Campari Group has selected Simon Hunt as new chief executive officer. Hunt succeeds interim co-CEOs Paolo Marchesini, chief financial and operating officer, and Fabio Di Fede, chief legal and M&A officer.

 

Hunt's predecessor, Matteo Fantacchiotti, stepped down as CEO in September 2024, having been appointed to the role in April 2024. He cited “personal reasons” as the reason for his departure.

 

To confirm the appointment, in accordance with Dutch law the Campari Group board of directors will hold an ad hoc general meeting on 15 January 2025, after which Hunt will be the new CEO.

 

Hunt has 30 years of experience in the spirits industry, including 14 years at William Grant & Sons, for which company he served as CEO from 2016 to 2020. During his time at William Grant & Sons, Hunt also held roles as president & managing director of North American and chief commercial officer.

 

In 2022, Hunt was appointed as chief executive of spirits incubator Catalyst Spirits, leading strategy behind ‘digitally native’ premium spirits brands.

 

Hunt commented: “During my more than three decades of experience within the spirits industry, I have always held Campari Group in the highest regard for its unique history, strong portfolio of iconic brands, company culture, and continuous outperformance and stellar growth story. 

 

“I am honoured and excited to take on this extraordinary opportunity and I look forward to working with Campari Group's talented leadership team and organization to continue to build on the company’s heritage and success built over the past decades, and to take Campari Group’s potential and growth ambition to its next level.”