Founding family members sidelined as LVMH exerts control at Riba Guixà
Reports from Spain suggest luxury group LVMH has asked Joan and Francesc Riba to give up their leadership roles at Catalan leather manufacturer Riba Guixà.
A specialist in Entrefino lambskin leather, Riba Guixà was founded in 1932. Brothers Joan and Francesc Riba are representatives of the fourth generation of their family to run the company.
In 2015, LVMH Métiers d’Art, the grouping of specialised manufacturing facilities and skilled craftspeople that the luxury group had newly set up, acquired 20% of Riba Guixà. A year ago, the Paris-based group increased its stake in the leather manufacturer to 80%.
In October 2024, LVMH moved Andrea Bertolini from the role of head of purchasing at Berluti to become the new chief executive of Riba Guixà. New documents that Riba Guixà has filed in official business registers show that Mr Bertolini’s name has been added to those with authority to act on behalf of the company.
Others listed as people with authority include finance director, Engracia Ponce, LVMH Métiers d’Art chief executive, Matteo De Rosa, and projects director, Hugues Pichon. Joan and Francesc Riba’s names are no longer on the list.
