Giacomo Santucci, who was ‘terminated’ as CEO of the Gucci brand last year, will begin his role as commercial, licenses and retail director at Dolce & Gabbana next Monday. This new appointment is contrary to what most people – who thought he would become a CEO at a new label – had expected.

Santucci will report to Domenico Dolce’s brother, board member Alfonso Dolce. General affairs director Cristiana Ruella told WWD in a telephone interview that the job would involve “harmonising the market presence of the two brands, Dolce & Gabbana and D&G, across the board.” She added the Santucci will be involved in a finding a replacement for Gabriella Forte, Dolce & Gabbana’s USA president, who recently decided not to renew her contract.

Santucci was widely believed to be in the running for the role of Group CEO at Gucci when Domenico de Sole and Tom Ford left last April. However, former YSL Rive Gauche boss, Mark Lee, replaced him when Robert Polet took over the reigns from De Sole. Santucci first joined the Gucci Group as CEO of the Gucci brand in January 2001. De Sole had been responsible for bringing him on board.