Europe’s Richest Appoints Son to Key Role at LVMH

A recent leadership shake-up at LVMH, the luxury conglomerate led by billionaire Bernard Arnault, has resulted in a new executive role for one of his children as part of a broader reorganization within the group.

LVMH announced in a press release that six executive appointments were made following consultations between Bernard Arnault and the company’s Sustainability and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors.

At 75 years old, Bernard Arnault remains Europe’s wealthiest individual, with a net worth of $165 billion, according to Bloomberg. All five of his children hold roles within LVMH, whose portfolio includes iconic brands such as Christian Dior and Tag Heuer.

Starting in February 2025, Alexandre Arnault, Bernard’s third-eldest child, will take on the position of deputy CEO of the Wines and Spirits division, Moët Hennessy. Alexandre is currently the executive vice president of product and communications at Tiffany & Co., a brand acquired by LVMH in 2021.

Alexandre will work alongside Jean-Jacques Guiony, a member of the executive committee who has been named president and CEO of Moët Hennessy.

This latest appointment aligns with Bernard’s broader strategy of positioning his children in key leadership roles within LVMH. Earlier this year, Bernard announced that Alexandre and his brother Frédéric would join the company’s board, meaning four of his five children now hold board positions.

Delphine Arnault, the eldest of Bernard’s children, serves as CEO and chairman of Christian Dior Couture and has been a board member since 2003. Antoine Arnault, LVMH’s image and environment director, has been on the board since 2006 and is also chairman and CEO of Christian Dior SE. Meanwhile, Frédéric Arnault is the chairman and CEO of LVMH watches and was appointed head of a holding company overseeing LVMH operations in June.

Jean Arnault, Bernard’s youngest child, remains the only sibling not on the board. However, he currently serves as the director of LVMH’s watch division.

The reshuffle has reignited speculation about Bernard’s eventual successor as CEO of LVMH. While observers often compare the Arnault family dynamic to the fictional Roy family from Succession, Bernard has dismissed such comparisons, insisting that his successor will be chosen based on merit rather than family ties.

In 2023, Bernard remarked that the best person to lead LVMH, whether from within or outside the family, would ultimately be chosen to succeed him. He emphasized that he did not foresee a power struggle over the role in the near future.

With these latest appointments, Bernard Arnault continues to shape LVMH’s leadership structure, consolidating both family involvement and strategic expertise as the company navigates its future.

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