Campari Group CEO Bob Kunze-Concewitz has announced he will retire in April next year after 16 years in the top job and 18 with the Company.
Under Kunze-Concewitz's leadership, Campari's net sales and profitability have quadrupled thanks mainly to his oversight of 27 acquisitions since 2007, for an overall investment of €3 billion.
Thanks to Kunze-Concewitz's long-term vision, Campari's iconic aperitif brands have become some of the biggest in the world. Aperol, which increased net sales 12 times since 2007, became the Group's largest brand. Campari has been relaunched and is now recognised as one of the world's most appreciated and consumed spirits, thanks mainly to its proprietary Negroni cocktail.
"Leading Campari Group has been an incredible honour, the most exciting professional journey in my career. We have achieved impressive results, which I am extremely proud of, but none of them would have been possible without the extraordinary contribution, passion and commitment of every single Camparista around the world," said Kunze-Concewitz.
Matteo Fantacchiotti, Managing Director of Asia Pacific, has been appointed Deputy CEO to ensure a smooth handover when he takes over as CEO after the Annual General Meeting on 11 April 2024, when Kunze-Concewitz officially retires.
Kunze-Concewitz will remain on the Board as a non-executive director but said he's looking forward to pursuing his personal passions and enjoying family life to the fullest post-retirement.
"I am very happy to pass the baton to Matteo, a top manager whom I personally recruited and who already contributed significantly to Campari, thanks to his leadership capabilities and deep expertise of the spirits industry, particularly in the super premium end.
"I am sure that Matteo, a true Camparista capable of passionately leading great extended teams and achieving strong results, will continue building our company, consistently with our long-term vision and bringing Campari to the next level of its accelerated growth pattern," he said.
The newly appointed Deputy CEO Matteo Fantacchiotti said he feels honoured to be chosen as Campari Group's CEO-to-be.
"Bob leaves Campari Group in a phenomenal position. The impressive achievements of the Group under Bob's visionary leadership are an inspiration for me to continue on this journey, building on our proven growth strategy, in continuity with the past, combining a strong brand building with value enhancing acquisitions.
"I look forward to continuing working with Campari Group's management team which I will have the privilege to lead and with whom we will take our company to the next phase of its transformational growth journey," he said.
Luca Garavoglia, Group Chairman since 1994 and representative of controlling shareholders through Lagfin S.C.A., Société en Commandite par Actions said: "On behalf of the Board of Directors and personally, I would like to thank Bob for the amazing work done at Campari Group. During his tenure, Bob led our Company to achieve incredible results, making Campari Group a jewel of the spirits industry. His great passion and dedication were also instrumental to create a global team of uniquely talented Camparistas, and he leaves Campari Group in a perfect position to unlock future growth opportunities."
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