Dive Brief:
- LVMH announced the appointment of Michael Burke as chairman and CEO of LVMH Americas, effective July 7, according to a statement posted on the company’s LinkedIn page.
- Burke is responsible for “representing and promoting the best interests of the Group in North and South America,” per the statement. No announcement was made regarding the roles of Anish Melwani, currently chairman and CEO of LVMH North America, and Davide Marcovitch, currently president of LVMH Latin America and Africa.
- Most recently, Burke was chairman and CEO of LVMH Fashion Group, which includes Celine, Givenchy, Kenzo, Loewe, Marc Jacobs, Patou, Pucci and Rossimoda. He will now report to LVMH Group Managing Director Stéphane Bianchi.
Dive Insight:
The executive shift comes as LVMH grapples with a revenue downturn. The company posted a 2% year-over-year revenue drop in Q1, following several consecutive quarters of similar declines. In addition, sales in the U.S. region were down 3% for that quarter and flat in fiscal 2024.
LVMH said in its statement that Burke’s appointment comes during “a complex and evolving geopolitical period” and that his new role highlights the company’s plans to further invest in the Americas in the coming years.
“Throughout our close and fruitful collaboration, Michael has perfectly incarnated the values of our Group,” LVMH Chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault said in the statement. “His outstanding leadership helped to continuously elevate the desirability and craft of the whole industry to new heights. I am convinced his long-term vision, and unique entrepreneurial spirit will be invaluable assets to the Group at this strategic time in the Americas.”
Early in his career, Burke joined Groupe Arnault, the family holding company of Bernard Arnault, and was responsible for investments in the U.S. He later served as CEO of multiple LVMH-owned companies, including Christian Dior USA, Louis Vuitton North America and Fendi. In 2012 he was appointed CEO of Bulgari and then chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton.
Burke is also a member of the LVMH Executive Committee, chairman of the Tiffany board of directors, and a direct advisor to Arnault.
LVMH has made several executive changes in 2025, including the April announcement of new CEOs at Fendi, Dior Couture and Kenzo. In March, the company appointed Damien Bertrand as deputy CEO of Louis Vuitton, Frédéric Arnault as CEO of Loro Piana, and Jean-Christophe Babin as CEO of LVMH Watches.
