Is This the Next CEO of LVMH?
LVMH has named one of billionaire owner Bernard Arnault’s sons, Alexandre Arnault, as deputy chief of its wine and spirits division.
Alexandre Arnault will take up the role at Moët Hennessy in February after three years at New York-based jeweller Tiffany, which LVMH bought for US$15.8bn in 2021.
He will serve as deputy chief executive under Jean-Jacques Guiony, who hands over his own role as chief financial officer to Cécile Cabanis, as part of a wider management reshuffle.
Maud Alvarez-Pereyne, who has held HR positions in several LVMH divisions, will take over as head of HR for LVMH from Chantal Gaemperle, who has exited the luxury group after more than 17 years.
Succession speculation
Moving Alexandre Arnault back to LVHM’s Paris headquarters, has reignited speculation about who will eventually take over from Chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault, 75, when he steps down.
Bernard Arnault remains firmly at the helm for now, but his five children all have operational roles in the group, and Kremlinologists will be watching closely for any indications who might one day become CEO.
Alexandre Arnault, along with his younger brother Frédéric, the 29-year-old head of LVMH’s watchmaking group, joined the board this year, following in the footsteps of their two elder siblings and leaving only the youngest, Jean, without a seat.
All of Bernard Arnault’s children have equal stakes in the group.
Although Bernard Arnault and his family only own 48% of the Louis Vuitton owner, they have disproportionate voting power (64% of all votes), which means they maintain strategic control of LVMH, despite it being a publicly traded company.
The family’s voting power significantly exceeds their ownership stake due to French double-voting rights for long-term shareholders.
Bernard Arnault’s control of LVMH has made him the fifth-richest person in the world, according to Bloomberg's Billionaire Index, whose personal fortune peaked at US$231bn in March this year.
Summing up Bernard Arnault’s achievements, Le Monde said his company was so powerful it had become “a state within a state” in his native France.
Who are Bernard Arnault’s 5 children?
Delphine Arnault
Born in 1975, Delphine Arnault is the oldest child and is currently CEO of Christian Dior and a director of Louis Vuitton.
Antoine Arnault
Second-oldest child Antoine Arnault was born in 1977 and is head of communications, image and environment for LVMH group. Antoine is also chairman of holding company Christian Dior SE. He was previously CEO of LVMH subsidiary Berluti, the bespoke French shoemaker, and Italian luxury brand Loro Piana.
Alexandre Arnault
Currently Executive Vice-President at Tiffany & Co in New York, Alexandre Arnault will move back to France in February 2025 to become Deputy CEO of Moët Hennessy. Born in 1992, Alexandre previously led the revitalisation of German luxury baggage firm Rimowa after its acquisition by LVMH in 2016.
Frédéric Arnault
The second-youngest of Bernard Arnault’s five children, Frédéric Arnault is CEO of watch brand TAG Heuer.
Jean Arnault
Still only 26 years old, Jean Arnault is director of marketing and development for Louis Vuitton watches. Having joined LVMH in 2021, he is the only Arnault child not to have a seat yet on the board.
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