Kering teams up with Tshinghua and HEC to support talent development

Luxury holding company Kering has teamed up with Tsinghua University in Beijing and HEC in Paris to launch two separate initiatives, which aim to support creative talent development and education in China. The first is an established fund, known as the 'Tsinghua and Kering Art Education Fund' which will offer

long-term support to an education and training programme in China. The fund, which was launched today at the Tsinghua University is set to run for three years, from 2014 to 2017 and will offer support to two projects.

Francois-Henri Pinault, chairman and CEO of Kering commented: "I am delighted to launch this partnership with Tsinghua University Education Foundation. Supporting talent and encouraging creativity and innovation are part and parcel of the Kering vision."

The first project is the Artistic innovation studio, during which five selected students will be trained each year to develop their artistic skills, understanding of the art business and marketing. After graduation the project will aid the students in setting up their own studio and gaining marketing recognition.

The second project is the Female support programme, which will provide ten selected female students with the financial support they need to complete studies or chosen projects. The programme will help the selected students to successfully complete their education in the arts, economy, architecture, environment and journalism. Since 2009, Gucci has been working alongside with Tsinghua University through another fund to support its academic development.

Kering launches new initiatives to support talent development and education in China

'Kering Greater China - Leading talent through Global perspectives,' is the second initiative Kering announced today. It is a programme launched in collaboration with Tsinghua University and HEC Paris, which will offer tailor-made executive education to high-potential managers at Kering and its brands operating in Greater China.

The programme is the first of its kind targeting mid-level managers in Greater China and is designed in response to the growing demand for high quality talent in the Chinese market. Pinault and the first class of 27 students attended the programme's opening ceremony, which was also held at Tsinghua University. The class consists of mid-career managers of the Kering Group and its brand in China, including Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga and Saint Laurent.

The programme runs for 18 months and offers classroom based learning with interactive opportunities with Kering senior management team. At the end of the programme students will be given a certificate of completion, jointly awarded by HEC Paris and Tsinghua University.

"The Chinese market has huge potential and is highly competitive. Talent shortages and high employee turnover rates are key challenges facing the market. Through the programme we aim to address these challenges by improving managerial skills, creativity and global vision of our employees, and ultimately deepen our pool of high quality talent," commented Pinault.

Kering has worked closely with Tsinghua University and HEC Paris over the years on a number of programmes, including scholarships and workshops. Kering plans on extending its latter programme to its other markers in the near future, including the US.