François-Henri Pinault
Chairman of Kering
François-Henri Pinault is the chairman of Kering, the group behind Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga. As chief executive from 2005 until September 2025 he turned the retail conglomerate PPR into a focused luxury group, and he is known for putting sustainability measurement on the industry agenda.
| Role | Chairman, Kering |
|---|---|
| Chief executive | 2005 to September 2025 |
| Organisation | Kering (formerly PPR) |
| Renamed group | PPR to Kering, 2013 |
| Born | 1962, Rennes, France |
| Known for | EP&L and The Fashion Pact |
Who is François-Henri Pinault?
François-Henri Pinault is a French business leader and the chairman of Kering, the luxury group whose houses include Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen. Born in 1962 and a graduate of HEC Paris, he led the group as chairman and chief executive for two decades before handing the chief executive role to Luca de Meo in September 2025.
Career
Pinault joined the family group, then known as Pinault Printemps Redoute (PPR), in 1987 and worked across several of its businesses. In February 2000 he became deputy chief executive with responsibility for digital strategy, and in May 2003 he was elected vice president. In March 2005 he became chairman and chief executive of PPR.
Under his leadership the group gradually sold its retail and distribution businesses and concentrated on luxury and lifestyle brands. In 2013 PPR was renamed Kering, and in later years it also separated from Puma. In June 2025 Kering announced that Luca de Meo, then chief executive of Renault, would become chief executive from 15 September 2025, while Pinault would remain chairman of the board, separating the two roles for the first time in his tenure.
Influence on the fashion business
Pinault's Kering became the clearest alternative to LVMH as a multi-brand luxury group, with a reputation for bold creative appointments at houses such as Gucci, Saint Laurent and Balenciaga. He is equally known for his work on sustainability.
- Introduction of the environmental profit and loss (EP&L) account, which puts a monetary value on a company's environmental impact across its supply chain
- Launch of The Fashion Pact in 2019, a coalition of fashion and textile companies committing to shared environmental goals
- Chairing the Kering Foundation, which works on women's rights
François-Henri Pinault and technology
According to The Business of Fashion, Pinault's early executive responsibilities at PPR included digital strategy, overseeing the launch of PPR Interactive, and he later set up a Digital Academy within the group to support innovation. The EP&L methodology also relies on data collection across the supply chain, and Kering has published it so that others in the industry can use the approach.
Why it matters
Pinault reshaped one of France's largest retail groups into a global luxury business and pushed environmental measurement into mainstream boardroom discussion. As chairman, and through the family holding company Artémis, he remains central to Kering's strategy during a period of leadership change and brand repositioning, which makes him a key figure for anyone following the luxury market.
Frequently asked questions
Who is François-Henri Pinault?
François-Henri Pinault is the chairman of Kering, the luxury group that owns Gucci, Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta. He was its chief executive from 2005 until September 2025, when Luca de Meo took over that role.
Is François-Henri Pinault still CEO of Kering?
No. Since 15 September 2025 Luca de Meo has been chief executive of Kering, while Pinault remains chairman of the board. The change separated the roles of chairman and chief executive.