Biography
Giovanni Ferrero is executive chairman of his family's namesake confections business, which boasts $20 billion in annual sales. The firm is best known for its iconic Nutella chocolate-hazelnut spread, Kinder chocolates and Tic Tac mints. Giovanni served as co-CEO with his brother, Pietro, who died of a heart attack in 2011. In 2017 he stepped down as CEO but stayed on as executive chairman to focus on corporate strategy. Ferrero acquired Nestle's entire U.S. confections business in 2018 for $2.8 billion. In 2025 it acquired WK Kellogg, the makers behind Corn Flakes and Rice Krispies, for $3.1 billion.