By Abigail Summerville

Dec 3 (Reuters) - Citigroup C.N has hired Kelly McPhilliamy as the bank's head of health and beauty to expand its global consumer and retail investment banking group, according to a memo seen by Reuters on Wednesday. A Citi spokesperson confirmed the contents.

THE PEOPLE

• McPhilliamy will start in January and report to Stacia Ryan, Citi's head of global consumer and retail investment banking.

• She has over 25 years of experience covering the health and beauty sector, most recently at Harris Williams.

• She has also held roles at Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch.

• McPhilliamy has advised hygiene brand DUDE Wipes on a growth investment from private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners, haircare company Tangle Teezer on its sale to BIC BICP.PA, Colgate-Palmolive CL.N on its acquisition of sunscreen brand EltaMD, and Ulta Beauty’s ULTA.O initial public offering.

THE CONTEXT

• So far this year, there have been several blockbuster health and beauty deals.

• L'Oreal OREP.PA reached a $4.7 billion agreement to buy Gucci owner Kering's PRTP.PA beauty business.

• Kimberly-Clark KMB.O made a nearly $50 billion deal to acquire Tylenol and Band-Aid maker Kenvue KVUE.N.

• Elf Beauty ELF.N acquired Hailey Bieber's makeup brand Rhode.

(Reporting by Abigail Summerville in New York; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

((abigail.summerville@thomsonreuters.com))