European luxury houses are legacy companies, often with family strongholds. Kering, the company behind Gucci and Saint Laurent, is no different.
The luxury company was founded by François Pinault, current CEO François-Henri Pinault’s father, in the 1960s.
Now, the Pinault family’s third generation is entering the family business. The 26-year-old François Louis Nicolas Pinault will replace his grandfather and Kering’s founder on the board of Christie’s, the London-based auctioneer. He works as a “product marketing manager,” according to a company filing reported by Bloomberg, and is the eldest of François-Henri’s children.
The move marks an important step forward for the third generation of Pinaults to carve their way into the family business. François Louis Nicolas will take on a prominent role at Christie’s at a time when the younger generation of dynasties like the Pinaults’ are watched closely, underscoring the role of succession across Europe’s wealthy families.
Kering rival LVMH, owned by the world’s richest man, Bernard Arnault, is a case in point as each of Arnault’s children now hold roles within the French conglomerate.
Known for its art and antique auctions, the nearly 260-year-old Christie’s was bought by the Pinaults through their holding company, Group Artémis, in 1998. The group’s sales were $6.2 billion in 2023.
The patriarch of the family, who passed on the CEO and chairman role to his son François-Henri in 2005, is an avid art connoisseur himself. He owns one of the world’s largest contemporary art collections, which form part of the Pinault Collection.
The French family’s investments stretch from its various top-end fashion brands to sportswear company Puma. The luxury slowdown has hurt Kering in the past few months. In March, the Gucci owner issued a warning that its first-quarter sales would plunge by 10% this year compared with 2023 owing to stalling demand for expensive goods amid high interest rates, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
The flagging sales are also concerning because Gucci is trying to galvanize itself, restoring the brand’s appeal among luxury shoppers.
In a move to diversify their investments, the Pinaults bought a majority stake in Hollywood talent agency CAA last year.
The oldest Pinault’s net worth is estimated at $32 billion, making him the 48th richest person in the world, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
