6. Benedetto Vigna

Benedetto Vigna joined Ferrari on September 1, 2021, from STMicroelectronics (“ST”), where he is currently President of its Analog, MEMS (Micro-electromechanical Systems) and Sensors Group, ST’s largest and most profitable operating business in 2020. He is also a Member of the ST Group’s Executive Committee.

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Mr Vigna (born April 10 1969, in Potenza) is an Italian physicist and businessman. After graduating as a physicist from the University of Pisa in 1993, in 1995, he started working for STMicroelectronics, beginning the company’s commitment to microelectromechanical systems.

He is the inventor of a three-dimensional motion sensor which was initially applied to the airbags of automobiles. After reducing its size and cost, the sensor was used in the console’s wireless controls for the Nintendo Wii. Vigna was one of twelve finalists for the “European Inventor 2010” award, which the European Patent Organization gave. This was because of this invention. In his career, he has registered more than one hundred patents.

John Elkann, Chairman of Ferrari, commented on the appointment: “We’re delighted to welcome Benedetto Vigna as our new Ferrari CEO. His deep understanding of the technologies driving much of the change in our industry, and his proven innovation, business-building, and leadership skills, will further strengthen Ferrari and its unique story of passion and performance in the exciting era ahead.”

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An Italian national with extensive international experience working with some of the world’s leading technology companies, Mr Vigna, 52, graduated cum laude in physics from the University of Pisa. In 1995, he started working for ST. He started the company’s MEMS activities and made ST the market leader in motion-activated user interfaces. His responsibilities were expanded to include connectivity, imaging and power solutions. He led a series of successful moves into new business areas, focusing on the industrial and automotive markets.

Benedetto Vigna commented: “It’s a special honour to be joining Ferrari as its CEO, and I do so with an equal sense of excitement and responsibility. Excitement at the great opportunities that are there to be captured. And with a profound sense of responsibility towards the extraordinary achievements and capabilities of the men and women of Ferrari, to all the company’s stakeholders and to everyone around the world for whom Ferrari is such a unique passion.”

In his role as CEO, Mr Vigna’s priority is to ensure that Ferrari continues to build on its leadership position as the creator of the world’s most beautiful and technically advanced cars. His unique knowledge gained over 26 years working at the heart of the semiconductor industry, rapidly transforming the automotive sector, will accelerate Ferrari’s ability to pioneer the application of next-generation technologies.