Luca de Meo Taps Renault Executive for Kering’s New HR Director Role

Luca de Meo, who took his first steps at the helm of Kering on Monday, is starting to build his team. He is doing so, among other things, by recruiting well-known talent, brought in directly from Renault, where he himself comes from. His latest recruit is Thomas Cuntz, who joins Kering as head of talent development and people engagement after 24 years at the French automaker.

“I would like to thank Groupe Renault for this fascinating 24-year journey,“ says the French luxury group’s new head of talent. In his new professional role, Cuntz is called upon to “lead the key human resources functions at the heart of Kering’s people strategy.“

Cuntz will report directly to Béatrice Lazat, chief people officer since 2016, and will occupy an entirely new position in the company, “newly created,“ he states on his social networks.

Cuntz, who occupies a newly created position, will report to Béatrice Lazat, Chief People Officer since 2016

“I am honored to enter a new sector and contribute to a great adventure, inspired by the strength of Kering’s house brands and their ongoing transformation,“ says the new recruit.

It is a time of change for the conglomerate, which announced yesterday the future appointment of Francesca Bellettini as the new CEO of Gucci, replacing Stefano Cantino, who will leave the company after only nine months in the position.

Bellettini is currently co-CEO of Kering and in charge of brand development, as well as one of the most recognized managers in the sector.

Earlier this summer, Keringannounced that it was bringing in Luca de Meo, former CEO of Renault, as its new executive leader. He faces a challenge: to shore up the future of one of the major luxury players, stalled by the crisis in the sector.

Reorganization to reduce debt

At Kering’s first general meeting with Luca de Meo at the helm, the executive made it very clear that his goal is to turn the company around and strengthen its efficiency in order to rebound its results. “We must continue to get out of debt and reduce costs, and this will involve internationalizing, reorganizing or repositioning some of our brands,“ said de Meo.

The world’s second-largest luxury group closed 2024 by halving its net profit to €1.13 billion. The Pinault family’s luxury conglomerate ended the year with a turnover of €17.19 billion, down 12% from €19.56 billion the previous year.