Mattteo Fantacchiotti, CEO of Italian Davide Campari – with Aperol and Campari in the product portfolio – is leaving with immediate effect.
The Campari share falls by 6 per cent after the unexpected departure.
Fantacchiotti, who took office as recently as last April, has cited personal reasons for the decision.
Campari has appointed Paolo Marchesini, the company's CFO, and chief lawyer Fabio Di Fede, as acting CEOs until a permanent CEO is found.