Hennessy, officially known as Jas Hennessy & Co., is a subsidiary of Moët Hennessy, a leading producer of cognac headquartered in Cognac, France. It is one of the world’s most recognized and best-selling cognac brands.
Founded in 1765 by Richard Hennessy, an Irishman who settled in France, the brand has grown into a global luxury name associated with quality and heritage. Hennessy’s products are distributed in more than 130 countries and form part of the Wines & Spirits division of LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) — the world’s largest luxury group.
As of October 2025, Jean-Jacques Guiony serves as the CEO of Moët Hennessy, overseeing the brand’s strategic direction, while Laurent Boillot continues to be closely linked to the Hennessy cognac operations.
Ownership Status of Hennessy
Hennessy is not privately owned by an individual or family anymore. It is part of a joint venture between LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) and Diageo plc, two of the largest global beverage conglomerates.
Major Shareholders
| Shareholder / Entity | Ownership Percentage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) | 66% | Majority owner of Moët Hennessy, parent company of Hennessy. Publicly traded on Euronext Paris under ticker MC. |
| Diageo plc | 34% | Holds minority interest in Moët Hennessy; London-based global beverage giant. Publicly traded on LSE under ticker DGE. |
Note: There is no direct public trading of Hennessy shares. Ownership is through Moët Hennessy, part of LVMH’s Wines & Spirits division.
Key Shareholder Highlights
Hennessy’s ownership reflects a strategic partnership between luxury and beverage leaders:
- LVMH, led by Bernard Arnault, is the world’s largest luxury group. Through its Wines & Spirits division, it manages prestigious brands like Moët & Chandon, Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot, and Hennessy.
- Diageo, known for brands such as Johnnie Walker, Guinness, and Smirnoff, holds a 34% stake in Moët Hennessy, providing global distribution and market reach expertise.
This partnership ensures Hennessy maintains its luxury heritage while expanding in key international markets, particularly in the U.S., China, and Africa.
Recent Developments in Ownership
While the ownership split between LVMH (66%) and Diageo (34%) has remained stable, there have been notable executive changes within Moët Hennessy’s leadership:
- In October 2024, LVMH announced that Jean-Jacques Guiony, its Chief Financial Officer, would replace Philippe Schaus as CEO of Moët Hennessy.
- Laurent Boillot, who previously led the Hennessy brand, continues to be involved in brand operations under the Wines & Spirits division.
- These leadership changes indicate LVMH’s focus on strengthening performance and aligning strategic direction across its beverage portfolio.
No recent shareholding changes have been reported between LVMH and Diageo as of 2025.
FAQs
1. Who is the current owner of Hennessy?
Hennessy is owned by Moët Hennessy, which is 66% owned by LVMH and 34% owned by Diageo.
2. Is Hennessy publicly traded or privately owned?
Hennessy itself is not publicly traded. However, its parent companies LVMH (MC:PAR) and Diageo (DGE:LSE) are publicly listed.
3. Who founded Hennessy?
Hennessy was founded in 1765 by Richard Hennessy, an Irishman who established the cognac house in Cognac, France.
4. Has the ownership changed recently?
No, the ownership remains the same — LVMH (66%) and Diageo (34%) — though internal leadership within Moët Hennessy has seen changes in 2024–2025.
5. What is Hennessy known for?
Hennessy is best known for producing some of the world’s finest cognacs, including Hennessy V.S, V.S.O.P, X.O, Paradis, and Richard Hennessy.
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