Having served as chairman of Kering Group (formerly PPR) since March 2005, French business mogul François-Henri Pinault spearheaded a successful restructuring that has seen the conglomerate reposition itself squarely within the luxury and sportswear markets. The advances have seen the group report revenues of €13.6 billion in 2018.
Having shed the group’s interests within the mass distribution sector, Pinault ushered in a new era for Kering as a pure-luxury player, having divested of Puma, sold its 50 percent stake in Stella McCartney and sold Christopher Kane back to the designer. The conglomerate is now focusing on its influential portfolio of established labels including Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Balenciaga and Saint Laurent, as well as revitalising Bottega Veneta under its new creative director, Daniel Lee .
In 2013, Pinault rebranded the group’s name from PPR to Kering, re-emphasising the group’s new direction and break from past activities. Pinault has also overseen the group’s active participation with digital technology, entering into a joint venture with Yoox.com to develop the luxury brands' e-commerce capabilities and introducing a Digital Academy to help foster innovations within the group.
An alumnus of the prestigious HEC Business School in Paris, Pinault began his career at PPR in 1987, rising to become manager of the company’s buying department in 1988. Following a series of executive positions at FNAC and CFAO, Pinault was named deputy chief executive officer of PPR's digital strategy in February 2000, overseeing the launch of PPR Interactive. In May 2003, Pinault was elected vice president of the board, taking the position of chairman of the board in 2005, succeeding his father François Pinault.
An active philanthropist, in 2011, Pinault implemented a wide range of ecological and social initiatives, including environmental profit-and-loss statements and sustainable python farming. He also serves as chairman of Kering’s Corporate Foundation for Women’s Dignity and Rights and is a Supervisory Board member of ELA (a European NGO campaigning for research in leukodystrophy).
VITAL STATISTICS
Pinaults’ Artemis Says Not Facing Financial Strain Despite Kering Woes
A jump in standalone debt is a ‘temporary spike’ and the company is not facing liquidity problems due to a drop in dividends from Kering and other assets, it told Reuters.
Why Kering Picked a Fashion Outsider to Be Its Next CEO
The Gucci and Saint Laurent owner is splitting its chairman and CEO roles, bringing in Luca de Meo, a turnaround expert who has revived multiple automotive brands, to support the Pinault family.
Pinaults Double Down on Cruises with Aqua Deal
The family that controls Kering recently bought a majority share in Aqua Expeditions, a boutique luxury cruise line. The push comes as arch rival LVMH, as well as Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and Aman, invest in ‘floating hotels.’
Can Kering Turn Things Around?
As the French luxury group attempts to get back on track, investors, former insiders and industry observers say the group needs a far more drastic overhaul than it has planned, reports Bloomberg.
Kering Braces for Aspirational Luxury’s Long Winter
Sales at luxury fashion’s second-biggest group fell 4 percent in the holiday quarter, putting it significantly behind key rivals. The Gucci and Saint Laurent owner is expecting another year of lacklustre growth amid a long-term plan to push its brands upmarket.
Kering Braces for Aspirational Luxury’s Long Winter
Sales at luxury fashion’s second-biggest group fell 4 percent in the holiday quarter, putting it significantly behind key rivals. The Gucci and Saint Laurent owner is expecting another year of lacklustre growth amid a long-term plan to push its brands upmarket.
Work-in-Progress Gucci Weighs on Owner Kering
A rapid turnaround at the Italian megabrand seems firmly off the menu, leaving parent Kering in a tricky position, writes columnist Luca Solca.
Pinault Buys Majority Stake in Talent Agency CAA
Pinault family holding Artémis is acquiring private equity firm TPG’s stake in the Hollywood talent giant in a deal that values the business at $7 billion.
François-Henri Pinault Nears $7 Billion Deal for CAA
Pinault sees CAA as a way to invest in the value of celebrities and may be able to use some of the Hollywood talent giant’s famous faces to bolster luxury group Kering.
Five Key Questions on Kering and Mayhoola’s Valentino Deal
The French group will pay €1.7 billion for 30 percent of the Italian couture house as the first step in a broader partnership with owner Mayhoola. What will the deal mean for Kering, Valentino, Mayhoola and the wider fashion landscape?
Five Key Questions on Kering and Mayhoola’s Valentino Deal
The French group will pay €1.7 billion for 30 percent of the Italian couture house as the first step in a broader partnership with owner Mayhoola. What will the deal mean for Kering, Valentino, Mayhoola and the wider fashion landscape?
Luxury Slowdown? Not So Fast
Momentum in China and tourist spend in Europe enabled the sector to continue growing in Q2, while Kering’s surprise acquisition of a 30 percent stake in Valentino suggests there is more consolidation to come, writes Imran Amed.
What is The BoF 500?
The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
