Skip to main content
BoF Logo

The Business of Fashion

Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

LVMH’s Arnault Set to Propose Sons Alexandre, Frédéric for Company’s Board

LVMH’s Antoine Arnault calls for luxury-focused sustainability pact.
Bernard Arnault plans to appoint two of his sons to the board of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, as the French billionaire continues to groom his children to potentially lead the luxury empire he founded. (Getty Images)

Bernard Arnault plans to appoint two of his sons to the board of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, as the French billionaire continues to groom his children to potentially lead the luxury empire he founded.

Arnault’s nomination of sons Alexandre, 31, and Frédéric, 29, could come as early as this week, a person familiar with the matter said, confirming a report from online publication La Lettre. LVMH is due to announce annual results on Thursday.

The board nominations would then be subject to a vote at the company’s annual general meeting in April. A spokesman for LVMH declined to comment.

The appointments would underscore the family’s firm grip on LVMH. Arnault and his family own about 48 percent of LVMH shares and nearly 64% of voting rights.

ADVERTISEMENT

Arnault, 74, is the world’s third-wealthiest person, with a fortune of about $161 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. He’s been grooming his children in a variety of roles at the company as he develops a succession plan.

All five of Arnault’s children work at the firm. Delphine, 48, is chief executive officer of Christian Dior Couture, the group’s second-biggest fashion label after Louis Vuitton. She’s the only Arnault child to currently sit on LVMH’s executive committee.

Antoine Arnault, 46, is responsible for LVMH’s image and communications and is a non-executive chairman of cashmere specialist Loro Piana, which belongs to the company. He is also vice chairman and CEO of Christian Dior SE, the holding company through which the Arnault family controls LVMH. Both Delphine and Antoine became board members before the age of 30.

The billionaire founder’s three youngest sons came via his second marriage, to Canadian concert pianist Helene Mercier. Alexandre has overseen product and communications at Tiffany & Co. for the past three years while Frédéric runs the group’s watch unit, which includes labels such as Hublot, Tag Heuer and Zenith. Jean, 25, is in charge of developing Louis Vuitton’s watch category.

In 2022, Arnault lifted the age limit for his CEO role to 80. LVMH last week announced that his close lieutenant Sidney Toledano, 72, will step down from the executive committee.

Learn more:

Will LVMH Signal an End to Luxury’s Slump?

The conglomerate’s results will be a key indicator as to whether consumers are getting excited about high-end fashion again. That, plus what else to watch for in the coming week.

© 2024 The Business of Fashion. All rights reserved. For more information read our Terms & Conditions

More from Luxury
How rapid change is reshaping the tradition-soaked luxury sector in Europe and beyond.

L Catterton to Take Tod’s Private

The LVMH-linked firm is betting its $545 million stake in the Italian shoemaker will yield the double-digit returns private equity typically seeks.


view more

Subscribe to the BoF Daily Digest

The essential daily round-up of fashion news, analysis, and breaking news alerts.

The Business of Fashion

Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
CONNECT WITH US ON
The State of Fashion 2024
© 2024 The Business of Fashion. All rights reserved. For more information read our Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy and Accessibility Statement.
The State of Fashion 2024