“ It’s to Step Ahead, Not Backwards”: Gildo Zegna on Succession Planning

Ermenegildo “Gildo” Zegna is succession planning. On Monday, the Zegna Group chair and CEO announced a new leadership structure for the group and its namesake brand, effective January 1, 2026.

Gildo Zegna, who turned 70 in September and has been CEO of the Milanese label since 2005, will assume the role of group executive chair, with a focus on “safeguarding the legacy and integrity of Zegna Group’s three brands — Zegna, Thom Browne and Tom Ford Fashion”. He will also retain oversight of Zegna Group’s textiles division, its general counsel’s office and the external relations department, which includes sustainability, investor relations and corporate communications.

The executive, who calls himself “a man of targets”, had decided that when he reached 70, he would plan ahead. “And that’s what I did,” Gildo tells me. “The journey started one year ago. We looked outside, we were not convinced; but we felt that inside, we had good talents and a good possibility to make it happen… It’s good timing.”

These internal talents include group chief financial and operating officer Gianluca Tagliabue, who will succeed Gildo as group CEO, subject to shareholder approval. “I spent 10 years working with [Gianluca] on numerous projects that felt like mission impossible — Covid, the IPO [in 2021], the acquisition of Thom Browne [in 2018], of Tom Ford Fashion [in 2023], some of the restructuring — he passed the test and I think that he was ready to do more,” Gildo says. “At the moment, we still have many opportunities to seek.”

Gildo’s sons, Edoardo and Angelo Zegna, who are 39 and 37, respectively, will become co-CEOs of the Zegna brand. Edoardo, currently Zegna chief marketing and digital officer, as well as group chief sustainability officer, will lead all aspects of brand strategy, from image to marketing, as well as design-focused matters alongside artistic director Alessandro Sartori. Angelo, currently Zegna CEO for the EMEA region and global client strategy director, will oversee product development, merchandising and commercial strategy.

“ It’s a nice experience to promote two young men,” Gildo says, referring to his two sons. “I have the courage to make it happen in a moment in which I’m still very healthy and very energized. For me, it’s to step ahead, not backwards.”