Benetton strengthens its top management team

Benetton Group has made three new hires within its top management team as it looks to strategically refocus on its key brands and retail development. The three new senior appointments join with experience in the world of franchising, wholesale and retail to further strengthen the group's management team.

The group has named Marco Messini as its new chief distribution and sales officer, John Mollanger as chief product and marketing officer, and Piero Maldini has become the new retail director for United Colors of Benetton. They join as the group continues with its restructuring and have been appointed to aid with the retail and wholesale side of the business.

Messini brings a decade-worth of experience in VF Corporation, where he served as vice president of EMEA franchising for all of the group’s brands which include Timberland, The North Face, Vans, Napapijri, Wrangler, Lee and Kipling. He is also the former general manager EMEA for Timberland and has previously been a sales director for Diadora and Invicta.

Mollanger, who Benetton states has “extensive understanding and knowledge of consumers and major international markets” joins from Asics in Japan where he was head of product and marketing, he also held similar positions at Nike and Puma in the US and Europe.

Rounding off the appointments is Maldini, who most recently served as the chief operating officer of Holding dei Giochi, the retail arm of Giochi Preziosi Group, where he was credited with strengthening the group’s leadership in Europe. Prior to that, he oversaw the retail and franchise networks of Autogrill, Gruppo Coin and UPIM.

Commenting on the appointments, Marco Airoldi, chief executive of the Benetton Group, said: “I am delighted to welcome our new managers. We are in the process of carrying out a complex restructuring which will help our business face a challenging market situation. We believe that we have enriched our team with outstanding individuals on both a personal and professional level, with significant experience in the world of top brands and wholesale. Together we are stronger and able to face the challenges that lie ahead.”