Who became Hermès’s chief executive officer in 2013?

Axel Dumas became Hermès’s chief executive officer in 2013.

Dumas is a member of the sixth generation of the Hermès family. He succeeded Patrick Thomas, who had led the company as chief executive and was the first non-family chief executive of Hermès.

Under Dumas, Hermès continued expanding internationally while emphasizing controlled growth, craftsmanship, and production in its own workshops. The company’s strategy has generally favored scarcity and long-term brand positioning over rapid mass-market expansion.

Axel Dumas should not be confused with Pierre-Alexis Dumas. Axel leads the business as executive chairman and chief executive, while Pierre-Alexis oversees artistic direction. Both are descendants of the founding family, but they occupy different leadership roles.