Maranello: Ferrari N.V. announced the appointment of the tech-savvy Benedetto Vigna as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with effect from the 1st of September. Ferrari sought to bring in an innovative and technologically sound personality at the helm. This is done to largely usher in the era of electric vehicles and position Ferrari as a leading powerhouse in automotive technology.
Vigna currently serves as the President of the Analog, MEMS (Micro-electromechanical Systems) and Sensors Group – the largest division of the Franco-Italian chipmaker, STMicroelectronics (ST Group). He is also a Member of the ST Group’s Executive Committee.
Commenting on the appointment, John Elkann, Chairman of Ferrari said: “We’re delighted to welcome Benedetto Vigna as our new Ferrari CEO. His deep understanding of the technologies driving much of the change in our industry, and his proven innovation, business-building and leadership skills, will further strengthen Ferrari and its unique story of passion and performance, in the exciting era ahead.”
An Italian national with extensive international experience working with some of the world’s leading technology companies, Mr Vigna, 52, graduated cum laude in physics from the University of Pisa. He joined ST in 1995, founded the company’s MEMS activities and went on to establish ST’s market leadership in motion-activated user interfaces. His responsibilities were expanded to include connectivity, imaging, and power solutions. He piloted a series of successful moves into new business areas, focusing on the industrial and automotive market segments. He is also, the face behind Apple’s iconic ‘tilt’ technology.
Benedetto Vigna commented: “It’s a special honour to be joining Ferrari as its CEO and I do so with an equal sense of excitement and responsibility. Excitement at the great opportunities that are there to be captured. And with a profound sense of responsibility towards the extraordinary achievements and capabilities of the men and women of Ferrari, to all the company’s stakeholders and to everyone around the world for whom Ferrari is such a unique passion.”
