Luca De Meo Leaves Renault for Kering CEO Role, Marking Major Industry Shift
June 16, 2025 – Renault Group announced on Sunday that its chief executive, Luca De Meo, is stepping down effective July 15, 2025, to pursue “new challenges outside the automotive sector,” confirming reports by Le Figaro that he will take over as CEO of luxury group Kering. The move, described as a “transfer of the year” in French business circles, follows Kering Chairman François-Henri Pinault’s decision to split the chairman and CEO roles to address the group’s struggling performance.
De Meo, 58, has led Renault since July 2020, orchestrating the “Renaulution” plan that turned around the carmaker’s finances, achieving a record 7.6% profit margin in 2023. His departure, announced to Renault’s board on June 15, stunned the auto industry, with the company now launching a search for a successor. Posts on X reflect mixed sentiment, with users like @ralifromparis praising De Meo’s potential to revive Kering, while others lament his exit from Renault.
Kering, which owns Gucci, Balenciaga, and Saint Laurent, has faced a share price slump, prompting Pinault’s governance shake-up. De Meo’s experience at Fiat, Volkswagen, and Renault, where he revitalized brands like Dacia and Alpine, positions him as a bold choice to steer Kering’s luxury portfolio. Neither Renault nor Kering commented further, but sources confirm Pinault is actively planning his succession.
The transition leaves Renault at a critical juncture, with its EV strategy and Nissan alliance under scrutiny, while Kering aims to leverage De Meo’s turnaround expertise. This high-profile shift underscores the fluidity of leadership across industries in 2025.
