Campari has appointed Simon Hunt, a seasoned leader in the spirits industry, as its new CEO, succeeding the interim co-CEOs Paolo Marchesini and Fabio Di Fede.
With over 30 years of experience in the premium and luxury spirits industry, Simon Hunt is set to lead Campari into its next growth phase. His career spans significant roles at notable companies such as William Grant & Sons, where he held positions from President and Managing Director of North America to Chief Commercial Officer, eventually becoming CEO from 2016 to 2020. During his tenure there, Hunt contributed to the global scaling of premium whiskey brands.
In his professional journey, Hunt has also held senior roles at other leading spirits companies. He served at Diageo, managing global and local marketing and sales, including as Vice President of Smirnoff Global Marketing. At Pernod Ricard, he took on the role of CEO and President of Malibu-Kahlua International, showcasing his versatility across premier brands.
Recently, Hunt acted as a strategic advisor to CEOs of premium spirits companies, and in 2022, became CEO of Catalyst Spirits. There, he drove strategic initiatives in premium spirits brands that were digitally nascent, demonstrating his forward-thinking approach in innovation.
Campari Group’s Chairman, Luca Garavoglia, expressed confidence in Hunt’s ability to elevate the company further, citing his experience and leadership as critical assets. Garavoglia stated, “We are delighted to welcome Simon as the new chief executive officer of Campari Group. His proven and extensive industry experience and leadership in building and scaling premium and luxury brands on a global scale will be instrumental.”
Hunt himself shared his enthusiasm for the role, emphasising his respect for Campari’s legacy and his eagerness to contribute to its ongoing success. He remarked, “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.”
Simon Hunt’s appointment as Campari’s CEO marks a significant step for the company, poised to enhance its global presence under his experienced leadership.
