The new leadership of Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (Osn), the joint venture between Fincantieri (51%) and Leonardo (49%), has taken office.
The Shareholders’ Meeting of Osn renewed the company’s Board of Directors, “confirming the commitment to support the growth and development path undertaken in recent years,” states a released note. Therefore, the Assembly appointed Enrico Credendino as chairman, “a figure of high institutional and professional profile who brings to the company consolidated experience gained at the top of the Navy,” the note continues. From November 2021 to November 2025 Admiral Credendino served as Chief of Staff of the Navy.
Furthermore, the new board confirmed Giovanni Sorrentino as CEO, representing Fincantieri. In fact, since 2023 Sorrentino had taken the position of Osn CEO succeeding Dario Deste, general manager of Fincantieri’s Naval Division and CEO of the company jointly owned by Fincantieri and Leonardo since May 2022.
The decision comes “as a sign of continuity with the work carried out in the previous term and with the important results achieved in the just concluded three-year period,” the company statement explains.
All the details.
WHAT ORIZZONTE SISTEMI NAVALI DOES
The joint venture controlled by Fincantieri (51%) and Leonardo (49%) has been operating for over twenty years in the naval engineering and systems sector, designing and building military naval units, particularly corvettes, frigates, and aircraft carriers. Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (Osn) is the system integrator of the Italian-French Fremm Program for the construction of 10 frigates for the Italian Navy and, on the international market, of important programs for the construction of amphibious units and minehunters.
THE LEADERSHIP OF ORIZZONTE SISTEMI NAVALI
So now the company jointly owned by Fincantieri and Leonardo will be chaired by Admiral Enrico Credendino, and Giovanni Sorrentino will remain at the helm for a new term.
At the same time, Francesco Ciambra, representing Leonardo, was appointed general manager “with the aim of further contributing to the company’s development and strengthening path,” the note specifies.
THE NEW STRUCTURE
According to the company, “the new governance structure combines managerial continuity and enhancement of skills, laying the foundations to face future challenges and seize growth opportunities in the naval defense sector, in line with strategic objectives.”
THE BIOGRAPHY OF ENRICO CREDENDINO, TAKEN FROM THE NAVY WEBSITE
Born in Turin on January 21, 1963, he entered the Naval Academy in 1980, completing the Normal Course in 1984 with the rank of Ensign. He served on the cruiser Vittorio VENETO, the cruiser Andrea DORIA, and the missile destroyer ARDITO, with roles as Officer in Charge of artillery, missile systems, 1st Fire Director, and Operations Department Head.
He commanded the patrol vessel SPICA, the frigate MAESTRALE, the 1st Patrol Squadron – also serving as Reporting Officer of the Naval Command School – and the missile destroyer Francesco MIMBELLI.
His shore assignments include roles such as: Commander of the first and second class of Regular Role Cadets at the Naval Academy in Livorno; Officer in Charge of the General Planning Department of the Navy Staff; Director of Cadet Courses at the Naval Academy in Livorno; Head of the Alliances Policy Office of the Defense Staff; Deputy Head of the Third Department for Maritime Plans, Operations, and Strategy of the Navy Staff.
Promoted Rear Admiral on July 1, 2011, he held – until August 2013 – the positions of Deputy Commander of the High Seas Forces and Deputy Commander of the Italian Maritime Forces, Commander of the Italian-Spanish Amphibious Force, and Commander of the Italian Naval Group.
From August to December 2012, he commanded the European Naval Force EUNAVFOR engaged in the European Union anti-piracy operation “Atalanta”.
From September 2013 to May 17, 2015, he served as Head of the Third Department for Maritime Plans, Operations, and Strategy of the Navy Staff.
He was promoted Division Admiral on July 1, 2014, and Squadron Admiral on January 1, 2019.
From May 18, 2015, to February 20, 2020, he was Commander of the European Union operation “EUNAVFORMED – SOPHIA”.
From March 12, 2020, to July 15, 2021, he held the position of Commander of the Navy Schools, and from July 16 to November 5, 2021, that of Commander in Chief of the Naval Squadron.
On November 6, he assumed the role of Chief of Staff of the Navy.
In 1998-1999, he attended the “2nd Advanced Command and Staff Course” in the United Kingdom and in 2007-2008 the 59th Course in Higher Defense Studies at the Institute of Higher Defense Studies in Rome.
He earned a degree with honors in “Maritime and Naval Sciences” from the University of Pisa, a degree in “Political Science” from the University of Trieste, and a second-level master’s degree in “Security Advanced Studies” from the University of Perugia.
