserani, president-Western Europe; Jamie P. Egasti, president-coffee and snacks; Mary Lynn Ferguson-McHugh, president-family care; and Thomas M. Finn, president-global health care.