Lanvin names new CEO and Chairman as Joann Cheng steps down

Lanvin Group has new executives at the helm with Joann Cheng, its founding Chairman and CEO, having “informed the board that she has decided to step down from her roles to pursue new endeavours outside the group”.

It means Eric Chan has taken over as CEO of the group that owns the Lanvin label itself, as well as Wolford, Sergio Rossi, St John Knits and Caruso, with Huang Zhen named the stock exchange-listed business’s new Chairman.

Chan is currently Co-Chairman of Greater Yuyuan Commercial Development Group and previously held senior roles at Chinese luxury e-tailer Secoo Group, lifestyle brand operator K11 Concepts under Hong Kong New World Development Group, Wharf Group, CB Richard Ellis, Hong Kong MTR Corporation and Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts Group. 

The company said that “as a seasoned executive, Mr Chan has over 30 years’ experience across a wide commercial spectrum, including omnichannel shopping platforms, luxury commercial real estate projects, as well as offices and high-end hotels and resorts. His appointment comes at a time when Lanvin Group is embarking on an important next phase of growth, centred around retail expansion for all its brands in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East”.

Meanwhile Huang Zhen is a Director of the firm’s controlling shareholder Fosun Group and currently serves as Executive Director and Executive President at Fosun International. He’s also held a number of board roles and chairmanships with other listed consumer companies.

He said that the new CEO’s “extensive real estate and consumer experience will be invaluable as we drive the next phase of the group’s growth and expand our footprint globally”.

Chan himself added that the company sees “significant opportunities ahead to build out our international presence”.

Meanwhile Joann Cheng said the past six years at the business “have been some of the most fulfilling of my career”.

She added: “What started as an idea in 2017 has now become a listed company on the New York Stock Exchange, with a solid track record of growth. Lanvin Group has a portfolio of five world-class brands, all of which are being reinvigorated with new leaders in place to take them to the next level in the global luxury goods market. 

“With the recent successful launch of the first Lanvin Lab collection, the appointment last week of the new CEO at Sergio Rossi and the imminent announcement of a new Creative Director at Lanvin, I am pleased to be stepping away from the group, with a clear creative direction set, and all the building blocks in place for the next phase of growth.”

The board “expressed its deep appreciation for Joann Cheng’s dedication to the group since its founding and wished her the best in her future career”.