O Wall Street Journal publicou na sua edicao de 1-outubro-2009, que Giorgio Armani, fundador e dono do grupo de moda e outros negocios que leva o seu nome, reorganizou seu conselho de administracao e diretoria para delegar mais poder para membros nao familiares. Sua sucessao, no entanto, ainda e um tema nao resolvido, e ao que tudo indica, evitado pelo "Signore Armani".Vale lembrar que Giorgio Armani, atualmente com 75 anos, nao tem filhos. Alem dele, tres sobrinhos estao envolvidos com os negocios da empresa, seja em posicoes executivas ou no conselho de administracao. OCTOBER 1, 2009 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