While François-Henri Pinault remains Chairman, the CEO role is entrusted to seasoned automotive executive Luca de Meo.
French luxury group Kering has officially announced the long-rumored appointment of Italian executive Luca de Meo as its new CEO. Effective September 15, 2025, de Meo will take over from François-Henri Pinault, who will continue to serve as Chairman.
With this appointment, Kering—owner of iconic brands like Gucci and Balenciaga—ushers in a significant governance change. For the first time in over 20 years, the roles of Chairman and CEO will be separated, in line with best practices among publicly listed companies.
François-Henri Pinault explained the reasoning behind the move:
“In 2023, I began a strategic reflection on the governance of the group. During this process, I met Luca de Meo. His experience leading a publicly listed international company, his understanding of brands, and his deep respect for strong corporate culture convinced me he is the leader Kering needs for its next phase.”
Although new to the luxury industry, de Meo brings more than three decades of leadership experience, most recently serving as CEO of Renault Group since 2020. His impressive career also includes key roles at Toyota, Fiat, Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, Ducati, and Lamborghini.
Kering closed 2024 with €10.5 billion in net debt, and its shares have fallen 60% over the past two years. De Meo now faces the challenge of leading the group into a new era of growth. “I embrace this new professional challenge with curiosity, confidence, and belief in the strength of our brands. Together, we will continue to shape Kering as an indispensable force in the luxury industry,” he stated.
