WHO IS HE? De Meo, 58, is from Milan, Italy, and has more than 30 years' experience working in the automotive sector. He graduated from the Luigi Bocconi Commercial University wit

French luxury group Kering SA (PPRUY) has named Luca de Meo its next chief executive officer, tapping the top leader of Renault SA (RNLSY) to leverage his turnaround experience in the automotive sector for the luxury retail industry.

The appointment of de Meo, 58, marks a big change at Kering, owner of the Gucci and Saint Laurent brands, where François-Henri Pinault, a member of the family that controls the group, has been chair and chief executive for 20 years.