The former chief executive of the carmaker Renault will replace François-Henri Pinault as the struggling company seeks a turnaround.

Francois-Henri Pinault, who has held the CEO title since 2005, is to remain chairman of the family-controlled luxury group. De Meo is expected to start on Sept. 15.

Luca de Meo's abrupt departure as Renault CEO has kicked off a search for his successor, with analysts mentioning longtime insider Denis Le Vot and Maxime Picat of rival Stellantis as suitable fits to continue the French automaker's turnaround. Fiona Jones reports.

I would like to thank François-Henri Pinault and the Board of Directors for choosing me to lead Kering into this new phase of development,” de Meo said in a statement. “I am approaching this new professional challenge with enthusiasm,

Luca de Meo, who joins the struggling luxury firm from car maker Renault, will succeed François-Henri Pinault, who will remain chairman of the board.

The following is a timeline of the major events in the French luxury fashion group's history. 1962 - Francois Pinault founds Etablissements Pinault, a timber trading company based in Rennes that will transform into Kering.

Luca de Meo, who resigned from carmaker Renault on Sunday, is widely tipped to succeed François-Henri Pinault at the management helm of the French luxury group.