MILAN—In what the company describes as a move to “simplify its organizational and governance structure,” Luxottica Group (MTA:LUX) announced today the departure of Massimo Vian, who has been CEO for products and operations of the group, three months before his term expires. The Group will consolidate executive responsibilities in the hands of the executive chairman Leonardo Del Vecchio and the deputy chairman Francesco Milleri, who also assumes the position of chief executive officer. Stefano Grassi, chief financial officer of the group, has been appointed to Luxottica’s board of directors.

"We thank Massimo for his contributions over the past 13 years. He brought passion and energy to defining a modern and innovative operations organization,” said Del Vecchio, the company’s founder, who added, “Also, thanks to him today, Luxottica has a strong team of managers who share the same focus on quality and innovation. We wish him every success in his future professional endeavors."

“We have almost completed the Group’s reorganization and simplification process, which was started more than three years ago. We have gone through a number of intermediate steps to give the organization the time to absorb and optimize the numerous business and production innovations,” Del Vecchio’s statement continued. “We are closing an extraordinary year but my satisfaction is enhanced by the many positive signs experienced daily from our strategic initiatives: the new digital and e-commerce organization, advancements in technological innovation and processes, the opening of our central laboratories for the production of lenses and commercial policies that protect the value of our brands. Today's decision aims at making Luxottica even faster and more proactive, with the Group’s leadership focused on strategies and an articulated geographical organization that is closer to the needs of all our customers. We are preparing for major opportunities ahead and approaching with the best set-up a new chapter in our history with our French partners at Essilor."

Said Vian, “I thank Luxottica and its chairman Leonardo Del Vecchio for this journey which lasted 13 years. It has been a real privilege to grow internally within the Group, working side by side with great men and women, and year after year to achieve extraordinary results. I leave the office close to the expiration of my term, aware of my contribution, and wish that the new chapter of the great history of Luxottica will continue to be rich and full of successes."