Italian Gianguido Girotti (photo above), 42, from Cesena, Italy, formerly general manager of the Beneteau brand, responsible for product strategy, will become deputy CEO and head the Product Strategy department of the French giant’s Boat Division. Girotti’s rise in rank came as part of the “revolution” involving the French giant.
WHO IS NEW THE LEADER
Jérôme de Metz is the new CEO of Groupe Beneteau after Hervé Gastinel, CEO since 2015, resigned effective immediately.
Jérôme de Metz, has a long career behind him, which started with a degree from Lille Business School in business administration and a degree as a chartered accountant: already chairman of Beneteau’s board of directors since last February, he is the founder of MBO Partenaires, a private equity firm accredited by the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF), which provides support and financing to entrepreneurs for the transfer of small and medium-sized unlisted companies.
After leading this company from 2002 to 2015, he served as chairman of the supervisory board until 2018. Before that, many executive roles in unlisted companies, family members, and various associations.
WHAT CHANGES IN BENETEAU
Alongside this appointment, the Board of Directors of the Boat Division is also evolving to unite the group’s teams, brands, design units and factories around a stronger common project. This project is based on a cross-cutting approach and will be reflected in the creation of two major departments, say from Beneteau.
Christophe Caudrelier, formerly chief financial officer in charge of information systems and currently deputy CEO in charge of European operations, will retain his current position and lead the group’s operational excellence department.
The board will now also include Corinne Margot, the Group’s Director of Human Relations and Communications, and will be assisted by two of the group’s experienced managers, Dieter Gust and Jean-Paul Chapeleau, president of Construction Navale Bordeaux and general manager of Jeanneau and Prestige, respectively. No governance changes are underway for the Housing Division, headed by Patrick Mahé.
