Three questions for Gianguido Girotti, Groupe Beneteau Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Boat Division Chief Executive Officer.
WHO ARE YOU GIANGUIDO GIROTTI?
I oversee the global strategy for Groupe Beneteau’s Boat division, with 9 brand including world leaders such as BENETEAU, JEANNEAU, LAGOON and PRESTIGE, as well as other high-potential brands like EXCESS, DELPHIA and FOUR WINNS. These brands all work together to make Groupe Beneteau a world leader with unrivaled expertise, expressed through the unique personality of its range of over 135 models.
On a more personal note, I was born in Italy, into a family of boat aficionados. Our Italian culture is precious, because we have a keen sense of beauty. We are fortunate to be surrounded by it, everywhere, all the time.
This is something that has really shaped me and guides me each day.Take a map of Italy: I think this might be linked to the fact that we are surrounded by the sea!
I like to think I was destined to work in this area, and I simply cannot imagine any other life. Put me on a boat and you will see a happy man, without fail!
WHAT DOES THIS ANNIVERSARY MEAN FOR YOU?
It goes without saying that I was not here when this adventure began, in fact, far from it. And yet, when you join Groupe Beneteau, you feel part of this history, these values, this daring approach, no matter where you come from.
As I mentioned, I come from a family where boats are a big part of our life. My grandfather was a naval architect, and I followed in his footsteps. Groupe Beneteau is a flagship that is about much more than its Vendée roots, much more than a family story.
It is a company with universal values that are shared by everyone who is passionate about boats. It is an incredible source of pride to be celebrating the 140th anniversary of this Group, which is the most beautiful symbol of an entire sector.
HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE OF BOATING?
The main challenge for me is to remain true to the Group’s core values. Our DNA is about making the inaccessible accessible. We believe that spending time on board boats is a leisure activity that should be as widely accessible as possible!
With this in mind, Groupe Beneteau produces boats of all sizes, and for all budgets, as it has always done. And we are looking beyond this, because owning a boat should not be the only way of enjoying our shared resource that is represented by the sea.
That is why we are developing affordable rental services, investing in refurbished boats, creating synergies with innovative players and, above all, putting all our energy into a common cause: decarbonization.
Technology is enabling us to move towards more sustainable boating, by optimizing journeys and producing boats that are more environmentally efficient, from their design to their use, and creating new practices. It is the entire sector, the entire business model, that we are rethinking
