On April 22, Pitti Immagine, the Florence-based organizer of international trade fairs, announced the appointment of its new Board of Directors. Antonio De Matteis has been named President for a three-year term spanning 2026 to 2028. This leadership transition marks a significant strategic step as the company moves into its next phase of growth.
Summary
- Pitti Immagine announces a new Board of Directors
- Antonio De Matteis appointed President for the 2026–2028 term
- Ivano Cauli named Chief Executive Officer
- Raffaello Napoleone appointed Board Member in charge of International and Institutional Relations
- The Board is expanded by two members, incorporating expertise from new sectors
- A new three-year strategy is outlined in response to structural shifts in the trade fair industry
Restructuring Leadership and Strengthening Top Management
The new Board was expanded by two members following a resolution passed at the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting. Newly appointed members include Laura Bosetti Tonatto, Paolo Carrai, and Ivano Cauli. This move brings in expertise beyond fashion, including high-quality food and niche perfumery, reflecting a broader strategic outlook.
Ivano Cauli, previously serving as General Manager, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, taking on a central role in the company’s leadership. Meanwhile, Raffaello Napoleone, who has long played a key role in the international positioning of Pitti’s fairs, has been appointed as Board Member in charge of International and Institutional Relations.
A Three-Year Vision Defined by “Balance Between Continuity and Change”
Antonio De Matteis commented on the direction of the new leadership: “I would first like to thank the Centro di Firenze per la Moda Italiana (CFMI) and Confindustria Moda for their demonstration of confidence in both myself and the Board: complex years lie ahead, but we are ready to make our contribution in support of Pitti Immagine’s trade fair initiatives, which represent excellence not only for Florence but also for the various sectors they serve.”
“I would also like to extend my best wishes for success to the outgoing board member Niccolò Ricci, newly appointed President of Polimoda, and to warmly welcome the new board members Laura Bosetti Tonatto, Paolo Carrai and Ivano Cauli.”
He further emphasized that this transition represents more than a routine leadership change: “In these recent months, we have worked closely with the shareholders, providing them with all the elements necessary for the strategic reflection that has now taken shape in the guidelines for the coming three-year period. At its core lies a dynamic balance between continuity and discontinuity, which defines this transition.
This is evident in the expansion of the Board to include entrepreneurs from sectors now integral to our portfolio, such as high-quality food and niche perfumery, as well as in the restructuring of top management. The responsibility entrusted to Cauli is significant, but his entrepreneurial experience, ability to manage innovation, and deep understanding of the organization provide strong reassurance.”
Global Uncertainty and Structural Shifts in the Trade Fair Industry
Vice President Antonella Mansi offered a broader perspective on the external environment: “I am convinced that the future of Pitti Immagine and the CFMI Group over the next 10–15 years is being shaped right now, in these two or three years. As we move beyond the past, we find ourselves in the midst of an industrial transition at both European and national levels, which must be managed carefully and without ideological bias.
There is a serious crisis in the international order, which is clearly reflected in the economy—particularly in trade and global mobility—and the fashion industry is no exception. In the trade fair sector, this is translating into changes in participation models and a consequent reduction in operating margins. As a result, cost control and the search for new opportunities have become essential.”
Her remarks highlight a critical shift in the traditional trade fair model, where evolving participation formats, margin pressures, and geopolitical instability are reshaping the industry landscape.
Organizational Evolution and the Next Generation
Under the new structure, experienced executives such as Agostino Poletto and Lapo Cianchi will continue to lead corporate strategy and communications, supporting the emergence of a new generation of leadership.
At the same time, governance structures across subsidiaries and affiliated organizations have been reaffirmed, reinforcing the Group’s overall operational framework.
Key Positions Held by Board Members
- Giovanni Basagni: President, Miniconf
- Stefano Borsini: General Manager, Manifattura Igea
- Laura Bosetti Tonatto: Founder, Essenzialmente Laura
- Ercole Botto Poala: CEO, Reda
- Paolo Carrai: CEO, La Via del Tè
- Ivano Cauli: Chief Executive Officer and General Manager, Pitti Immagine
- Antonio De Matteis: CEO, Kiton
- Marco Landi: CEO, Landi Confezioni
- Antonella Mansi: Director, Nuova Solmine
- Niccolò Moschini: Corporate Communications and Institutional Relations Director, Kering Italia
- Raffaello Napoleone: President, IT-EX
- Lorenzo Nencini: CEO, Incom
- Marco Palmieri: President, Piquadro
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