Ferrero Group announces new leadership structure to sharpen strategic focus across consolidated businesses
Under the new structure, Alessandro Nervegna, previously Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, will be appointed CEO of Ferrero Core while Lapo Civiletti, the current CEO, will continue with the company as Vice President, Ferrero International S.A., and will assume the newly created role of President of Ferrero Ice Cream and WK Kellogg Co.
LUXEMBOURG – The Ferrero Group has unveiled a new governance structure following a strategic review approved by its Board of Directors on February 11, 2026, aimed at boosting its position in the sweet-packaged food sector through two new top leadership roles across the company’s core categories and newly consolidated businesses.
The newly defined roles will be reporting directly to Giovanni Ferrero, President of Ferrero International S.A., the group’s holding company, effective September 1, 2026.
Giovanni Ferrero will continue steering the overall growth agenda, emphasizing a long-term vision, breakthrough innovation, and the preservation of the company’s family-owned culture and values amid a dynamic market landscape.
Mr. Alessandro Nervegna, currently Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the newly created Ferrero Core entity, tasked with driving growth across the group’s core categories, including confectionery, biscuits, bakery, and better-for-you businesses.
During his nearly 30-year career at Ferrero, he has held senior leadership positions across multiple geographies and played a key role in product strategy and innovation.
His global experience and deep knowledge of the business position him to lead Ferrero Core through its next phase.
Meanwhile, outgoing CEO Lapo Civiletti will transition to Vice President of Ferrero International S.A. and assume the new position of President of Ferrero Ice Cream and WK Kellogg Co., leveraging his experience to oversee these expanding segments.
Mr. Lapo Civiletti has held several increasingly senior leadership roles. In 2017, he became the first non-family member to be appointed CEO of the Ferrero Group.
This reorganization reflects Ferrero’s evolution over the past decade from a confectionery specialist to a global leader in sweet-packaged foods, driven by strategic acquisitions such as WK Kellogg and sustained innovation across brands like Nutella, Kinder, and Ferrero Rocher.
The changes come as Ferrero navigates competitive pressures in confectionery and adjacent categories, with recent expansions into ice cream and cereals further diversifying its portfolio.
Nervegna’s promotion underscores Ferrero’s emphasis on internal talent, while Civiletti’s dual role signals deeper integration of recent bolt-on businesses.
The announcement followed the group’s report of a robust 4.6% increase in turnover to €19.3 billion (US$22.90B) in its consolidated financial statements for the 2024/2025 financial year.
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