Giorgio Armani reestrutura empresa para delegar mais poder para executivos não familiares
Autor: Alexis Novellino | Publicado: 2009-10-06T13:43:00-07:00

O Wall Street Journal  publicou na sua edição de 1-outubro-2009, que Giorgio Armani, fundador e dono do grupo de moda e outros negócios que leva o seu nome, reorganizou seu conselho de administração e diretoria para delegar mais poder para membros não familiares. Sua sucessão, no entanto, ainda é um tema não resolvido, e ao que tudo indica, evitado pelo "Signore Armani".Vale lembrar que Giorgio Armani, atualmente com 75 anos, não tem filhos. Além dele, três sobrinhos estão envolvidos com os negócios da empresa, seja em posições executivas ou no conselho de administração.   OCTOBER 1, 2009 <!--           ID: SB125432242199552699 --> <!--         TYPE: Who's News --> <!-- DISPLAY-NAME: Who's News --> <!--  PUBLICATION: The Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition --> <!--         DATE: 2009-10-01 00:01 --> <!--    COPYRIGHT: Dow Jones &amp; Company, Inc. --> <!--  ORIGINAL-ID:  --> <!-- article start --> <!-- CODE=DJII-COMPANY SYMBOL=grgarm CODE=DJII-COMPANY SYMBOL=vuimth CODE=DJII-PERSON SYMBOL=36941175 CODE=DJII-PERSON SYMBOL=7839597 CODE=DJII-COMPANY SYMBOL=fergmo CODE=DJII-SUBJECT SYMBOL=gfas CODE=DJII-REGION SYMBOL=italy CODE=DJII-SUBJECT SYMBOL=ceffic CODE=DJII-SUBJECT SYMBOL=c41 CODE=DJII-SUBJECT SYMBOL=ccat CODE=DJII-SUBJECT SYMBOL=gcat CODE=DJII-SUBJECT SYMBOL=glife CODE=DJII-SUBJECT SYMBOL=ncat CODE=DJII-SUBJECT SYMBOL=nfact CODE=DJII-SUBJECT SYMBOL=nfcpin CODE=DJII-REGION SYMBOL=eecz CODE=DJII-REGION SYMBOL=eurz CODE=DJII-REGION SYMBOL=medz CODE=DJII-REGION SYMBOL=weurz CODE=SUBJECT SYMBOL=FREE CODE=SUBJECT SYMBOL=OWHN CODE=SUBJECT SYMBOL=OEUN CODE=SUBJECT SYMBOL=OWON CODE=SUBJECT SYMBOL=OUSB CODE=SUBJECT SYMBOL=OLEM CODE=SUBJECT SYMBOL=OLSF CODE=SUBJECT SYMBOL=WNS CODE=STATISTIC SYMBOL=FREE --> Armani Names Group of Lieutenants But Succession Questions Linger    By CHRISTINA PASSARIELLO    Giorgio Armani, after recovering from a months-long bout of hepatitis, slightly loosened his grip on his fashion empire Wednesday, naming one of his most-loyal executives as deputy chairman, as part of a management reorganization.           Reuters     Giorgio Armani poses with models at the end of his Spring/Summer 2010 women's collection in Milan earlier this month.    The reorganization -- which includes expanding the board of directors and delegating more power to non-family members -- comes as the self-described "dictatorial" designer grapples with the future of his business. The 75-year-old Mr. Armani, who owns 100% of Giorgio Armani SpA, is a rarity in that he runs the creative and business sides of his Italian fashion house. He recently attributed his illness to the physical and mental toll of working long hours for decades. The question of whether a fashion house can outlive its designer is perhaps more urgent at Giorgio Armani than at any other family-owned fashion business. The white-haired designer is inextricably linked to the brand's image, taking the runway bow, personally dressing celebrities such as Cate Blanchett, and attending the Academy Awards. In his homeland, he is known as "King Giorgio." Mr. Armani shot to fame in the 1980s for his tailored jackets, stripped of their bulky lining. His styles are acclaimed for their classic look. On Wednesday, the company said John Hooks will become deputy chairman, a new position, in January. Mr. Hooks will take charge of brand development and commercial strategy. He will retain responsibility for Armani's foreign development. In recent years, Mr. Hooks has pushed Armani into China, India and other growth markets, where larger luxury-goods groups such as LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton had previously staked out their territory. Armani also said that Giovanni Gerbotto, who already sits on the board, will be in charge of the company's finances and investments. He will be succeeded as general manager by division head Livio Proli. With the addition of Mr. Hooks, Armani's board will expand to seven, of which three won't be family members. The management shake-up still leaves a question mark over the company's long-term future. Mr. Armani hasn't publicly designated a successor -- on either the creative or the management side -- though he has flanked himself with two nieces and a nephew. His nephew, Andrea Camerara, recently took on a more visible role as non-executive director in the president's office. One niece, Silvana Armani, designs some of the collections, and Roberta Armani handles public relations. For years Mr. Armani's empire has been closely watched by bankers and financial advisers in Milan for the slightest sign that the designer is grooming a possible successor. Wednesday's announcement shows that, even as he delegates more authority to lieutenants, Mr. Armani isn't ready to give up his powers as CEO, said Fillipo Lardera, a Milan-based managing director at mergers-and-acquisitions consulting firm Compass Rondelli Advisors. Mr. Armani also recently dismissed the idea of ceding any financial control over his fashion house. "No sale, no acquisitions," Mr. Armani exclaimed last week, according to local reports, as he rushed backstage after his fashion show in Milan. In recent years, Mr. Armani has toyed with the idea of listing his company on the stock exchange or selling it, before changing his mind again. Most of Italy's family-owned fashion businesses have turned operational responsibilities over to professional managers. Roberto Cavalli in September brought in a former LVMH manager as chief executive, after the designer didn't go through with a plan to sell a stake to private-equity investors. Salvatore Ferragamo hired a seasoned fashion executive, a move meant to precede a stock-market listing, which was put on hold last year. As for Mr. Armani, "I would expect him to give away more authority before eyeing a full-fledged CEO," Mr. Lardera said. "The guy is very hands-on, a perfectionist." —Stacy Meichtry contributed to this article     Write to Christina Passariello at christina.passariello@wsj.com  Printed in The Wall Street Journal, page B1