Nike has a new board member in Alexandre Arnault, the second son of Bernard Arnault and who is currently the deputy CEO of Moët Hennessy, LVMH’s wines and spirits division.
“Alexandre has earned a reputation for helping iconic global brands evolve, innovate and grow in a changing, complex marketplace,” said Nike executive chair Mark Parker on Wednesday. “As part of our commitment to strong governance and thoughtful board succession, we look for leaders with distinctive experiences, fresh perspectives and a proven ability to create long-term value. Alexandre’s leadership across some of the world’s most respected brands will make him a strong addition to our board.”
Nike’s board of directors has its fair share of blockbuster names — like co-founder Phil Knight, and Apple chair and former CEO Tim Cook — but, until now, none that come from the luxury space.
Arnault has been in his role at Moët Hennessy since February 2025, after four years as executive vice president of product, communications and industrial at Tiffany. Before joining Tiffany, Arnault spent four years as CEO of luggage brand Rimowa, during which time he transformed the 1898-founded brand from a relatively niche luggage label to one lauded for its innovation and modern luxury link-ups with brands from Supreme to Dior. He’s sat on the LVMH board since 2024, and is a trustee of The Museum of Modern Art in New York; Arnault also previously served on the boards of Carrefour, Birkenstock, and Moncler.
Arnault’s appointment comes at a tough moment for Nike, as the sportswear brand struggles to make significant headway with its Win Now turnaround plan that CEO Elliott Hill introduced when stepping into the role in September 2024. Nike’s full-year 2026 revenues were down 2% on a constant currency basis for fiscal 2026 to $46.4 billion, the brand said in June. On September 21, Nike will be delisted from the S&P 100 for the first time in 18 years, after the company’s stocks declined by about 80%.
During an investor meeting on September 8, Hill told investors that Nike executives are not managing the company quarter-by-quarter, but building for the next decade. “As we move into fiscal 2027, our teams are focused on inspiring consumers through sport and sportswear with the best innovative product and emotional connections, showing up as a premium brand in both digital and physical retail and continuing to operate with discipline and how we forecast, make, deliver, and respond,” he said.
Arnault’s appointment is Nike’s latest bid to ensure it is on the right path to releasing produce that is innovative, desirable — and, most importantly, relevant.
“Alexandre understands how some of the world’s most influential brands stay relevant, deepen consumer connections and drive long-term growth,” Hill said in a statement. “His experience across innovation, digital transformation and brand-building will be an asset as we continue to strengthen our connection with consumers, sharpen our competitive edge and accelerate Nike’s next chapter of growth around the world.”
Nike will report its first-quarter earnings for fiscal 2027 on October 1.
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