Luxury leathergoods group Kering has named Stefano Cantino as the new chief executive of Gucci, its biggest brand. By Leatherbiz.

Mr Cantino joined Gucci as deputy chief executive in May after five years at rival luxury leathergoods brand Louis Vuitton. He will take over the top role at Gucci on January 1, replacing Jean-François Palus.

Mr Palus, previously Kering’s group managing director, took up the Gucci role in July 2023 following the departure of Marco Bizzarri. Kering said Marco Bizzarri had “masterminded the execution of Gucci’s outstanding growth strategy since 2015”, but the brand had gone through a more turbulent time towards the end of his tenure.

The group said its main intention in appointing Jean-François Palus to the role last year was to “set up the foundations of Gucci’s next chapter and hire key talents, including his successor”.