Major strategic appointments at LVMH

2023 starts with important appointments at the top of the emblematic brands of the LVMH group, which achieved a 20% growth (organic) of its revenues in the first nine months of 2022 to 56.4 billion euros. On Wednesday 11 January 2023, the luxury group announced the appointment of Pietro Beccari as president and CEO of the Louis Vuitton brand, which had been led by Michael Burke for ten years.

Pietro Beccari, who will be 55 years old on 23 August, knows the Louis Vuitton brand well, since he joined the LVMH group in 2006 as head of marketing and communications for the company. In 2018 he was appointed Chairman and CEO of Christian Dior Couture, succeeding Sidney Toledano. This new appointment at the head of Louis Vuitton comes after ten years of uninterrupted success for the brand led by Delphine Arnault, Deputy CEO of Louis Vuitton, which employs 30,000 people worldwide. Commenting on the appointment, Bernard Arnault said: "Pietro Beccari's work at Christian Dior over the past five years has been exceptional. His leadership has accelerated the desirability and success of this iconic House. Monsieur Dior's values of elegance and innovative spirit have found a new intensity with the support of talented artistic directors. The reinvention of the historic House at 30 Montaigne is one of the best illustrations of this. There is no doubt that Pietro will lead Louis Vuitton to even greater desirability and success."

Delphine Arnault, 47, has been appointed president and CEO of Christian Dior Couture, a Maison whose strategies she has mastered perfectly, having served as deputy CEO from 2001 to 2013. Commenting on her appointment, Bernard Arnault said: "Delphine Arnault's appointment marks the continuation of a career of excellence in fashion and leather goods, first at Christian Dior for twelve years and then at Louis Vuitton for the last ten years, where she was number two at the House, in charge of all products. Under her leadership, the desirability of the products has increased dramatically, allowing the brand to fly from record to record. Her sharp eye and unparalleled experience will be decisive assets in the continued development of Christian Dior.

Michael Burke's new duties are not further detailed, although this appointment makes him one of Bernard Arnault's closest associates. In the official statement, the group's CEO underlined "the extraordinary success of Louis Vuitton over the past ten years. He (Michael Burke) has done a tremendous job in developing this exceptional House. He has widened the gap with his competitors and brought Louis Vuitton's heritage into the modern world. The cultural strength of Louis Vuitton has been fully affirmed. Michael attracted highly talented designers and teams and acculturated them to the Vuitton universe. Beyond Louis Vuitton, he successfully supported the integration of Tiffany into the Group. I am delighted that Michael will be able to continue to bring his experience and talent to our businesses alongside me.

It should also be noted that the Watches & Jewellery division, headed by Stéphane Bianchi since 2020, is being expanded with the integration of the Tiffany and Repossi brands.