Prada Appoints Rosa Santamaria Maurizio as Chief People Officer
Prada, led by CEO Andrea Guerra, undergoes a significant transformation in its human resources department with the appointment of Rosa Santamaria Maurizio as Chief People Officer. Rosa Santamaria Maurizio takes the reins from Stefano Rastrelli, who held the position for a decade. Her arrival signals a strategic move to strengthen the human resources function within the renowned Italian luxury group.
Reporting directly to CEO Andrea Guerra, Rosa Santamaria Maurizio assumes a pivotal role in shaping the cultural growth and organizational development of the Prada Group. Her appointment aims to drive the evolution of human resources practices, as highlighted in the official press release.
Rosa Santamaria Maurizio brings a wealth of experience, holding a degree in engineering from Rome’s La Sapienza University. Her career journey commenced as a consultant with Ernst & Young, and she further honed her HR expertise during her tenure at the US pharmaceutical group Bristol Myers Squibb. Her extensive HR leadership continued at American Express, where she managed human resources across multiple regions, including Europe, Turkey, and South Africa. In 2020, she ventured into the luxury sector, assuming the role of Head of Human Resources at the prestigious Roman fashion label, Valentino.
Rosa Santamaria Maurizio’s appointment coincides with Prada’s robust recovery, overseeing brands such as Prada, Miu Miu, Car Shoe, and Church’s. The company’s first-half performance in the current year showcases significant growth, with a 17% increase in revenue, reaching €2.23 billion, and a remarkable 62% surge in net profit, totaling €305 million.
The creative landscape at Prada has also witnessed changes, with Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons leading the main Prada line. After more than four decades of dedicated service, Fabio Zambernardi, the Head of Design at Prada and Miu Miu since 2002, is preparing to depart from the Milan-based firm in October.
