Change of leadership at the Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry FESI

After more than ten years as Secretary General of the FESI, Alberto Bichi is leaving his chair to take on other tasks within the EU. Jerome Pero, longstanding political director of the FESI, will assume the role of Secretary General. Pero is assisted by Youri Mercier as Deputy Secretary General.

"We wish Alberto Bichi all the best for his future work and we are delighted to welcome Jérôme and Youri to their important new roles", commented FESI President Luca Businaro on the personnel change.

Businaro himself announced that he would resign as president in order to have more time for his own company.

Frank Dassler, former President and General Counsel of FESI for Adidas AG, has agreed to take over as provisional FESI President.

"Luca Businaro has worked tirelessly to modernise FESI and we are very appreciative of the fact that that in addition to managing his own company and his President’s role of the Italian Sporting Goods Association ASSOSPORT, he has agreed to remain on FESI’s Board of Directors", said Dassler: "We will continue the work Luca started and look to roll out our strategic development programme ‘FESI 2.0’, where FESI will move from being a reactive lobbying force, to a proactive, agenda setting actor."

The new programme will be presented to FESI members for approval at the FESI General Assembly in November.

The Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry represents the European sporting goods industry and cooperates with all relevant political institutions, authorities and bodies. In addition, FESI represents the interests of its members in sports associations such as UEFA.