Luca de Meo, a seasoned executive with more than three decades of experience in the automotive industry, is set to take the helm at Kering, the French multinational group renowned for its portfolio of luxury brands.

The appointment of de Meo, 58, marks a big change at Kering, owner of the Gucci and Saint Laurent brands, where François-Henri Pinault, a member of the family that controls the group, has been chair and chief executive for 20 years.

WHO IS HE? De Meo, 58, is from Milan, Italy, and has more than 30 years' experience working in the automotive sector. He graduated from the Luigi Bocconi Commercial University wit