Veneta Pektova, who holds the master franchise for The Body Shop in Bulgaria, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Albania, and Diego Ortiz de Zevallos, former General Manager of The Body Shop in Spain, are now the new owners in the Iberian Peninsula.WHO: Founded in England in 1976, The Body Shop entered the Iberian market almost 30 years ago. There are 72 shops in the region, 48 in Spain and 24 in Portugal, as well as being distributed in Druni, Xarig, Fund Grube, Perfumes Club, Marvimundo, Aromas y Perfumes y Cía, and other perfumery and cosmetics chains.Petkova has extensive experience in the retail sector. In 2009 she led the arrival of the Spanish home textile brand Textura in Bulgaria and in 2015 she set up Duka in her country. With The Body Shop, she managed to bring the firm into Bulgaria, with eight shops, two in Albania, three in Kosovo and one in North Macedonia.WHY: After falling into administration in early 2024, The Body Shop had secured a rescue deal by a consortium led by British tycoon Mike Jatania in September.IN THEIR OWN WORDS: “We’re on our way back, market by market, product by product, customer by customer,” said Charles Denton, CEO of The Body Shop. “We look forward to extending this relationship as we build a sustainable future together in Spain and Portugal. Veneta and Diego are deeply committed to The Body Shop, they are champions of ethical beauty and wonderful partners.”"We are excited to lead this brand in Iberia, which we have admired for years and believe we have a great future ahead of us,” said Petkova and Ortiz de Zevallos in a joint statement.