While fixing French carmaker Renault SA, Chief Executive Officer Luca de Meo pursued a hobby that would feed into his next job as CEO of Kering SA: A taste for the finer things in life, particularly Swiss watches.

French luxury group and Gucci-owner Kering has announced the appointment of former Renault CEO Luca de Meo as the new chief of the group. The strategic move strengthens the group's leadership and supports its growth trajectory.

By Tassilo Hummel, Mimosa Spencer and Danilo Masoni PARIS (Reuters) -Kering shares jumped as much as 8.2% early on Monday and stocks in Renault fell over 6% after reports the French carmaker's CEO Luca de Meo was poised to become the new head of the luxury goods maker.