Luca de Meo Named Kering's New CEO
The current chief executive at Renault will assume his new position on September 15.
Summary
- Luca de Meo, the current CEO of Renault, has been named Kering’s new CEO.
- He’ll officially take office on September 15.
- François-Henri Pinault, current CEO and Chairman of Kering, will maintain his Chairman position.
Update: After much chatter, Luca de Meo has officially been named the new CEO of Kering.
The current chief executive of Renault will step down from his current role in mid-July, and he’ll take over the luxury conglomerate on September 15. Meanwhile, Kering’s current CEO, François-Henri Pinault, will maintain his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
In a statement, de Meo said, “I would like to thank François-Henri Pinault and the Board of Directors for choosing me to lead Kering into this new phase of development. I am approaching this new professional challenge with enthusiasm, eagerness, and confidence, inspired by the strength of the Group’s brands and the expertise of its people. I am convinced that together we will continue to make Kering an essential player in the luxury industry.”
Pinault added, “After twenty years of transforming Kering into a major global luxury player, the Group is ready for a new stage in its development. From 2023, I launched a reflection on the evolution of the Group’s governance. It was in this context that I met Luca de Meo. His experience at the helm of an international listed group, his sharp understanding of brands, and his sense of a strong and respectful corporate culture convinced me that he is the leader I was looking for to bring a new vision and steer this chapter in our Group’s history.”
He concluded, “It is with complete confidence that I am handing over the leadership of Kering and our teams to Luca. I will of course be at his side to accompany him in this new phase, as Chairman of the Board of Kering.”
Original Story: Luca de Meo is set to step down from his position as Chief Executive of Renault in mid-July to pursue new opportunities outside the automotive sector. According to French outlet – Le Figaro, it is rumored that he will take the helm as the new CEO of Kering, the French luxury conglomerate known for iconic brands such as Gucci, Saint Laurent and Balenciaga.
Although de Meo has declined to comment, speculation has intensified — particularly after reports emerged last week suggesting that François-Henri Pinault, the current Chairman and CEO of Kering, is preparing to relinquish his role and retain his position as Chairman while bringing in new leadership to steer the group.
Fueling further speculation, Kering abruptly canceled a scheduled event with financial analysts set for Monday, June 16th, 2025. Kering has also recently faced mounting challenges, particularly with Gucci. Once considered their “cash cow,” Gucci has seen a significant decline in sales and profitability. Kering’s share price has plummeted by over 60% in the past two years, and the company is currently managing more than €10 billion EUR (approximately 11.5 billion USD) in debt.
Luca de Meo is widely credited with revitalizing Renault during his five-year tenure achieving economies of scale by implementing cost-cutting initiatives, shifting focus toward electric vehicles and restructuring the brand’s alliance with Nissan. His proven track record has led many to believe he is being tapped to execute a similar turnaround strategy at Kering — especially as the group looks to reignite momentum at Gucci. Kering has not confirmed the reports at the moment.
