Maserati
On December 23, Italian luxury car manufacturer Maserati announced the appointment of Maurizio Zuares as its new Global Chief Commercial Officer, effective January 1, 2025. Maurizio succeeds Luca Delfino, who plans to leave the company to pursue new opportunities.
Maurizio Zuares holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Ancona, Italy, and an MBA in Economics, Finance, and Administration from ISTAO Institute. He brings extensive professional experience and an international perspective to his new role.
Maurizio Zuares
Maurizio began his career at Ford Italy, taking on responsibilities in sales and brand management. In 1999, he joined the Fiat Group’s automotive division, where he held various leadership positions in sales and marketing across multiple markets. His roles included President of Fiat Auto Japan, International Sales Director, Managing Director for the Spanish market, CEO of Fiat France, and Head of the Middle East region. Since 2019, Maurizio has overseen EMEA business operations outside Italy. Later, at Stellantis, he served as CEO for Spain and Portugal, and most recently, managed Stellantis’ European market operations for Leapmotor International, a joint venture with Chinese EV manufacturer Leapmotor.
This appointment reinforces Maserati’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team with seasoned professionals who embody the brand’s values and future vision. The company aims to enhance its global reach and electric mobility strategy.
Currently, Maserati operates in over 70 markets worldwide. The company previously announced plans to offer electric versions of all its models by 2025 and transition entirely to electric vehicles by 2028.
Mango
Spanish fashion retailer Mango has announced that its CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board, Toni Ruiz, will serve as Interim Chairman of the Board following the tragic passing of Isak Andic, the company’s founder and Chairman. Isak Andic, aged 71, passed away in a mountaineering accident, as reported in a company statement on December 14.
Toni Ruiz
Toni Ruiz joined Mango in 2015 as Chief Financial Officer and was appointed CEO in 2018 after Isak Andic decided to step down from his executive role. The company highlighted that Toni has been instrumental in Mango’s transformation, overseeing significant achievements, including the company’s record-breaking performance in 2023, marked by above-market growth and a strong financial position.
Mango also emphasized the commitment of Toni Ruiz and Jonathan Andic, a board member representing the Andic family, to preserving Isak Andic’s legacy. They affirmed their dedication to upholding his vision, values, and governance principles. In a statement, Mango described Isak Andic’s professionalism and commitment to corporate governance as essential pillars for ensuring continuity in the company’s strategic roadmap.
Chalhoub Group
The Middle Eastern luxury retail giant Chalhoub Group has announced that Michael Chalhoub, 37, will succeed his father, Patrick Chalhoub, as CEO starting January 1, 2025. After leading the company for over two decades, Patrick will transition to the role of Executive Chairman.
The Chalhoub Group oversees 773 retail stores and 65 e-commerce platforms across the Middle East and North Africa, employing more than 16,000 people. It serves as a regional distributor and joint venture partner for numerous global fashion, luxury, and beauty brands, including Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Fendi, Celine, and Sephora under the LVMH Group, as well as Puig, Christian Louboutin, Versace, Jimmy Choo, and Jacquemus.
Michael Chalhoub (left), Patrick Chalhoub (right)
Michael Chalhoub holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. Over the past four years, he has served as President of Strategy, Growth, Innovation, and Investments, as well as Head of Joint Ventures for the Group. During this time, he expanded the company’s portfolio by adding key partners, such as EssilorLuxottica, and drove digital transformation and innovation initiatives. Michael is also the founder of a sports media company in Dubai.
The Chalhoub family has led the Group for 70 years, maintaining its position as a cornerstone of the luxury industry in the region.
Schott
In early November, New York-based casualwear brand Schott appointed Nicolas Lognon as its new Head of Sales for France and Export Markets, aiming to expand its international presence. Nicolas brings extensive experience in the French apparel market, having previously worked for Kaporal and Tommy Hilfiger France.
A 1994 graduate of the Cogefi Institute in Business Management, Nicolas began his career in 1995 with U.S. fashion brand Chevignon, where he rose to Sales Director. He joined Tommy Hilfiger in 2005, overseeing all categories, including womenswear, childrenswear, and footwear, before becoming Head of Wholesale Sales. In 2013, he joined French denim brand Kaporal as Regional Manager for France, Germany, Benelux, and Spain. Most recently, he served as France Manager for Dutch denim brand Garcia.
Nicolas Lognon
In his new role at Schott, Nicolas leads a team of 20, including a Paris-based sales manager and several agents and distributors. Schott collaborates with around 400 retailers in France and 200 internationally. Recent expansions include entering the Slovenian market and strengthening its presence in Poland and the Benelux region.
Schott stated, “We will strive to enhance the brand’s presence and visibility in France and internationally, particularly through a series of collaborations aimed at global audiences.” For example, Schott has launched popular products in partnership with bestselling books such as Walk in Paris to boost its recognition. “At the same time, we will continue to establish a solid long-term business through department store counter networks and iconic products like the bomber jacket.”
Schott’s European subsidiary, operated by French group JAJ for 30 years, generates over €30 million in revenue, with 65% from France. The company is also increasing brand visibility internationally through collaborations and iconic products like bomber jackets.
Italian Radical Design
Italian multi-brand furniture group Italian Radical Design, known for brands Gufram, Memphis, and Meritalia, has appointed Riccardo Pigati as CEO to oversee the management of its three brands. Charley Vezza, a co-founder, will continue as Group CEO, focusing on creative and artistic strategies.
Founded by Charley Vezza, 38, and his mother, art collector Sandra Vezza, the Group aims to preserve and elevate unconventional Italian design brands. They acquired Gufram in 2012, Memphis in 2022, and recently added Meritalia to their portfolio.
Riccardo Pigati
Gufram, founded in 1966, is renowned for its Bocca lips sofa and Cactus coat rack. It is an experimental furniture brand that pushes the boundaries of industrial design through its radical design ethos and unconventional experiments with aesthetics and materials. Meritalia, established in 1987, is known for creating high-quality, non-traditional design pieces, successfully combining multidisciplinary approaches with research and innovation. Meanwhile, Memphis emerged in the 1980s during the Memphis Movement as a cultural incubator, transforming design into a medium of expression and establishing the “Memphis style,” which broke away from traditional furniture design norms.
Although Gufram and Memphis were founded before Charley Vezza’s time, he has dedicated himself to promoting these brands to digitally native generations since acquiring them. Over the past few years, he has showcased their potential in everyday life at events such as the Milan Furniture Fair and the Miami Design Fair. Reflecting on the three years following the acquisition of Memphis and Meritalia, he noted, “The work has been incredibly intense… the challenges and satisfaction have tripled.”
Charley Vezza expressed his confidence in Riccardo Pigati’s leadership. Pigati, the former CEO of the Vienna-based furniture manufacturer Gebrüder Thonet, is “an experienced manager in the field. I trust he will strike the perfect balance between strengthening and internationalizing the brand’s commercial strategy and the most radical creative experiments.”
| Sources: Brand websites, executive LinkedIn profiles, Manufacturing Today, Euro News, CNN, The Economic Times
| Image Credit: Brand websites, executive LinkedIn profiles
| Editor: LeZhi
