Who owns Gucci?

Gucci is owned by Kering, a French multinational luxury conglomerate headquartered in Paris. The Pinault family controls Kering through their investment holding company, Groupe Artémis.

Founded in 1921 by Guccio Gucci in Florence, Italy, the brand started as a small leather goods store. Over a century later, it stands as one of the most recognized names in global fashion. In September 2025, Kering appointed Francesca Bellettini as President and CEO of Gucci, succeeding Stefano Cantino, who had held the role since January 2025. Demna, previously the creative force behind Balenciaga, joined as Gucci’s Artistic Director in March 2025. The brand is in the middle of a broad retail transformation aimed at recovering from two years of declining sales, with a new leadership team tasked to reverse the downward trend.

Who Owns Gucci?

Gucci is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kering S.A. It does not trade independently on any stock exchange. Kering acquired full control of Gucci in 2004 after a prolonged takeover battle that began in 1999.

Kering as Gucci’s Parent Company

Kering was previously known as Pinault-Printemps-Redoute (PPR), a retail and distribution conglomerate founded by François Pinault. The group rebranded to Kering in 2013 to reflect its shift toward managing luxury brands. Today, Kering’s portfolio includes Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Alexander McQueen, and Boucheron, among others.

Gucci’s Role Inside Kering

Gucci has historically been Kering’s largest revenue contributor, accounting for roughly half of group revenue at its peak in 2021. That share has decreased alongside Gucci’s recent sales decline, but the brand remains central to Kering’s financial performance and long-term retail strategy.

Largest Shareholders of Gucci’s Parent Company Kering

Because Gucci is not publicly listed, its shareholders are effectively Kering’s shareholders. Kering trades on the Euronext Paris exchange under the ticker KER.

The Pinault Family and Groupe Artémis

The Pinault family, through Groupe Artémis, owns approximately 42.3% of Kering’s share capital as of late 2024. François Pinault founded the original timber business in 1962, and his son François-Henri Pinault has led Kering since 2005. In September 2025, François-Henri transitioned from his dual role as Chairman and CEO to serve solely as Chairman of the Board, with Luca de Meo taking over as CEO.

The family’s stake gives them decisive influence over Kering’s direction, including executive appointments at Gucci and other houses within the group. Groupe Artémis also owns Christie’s auction house and Château Latour.

Institutional and Public Shareholders

Institutional investors hold around 52.6% of Kering’s shares. This base is geographically spread, with North American investors at about 22.9% and UK investors at 11.1%. The remaining shares sit with individual shareholders (roughly 4.2%) and employee stock plans (under 1%).

Parvus Asset Management

Among named institutional holders, Jersey-based Parvus Asset Management is the most prominent individual fund, with a roughly 4.8% stake in Kering. Beyond Parvus, the remaining institutional ownership is fragmented across global asset managers, pension funds, and sovereign wealth vehicles. The company also maintains a share repurchase program approved by shareholders in April 2025, allowing buybacks of up to 10% of its capital.

Who Is on the Board of Directors for Gucci’s Parent Company Kering?

Gucci does not have a separate public board. Its governance operates under Kering’s board of directors, which had 14 members following the September 2025 general meeting. The board carries a 58% independence rate and strict gender parity, with six nationalities represented.

Leadership and Strategy

François-Henri Pinault serves as Chairman of the Board. He led Kering as both Chairman and CEO for two decades before handing the CEO role to Luca de Meo in September 2025. De Meo, previously CEO of Renault, was brought in to address Kering’s financial dependency on Gucci and diversify growth across the group’s brands.

Finance and Governance

Dominique D’Hinnin, Chairman of Eutelsat Communications and former CFO of the Lagardère group, joined the board in 2024 as an independent director. His experience in financial management and large-scale corporate governance adds depth to the audit and finance committees.

International Markets and Sustainability

Rachel Duan, a former senior vice president at General Electric, brings deep knowledge of Asian markets and global operations. Giovanna Melandri, former Italian Minister of Culture, specializes in sustainability and impact investing. Both were appointed as independent directors in 2024. Employee representation on the board is held by Concetta Battaglia.

Gucci-Specific Leadership

At the brand level, Francesca Bellettini was named Gucci’s President and CEO in September 2025. She reports directly to Kering CEO Luca de Meo. Demna, appointed Artistic Director in March 2025, is responsible for Gucci’s creative output as the brand works to rebuild momentum after a period of shifting consumer preferences across the luxury sector.

History of Gucci and Its Co-founders

Guccio Gucci and the Founding Years

Guccio Gucci opened his first shop on Via della Vigna Nuova in Florence in 1921. Before starting the business, he had worked at the Savoy Hotel in London and for the European rail company Compagnie des Wagons-Lits, where he gained exposure to the tastes and travel habits of wealthy clientele. His shop focused on leather luggage and goods, drawing on Italian craftsmanship paired with European sensibility.

From Family Business to Global Brand

Gucci’s sons — Aldo, Vasco, Rodolfo, and Ugo — expanded the brand internationally through the mid-20th century. Aldo Gucci, in particular, drove the opening of stores in New York, London, and Paris during the 1950s and 1960s. Internal family conflicts during the 1980s and early 1990s weakened the company, culminating in Maurizio Gucci’s murder in 1995. Tom Ford’s appointment as creative director in 1994 and Domenico De Sole’s leadership as CEO revived the brand, setting the stage for PPR’s (now Kering) acquisition beginning in 1999 and completed by 2004.

FAQs

Does the Gucci family still own Gucci?

No. The Gucci family has had no ownership stake in the brand since the late 1990s. Kering, controlled by the French Pinault family, has owned Gucci outright since 2004.

Is Gucci owned by LVMH or Kering?

Gucci is owned by Kering, not LVMH. LVMH attempted a hostile takeover of Gucci in the late 1990s, but PPR (now Kering) outmaneuvered LVMH and acquired full control by 2004.

Who is the current CEO of Gucci?

Francesca Bellettini has served as President and CEO of Gucci since September 2025. She was previously Deputy CEO of Kering, overseeing brand development across the group.

Is Gucci publicly traded?

Gucci itself is not publicly traded. It operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Kering, which is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange under the ticker KER.

Who is Gucci’s creative director in 2025?

Demna was appointed Gucci’s Artistic Director in March 2025. He was previously the creative director at Balenciaga, another Kering-owned house.