Kering Appoints Laurent Claquin as Group Chief Brand Officer
Exciting changes are bustling at Kering as the French luxury group announces Laurent Claquin has been named Group Chief Brand Officer. This is a novel position crafted as part of the company’s ongoing effort to revamp its strategic management in the face of the recent global drop in luxury goods spending.
Claquin has functioned as the president of Kering Americas since 2012 and has contributed diligently to the company’s growth. As part of his new role, he will work from Paris rather than New York, focusing on steering the communication objectives of the company. This change becomes effective on July 1st, succeeding Valérie Duport who stepped down last March.
According to a statement by Kering, the creation of this role “aims to enhance the appeal of Kering’s corporate brand as well as increase its visibility and influence.” Claquin will have his hands full managing both internal and external communications across all regions within the group. Kering adds that this will be achieved by following a “unified editorial calendar and strategy”.
Additionally, Claquin is expected to bolster the group’s brands such as Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga and Bottega Veneta. This will be accomplished by amplifying their communication efforts whenever necessary and creating high-profile events.
Having joined Kering in 2005, Claquin has an impressive managerial track record. He served as senior vice president of communications and head of corporate social responsibility alongside François-Henri Pinault, the group chairman and CEO. Furthermore, his experience as CEO of Tomas Maier from 2017 to 2018 affirms his ability to charter Kering’s vision.
Claquin’s new role sees him become part of the executive committee, reporting to Jean-Marc Duplaix, the recently appointed deputy CEO in charge of operations and finance. Duplaix’s appointment came amid a management shakeup last year that brought about challenging times for some of Kering’s brands, including Gucci and Balenciaga.
Pinault has envisioned the company’s turnaround efforts to yield results in the near future. Speaking in April, he said, “We are determined to deliver improvements at the end of this year already and in 2025.”
The forecast for Kering’s operating profit in the first half is grim, plunging by 40 to 45 percent due to a dip in sales at Gucci. Despite the hurdle, Claude’s career trajectory, which began at PricewaterhouseCoopers, and subsequent important roles at prestigious institutions such as the Jeu de Paume arts centre, the Centre Pompidou museum, and notably as the chief of staff of France’s culture minister, places him as a suitable candidate to navigate these choppy waters.
Furthermore, his accomplishments while in the U.S., including the initiation of programs like Kering’s collaboration with Black in Corporate for a mentorship program, convey his skills as a leader with an advanced strategic acumen, necessary for the realization of Kering’s future prospects.