Gucci is the flagship brand of Kering. Image credit: Gucci
Kering named Stefano Cantino as CEO of Gucci, reporting to Francesca Bellettini, deputy CEO of Kering in charge of brand development.
Mr. Cantino, who joined Gucci in May as deputy CEO and will have a seat on Kering’s executive committee, will succeed Jean-François Palus as of Jan. 1, 2025. Jean-François Palus had been appointed CEO of Gucci in July 2023 with the main goal to set up the foundations of Gucci’s next chapter and hire key talents, including his successor.
“I am deeply grateful to Jean-François for his dedication and loyalty to Gucci over this transitional period,” Mr. Bellettini said in a statement.
“I am confident that, building on what has been set up over the past 15 months, Stefano and the Gucci team will succeed in the mission to take Gucci back to the leadership the brand deserves,” he said.
Stefano Cantino
Refocus needed
Gucci is the flagship brand for French luxury conglomerate Kering.
The brand has floundered in the past couple of years, struggling for lack of focus and a rotating door of leaders.
Debbie Harry in Gucci ad campaign by Nan Goldin. Image credit: Gucci
François-Henri Pinault, chairman/CEO of Kering, lauded Jean-François Palus in a statement.
“Over a particularly challenging period, he made the courageous decisions the house needed, and built sound foundations for a renewed Gucci to flourish again under the stewardship of Stefano,” he said.
“I also want to acknowledge Jean-François’s close and constant collaboration with me over the past 30 years, which has been truly invaluable.”