Italian government moves to oust Leonardo chief executive

The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has formally proposed the removal of Roberto Cingolani as Chief Executive Officer of the state-controlled aerospace and defense giant Leonardo in Rome this week, aiming to install the company's former Chief Commercial Officer, Lorenzo Mariani, in his place. This move represents a significant intervention by the state, which holds a 30% stake in Leonardo through the Ministry of Economy and Finance, into the leadership of one of Italy's most strategically important industrial champions. The proposal, which requires approval from Leonardo's board of directors, is seen as part of a broader effort by the Meloni administration to assert greater influence over key national assets and align their strategic direction with government priorities. Roberto Cingolani, a physicist and former Italian Minister for Ecological Transition, was appointed CEO in May 2023 with a mandate to drive the company's technological innovation and green transition. His potential ouster after less than two years suggests a shift in the government's focus, possibly towards more immediate commercial and industrial objectives within the defense and aerospace sectors. The intended successor, Lorenzo Mariani, brings a deep background in defense systems and international sales from his previous role as head of Leonardo's electronics, defense, and security systems division and later as Chief Commercial Officer. His appointment would signal a potential re-prioritization towards strengthening Leonardo's core defense business and its competitive position in global markets, particularly as European defense spending rises in response to geopolitical instability. The leadership change, if ratified, could have substantial implications for Leonardo's partnerships, including its pivotal role in multinational programs like the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) with the UK and Japan.