End of an era! as Marco Bizzarri to exit Gucci
Jean-François Palus, currently Kering Group managing director, has been named president and CEO of Gucci for a transitional period
It’s the end of an era at Gucci. Kering announced Tuesday that the brand’s longtime president and CEO Marco Bizzarri will leave the company effective 23 September the day of creative director Sabato de Sarno’s debut show at Milan Fashion Week.
Jean-François Palus, currently Kering Group managing director, has been named president and CEO of Gucci for a transitional period.
He is tasked with strengthening Gucci’s teams and operations as the house rebuilds influence and momentum, and readying its leadership and organisation for the future. Palus will relinquish his position on the board of directors of Kering and relocate to Milan.
It’s part of a broader executive shakeup underway at Kering. Francesca Bellettini, president and CEO of Saint Laurent since 2013, has been appointed Kering deputy CEO, in charge of brand development.
All brand CEOs will report to her, and she’ll also keep her current role.
Additionally, Jean-Marc Duplaix, chief financial officer since 2012, has also been appointed Kering deputy CEO, in charge of operations and finance.
Duplaix will head all group corporate functions and be responsible for enhancing efficiency and accountability.
Bizzarri’s exit is a big one for Kering that completes a series of high-profile departures. After years of explosive growth led by Bizzarri and previous creative director Alessandro Michele a formerly untouchable duo Gucci has begun to slow down.
In November 2022, Michele exited. Robert Triefus, CEO of Gucci Vault, departed earlier this year. In 2022, Gucci sales were up 1 per cent to €10.48 billion. In the same period, sales at Saint Laurent grew by 23 per cent to €3.3 billion; LVMH fashion and leather goods division was up by 20 per cent; and Hermès saw a rise of 23 per cent.
