– Fiat, Abarth and Lancia placed under one chief executive
– European marketing responsibility brought into the expanded role
– Outgoing brand chief to remain as Stellantis strategic adviser
– Fiat, Abarth and Lancia placed under one chief executive
– European marketing responsibility brought into the expanded role
– Outgoing brand chief to remain as Stellantis strategic adviser
Stellantis has placed Fiat, Abarth and Lancia under a single chief executive as part of a European leadership change combining brand management with responsibility for regional marketing.
Arnaud Belloni will lead all three brands while also becoming Stellantis chief marketing officer for Europe, reporting to Emanuele Cappellano, chief operating officer for Europe.
The combined remit brings European marketing and the future direction of three dealer-facing brands under one senior executive as Stellantis seeks to strengthen its positioning across the region.
Olivier François will work with Belloni until mid-October to complete the transition before continuing to support Stellantis as a strategic adviser.
Three brands, one leadership role
Belloni is returning to Stellantis after previously spending 16 years with its Italian and French brands.
He began his career at Renault in 1994, working on corporate identity before moving into aftersales product and regional management. He joined Volkswagen Group France in 1999, progressing from Škoda product and supply management to become the brand’s French marketing director.
Belloni moved to Fiat in 2004 as Fiat and Lancia brand marketing director for France and became managing director of Lancia France two years later. From 2011, he spent four years in Shanghai as Asia-Pacific vice-president of marketing for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ portfolio, including Jeep, Chrysler, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Abarth and Dodge.
He subsequently led Citroën’s global marketing, communications and motorsport activities from 2015 to 2020. His tenure included the introduction of the ‘Inspired by You’ brand strategy, new digital and retail formats and the launches of models including the Ami, C3, C5 Aircross and Berlingo.
Belloni returned to Renault Group in November 2020 as global chief marketing officer and later added responsibility for branding across all its marques. He oversaw Renault’s repositioning, the revival of the R4 and R5 nameplates, the introduction of the E-Tech and Renew sub-brands and marketing programmes for Dacia and Alpine.
His work also extended to Renault’s retail concepts, digital customer journey, cultural projects and heritage activity.
Cappellano said: “We are delighted to welcome Arnaud back to Stellantis. His global perspective, creative leadership and deep knowledge of our brands will be invaluable assets, as we strengthen marketing across Europe and shape the next chapter for Fiat, Abarth and Lancia.”
For franchised dealers, Belloni’s combined responsibilities could provide closer alignment between the three brands’ product positioning, customer communications and wider European marketing strategies.
François moves into advisory role
François is stepping back from his existing executive responsibilities after more than 30 years in senior positions across Stellantis and its predecessor businesses.
His previous roles included chief executive of Chrysler, Fiat, Abarth, DS Automobiles and Lancia, as well as global chief marketing officer.
Stellantis credited François with shaping brand strategies and developing advertising campaigns across several of its marques. As a strategic adviser, he will continue to contribute to a broader range of issues including brand and product strategy.
Stellantis chief executive Antonio Filosa said: “On behalf of the entire Stellantis team, I want to thank Olivier for his many years of outstanding contributions and leadership across our brands and marketing organization. We wish him every success in his next career chapter and look forward to continuing to benefit from his experience and expertise as a strategic advisor to our company.”
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