Renault to Kering Talent Drain Signals New Era for Luxury Giant

A significant transition is currently underway as a "talent pipeline" flows from the automotive giant Renault to the luxury conglomerate Kering. Luca de Meo, who previously steered the French carmaker Renault, recently marked his first quarterly results presentation as the chief executive of Kering, signaling a new era for the luxury group.

Since his arrival at the helm of the French luxury powerhouse—parent company to iconic brands like Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and Bottega Veneta—there has been a palpable shift in both strategic direction and organizational culture. The Italian executive has wasted no time in making pivotal decisions, initiating a substantial reshaping of Kering's organizational structure. While his comprehensive strategic plan for the group is slated for unveiling in early 2026, de Meo has already demonstrated a clear intent to forge a new path.

In a swift period of just a month and a half, Luca de Meo has begun to integrate a cadre of trusted colleagues from his tenure at Renault into key positions at Kering. One of the first significant appointments was that of Thomas Cuntz, formerly the vice-president of talent management at Renault, who has now assumed the critical role of Director of Talent Development and Employee Engagement at Kering, underscoring a focus on human capital from the outset.

Further bolstering his new team and addressing market sentiment, Kering announced on October 23 the appointment of a new Director of Financial Communications. As de Meo actively works to reassure investors and instill confidence among financial analysts regarding his commitment to orchestrating a robust turnaround for the French group, strategic appointments in this area are crucial for transparent and effective communication with the markets.

To fill this vital role, de Meo has turned to Philippine de Schonen, a seasoned professional with a deep understanding of investor relations and corporate finance. De Schonen served as Director of Investor Relations at Renault since 2021, where she also gained extensive experience overseeing mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Her career prior to Renault included a start at Carrefour, followed by specializing in investor relations at Areva from 2011, and then Plastic Omnium in 2015, building a strong foundation in financial communications. She is set to commence her new responsibilities at Kering on November 3.

This strategic appointment also brings about a new internal alignment within Kering. Claire Roblet, who has skillfully managed the financial communications responsibilities for the past twelve years, will transition into the role of Chief of Staff to Jean-Marc Duplaix, the Chief Operating Officer. Notably, Philippine de Schonen will report directly to Jean-Marc Duplaix, establishing a clear and streamlined reporting structure for this critical function.