Giovanni Perissinotto was discouraged. Mario Greco will take his place as CEO. The support of Diego Della Valle (who defined the affair as a "mess to be explained") was not enough the US endorsement of former ambassador Mel Sembler. At the vote on the no-confidence of the CEO of Generali, raised by Mediobanca and by the shareholders Leonardo Del Vecchio and Lorenzo Pelliccioli, 16 of the group's 17 councilors were presentinternal manager Reinfried Pohl is absent. Five councilors voted against, Sergio Balbinot abstained.
Perissinotto, 33-year career in Trieste that started immediately after graduation, 11 of which as CEO, left the Milan office of the Lion without making a statement. The board revoked the powers of CEO, but there was no resignation by Perissinotto (who in recent days in a letter he explained his reasons to the directors): the manager will therefore remain on the board of directors of Generali. While the board of directors decided to terminate the employment relationship as general manager. In the note released shortly after the end of the board meeting, the Leone board of directors affirms that the revocation of the powers of CEO was resolved "because of the need to operate an initiative of managerial discontinuity".
“Perhaps whoever raised this fuss should have taken into account above all what all this entails in terms of credibility outside Italy“, he said entering the board of directors the owner of Tod's who announced his resignation at the end of the board meeting: the letter will already be on President Galateri's table on Monday. "I didn't agree on what we wanted to do, in form and substance - he explained - I find that everything could have been done better by preserving the image of our society and, above all, of our country which in these moments has need to attract investors and not worry them. I take note of those who have decided differently, this is democracy: since I don't agree, I have also told my friends on the board, on Monday I will send my letter of resignation as director of Generali”.
The clash at the top has been defined as a "civil council", in the sense that "there was nothing in particular except a confrontation" by Claudio De Conto, the independent director indicated by Mediobanca. “Everyone is worried about the future of the company – he commented – let's hope that the right choice has been made”. Now the powers pass temporarily to President Galateri pending the appointment of Greco, former Mckinsey manager, a past at Ras then at Sanpaolo Imi and finally at Zurich. "The Board of Directors - reads the note - has resolved to propose to Mario Greco his appointment as General Manager and Group CEO, which will take place after his co-option in the Board of Directors following the termination of his employment relationship with the Zurich group" .
