While fixing French carmaker Renault SA, Chief Executive Officer Luca de Meo pursued a hobby that would feed into his next job as CEO of Kering SA: A taste for the finer things in life, particularly Swiss watches.

News of Renault Chief Executive Luca de Meo's decision to leave the French carmaker and sources saying he is being lined up to take charge at luxury goods group Kering has created a stir across their respective sectors.

The Italian is set to leave Renault next month to become boss of Kering, the struggling owner of Gucci and Saint Laurent, from mid-September. While de Meo has spent his entire career in the car industry, he has been making discreet overtures to the luxury industry for some time, according to two people with knowledge of the situation.

A series of delicate issues awaits the Italian executive, who comes from Renault: an unfavorable economic climate, significant group debt and the collapse of sales at flagship brand Gucci. Financial markets have responded positively to the announcement of his appointment.

WHO IS HE? De Meo, 58, is from Milan, Italy, and has more than 30 years' experience working in the automotive sector. He graduated from the Luigi Bocconi Commercial University wit

The luxury group confirmed speculations reported by a number of media outlets this weekend. Pinault will retain his role as Kering chair.

De Meo plans to pursue new challenges outside the automotive industry after having led the carmaker for five years.

Pinault, son of founder Francois and CEO of Paris-listed Kering since 2005, has struggled to contain a deepening rot at star brand Gucci while embarking on a shopping spree that has stretched the French conglomerate's balance sheet and that of controlling family holding Artemis.

(Reuters) -Gucci-owner Kering has appointed Luca de Meo, currently CEO of French carmaker Renault, as its new chief executive, it said on Monday. Below are some facts about the new head of the French luxury group, whose brands include Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Bottega Veneta.

The struggling French luxury group is set to name Renault Chief Executive Luca de Meo as CEO, replacing Francois-Henri Pinault, people familiar with the matter said.