Kering has appointed Luca de Meo as Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant step in the evolution of the Group’s governance and leadership structure. The decision, initiated by Chairman François-Henri Pinault and approved yesterday (16 June) by Kering’s Board of Directors, was made upon recommendation from the Appointments and Governance Committee.
The move introduces a new governance model for the French luxury group, separating the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer roles. Pinault will remain as Chairman of the Board, while de Meo will assume the role of CEO, pending shareholder approval at the meeting scheduled for 9 September.
During the meeting, the Board will be asked to appoint de Meo as Director and to approve the new compensation policy in accordance with the revamped organisational structure. His term as CEO will officially begin on 15 September, subject to approvals.
De Meo brings with him over 30 years of experience in the automotive sector. He began his career with Renault in 1992 and went on to work with Toyota Europe, Fiat Group, Volkswagen Group and Audi AG.
De Meo held many senior leadership roles within the Fiat Group, including his tenure as Director of the Lancia, Fiat and Alfa Romeo divisions, CEO of Abarth, and Marketing Director of the Group.
He joined the Volkswagen Group in 2009 as Group and Volkswagen Brand Marketing Director, before being appointed to the Management Board of Audi AG in 2012 with responsibility for sales and marketing.
From 2015 to 2020, he served as President of Seat and Cupra and was a member of the supervisory boards of Ducati and Lamborghini. He was also Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Volkswagen Group in Spain. Following this he spent time as CEO of Renault Group and has been a member of Renault Group’s Management Board since January 2021. From January 2021 to February 2023, he was also CEO of the Renault brand.
De Meo was President of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association from January 2023 to December 2024. He also served as CEO of Ampere, a European leader in electric and software-defined vehicles. In addition, from April 2021 to October 2022, de Meo was a member of the Board of Directors of TIM (Telecom Italia).
Kering Chairman of the Board François-Henri Pinault said, “After 20 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.
“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.”
De Meo added: “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.” ✈
