Filipe Barbosa has been appointed CEO of Australian gelato franchise, Gelatissimo, following the departure of co-founders and joint CEOs, Domenico and Marco Lopresti.

The Lopresti brothers founded Gelatissimo is 2002 as a single gelateria in Sydney, with investment from John and Stanley Roth through Henroth Investments. There are 29 Gelatissimo stores in Australia and 12 stores internationally, including sites in the Middle East and South East Asia.

“Our time at Gelatissimo has been the most exciting and fulfilling of our lives, but we think it is the right time for the company to introduce new leadership,” said Domenico Lopresti.

“Marco and I joined the business when it was just a newborn, but our baby has grown and is now standing, confident and strong. Like all good parents, we know when it is time to let go.”

Stanley Roth, owner of Gelatissimo, said he was confident Barbosa, who has been with the company since its inception, has the management and leadership skills to guide Gelatissimo through the next phase of its Australian and international growth.

“We chose Filipe because he understands the heritage of the business; where we have come from, what we stand for, and how that needs to be taken into the future,” said Roth.

“We want to reassure Gelatissimo employees, franchisees, and customers that our commitment to producing the finest artisan gelato is unchanged and it will be business as usual under Filipe’s stewardship.We would also like to publicly acknowledge the wonderful contribution Domenico and Marco have made to Gelatissimo and from one set of brothers to another, we wish them all the success and happiness they deserve.”