The relaunch of Tom Ford Fashion and Thom Browne, and artificial intelligence. These are the three challenges that Gildo Zegna points out in the wake of the handover of the group that bears his last name. From January 1, 2026, Gildo will take on the role of executive chairman, while the CEO position will go to Gianluca Tagliabue, the current chief financial and operating officer. Gian Franco Santhià will take his place, while Gildo’s sons, Edoardo and Angelo (age 37 and 39 respectively), will be co-CEOs of the Zegna brand.
Respond to three challenges
Ermenegildo “Gildo” Zegna told La Stampa that he had been thinking about the generational transition for two years. The entrepreneur described the company’s listing on Wall Street and the change in governance announced on November 24 as “the greatest satisfactions of my life”. “I am passing the baton with a solid company at a positive moment. We have no debts with banks and there is a great desire to do business”, said Zegna.
He also outlined the objectives for next year: “Accelerate the process. 2026 will be another complex year and we’ll need to know how to navigate it well”. The current CEO of the Zegna group sees positive signs from the Chinese market, but they are still too weak to “celebrate”. He then addressed the issue of artificial intelligence in the company: “I have launched a committee to study its impact. We believe in it. I think we can be ahead of those who are not focusing on it or are afraid of it. It’s a cultural thing: once you’ve won that battle, you can move forward. It’s wrong to keep it only at the top; you have to let it permeate every corner of the company”.
The right moment
Gildo recently turned 70, “the right age to devote himself to strategies and seize new opportunities”, he told Corriere della Sera. He emphasized how “the new organization responds to our vision: to honor the past and build the future with courage and optimism”. He also pointed out that the new shoe factory in Parma will bring the share of Zegna brand products made in Italy to over 60%. Zegna also explained the internal decision to promote Tagliabue rather than recruit someone from outside the company: “Tagliabue has always kept finance and industry together, so choosing him was a natural choice”. He believes that his sons Edoardo and Angelo complement each other. “The former is more visionary and looks to new projects. The latter has great speed of execution”.
In photo: Gildo Zegna and Tagliabue in the center, Angelo Zegna on the left, and his brother Edoardo on the right
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