On September 3, it was announced that Benedetta Petruzzo, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Miu Miu, a subsidiary of LVMH, will be appointed as the Managing Director of Christian Dior Couture.
Petruzzo will succeed the current Managing Director of Dior, Charles Delapalme, and will officially assume her new role on October 15th, reporting directly to Delphine Arnault, who oversees Dior. Following a transition period, Delapalme is expected to take on a significant new role within the LVMH Group, with details to be announced at a later date.
Petruzzo holds degrees in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Management from Bocconi University in Milan. She began her career in the finance industry before joining Bain & Company, where she specialized in the retail and luxury sectors. In February 2015, she joined Kering, where she served as Executive Vice President for North America at Kering Eyewear, spending five years with the company.
In February 2020, Petruzzo transitioned to Miu Miu, taking over the brand’s management in the midst of the pandemic. Under her leadership, Miu Miu experienced rapid growth, with retail sales increasing by 93% in the first half of the year, surpassing Prada’s 6% growth during the same period.
In a statement, Arnault expressed her confidence in Petruzzo, saying, “I am convinced that Benedetta’s talent and leadership will be major assets in the continued development of Dior’s activities and its international influence. Her expertise in the luxury market will persist in enhancing the desirability and success of Dior. Together, with the excellence of the teams in place, we will carry on building the future and strengthening our organization.”
Petruzzo also expressed her excitement: “I am deeply honored to join Dior. I am proud to have been entrusted with this great responsibility and to join such an iconic house. I would like to warmly thank Delphine Arnault for the trust she has given me, and I look forward to collaborating closely with the executive committee and the zones presidents to further contribute to the development of Dior’s business.”
Today, leading luxury brands are actively recruiting top-level talent without necessarily conferring the CEO title. For instance, in April of last year, Dior welcomed Nicolas Baretzki, former CEO of Montblanc, as Deputy Managing Director responsible for commercial activities.
Additionally, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton places a strong emphasis on internal promotions, ensuring the retention of top executives and focusing on succession planning. Currently, approximately 70% of LVMH’s key positions are filled through internal promotions, with nearly half of these roles occupied by women.
Petruzzo’s new role marks a significant turning point for both Dior and LVMH. Her extensive experience and exceptional leadership are expected to contribute significantly to Dior’s continued growth and its strengthened global presence.