In partnership with the Loro Piana Family, Giovanni Cagnoli, President of the Industrial Investment Holding Company Carisma, recently became a shareholder of CdM. Our Press Officer Maria Roberta Morso interviewed Mr. Cagnoli to get an insight on the reasons behind his decision of becoming a shareholder of CdM.

MRM: Did you first become a client or a partner of CdM?

GC: Initially, I became a client of CdM. I was drawn to their unique approach and high standards which actually confirmed the high reputation that the shipyard has among my fellow yacht owners. Since my first meeting with Vasco, my experience as a client allowed me to witness firsthand the company's values, professionalism, and commitment to excellence. This positive interaction inspired me to deepen my involvement and take the significant step of becoming a partner, as I saw great potential in contributing to CdM's future success.

MRM: We would like to know better how you and your company operate, what are your fields of action and approach.

GC: Carisma is a forward-thinking industrial investment holding company dedicated to fostering growth and innovation among small and medium-sized Italian enterprises. Its unique approach focuses on unlocking the potential of individual companies by integrating them into a cohesive, synergistic ecosystem. This methodology enhances operational efficiency, fosters knowledge sharing, and drives collective growth across the group. Each company's identity is preserved and celebrated as a crucial element of the Group's overall strength, ensuring that individuality contributes to collective excellence. Unlike conventional investment models that often operate within tight timeframes, Carisma adopts a long-term perspective, free from time constraints. This strategic flexibility enables the Group to foster sustainable growth, allowing businesses the time and resources needed to fully realize their potential.

MRM: What were the reasons behind your decision to become a partner, and what positive contributions do you believe you can bring to CdM?

GC: My decision to join CdM as a partner was primarily motivated by my strong belief in its vision and the alignment of its goals with my own expertise. Over the past decade, I have dedicated my career to supporting and guiding businesses in their growth and development. This experience has equipped me with a deep understanding of how to navigate challenges, implement strategies, and foster sustainable progress. By bringing this expertise to CdM, I believe I can contribute meaningfully to its continued growth, ensuring the company maintains its reputation for quality and innovation while evolving to meet future opportunities

MRM: We know your relationship with the management team is strong, but was it more challenging to align your goals with those of Tom Schroder and Fil Bros top management?

GC: Not at all. One of the reasons for our seamless collaboration is that Tom and I share a clear and unified vision for CdM. We both prioritize enhancing the company's quality and excellence rather than simply focusing on expansion or becoming larger. This shared perspective has made it easy to find alignment and work towards common objectives. Our mutual respect and strong communication have been key in ensuring a productive and harmonious partnership.

MRM: What boat are you currently building, when is it expected to be delivered, and who is handling the interior design?

GC: I am incredibly excited to be overseeing the development of my Flexplorer 165, a groundbreaking project that embodies innovation, sophistication, and impeccable craftsmanship in yacht design. This isn't just another build, it is a statement of what is possible when engineering excellence meets artistic vision. The delivery is slated for 2027, and we are making excellent progress, ensuring every detail is perfected to meet the highest standards of quality and performance.

Let me add that I am very happy for having brought into the project's team the interior design HUS Studio based in Como and Milan. I have already worked with them on many projects and I am sure that their creativity and taste genius as a base of the design of the interiors of my explorer vessel will add a fresh, contemporary aesthetic that perfectly complements the yacht's cutting-edge design. I am confident the final result will be nothing short of extraordinary.

Giovanni Cagnoli

Giovanni Cagnoli is President and shareholder of Carisma SpA.
CEO and founder of Bain & Company Italy since 2017. He has been involved in the development of both internal and external strategies and restructurings for several private and public companies. He has been particularly active in the development and definition of turnaround plans and the creation of value for shareholders of large organization and leading Italian industrial families.
He obtained an MBA from the Sloan School of Management at MIT in Boston and graduated in Business Administration at Bocconi University in Milan.