Ferretti Group’s board of directors has officially named Stassi Anastassov as chief executive officer, with immediate effect.
The appointment caps a contentious, months-long boardroom battle for control of the luxury Italian shipbuilder.
In January 2026, Czech investor KKCG launched a voluntary partial tender offer to increase its stake, a move that eventually escalated by May into a proposed shareholder vote to replace board directors aligned with Weichai Group.
During last week’s dramatic annual general meeting, Ferretti ultimately backed Weichai Group, and confirmed the departure of CEO Alberto Galassi after 12 years in the role.
Shareholders appointed Tan Ning to lead the newly overhauled board of directors following Weichai’s 52.3 per cent victory vote.
Incoming Ferretti Group CEO
Anastassov joins Ferretti Group with an extensive track record of international corporate leadership spanning the consumer, industrial, and manufacturing sectors. Notably, he previously served as president and CEO of global battery manufacturer Duracell, which followed a 30-year career in senior executive roles at consumer goods multinational Procter & Gamble, where he managed operations across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East.
He currently serves as a non-executive director of JS Global Lifestyle and as a non-executive director of Better Shelter. Anastassov has frequently advised multinational corporations and investment firms on corporate governance, large-scale operational transformation, and long-term shareholder value creation. Born in Bulgaria, Anastassov holds dual Swedish and Swiss citizenship.
Tan Ning, chairman, says: “On behalf of the board, I thank shareholders for their continued trust and support. Ferretti Group enters this next phase with strong foundations, exceptional brands and significant long-term opportunities. The board remains fully committed to continuity, disciplined execution and the long-term development of the group. Under Anastassov’s leadership, the group will continue to strengthen its operational excellence, global positioning and long-term value creation while preserving the unique heritage and identity that define Ferretti Group.”
Anastassov said it was “an honour to be appointed chief executive officer of a unique company built on extraordinary brands, exceptional craftsmanship and talented people. Italy is and will remain the heart of Ferretti Group.”
He continued: “Our responsibility is to protect and strengthen that heritage while continuing to develop the Group as a truly global leader in luxury yachting. I look forward to building on the strong work achieved over recent years with humility, full dedication and a clear operational focus. Together with the management team and employees across the group, we will continue to execute our strategy with consistency, ambition and long-term perspective. Our commitment is first and foremost to the strength, stability and long-term success of the company. By serving the business well, we serve all shareholders, employees, customers and partners who contribute to Ferretti Group’s future.”
The board’s next meeting will be held on 19 May 2026 to review the company’s first-quarter 2026 results.
KKCG Maritime triggers Italian ‘golden power’ review over Ferretti Group
Following the annual general meeting, tensions continue.
On 15 May, Reuters reported that Czech investment firm KKCG Maritime has formally requested the Italian government review whether Ferretti Group has breached the country’s “golden power” regulations, which protect strategically important national assets.
The regulatory move follows a friction-filled start to the year; in January 2026, KKCG launched a voluntary partial tender offer to acquire a further 15.4 per cent stake in Ferretti’s total share capital. The bid drew opposition from the group’s controlling Chinese shareholder, Weichai Group, with Ferretti rejecting the offer shortly after.
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