LVMH completes $20 billion acquisition of Tiffany, replaces leadership team

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE installed new management at Tiffany & Co., as the French conglomerate seeks to place its imprint on the U.S. jeweler and steer it through the pandemic.

LVMH executive Anthony Ledru is returning to Tiffany, where he previously oversaw North American operations, as chief executive, effective immediately. Alexandre Arnault, the son of LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault, was appointed executive vice president of product and communications. Michael Burke, the CEO of Louis Vuitton, will become Tiffany’s chairman.

Tiffany’s current CEO Alessandro Bogliolo will depart on Jan. 22. Reed Krakoff, the chief artistic director, and Daniella Vitale, executive vice president and chief brand officer, also will leave after a short transition.

LVMH completed its $15.8 billion acquisition of the U.S. jeweler on Thursday after months of wrangling over the price that led to both companies suing each other. Bernard Arnault threatened to pull out of the deal, arguing that the Covid-19 pandemic had harmed Tiffany’s business. In the end, he agreed to pay a 2.6% discount to the original price.