Luxury Revolution: Luca de Meo's Bold Transition from Automotive to Gucci
Parijs, dinsdag, 17 juni 2025.
Kering has made a surprising strategic move by appointing Luca de Meo, the former Renault CEO, as the new chairman. After five successful years of leadership at Renault, De Meo is transitioning to the luxury sector to revitalise Gucci. With a dramatic sales decline of 25%, the fashion house is seeking an experienced manager who can reposition the brand. De Meo’s expertise in brand management and transformation makes him a standout candidate to bring Kering’s luxury brands back to the top, despite challenging market conditions.
Strategic Appointment at Kering
Luca de Meo will become the new CEO of Kering, the parent company of luxury brand Gucci, following five years of successful leadership at Renault. The Italian manager, born in Milan in 1967, has over thirty years of experience in the automotive sector and will now apply his expertise to the luxury fashion industry [1][2].
Challenging Market Position
De Meo’s appointment comes at a critical moment for Kering. The company experienced a significant revenue decline in the first quarter of 2025, with Gucci’s sales dropping 25 percent compared to the previous year. Luxury brands are facing substantial challenges, particularly in the Chinese consumer market [3].
Expectations of the Appointment
François-Henri Pinault, chairman of Kering, sees De Meo as the ideal candidate to usher in a new strategic phase. His experience with brand management and transformation in the automotive sector is viewed as a key asset for repositioning Gucci and other luxury brands within the group [4][5].
New Governance Structure
As part of the renewed governance, the chairmanship of the Board will be separated from the CEO role. De Meo will officially take office after approval by the General Meeting on 9 September 2025 [6].