Following a comprehensive review of its business structure, the Ferrero Group has announced a new governance model designed to strengthen its competitive positioning within the global sweet-packaged food sector. Effective September 1, 2026, the restructuring introduces two distinct leadership roles reporting directly to Giovanni Ferrero, President of Ferrero International S.A. This organisational shift reflects the company's decade-long evolution from a traditional confectionery business into a diversified, multi-category food manufacturer.
Strategic Evolution and Portfolio Growth
Over the past ten years, Ferrero Group has executed a disciplined growth strategy underpinned by strategic acquisitions and category expansion. Under the outgoing structure, the company successfully doubled its business size, integrating new operations across biscuits, bakery, ice cream, and the recently acquired WK Kellogg Co. operations.
To effectively manage this expanded footprint, the Board of Directors approved a resolution on February 11, 2026, to segment executive leadership, allowing for targeted oversight of both legacy brands and newly acquired growth categories.
Leadership Shifts at Ferrero Core
To drive the company's foundational categories, Alessandro Nervegna has been appointed to the newly created role of Chief Executive Officer of Ferrero Core. Currently serving as Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Nervegna brings nearly 30 years of tenure at Ferrero, having held senior leadership positions across multiple global markets.
In his new capacity, Nervegna will oversee the Confectionery, Biscuits and Bakery, and Better-For-You business units. His mandate will focus on maintaining the growth trajectory of these primary revenue drivers, leveraging his background in product strategy and global innovation.
Expansion into Emerging Categories
Lapo Civiletti, who has served as CEO of the Ferrero Group since 2017, will transition into a highly specialised leadership role. Civiletti has been appointed President of Ferrero Ice Cream and WK Kellogg Co., while concurrently serving as Vice President of Ferrero International S.A.
Civiletti holds the distinction of being the first non-family member to serve as Group CEO. During his tenure, he built the management framework that facilitated the company's rapid scale and successfully realised the ambition of doubling the size of the business in under a decade. His new role positions him to focus specifically on integrating and scaling Ferrero's most significant recent category expansions.
Ongoing Strategic Direction
Giovanni Ferrero will retain his role as President of Ferrero International S.A., the holding company of the Ferrero Group. He will transition away from day-to-day operational oversight to focus entirely on the overall growth agenda, including overarching business vision, long-term strategic planning, and breakthrough innovation.
For industry stakeholders, this governance update signals Ferrero's commitment to protecting its core market share in confectionery while aggressively pursuing operational maturity in its newly acquired bakery and ice cream divisions.
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