The National Association of Italian Footwear Manufacturers (ANCI) has named Vito Artioli as its new president for a two-year period running from 2007 to 2009.

A shoe designer and pattern cutter, Mr Artioli worked in the USA before joining the family footwear firm, Calzaturificio Star in Tradate, in the province of Varese where, as sole director, he oversees all company operations, from the creation of models to execution, following production, administration and marketing around the world.

He is also sole director of several joint-stock companies in the footwear, real estate, hotel and healthcare sectors, and of the holding company Information Tecnology Srl.

During his career he has served as chairman of the Varese Chamber of Commerce and the Foreign Centre of the Lombardy Chambers of Commerce. He also currently heads the Consortium for Promotion of Fashion and Shoes, and the Consortium of Italian High-Fashion Shoes.

He will be joined by four newly-elected vice presidents of ANCI: Franco Ballini of Calzaturificio Ballin F. & C., Andrea Brotini of Pakerson, Lino Fornari of Fornari and Angelo Giannini of Angelo Giannini.