Enel board approves far-right Italian government’s pick for CEO

Italian utility Enel’s newly elected board has approved the appointment of Flavio Cattaneo as the company’s new CEO and general manager.

The Italian government – which owns a 23.6% stake in Enel – had proposed Cattaneo as a replacement for long-term CEO Francesco Starace.

Far-right politician Giorgia Meloni has led the coalition government in Italy since a general election last Autumn.

Cattaneo has previously held leadership positions with high-speed rail operator Italo, Telecom Italia and grid operator Terna. 

He was elected to Enel’s board at a shareholder meeting earlier this week, and appointed as CEO at the newly formed board’s first meeting today (12 May).