Marchesi 1824 is entering a new phase with the appointment of Ivan Haller as its new chief executive officer, bringing a seasoned luxury hospitality executive into the leadership of one of Milan’s most historic confectionery names.
Haller joins the Prada Group-owned patisserie after a 25-year career across some of the world’s most exclusive hospitality businesses. His appointment signals a continued focus on elevating not only Marchesi 1824’s celebrated products, but also the service and experience surrounding them.
According to the company, Haller will focus on the quality of the offering, service and overall guest experience as he takes charge of the historic Milanese brand.
His background makes the appointment particularly notable. Haller has worked across some of the most prestigious names in international luxury hospitality, developing expertise in food and beverage operations, culinary strategy, openings and large-scale hospitality projects.
During his career, he served as global head of food and beverage operations and development at Aman, one of the world’s best-known luxury hospitality groups. He also contributed to the culinary strategy of Janu, Aman’s sister brand, and helped lead the food and beverage opening of Aman New York.
Before his time with Aman, Haller held senior roles with Four Seasons and other luxury hospitality organisations, with his career taking him across markets including Abu Dhabi, Phuket and Miami.
For the past three years, he has served as president of Nexus Luxury Collection in the Bahamas. In that role, he was responsible for hospitality and food and beverage initiatives across the group’s portfolio, including Albany. His work included overseeing development and opening projects in London, New York and St Andrews, as well as partnerships involving Michelin-starred chefs.
That experience could prove particularly valuable at Marchesi 1824, where the product itself is only one part of the brand experience.
Founded in Milan in 1824, Marchesi 1824 has built its reputation around traditional Italian confectionery, craftsmanship and a strong sense of hospitality. Its heritage makes it considerably more than a conventional pastry business, with its cafés and products occupying a distinctive position within Milan’s luxury landscape.
Prada has held an 80% stake in Marchesi 1824 since 2014, bringing the historic confectionery house into the orbit of one of Italy’s most influential luxury groups.
The connection has allowed Marchesi 1824 to preserve its heritage while developing its presence within a contemporary luxury environment. Haller’s appointment adds another layer to that evolution, particularly given his extensive experience in creating hospitality experiences for high-end international clientele.
The move also reflects how luxury increasingly extends beyond traditional categories such as fashion and accessories. Food, beverage and hospitality have become important components of the luxury sector, offering brands new ways to create environments where customers can engage with their identity through taste, service and atmosphere.
For Marchesi 1824, Haller’s arrival could therefore mark an opportunity to further develop the experience around its historic Milanese identity without losing the craftsmanship and traditions that have defined the brand for more than two centuries.
With 25 years of luxury hospitality expertise behind him, Haller now takes on the task of steering one of Milan’s most recognisable confectionery institutions into its next chapter.
The challenge will be to balance heritage with evolution — preserving what makes Marchesi 1824 distinctly Milanese while keeping the experience relevant to a new generation of luxury consumers.
