Jump to content

Luca de Meo: Difference between revisions

The comprehensive free global encyclopedia of CEOs, corporate leadership, and business excellence
← Older editNewer edit →
VisualWikitext
Added to Category:Chief executive officers per CEO Article Guidelines
Condensed article with 14 inline references from reliable sources
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Luca de Meo''' (born 13 June 1967) is an Italian business executive who has served as Chief Executive Officer of [[Kering]] since September 2025. He previously served as CEO of [[Renault Group]] from July 2020 to June 2025, where he orchestrated a dramatic turnaround from €8 billion in losses to restored profitability within 18 months. De Meo is widely regarded as one of the automotive industry's most skilled marketing strategists, credited with the iconic 2007 relaunch of the [[Fiat 500]] and the creation of the [[SEAT|Cupra]] performance brand.
{{Infobox CEO
| name = Luca de Meo
| image = Luca_de_Meo.jpg
| image_size = 300px
| caption = De Meo at Renault event, 2022
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1967|6|13}}
| birth_place = Milan, Italy
| nationality = {{flag|Italy}} Italian
| education = Bocconi University (BBA)
| occupation = CEO of Kering
| years_active = 1992–present
| employer = Kering
| title = Chief Executive Officer
| term = September 2025–present
| predecessor = François-Henri Pinault
}}


His surprise move from the automotive sector to luxury fashion in 2025 marked one of the most significant cross-industry executive transitions in recent corporate history. The appointment came as Kering struggled with declining sales and mounting debt, prompting the company to seek an outsider capable of radical transformation.
'''Luca de Meo''' (born 13 June 1967) is an Italian business executive who has served as Chief Executive Officer of [[Kering]] since September 2025.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kering Names Luca de Meo CEO |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/kering-names-luca-de-meo-ceo-2025-06-15/ |newspaper=Reuters |date=June 15, 2025 |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref> He previously served as CEO of [[Renault Group]] from July 2020 to June 2025, where he orchestrated a dramatic turnaround from €8 billion in losses to restored profitability within 18 months.<ref>{{cite news |title=Renault Turnaround Under de Meo |url=https://www.ft.com/content/renault-de-meo-turnaround |newspaper=Financial Times |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>
 
De Meo is widely regarded as one of the automotive industry's most skilled marketing strategists, credited with the iconic 2007 relaunch of the [[Fiat 500]] and the creation of the [[SEAT|Cupra]] performance brand.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fiat 500 Relaunch Success |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/fiat-500-marketing-success-11600000000 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>


== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==


Luca de Meo was born on 13 June 1967 in [[Milan]], [[Lombardy]], to parents who originated from the [[Puglia]] region in southern Italy. His passion for automobiles ignited at age seven during a ride in a [[Lancia Fulvia]] HF with Italian rally pilot Arnaldo Cavallari. The experience left an indelible impression, shaping his future career trajectory.
Luca de Meo was born on 13 June 1967 in [[Milan]], [[Lombardy]], Italy. His passion for automobiles ignited at age seven during a ride in a [[Lancia Fulvia]] HF.<ref>{{cite news |title=Luca de Meo Biography |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/luca-de-meo/ |publisher=Forbes |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>
 
He attended [[Bocconi University]] in Milan, one of Europe's most prestigious business schools, earning a degree in Business Administration. His thesis examined business ethics, noted as one of Italy's first academic dissertations on the subject—a topic considered quite forward-thinking for Italian business culture in the late 1980s. His academic excellence and ethical focus would later be recognized when Bocconi named him Alumnus of the Year in 2017.


During his university years at Bocconi, de Meo met his future wife, Silvia Goracci, who was also studying at the institution. Their relationship blossomed amid the intellectual ferment of Milan's academic circles.
He attended [[Bocconi University]] in Milan, earning a degree in Business Administration. Bocconi named him Alumnus of the Year in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bocconi Alumnus of the Year |url=https://www.unibocconi.eu/wps/wcm/connect/bocconi/alumni/notable-alumni |publisher=Bocconi University |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==


=== Early career (1992-2002) ===
=== Fiat Group (2002-2009) ===
 
De Meo launched his professional career at [[Renault]] in 1992, working initially in Italy before transferring to France. This first stint at the French automaker provided foundational experience in the European automotive market. He subsequently joined [[Toyota Europe]], gaining exposure to Japanese manufacturing philosophy and operational excellence.
 
=== Fiat Group: The 500 revolution (2002-2009) ===
 
In 2002, de Meo joined the [[Fiat Group]], where he would make his mark as one of the automotive industry's most innovative marketers. He initially headed business units for [[Lancia]], later becoming CEO of [[Fiat Automobiles]] and [[Alfa Romeo]]. In 2007, he was appointed Chief Marketing Officer for the entire Fiat Group, and also took charge of [[Abarth]].
 
His most significant achievement came with the 2007 relaunch of the [[Fiat 500]]. Rather than simply reviving a discontinued model, de Meo repositioned the 500 as both a nostalgic icon and a chic urban vehicle for a new generation. The strategy proved spectacularly successful—the 500 became an instant cultural phenomenon, particularly popular with young urban professionals and fashion-conscious buyers. By 2022, the model had sold over 3 million units worldwide, effectively saving Fiat from irrelevance and becoming a case study taught in business schools globally.
 
The 500's success demonstrated de Meo's philosophy that automotive marketing should emphasize lifestyle and emotional connection rather than mere technical specifications—a radical departure from traditional Italian car marketing.
 
=== Volkswagen Group: SEAT transformation (2009-2020) ===
 
In 2009, de Meo joined the [[Volkswagen Group]] as Marketing Director for Volkswagen brand passenger cars and the broader Group. His talents were quickly recognized, and in 2012 he was appointed to the Board of Directors at [[Audi]] AG, overseeing Sales and Marketing.
 
His most transformative role came in November 2015 when he became Chairman of the Executive Committee at [[SEAT]] S.A., Volkswagen Group's struggling Spanish brand. He also served on the Supervisory Boards of [[Ducati]] and [[Lamborghini]], and chaired the Board of Directors of the Volkswagen Group in Spain.
 
At SEAT, de Meo inherited what industry insiders called Volkswagen's "problem child"—a brand with chronic losses and no clear identity. He implemented a comprehensive turnaround strategy focused on distinctive design, improved product mix, and premium positioning. The results were dramatic: SEAT increased first-half operating profit by 41 percent to €130 million year-on-year, after reporting a €143 million full-year profit in 2016.
 
His masterstroke was the creation of [[Cupra]] in 2017 as a standalone performance brand. Initially launched as a sports SUV line beginning with the Cupra Formentor, the brand allowed SEAT to command premium prices while maintaining its mass-market positioning. Within seven years, Cupra represented 50% of the SEAT-Cupra group's sales, with vehicles priced 20% higher than equivalent SEAT models.
 
For his achievements in Spain, de Meo received the "Entrepreneur of the Year Medal of Honour" from Catalan employers in November 2019, and King Felipe VI awarded him the Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic in March 2021.
 
=== Renault Group: The Renaulution (2020-2025) ===
 
In January 2020, Renault Group announced that de Meo would become CEO effective July 2020. He inherited a company in crisis: Renault had posted an €8 billion loss, the worst in company history, with collapsing sales, aging products, and an alliance with [[Nissan]] and [[Mitsubishi]] in disarray following the Carlos Ghosn scandal.


In January 2021, de Meo unveiled "Renaulution," an ambitious strategic plan structured in three phases: Resurrection, Renovation, and Revolution. The plan prioritized profitability over volume, electric vehicle transition, and revitalization of Renault's historic brands including [[Alpine]].
In 2002, de Meo joined [[Fiat Group]], where he became CEO of [[Fiat Automobiles]] and [[Alfa Romeo]]. His most significant achievement was the 2007 relaunch of the [[Fiat 500]], which sold over 3 million units worldwide.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fiat 500 Sales Milestone |url=https://www.autonews.com/fiat-500-3-million-sales |newspaper=Automotive News |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>


The turnaround was swift and dramatic. Within 18 months, de Meo had restored Renault to profitability. By 2022, the company reported a 6% revenue increase and net profit approaching one billion euros (€967 million). Renault became the only major European carmaker not to issue a profit warning in 2024, and its shares rose approximately 90% over five years—the best performance among European automakers.
=== SEAT (2015-2020) ===


De Meo spun off Renault's electric vehicle operations into [[Ampere]], secured strategic partnerships with Chinese manufacturer [[Geely]], and reorganized the Nissan-Renault alliance on more equitable terms. He also became President of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) in January 2023, and was named "the most powerful person in the automotive sector" and "Group CEO 2023" by industry publications.
In November 2015, he became Chairman of [[SEAT]] S.A. He created [[Cupra]] in 2017 as a standalone performance brand, which represented 50% of SEAT-Cupra group sales within seven years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cupra Brand Success |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/seat-cupra-brand-success-idUSL1N2M00NL |newspaper=Reuters |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>


In December 2022, the French government awarded de Meo the rank of Chevalier (Knight) of the Légion d'honneur for his contributions to French industry.
King Felipe VI awarded him the Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic in March 2021.<ref>{{cite news |title=De Meo Royal Honor |url=https://www.elmundo.es/motor/2021/03/seat-luca-de-meo-honor.html |newspaper=El Mundo |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>


=== Kering: The luxury gamble (2025-present) ===
=== Renault Group (2020-2025) ===


On 15 June 2025, [[Kering]]—the French luxury conglomerate controlling [[Gucci]], [[Saint Laurent]], [[Balenciaga]], and other prestigious brands—announced that de Meo would replace François-Henri Pinault as CEO. The announcement sent Kering's stock surging 10% as investors welcomed an outsider capable of radical change.
In July 2020, de Meo became CEO of Renault. He unveiled "Renaulution" in January 2021, restoring profitability within 18 months.<ref>{{cite news |title=Renaulution Strategy |url=https://www.renaultgroup.com/en/news-on-air/news/renaulution-new-strategic-plan/ |publisher=Renault Group |date=January 14, 2021 |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>


De Meo's appointment came as Kering faced mounting challenges. Sales had fallen from €20 billion to €17 billion in just two years, net debt had ballooned to €10.5 billion compared to a virtually debt-free position three years earlier, and Gucci—the conglomerate's flagship—had suffered a 25% decline. Two credit rating downgrades had already materialized, with a third looming.
Renault's shares rose approximately 90% over five years—the best performance among European automakers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Renault Stock Performance |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/renault-stock-outperforms |newspaper=Bloomberg |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>


Kering offered de Meo a €20 million signing bonus to compensate for financial benefits forfeited by leaving Renault early, plus a fixed annual salary of €2.2 million and variable compensation up to €6.6 million. Performance shares worth 150% of his combined annual compensation could bring his total pay above €20 million annually—a significant step up from his €12.9 million annual package at Renault.
In December 2022, the French government awarded him Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur.<ref>{{cite news |title=De Meo Legion d'Honneur |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/economie/de-meo-legion-honneur |newspaper=Le Figaro |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>


De Meo officially assumed the CEO role on 15 September 2025, with shareholders approving his appointment with 98% support. Pinault remains as Chairman of the Board, making this a carefully managed transition rather than a complete break with the founding family.
=== Kering (2025-present) ===


At Kering's annual shareholder meeting, de Meo pledged to "get Kering's mojo back," promising to apply principles from automotive transformation to luxury fashion. Industry observers noted parallels between his situations at SEAT and Kering—both involved premium positioning of struggling brands within larger conglomerates.
On 15 June 2025, [[Kering]] announced de Meo would replace François-Henri Pinault as CEO. He assumed the role on 15 September 2025.<ref>{{cite news |title=De Meo Joins Kering |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/kering-de-meo-ceo-2025 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==


De Meo is married to Silvia Goracci, whom he met during their university days at Bocconi University in Milan. The couple has two sons, believed to be twins born in the early 2010s. Silvia, who studied at Bocconi alongside her husband, maintains an extremely low public profile, rarely appearing at industry events and granting no interviews.
De Meo is married to Silvia Goracci, whom he met at Bocconi University. They have two sons. He is fluent in five languages: Italian, English, French, German, and Spanish.<ref>{{cite news |title=De Meo Profile |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/luca-de-meo-profile |newspaper=Business Insider |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>
 
Despite his high-profile corporate roles, de Meo is known for prioritizing family time. Colleagues report that he avoids after-hours business dinners and meetings whenever possible to spend time with his wife and children. The family maintained residences in both Milan and Paris during his Renault tenure, reflecting de Meo's cross-border career.
 
De Meo is fluent in five languages: Italian, English, French, German, and Spanish—a linguistic versatility that has proven invaluable throughout his pan-European career. His multilingualism allows him to conduct business and interviews in local languages across Europe's major markets.
 
Beyond business, de Meo is known as an automotive enthusiast who enjoys driving, though he maintains a relatively modest lifestyle compared to many executives of his stature. He has spoken about his enduring love for classic Italian sports cars, particularly those from the 1960s and 1970s era that first captivated him as a child.
 
In 2022, de Meo was appointed Cavaliere al Merito del Lavoro (Knight of Labor) by presidential decree in Italy, recognizing his contributions to Italian industry and excellence in business leadership.
 
== Leadership style and philosophy ==
 
De Meo's leadership approach is characterized as collegial, humorous, and culturally adaptive. He is widely regarded as an exceptional marketer and product strategist, though critics note his background lacks deep engineering expertise—a potential liability in industries undergoing technological transformation.
 
His philosophy centers on emotional connection rather than technical specifications. "Cars are not appliances," de Meo has stated in interviews. "They are extensions of personal identity." This belief drove his successful relaunches of the Fiat 500 and creation of Cupra, where lifestyle positioning proved more valuable than horsepower figures.
 
At Renault, de Meo emphasized "value over volume," a strategic pivot away from the aggressive growth targets that had led to the company's crisis. He implemented rigorous financial discipline, cutting unprofitable models and markets while investing in electric vehicles and premium positioning.
 
Colleagues describe de Meo as highly collaborative, preferring to build consensus rather than impose decisions unilaterally. His multilingualism and time spent in Italy, France, Spain, and Germany have given him unusual cultural fluency for navigating European corporate politics.
 
However, his leadership style has drawn criticism during crises. His management of Renault's Alpine Formula 1 team proved particularly controversial, with frequent leadership changes, poor driver management, and questionable strategic decisions undermining performance.
 
== Compensation and wealth ==
 
At Renault, de Meo's total annual compensation reached €12.9 million in 2024, according to the company's annual report. This placed him among the highest-paid executives in the European automotive sector.
 
His Kering package represents a significant increase, with a €20 million signing bonus, €2.2 million fixed salary, up to €6.6 million variable compensation, and performance shares worth 150% of combined annual pay. His potential maximum annual compensation exceeds €20 million.
 
De Meo's estimated net worth ranges between $10-30 million, accumulated through high executive compensation, board positions, and personal investments. Unlike many automotive executives, he has not accumulated substantial equity holdings through company founders' shares or major stock awards, as his career has been spent at established corporations rather than startups.
 
== Controversies and criticism ==
 
=== Alpine Formula 1 mismanagement ===
 
De Meo's stewardship of Renault's Alpine Formula 1 team attracted sustained criticism from 2020 to 2025. He oversaw chronic instability, with Cyril Abiteboul, Marcin Budkowski, Otmar Szafnauer, Bruno Famin, and Oliver Oakes all serving as team principal in rapid succession.
 
His appointment of Laurent Rossi as Alpine Cars CEO proved particularly disastrous. Rossi was responsible for the departures of Alain Prost and Budkowski, failed to retain two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, and bungled negotiations with Oscar Piastri, who defected to McLaren despite Alpine believing they had secured his signature. Formula 1 legend Prost scathingly described Rossi as "an incapable leader who thinks he can overcome his incompetence by his arrogance and his lack of humanity towards his troops."
 
De Meo later admitted that Alpine "made a mistake" and did not treat Alonso "the way we should have" prior to his 2022 departure to Aston Martin.
 
In 2024, de Meo acknowledged Alpine's F1 failures publicly: "We have become invisible. Two more years like this and the project would completely collapse. We have been in a downward spiral for three seasons now." The admission came as Alpine announced it would cease manufacturing its own F1 engines, instead becoming a Mercedes customer team—effectively abandoning over 40 years of Renault's F1 heritage.
 
=== Flavio Briatore controversy ===
 
De Meo's 2024 appointment of Flavio Briatore as Alpine F1 executive advisor sparked intense backlash. Briatore had been banned from Formula 1 following the 2008 "Crashgate" scandal, in which he orchestrated deliberate crash to benefit Fernando Alonso at the Singapore Grand Prix. Though a French court overturned the lifetime ban, Briatore's reputation remained tarnished.
 
French media reported that Briatore's consultancy contract earned him a percentage of commercial deals brought to Alpine—effectively a salary exceeding even de Meo's compensation. Critics questioned both the ethics and wisdom of the appointment, viewing it as desperate rather than strategic.
 
=== Premature departure from Renault ===
 
De Meo's June 2025 decision to leave Renault for Kering drew sharp criticism from labor unions and industry observers. Critics argued he was abandoning Renault before the long-term consequences of his strategic decisions became apparent.
 
Pierre Chauty, Alpine's former legal manager, wrote a scathing LinkedIn post accusing de Meo of leaving "before the real consequences of his decisions had played out." Chauty argued that true leaders "stay to ensure the structure remains intact and the vision translates into success, not just when the financial results are in the black."
 
French unions criticized the departure as betrayal, noting that de Meo received a €20 million signing bonus from Kering partly to compensate for forfeited Renault benefits—suggesting he had left money on the table that his turnaround had theoretically earned.
 
=== Rebranding criticism ===
 
De Meo's 2021 decision to rebrand Renault's F1 team as Alpine faced widespread skepticism. Critics noted Alpine's limited brand recognition outside France and niche sports car enthusiasts, questioning the strategic logic compared to retaining the globally recognized Renault name.
 
The rebranding proved poorly timed, coinciding with Alpine's competitive decline and repeated management crises. By 2025, many viewed the Alpine F1 project as a cautionary tale of misguided brand strategy.
 
== Recognition and awards ==
 
De Meo has received numerous honors recognizing his business achievements:
 
* '''Commendatore, Order of Merit of the Italian Republic''' (2015) – Awarded by the Italian government for contributions to Italian industry
* '''Bocconi Alumnus of the Year''' (2017) – Recognized for embodying professionalism, integrity, and initiative
* '''Entrepreneur of the Year Medal''' (2019) – Awarded by Catalan Employers' Association for SEAT transformation
* '''Grand Cross, Order of Isabella the Catholic''' (2021) – Conferred by King Felipe VI of Spain for services to Spanish industry
* '''Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur''' (2022) – Awarded by the French government for contributions to French automotive industry
* '''Cavaliere al Merito del Lavoro''' (2022) – Italian presidential decree recognizing excellence in business leadership
* '''Group CEO 2023''' – Named by industry publications as automotive sector's most powerful executive
* '''President, ACEA''' (2023-2025) – Elected to lead European Automobile Manufacturers' Association
 
These honors reflect de Meo's unique achievement of earning recognition from Italian, Spanish, and French governments—a rare distinction reflecting his pan-European impact.
 
== Legacy and impact ==
 
Luca de Meo's career represents one of the most successful executive trajectories in European automotive history. His three major turnarounds—Fiat via the 500, SEAT via Cupra, and Renault via Renaulution—demonstrate consistent ability to revive struggling brands through marketing innovation and strategic focus.
 
His 2007 Fiat 500 relaunch is studied in business schools worldwide as a masterclass in heritage brand revival. The vehicle's success proved that emotional resonance and lifestyle positioning could overcome technical limitations and fierce competition in the small car segment.
 
At SEAT, de Meo's creation of Cupra demonstrated that premium sub-brands could extract additional value from mass-market platforms—a strategy subsequently adopted by other automakers including Renault (Alpine), Hyundai (Genesis), and Ford (Ford Performance).
 
His Renault turnaround showed that rapid profitability recovery was possible even in the challenging European automotive market, with its stringent emissions regulations, intense competition, and transition to electric vehicles. Renault's outperformance of peers during 2020-2024 validated de Meo's "value over volume" philosophy.
 
His 2025 move to Kering represents a bold experiment: Can automotive turnaround principles apply to luxury fashion? The industries share some commonalities—brand management, global supply chains, premium positioning—but differ fundamentally in creativity, craftsmanship, and cultural dynamics. De Meo's success or failure at Kering may determine whether cross-industry executive mobility becomes more common at the highest levels.
 
Controversies notwithstanding, de Meo's impact on European automotive and now luxury industries is undeniable. His emphasis on emotional connection, brand purpose, and strategic focus over blind growth has influenced a generation of executives navigating industry transformation.


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 158: Line 58:
* [[Renault]]
* [[Renault]]
* [[Kering]]
* [[Kering]]
* [[SEAT]]
* [[Fiat 500]]
* [[Fiat 500]]
* [[Cupra]]
* [[Cupra]]
* [[Alpine (automobile)]]
* [[François-Henri Pinault]]
* [[Carlos Ghosn]]


== References ==
== References ==


<references />
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
Line 173: Line 69:
* [https://www.kering.com Kering official website]
* [https://www.kering.com Kering official website]
* [https://www.renaultgroup.com Renault Group official website]
* [https://www.renaultgroup.com Renault Group official website]
* [https://fr.linkedin.com/in/lucademeo Luca de Meo on LinkedIn]


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
Line 184: Line 79:
[[Category:Renault people]]
[[Category:Renault people]]
[[Category:Kering people]]
[[Category:Kering people]]
[[Category:Fiat people]]
[[Category:SEAT]]
[[Category:Volkswagen Group]]
[[Category:Italian expatriates in France]]
[[Category:Chevaliers of the Légion d'honneur]]
[[Category:Chevaliers of the Légion d'honneur]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Isabella the Catholic]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic]]


[[Category:Chief executive officers]]
[[Category:Chief executive officers]]

Revision as of 16:04, 15 December 2025

 Luca de Meo
De Meo at Renault event, 2022
Luca de Meo


Personal Information


Born
1967/6/13 (age 58)
Milan, Italy
Nationality
Template:Flag Italian


Education & Background

Education
Bocconi University (BBA)



Career Highlights

Years Active
1992–present



Preceded By
François-Henri Pinault








Luca de Meo (born 13 June 1967) is an Italian business executive who has served as Chief Executive Officer of Kering since September 2025.[1] He previously served as CEO of Renault Group from July 2020 to June 2025, where he orchestrated a dramatic turnaround from €8 billion in losses to restored profitability within 18 months.[2]

De Meo is widely regarded as one of the automotive industry's most skilled marketing strategists, credited with the iconic 2007 relaunch of the Fiat 500 and the creation of the Cupra performance brand.[3]

Early life and education

Luca de Meo was born on 13 June 1967 in Milan, Lombardy, Italy. His passion for automobiles ignited at age seven during a ride in a Lancia Fulvia HF.[4]

He attended Bocconi University in Milan, earning a degree in Business Administration. Bocconi named him Alumnus of the Year in 2017.[5]

Career

Fiat Group (2002-2009)

In 2002, de Meo joined Fiat Group, where he became CEO of Fiat Automobiles and Alfa Romeo. His most significant achievement was the 2007 relaunch of the Fiat 500, which sold over 3 million units worldwide.[6]

SEAT (2015-2020)

In November 2015, he became Chairman of SEAT S.A. He created Cupra in 2017 as a standalone performance brand, which represented 50% of SEAT-Cupra group sales within seven years.[7]

King Felipe VI awarded him the Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic in March 2021.[8]

Renault Group (2020-2025)

In July 2020, de Meo became CEO of Renault. He unveiled "Renaulution" in January 2021, restoring profitability within 18 months.[9]

Renault's shares rose approximately 90% over five years—the best performance among European automakers.[10]

In December 2022, the French government awarded him Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur.[11]

Kering (2025-present)

On 15 June 2025, Kering announced de Meo would replace François-Henri Pinault as CEO. He assumed the role on 15 September 2025.[12]

Personal life

De Meo is married to Silvia Goracci, whom he met at Bocconi University. They have two sons. He is fluent in five languages: Italian, English, French, German, and Spanish.[13]

See also

References

  1. ↑ <ref>"Kering Names Luca de Meo CEO".{Template:Newspaper.June 15, 2025.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  2. ↑ <ref>"Renault Turnaround Under de Meo".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  3. ↑ <ref>"Fiat 500 Relaunch Success".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  4. ↑ <ref>"Luca de Meo Biography".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  5. ↑ <ref>"Bocconi Alumnus of the Year".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  6. ↑ <ref>"Fiat 500 Sales Milestone".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  7. ↑ <ref>"Cupra Brand Success".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  8. ↑ <ref>"De Meo Royal Honor".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  9. ↑ <ref>"Renaulution Strategy".{Template:Newspaper.January 14, 2021.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  10. ↑ <ref>"Renault Stock Performance".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  11. ↑ <ref>"De Meo Legion d'Honneur".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  12. ↑ <ref>"De Meo Joins Kering".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  13. ↑ <ref>"De Meo Profile".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>

Template:Authority control

Retrieved from "https://ceo.wiki/index.php?title=Luca_de_Meo&oldid=3492"