Kering Announces Leadership Changes at Brioni and Ginori 1735
Kering has announced executive appointments within its luxury brands Brioni and Ginori 1735. Mehdi Benabadji, who has served as CEO of Brioni since January 2020, will now lead Ginori 1735 as CEO. Federico Arrigoni, formerly deputy CEO and Asia-Pacific president of Saint Laurent, will succeed Benabadji as CEO of Brioni. Both appointments are effective immediately.
Benabadji will report to Jean-Marc Duplaix, Kering’s deputy CEO and chief operating officer, while Arrigoni will report to Francesca Bellettini, Kering’s deputy CEO in charge of brand development.
Arrigoni joined Kering in 2006 at Gucci and was appointed worldwide human resources director at Saint Laurent in 2015. Since then, he has held key international positions at the French brand, including Asia-Pacific president and chief commercial officer. In 2023, he was appointed Saint Laurent’s deputy CEO, directly overseeing all industrial operations and commercial activities for the brand.
He began his career at Decathlon in 1996 and, in 2002, moved to Autogrill as HR manager. In 2004, he was appointed Europe HR manager at Dolce & Gabbana.
“I am proud to see Federico becoming CEO of Brioni,” said Bellettini. “I trust that his extensive knowledge of the industry and his strong international experience make him the best profile to drive Brioni into the next phase of its development, building on the house’s remarkable history and achievements.”
Benabadji joined Kering in 2003. He was previously chief operating officer of the group, in charge of logistics and industrial activities. The executive has also worked for LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton’s Berluti and Hermès International’s crystal glassware brand Saint-Louis. He was temporarily in charge of Ginori after the departure of Giovanni Giunchedi as CEO in 2019.
“Ginori 1735 is a gem of Italian savoir-faire in porcelain, tableware, and decoration, and I am glad that Mehdi will bring his deep understanding of traditional craftsmanship as well as his strong experience in international brand development to the house,” said Duplaix. “I am sure that he will help Ginori 1735 reach the further stage in its global growth.”
