Leadership Spotlight: Gianfranco Ludovici

Our latest Leadership Spotlight features Gianfranco Ludovici!

Gianfranco Ludovici is an established digital leader with an extensive marketing and commercial background. He has led businesses of different sizes, including start-ups as well as major global organisations across various industries. In addition to his industry experience, Gianfranco is also involved at Fulham Football Club, where he is a Co-Chair on the Fan Advisory Board.

In our Q&A with Gianfranco, he discusses his career to date, which has seen him work across the globe with the likes of eBay and Amazon, highlighting the differences between them. He also touches upon why the Digital Leaders Club is great for “challenging your thinking”, his role as a Co-Chair on the Fan Advisory Board at Fulham Football club, and the best career advice he’s received and why he’s excited about AI-generated video.

It's a packed Q&A – read it below.

Why did you join the Digital Leaders Club?

I joined the DLC to learn from some of the best digital minds out there and keep building a strong, diverse network. Digital is evolving fast, and being around people who challenge your thinking and share insights is incredibly energising.

What’s your career journey been like to date?

I kicked off in digital ad sales, spending seven years helping brands connect with audiences online. Then I made a big move and relocated to Zurich to lead EU marketing, business development, and partnerships at eBay. It gave me the international exposure I’d been craving. After four fantastic years abroad, I returned to the UK to head up marketing for eBay’s consumer selling business. That then led to Amazon, where I held several commercial marketing roles across both the retail and advertising divisions. It’s been a journey that’s combined creativity, commercial focus, and a lot of learning.

What do you love about working in digital?

The pace. Digital never stands still. There’s always something new to learn, test, or optimise, whether it’s a platform update, a shift in user behaviour, or a breakthrough in AI. I’m naturally curious, so working in a space that constantly evolves keeps me on my toes.

Tell us about your current position

Most recently, I served as CMO at a premium online auction platform catering to high-net-worth customers. We were reimagining how people buy and sell unique, extraordinary items, everything from rare watches to iconic Ferraris. It was a fantastic mix of brand storytelling, digital growth, and commercial impact.

You’re also a Co-Chair on the Fan Advisory Board at Fulham Football Club – can you tell us a bit more about that?

Absolutely. The Fan Advisory Board acts as a strategic bridge between Fulham FC and its supporters. We’ve got working groups across fan engagement, EDI, community, and club affairs. As Co-Chair, I help shape the agenda, connect the dots across those groups, and ensure fans’ voices are heard at every level of the club. It’s a passion project, Fulham’s my team, and it’s a privilege to help make a positive impact.

You’ve worked with some ecommerce giants — Amazon and eBay. How do they differ?

They share a lot more in common than people think; both are laser-focused on the customer, data-driven, and operate at scale. What stood out most to me was how each company tackles growth and problem-solving. At eBay, there was a strong focus on community and seller ecosystems. At Amazon, it’s all about relentless optimisation and operational excellence. Both allowed me to lead complex, high-impact initiatives, but from slightly different angles.

In your view, what’s the most important trait of a successful team?

Without sounding too cliché: Trust. Without it, everything slows down. With it, you get honest conversations, real collaboration, faster decisions, and the freedom to test and learn. It creates accountability without fear, and that’s when the magic happens.

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve received?

“If you can’t explain it to your mum simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”

It’s a great filter for strategy, storytelling, and leadership.

Which trend are you most excited to see in 2025 and beyond?

AI-generated video. The output from tools like Veo 3 is phenomenal. The idea that anyone with a spark of creativity can produce cinematic-quality video is wild, and it opens up huge storytelling potential for brands and individuals alike.

What are your hobbies away from work?

I’m happiest outdoors. I love the mountains, hiking, skiing, just being outside. I recently trekked to Everest Base Camp, which was as mentally rewarding as it was physically challenging.

What’s your plan for the future?

I’m focused on stepping into another leadership role where I can make a meaningful impact, driving growth, building strong teams, and helping shape the strategy while being hands-on.

What would you be doing (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?

Honestly? I would have loved to be a mountain guide in the Himalayas. I see a lot of similarities between organising a marketing department and high mountain expeditions.

Connect with Gianfranco on LinkedIn