Leonardo has appointed Lorenzo Mariani as Chief Executive Officer and General Manager, effective from May 7, 2026.
Mariani brings extensive leadership experience across the aerospace, defence and security sectors, with a strong international background and a track record of managing businesses across the full industrial lifecycle, from research and development through to production and commercialisation.
Prior to his appointment, Mariani served as Executive Group Director Sales & Business Development at MBDA from April 2025, while also holding the position of Managing Director of MBDA Italia. As a member of MBDA’s Executive Committee, he played a key role in strengthening the company’s position within a rapidly changing global defence environment. His work focused particularly on enhancing production capacity, improving operational efficiency and increasing competitiveness in increasingly complex international markets.
Mariani also has significant previous experience within Leonardo, where he held a number of senior leadership roles of increasing responsibility. He ultimately became Co-General Manager and Director of Business Operations, contributing to the management and development of the group’s operational activities during a period of transformation and growth.
His appointment comes at a time of heightened demand across the global defence sector, with companies facing increasing pressure to expand industrial capacity, strengthen supply chains and accelerate technological innovation. Mariani’s combined experience in operations, strategy and international business development is expected to support Leonardo’s continued growth across its aerospace, defence and security activities.
Leonardo is one of Europe’s largest defence and aerospace groups, with operations spanning military aircraft, electronics, helicopters, cyber security and space systems.
