Departure of Jérôme de Metz
After 3 years at the head of the Bénéteau Group, 63-year-old Jérôme de Metz has decided to retire. Arriving in June 2019, the leader, who comes from outside the boating industry, had to manage the effects of the health crisis and its economic consequences, as well as a cyberattack that had a major impact on the company. At the same time, he carried out a major industrial overhaul, marked by the desire to reduce the number of brands in the Bénéteau Group and a more transversal industrial management. He also closed several factories in France and the United States, while investing in Portugal for small units.
A Franco-Italian operational manager duo
While Jérôme de Metz has held the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since 2019, the Bénéteau Group will return to separating these functions at the end of the General Meeting on June 17, 2022. The Board of Directors is proposing the appointment of an operational duo consisting of Bruno Thivoyon as Group CEO and Gianguido Girotti as Deputy CEO, CEO of the Boat Division. The former, 47 years old and already in charge of the group's finance and legal affairs, has a management profile comparable to that of Jérôme de Metz, while the latter, a naval architect, has spent his entire career in the yachting industry. Until now, he was in charge of product strategy.
Historical leaders still present
The presidency of the Board will be entrusted to Yves Lyon-Caen, a historical figure of the Bénéteau company, which he previously chaired between 2005 and 2019. He recently stepped down as Chairman of the French Nautical Industries Federation, which was transferred to another member of the group, Jean-Paul Chapeleau. The latter, who has also reached the statutory age limit, has lost the title of Deputy Managing Director in charge of operations, but remains as an advisor to the general management.
In replacement of Jérôme de Metz, the Board also appointed Marie-Hélène Dick, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Virbac and sister of the famous skipper, as an independent director.
The policy of Europe's leading yachting company, pursued by personalities already well established within the Bénéteau Group, is not expected to undergo any major changes, in a context that is favorable to yachting.
