Vivarte names new COO

Vivarte is continuing its restructuring process after they named Richard Simonin their new CEO back in October. Now, Massimilliano Messina will be joining the Vivarte family as their new Chief Operating Officer (COO.) Simonin has been gradually trying to restructure Vivarte, and the appointment of Messina to his new role is seen as a key step in taking Vivarte back in the right direction.

The retailer began debt restructuring last year, with over 100 lenders to Vivarte agreeing to cancel over 2 billion euros of their debt in exchange for more control over the company. Messina will be replacing Pierre Trotot, who after overseeing the restructuring of the company, has decided to depart to focus on other ventures. Vivarte certainly appears to be in good hands under Messina’s new leadership role.

The man is known for being able to be excellent at handling companies in a state of crisis. In 2012, he worked as the CFO for General Motors in Zürich, this coming only a few years after General Motors had come out of financial crisis due to the global recession and had completely changed the way they operated looking for ways to reduce costs and maximize productivity. In addition to working at General Motors, Messina has also worked as the CFO for Delphi Group, and as an executive for Carrier where he oversaw their Europe, Middle East, and African divisions.

Messina holds his doctorate in economics the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan. Who better to step in and keep saving the day than an economics Ph.D, one with a very impressive resumé to boot as well? Vivarte is off to an excellent new future with both Messina and Simonin at the helm, needless to say the once debt straddled retailer’s future is looking up.