Alexandre
Two days after the the thunderclap caused by Carlos Tavares' sudden resignation, Stellantis announces the composition of its Interim Executive Committee (IEC). Responsible for ensuring continuity of operations under the chairmanship of John Elkann, The IEC is made up of key figures in the organization, chosen to stabilize the Group until the appointment of a new CEO, scheduled for the first half of 2025.
Management under close scrutiny
The Interim Executive Committee, chaired by John Elkann, includes managers with proven track records with Stellantis or its parent companies, PSA and FCA. This choice reflects a desire for continuity and balance at a time of turbulence for one of the world's leading automakers.
Here are the main members and their responsibilities:
- Xavier Chéreau Human Resources and Heritage
- Ned Curic : Engineering, Technology, Software and Free2move
- Arnaud Deboeuf : Manufacturing and Supply Chain
- Antonio Filosa Americas (North and South), Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, Ram brands, and Maserati design in North America
- Béatrice Foucher : Planning
- Jean-Philippe Imparato Europe: enlarged Europe and supervision of European brands, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Citroën, DS, Fiat, Lancia, Opel, and Peugeot
- Douglas Ostermann : Finance
- Maxime Picat Purchasing, supplier quality, and regions in the Middle East, Africa, India, Asia-Pacific and China
- Philippe de Rovira Affiliates
These members will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the group, while looking ahead to a strategic relaunch.
Proven talent in a difficult environment
The composition of this IRC highlights a number of rising stars, including Jean-Philippe Imparatowhose role has been further expanded after a career at the helm of Alfa Romeo and, more recently, Stellantis Europe. His appointment to this committee confirms the confidence placed in him by the Board of Directors, chaired by John Elkann, and in the company. could make him a candidate for CEO.
Strategic support: executive vice-presidents
To support the IEC, several executive vice-presidents will report directly to John Elkann:
- Bertrand Blaise : Communication and Corporate Social Responsibility
- Olivier Bourges Customer Experience
- Giorgio Fossati : Legal advice
- Santo Ficili Maserati and Alfa Romeo
- Olivier François Global marketing and management of the Fiat, Abarth and DS brands
- Clara Ingen-Housz Public Affairs
Finally, Richard Palmer, as special advisor, will play a strategic support role to ensure a smooth transition.
A team mainly from PSA
A striking detail in the composition of this IEC: the majority of members come from PSA, testifying to the cultural and managerial heritage of the former French group in the current organization. Exceptions include Doug Ostermannformerly of FCA, Antonio Filosa Jeep, and Ned Curicfrom Amazon.
With this team in place, Stellantis aims to reassure investorsemployees and partners. The IRC's mission will be to manage immediate challenges while preparing the ground for the future CEO. The selection process, managed by a special committee of the Board of Directors, should be completed in the first half of 2025. It will be interesting to see if John Elkann himself will present Stellantis' 2024 results in February 2025, and if in a few months, a revised Dare Forward 2030 plan will be presented.
What's the point of parting with Scrooge if you're going to continue with the same team?
To replace C. Tavares, we'll need to choose a "big brain" with a polytechnic profile.
A priori the tendency would be to favour an internal candidate and in this case there are 3 to 4 serious candidates:
Maxime Picat, a graduate of the Ecole Polytechnique, is currently Director of Purchasing and Suppliers, as well as Head of the Africa, Middle East, India, Asia and China regions. He made a name for himself with his performance in China (PSA sold 700,000 cars a year in China when he managed this zone for Peugeot and Citroën); he was also a great boss of the Peugeot brand and is much appreciated by the group's managers and employees;
Antonio Filosa, who also has a strong intellectual background and is currently Director of North and South America. He's an ex-Fca from Jeep. He's a rising star within the Group;
Nid Curic is American and Serbian. He comes from the tech world (he's an Amazon defector) and heads up R&D in the broadest sense. His appointment could tip the Stellantis group towards tech and be appreciated by the market and investors. But he doesn't have a detailed knowledge of the automotive industry.
The other board members are less well placed to take on the CEO role.
Imparato inherited the European zone and Pro One, the group's highly profitable Vul subsidiary. But his initial training, his profile and his recent career ("simple" brand manager) seem a little inadequate for the position of Ceo. The same goes for O François.
I have the impression that some people don't really know polytechnicians, because like everywhere else, it's true that there are some good ones, but there are many who are out of touch, and I know what I'm talking about, I've already given.
I don't know if the presence of Maxime Picat on this board will reassure the employees...