Campari announce global shake-up

Gruppo Campari yesterday announced a shake-up of its global organisation, including the resignation of its international managing director, writes Amy Hopkins.

The Italian drinks group said these changes aimed to “develop its international routes to market” and achieve “greater commercial and administrative efficiencies”.

Fabio Di Fede, managing director of the company’s international business unit, will be leaving the group after “choosing to return to Monaco for family reasons”.

From 1 February, Gerry Ruvo will transition from his role as managing director of the group’s business unit for North America to concentrate on his non-executive roles as Chairman of Campari America and the industry association DISCUS.

Bob Kunze-Concewitz, Gruppo Campari CEO, said: “Importantly, I would like to extend my deep gratitude to Gerry and Fabio for their tremendous contributions to the group as key builders of our people and brands over many successful years.

“Gerry is not only the father of our large and very profitable Campari America business but also one of the most respected leaders in the whole US spirits industry and I am very glad that we will be able to keep him and his wisdom within and at the service of the Campari family.

“Fabio is a dynamic and highly talented lawyer, new business developer, manager and commercial leader who will be sorely missed.”

Furthermore, as of 1 April, a new business unit will be created, consisting of the commercial organisations for the Italian, Spanish and Global Travel Retail markets owned by Campari, as well as the group’s third party business in Portugal, France, South Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

A second new business unit will be created from the commercial organisations for the German, Austrian, Swiss, Benelux and UK markets, as well as the Group’s third party business in Ireland, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Scandinavia and the Baltics.

A third unit will also be created consisting of commercial organisations for the Russian and Ukrainian markets as well as the group’s third party business in the remainder of the ex-Soviet Union markets.