Gucci's parent company, Kering, restructures its board of directors
The luxury group Kering is restructuring its board of directors. On the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee, two new independent members—Marie-Hélène Chenut and Laurent Kleitman—are to be appointed at the annual general meeting on May 28, 2026.
Chenut brings decades of experience in the luxury fashion industry to the table. The French executive spent more than 35 years at Chanel, where she held international leadership roles in marketing, business development, and talent development, among other areas. Most recently, she headed the haute couture division and its ateliers for nine years.
Kleitman also has extensive international leadership experience. A native of France, he currently serves as Group Chief Executive and Director of the luxury hotel group Mandarin Oriental. Previously, he held positions including President and CEO of Parfums Christian Dior, as well as head of LVMH’s beauty division in Russia and the CIS. His career also included roles in Coty’s consumer beauty division and leadership positions at Unilever in Europe and Asia.
At the same time, Jean-Pierre Denis is stepping down from the board. His resignation will take effect at the conclusion of the annual general meeting in late May 2026. Denis has been a member of the board of directors since 2008 and has served, among other roles, as chairman of the audit committee and, most recently, as vice chairman of the board. Since 2022, he has also been responsible for climate change issues within the group.
François-Henri Pinault, Chairman of the Kering Board of Directors, praised Denis’s long-standing contributions: He noted that Denis had guided the company for nearly two decades with “great care and high standards” and had played a key role early on in establishing sustainability as a core priority.
Subject to approval by the Annual General Meeting, the Board of Directors will consist of 13 members in the future. Independent members are expected to account for 64 percent of the board, and women for 45 percent. In addition, five nationalities would be represented on the board.
