P&G is bringing home one of Europe's ‘most powerful women’

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Mary Lynn Ferguson-McHugh, 55, served as group president for global family care in 2010, and she will resume that position Dec. 1 when she returns to the Cincinnati headquarters of Procter & Gamble.

Barrett J. Brunsman

Staff reporter- Cincinnati Business Courier

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Procter & Gamble executive Mary Lynn Ferguson-McHugh, who was recently named one of the most powerful women in Europe by Fortune magazine, will soon return to Cincinnati as P&G's group president for global family care.

As a result, P&G plans to announce a new role for Steven Bishop, group president for global feminine and family care. The Covington resident had been group president for global feminine care since 2010 before being given the added responsibility for family care last year.

Ferguson-McHugh, 55, served as group president for global family care in 2010 and will resume that position Dec. 1 when she returns to the Cincinnati headquarters of Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG).

She will be P&G's business leader for paper towels, tissues and toilet paper, which include the brands Bounty, Charmin and Puffs. Ferguson-McHugh will report to Martin Riant, group president for global baby, feminine and family care.

"It's not a new role, but it is focused exclusively on family care, which is what this role has historically been," P&G spokeswoman Jennifer Corso said of Ferguson-McHugh's new job.

"Steve Bishop's next assignment will be announced at a later date," Corso said. "We are organizing to create value for consumers, customers and share owners. We're putting the team in place for a streamlined and more focused P&G."

Ferguson-McHugh was named P&G's group president for Europe earlier this year and is based in Geneva, Switzerland. Last month, she was No. 22 on Fortune's list of the Most Powerful Women of Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

She previously was group president for Western Europe, global discounter and pharmacy channels. Ferguson-McHugh joined P&G in 1986 as an assistant brand manager for Vicks NyQuil. She has served as a member of the boards of the Art Academy of Cincinnati and the YWCA.

On Nov. 1, Gary Coombe, who is based in Geneva but previously held a position in Cincinnati, will assume the job of president of Europe selling and market operations. Essentially replacing Ferguson-McHugh in Europe, Coombe will report directly to CEO A.G. Lafley. Coombe's most recent role was vice president of home care for Europe and brand franchise leader for air care.

The Europe group accounts for about $23 billion in sales for Procter & Gamble. Founded in Cincinnati in 1837, P&G has operations in 80 countries and $83 billion in annual sales.

Brunsman covers Procter & Gamble Co. and health care.