Axel Dumas set to take over Hermès from June 4

By

Anaïs Lerévérend

Published
Apr 8, 2013

After the news broke last year that Hermès International would see a change in leadership, the French fashion house - which has been led by Patrick Thomas since 2006 - is expected to welcome Axel Dumas as co-chief executive on June 4 at its shareholder meeting. Dumas, currently chief operational officer, is a member of the Hermès family’s sixth generation.

Patrick Thomas, who has been at the head of the company for 8 years, was the first boss to not come from the Hermès family. The appointment of Axel Dumas, who should eventually come to take full control over the company, signifies an important return of power to the hands of the Hermès family, particularity poignant given the tensions that have arisen since LVMH took a stake in the company in 2010.

Though it is unknown when the 65-year-old will step down (it has been indicated that this could happen by the end of the year), it is likely that he will remain implicated with the group, taking chairmanship of the board at Shang Xia, the group's Chinese lucury brand. This has not been confirmed by the fashion house.