The drinks executive shake-up continues with Campari Group CEO Bob Kunze-Concewitz announcing he is retiring from the role to “pursue his passions”. He will be replaced by Managing Director Asia Pacific Matteo Fantacchiotti.

Kunze-Concewitz spent 18 years with Campari, with the last 16 years as CEO. Campari said that during that time his contribution to Campari was “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 €3 billion.

Campari said that over the years as CEO he had 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.

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 is 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.

Kunze-Concewitz said: ‘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.

“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.”

Fantacchiotti has been appointed Deputy CEO effective immediately In order to ensure an orderly and smooth handover. He will succeed as CEO in April 2024. 

Fantacchiotti’s impact in the Asia Pacific

Campari said that under Fantacchiotti’s leadership, the “strategic” Asia Pacific region had 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.

After graduating in Business and Economics, Fantacchiotti 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.

Fantacchiotti said: “I feel honoured and proud about the appointment. 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 strongvbrand building with value enhancing acquisitions.

“Campari Group is today a very strong organization, built on world-class infrastructure, powerful brands and talented Camparistas. 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.”

The brands driving growth for Campari in Australia