Campari Group CEO Bob Kunze-Concewitz to retire
After 18 years with the company (and 16 as CEO), Bob Kunze-Concewitz, CEO of Campari Group, has decided to retire from his role to pursue his personal passions: effective as of April 11, 2024.
“During his time [as CEO], Bob’s contribution to Campari is unparalleled, growing the company size by c.3 times in net sales and profitability, thanks to a combination of organic and external growth, overseeing 27 acquisitions since 2007, for an overall investment of €3bn,” says Campari Group.
“Over the years, Bob has successfully built a very strong, cohesive and highly committed leadership team, composed of high calibre top managers from leading FMCG companies, with deep consumer industry expertise, strategic acumen and strong operational capabilities. Together, they established a highly successful brand building strategy with strong focus on global high margin priority brands and core regional ones. Thanks to Bob’s long-term vision, they successfully developed core aperitifs brands such as Aperol, which increased net sales 12 times since 2007, becoming the largest Group’s brand; among the other initiatives, the Campari brand has been relaunched and it’s recognised today among the most appreciated and consumed spirits in the world, with its proprietary Negroni cocktail. In the highly attractive premium tequila category, Espolòn has become one of the leading and fastest growing premium tequila brands in the US.
“Moreover, under Bob’s leadership, the Group’s international footprint expanded from 6 to 25 in-market direct companies in the last 16 years, accounting for approx. 93% sales, and from 9 to 23 production facilities across the world.
“Under Bob’s leadership the company designed and successfully implemented a scalable model of systems and processes, thanks to which it is today poised to successfully pursue and integrate new M&A opportunities. Since May 2007, the market capitalisation increased by over 6 times to €13.8 billion today, delivering an outstanding value for shareholders, with a TSR (Total Shareholder Return) of 13% annualized.”
After retiring, Bob is expected to become non-executive director of the company.
Matteo Fantacchiotti, Managing Director Asia Pacific, becomes the new CEO nominee. In order to ensure an orderly and smooth handover, Matteo has been appointed Deputy CEO effective immediately.
“Under Fantacchiotti leadership in Asia Pacific, this strategic region has successfully developed thanks to a combination of the enhancement of the Group’s route-to-market in Asia, with the insourcing of direct distribution capabilities in key markets such as South Korea, Japan, New Zealand and India, the creation of a strong regional hub in Singapore, as well as a deep focus on the high end premium and ultra-premium brand portfolio, targeting high net worth individuals across the region,” says Campari Group.
After graduating in Business and Economics, Matteo started his career in the cosmetic industry. He then spent more than 20 years in the beverage industry in Nestlé Waters, Diageo, where he held key roles in the development of the Global Luxury Division, and Carlsberg Group in various managerial positions with growing duties ranging from managing in-market operations, leading global sales and marketing operations, opening new business units and launching new businesses both in emerging and developed markets in all four global regions.
