The French luxury group, grappling with a financial downturn and a void in both business and creative leadership, has confirmed the appointment of Italian industrialist Luca de Meo as CEO, succeeding François-Henri Pinault.
The Board of Directors of Kering, chaired by François-Henri Pinault, has approved the appointment of Luca de Meo as Chief Executive Officer of the Group, following a recommendation by the Appointments and Governance Committee.
This appointment, initiated by François-Henri Pinault, represents a pivotal milestone in the evolution of Kering’s governance and reinforces the Group’s leadership as it embarks on a new phase of growth and transformation.
As part of a refreshed governance structure, the roles of Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer will now be separated. François-Henri Pinault will continue as Chairman, while Luca de Meo will assume the role of CEO. This structure aligns with best practices among major publicly listed companies.
These changes will take effect following the decisions of the Board of Directors after the Shareholders’ Meeting scheduled for September 9, 2025. At this meeting, shareholders will be asked to appoint Luca de Meo as a Director and approve the related compensation policy for the new governance structure. Subject to these approvals, Luca de Meo will officially assume the role of Chief Executive Officer on September 15, 2025.
François-Henri Pinault commented:
“After two decades of transforming Kering into a major global luxury player, the Group is ready to enter a new stage of development. In 2023, I began reflecting on the future of our governance, and it was in this context that I met Luca de Meo. His experience leading international listed companies, his deep understanding of brands, and his commitment to a strong and respectful corporate culture convinced me he is the right leader to bring a fresh vision to Kering. I am placing full confidence in Luca and entrusting him with the leadership of our Group and teams. As Chairman of the Board, I will remain by his side during this new phase.”
Luca de Meo said:
“I sincerely thank François-Henri Pinault and the Board of Directors for placing their trust in me to lead Kering into this next chapter. I approach this new challenge with energy, enthusiasm, and confidence—driven by the strength of the Group’s iconic brands and the excellence of its people. Together, I am confident we will continue to establish Kering as a key force in the global luxury industry.”
About Luca de Meo
Born in Milan in 1967, Luca de Meo brings over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry. He holds a degree in Business Administration from Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi in Milan, where he was named Bocconi Alumnus of the Year in 2017.
He began his career at Renault in 1992 and later held key roles at Toyota Europe and Fiat Group, including CEO of Abarth and Head of the Lancia, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo divisions. At the Volkswagen Group, he served as Group and Brand Marketing Director, before joining AUDI AG as a Management Board Member responsible for Sales and Marketing.
From 2015 to 2020, de Meo served as President of SEAT and CUPRA, while also sitting on the supervisory boards of Ducati and Lamborghini, and chairing Volkswagen Group Spain. He became CEO of Renault Group in July 2020 and joined its Management Board in 2021. He also held the position of CEO of the Renault brand (2021–2023), President of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), and CEO of Ampere, a leading player in zero-emission and software-defined vehicles, from 2023 to 2025. Additionally, he was a Board Member of Telecom Italia (TIM) from 2021 to 2022.
