Kering Is Appointing a General Secretary

TOP BRASS: Reinforcing its top management amid a challenging climate for luxury players, Kering is poised to promote Mélanie Flouquet to the new position of general secretary, WWD has learned.

It is understood the French group — parent of Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta and other brands — is aiming to further strengthen its governance and risk management, enhance the integration of its regional activities and promote cross-functional collaboration.

Flouquet is expected to start in her new role on March 1 and report to Jean-Marc Duplaix, deputy chief executive officer and chief operating officer of Kering.

She joined Kering as chief strategy officer in 2021 following a 20-year career at JP Morgan, where she rose to become managing director of its luxury goods equity research team.

A dual graduate of EM Lyon and Lancaster University, Flouquet is also a chartered accountant in the U.K. and cut her teeth at KPMG.

WWD has also learned that Joël Hazan, a veteran of Boston Consulting Group, is to succeed Flouquet with the new title of chief strategy and development officer.

He is expected to start March 1 and report to Francesca Bellettini, Kering’s deputy CEO in charge of brand development.

It is understood Hazan is charged with strengthening the operational support Kering provides to its various houses, which also include Boucheron and Pomellato, and enabling them to gain efficiency while driving Kering’s business development ambitions.

Hazan was most recently a partner and managing director at Boston Consulting Group in Paris, leading its fashion and luxury practice, and advising leading fashion, jewelry and beauty players.