FiberCop faces leadership standoff over new CEO appointment

FiberCop, the telecommunications infrastructure company controlled by KKR with investment from the Italian government, is facing a leadership standoff regarding the appointment of a new CEO. While KKR has proposed Marco Nespolo for the role, the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) has reportedly expressed opposition to the choice.

Other candidates under consideration include Paolo Gallo, current CEO of Italgas, and Stefano Siragusa, a former TIM network executive. The search for a permanent leader follows the departure of Luigi Ferraris, leaving current President Massimo Sarmi to manage operational duties.

The leadership transition occurs amid significant financial and operational challenges. FiberCop reported a loss of over 200 million euros in 2025, and current projections suggest a potential EBITDA deficit of 150 to 200 million euros for the current year. Additionally, the company is engaged in legal disputes with TIM regarding the pricing of the network sale completed in July 2024. The company has also experienced high turnover among senior management, with several executives lacking specific experience in network infrastructure.