Bernard Arnault’s son Alexandre is climbing the ranks as new deputy of Moët Hennessy. Here’s what it means for LVMH’s succession plan

The 32-year-old Alexandre, who has had executive roles at LVMH-owned brands Tiffany and Rimowa, will soon head the wine and spirits division as part of a broader leadership shuffle underway at the world’s biggest luxury company. He will start his new role in February.

Moët Hennessy, which appears in the LVMH name, is one of the company’s most historically lucrative divisions.

“I’m excited to step into a new chapter within LVMH’s Wines & Spirits division, embracing this foundational part of our Group’s heritage,” he said on X.

Four years ago, I had the privilege to help reimagine Tiffany & Co., one of the world’s most iconic brands. Looking back, I am profoundly grateful to the remarkable Tiffany teams and friends of the brand who poured their passion and talent into this journey, helping us push… pic.twitter.com/Qsqkas4A2C

— Alexandre Arnault (@alexarnault) November 14, 2024

Alexandre’s appointment coincides with a wave of the conglomerate’s old guard stepping back from their roles, including the abrupt departure of LVMH’s human resources chief Chantal Gaemperle.

But there’s also a symbolic meaning for the move as it reflects Bernard Arnault’s “careful strategy of preparing the next generation with high-impact roles across the group’s portfolio,” Alan Hunt, partner at law firm Lewis Silkin told Fortune. 

It could eventually lead to his climb further up the ranks. For one, Alexandre will become Jean-Jacques Guiony’s deputy CEO, who is also LVMH’s CFO and is set to leave the company in February.

“By transitioning to a Paris HQ position, Alexandre gains proximity to the group’s strategic core,” Hunt said. “For LVMH, such appointments reflect a blend of immediate business needs and long-term leadership development, ensuring the family legacy remains intertwined with the group’s continued innovation and global dominance.”

Alexandre also became part of the LVMH board earlier this year along with his younger brother Frédéric, joining two of their older siblings who already hold seats. 

The Arnault family and succession planning

Any changes in the Arnault family’s role at LVMH are closely followed for hints on who might take the mantel from the 75-year-old Bernard Arnault, who claims to have no plans to retire. (He even pushed his retirement age up to 80.) The patriarch has insisted that the much-awaited decision on who will succeed him is still undecided.

Various factors are currently impacting LVMH, including sluggish demand from luxury growth engines like China and an overall shift in what consumers consider luxury. That’s caused Bernard Arnault’s wealth to waver more than usual. 

Despite blips in recent years, the French company run by Europe’s richest man is a juggernaut in every regard. The wine and spirits division was the only one to see revenues decline in 2023, with a similar trend continuing into the first half of 2024. 

Since founding the company in 1987, Bernard Arnault has slowly but surely created one of the superpowers in Europe. Now, each of his five children is part of the business. 

Delphine, 49, is the chair and CEO of Christian Dior Couture, while Antoine, 47, is the conglomerate’s image and environment director and Berluti’s chairman. Frédéric, 30, leads LVMH’s watch brands and also runs the family holding company, Financiere Agache.  

The youngest of the five siblings, Jean, 26, is the marketing director at LVMH’s watch division.

Alexandre may be one of the many Arnaults tasked with ushering in the French conglomerate’s new era, but he has already made his mark. He is social media savvy and has taken risks that paid off in helping turn the American jeweler Tiffany around. He has friends among the tech world’s elite and is well-traveled (his role at Rimowa was based in Germany, while Tiffany is based in the States).