François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of PPR, has just announced the appointment of Paul Deneve as CEO of Yves Saint Laurent, effective April 2011. He will succeed Valérie Hermann who, after six years at the helm of the Yves Saint Laurent fashion house, has chosen to seize a new career opportunity in the United States.

Yves Saint Laurent

François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PPR, noted: “I am pleased to welcome Paul Deneve to the PPR Group. Paul has had a remarkable career in the Luxury Goods universe. His proven entrepreneurial skills, expertise and leadership qualities, as well as his determination, have convinced me that he is the right person to guide the future of the Yves Saint Laurent fashion house in close collaboration with Creative Director Stefano Pilati.”

Paul Deneve began his career with Exxon EMEA in 1985, then with Apple Europe in 1990. He joined Courrèges as Managing Director from 1998 to 2003 before becoming President of Nina Ricci until 2005. He was Deputy CEO of Lanvin from 2006 to 2008.

Paul Deneve, 49, is a Belgian national. He is a graduate of Solvay Business School and holds a MBA from the University of Chicago and a Master of Science in Management degree from Stanford University.