Biography
As former managing director of Kering’s luxury division, Alexis Babeau oversaw a portfolio of brands that included Stella McCartney , Alexander McQueen, Boucheron and Gucci. Appointed to the role in 2011, Babeau played an instrumental role in the group’s growth and expansion in the luxury sector.
During his tenure, Babeau implemented a successful acquisition strategy — buying a range of high-potential small to mid-size brands such as Chinese jewellery label Qeelin, Italian menswear label Brioni, and Christopher Kane , as well as investing in organic growth for the groups existing brands through product and store expansions.
In 2012, Babeau also steered a joint venture agreement with Yoox.com to oversee the online development of Kering's luxury brands.
Having obtained a degree in engineering from the École des Travaux Publics de Paris, Babeau began his career working as an auditor for international accounting firm Arthur Andersen, before transferring to the energy sector of French investment and industrial conglomerate Bollore Group.
In 1999 Babeau joined the Carrefour retail group as group controlling director, leaving in 2001 to join Kering (then PPR) Group as Chief Financial Officer of its credit division, Finaref. In 2004 Babeau was appointed chief financial officer and executive vice president of Gucci Group N.V and in 2009 was appointed chief operating officer of PPR. Babeau left Kering in April 2014, to "take his career in a new direction."
Babeau currently sits on the boards of European Capital Ltd. and Global Fashion Group S.A.