Italian brand Next Yacht Group, owner of AB Yachts and Maiora, has announced the appointment of Sebastiano Fanizza as its new chief executive officer (CEO), effective 2 April.
Born in 1978, Fanizza has held leadership roles, beginning in the automotive industry at Iveco, before pivoting to the yachting industry, where he distinguished himself through his strategic vision and commercial capabilities.
Fanizza joined Italian yard Azimut in 2005 and became the sales and service director for the EMEA and APAC regions, strengthening the brand’s presence in Asia, with a particular focus on the Chinese market. After a decade at Azimut, he then joined Finnish builder Nautor Swan as commercial and business development director in 2015 at the invitation of Leonardo Ferragamo, where he restructured the sales network and drove significant growth in the order book.
In 2018, he returned to the Azimut-Benetti Group as chief commercial officer of Benetti at the request of Paolo Vitelli, where he played a pivotal role in consolidating the Italian yard's leadership in the superyacht segment.
A spokesperson for Next Yacht Group suggested Fanizza has demonstrated an ability to anticipate market trends, embrace technological innovation and focus on enhancing the customer experience. The yard hopes his appointment as CEO will "strengthen the commercial, communication, marketing and product innovation areas, while consolidating and expanding the distinctive position of the Maiora and AB Yachts brands on the international yachting scene".
"Taking the helm at Next Yacht Group is more than just a new chapter in my career; it’s a chance to shape the future of a company with extraordinary potential," said Fanizza. "I’m excited to work alongside a great team to bring new energy to two extraordinary brands like Maiora and AB Yachts. Together, we will continue to push boundaries, blending Italian craftsmanship with smart innovation to offer our clients something that truly reflects their vision of life at sea, and from that experience, we are already imagining a new way of living onboard, beyond today’s conventions."
Next Yacht Group was founded in 2021 and has seen a 110 per cent increase in its workforce and the acquisition of new production sites in 2024.
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