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Valle to Succeed Fusignani at Helm of Azimut Benetti
A statement from the Vitelli family and Azimut Benetti Spa Board of Directors has confirmed that from September 1st Marco Valle will succeed Franco Fusignani as Group CEO.
Marco Valle, current CEO of Azimut Yachts, will take the helm with Franco Fusignani continuing his involvement in a Boardroom capacity. Valle will assume full responsibility for both yachting Divisions to ensure greater business management.
The statement by the Board of Directors read: “This decision will encourage an organic and unified approach to business management, benefiting effectiveness, rapid response and efficiency. The intention to preserve the specific characteristics and values of each brand, whose distinct identities form the basis of the Group’s success, will clearly remain a core target.”
Earlier this month, Azimut Benetti issued a statement of intent to use its global appeal and stature to help lift Italy out of the difficult period it has faced in recent months. The change in leadership may prove to inject a new energy to the Group in order to make this possible.
Franco Fusignani, 75, has so far enjoyed a career spanning 50 years in the industry. Fusignani will certainly be leaving his role on a high note, having overseen Benetti’s ‘Giga Season’ during which three superyachts over 100m were delivered (IJE, Lana and Zoza).
Paulo Vitelli, Azimut Benetti Group Chairman, stated: “Marco Valle, who joined the company 25 years ago, has the full support of the Vitelli family and the Group’s Board of Directors in this new challenge, which he will no doubt rise to with the same spirit of success that has been a distinctive feature of his work, first as Azimut Yachts sales director and for the last four years as CEO of the Azimut division.
We would like to thank Franco for the great work he has done and continues to do in Benetti, and for his continued future presence in the Group. This continuity is thought to be important to tackle the new challenges of an evolving market and generational change in the current management team.”
As one successful era comes to an end, we are excited to see what the future holds for Azimut Benetti and wish good luck to Marco Valle in his new role.
"Marco Valle, who joined the company 25 years ago, has the full support of the Vitelli family and the Group’s Board of Directors in this new challenge, which he will no doubt rise to."
"Marco Valle, who joined the company 25 years ago, has the full support of the Vitelli family and the Group’s Board of Directors in this new challenge, which he will no doubt rise to."
Paulo Vitelli, Chairman of Azimut Benetti