Fanatics Names Giblin UK Chief, Faloppa Italy MD
Fanatics Commerce has appointed David Giblin as SVP and managing director for the UK and promoted Davide Faloppa to managing director in Italy.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in People
Fanatics Commerce appointed David Giblin as SVP and managing director UK, joining on November 2 to lead its UK operated business serving fans in the UK, Europe and more than 100 markets. The company also promoted Davide Faloppa to managing director in Italy, where he leads the Fanatics Italian business and its partnerships with Serie A clubs.
Why it matters
The moves place leadership for the company's European operations under a defined regional structure, with both managing directors reporting to Stephen Dowling, president, International. The changes consolidate oversight of key European markets as Fanatics expands its fan-focused commerce business across the region.
Giblin's UK-operated business serves fans in the UK, Europe and more than 100 markets, a footprint the announcement describes without revenue or headcount figures. Faloppa, who joined Fanatics Italy in 2022 as chief revenue officer, brings 15 years of Nike international experience, though no sales or partnership values were disclosed.
The players
Fanatics Commerce
Fanatics Commerce is a commerce company operating licensed sports merchandise and fan-focused retail businesses across multiple international markets.
David Giblin
David Giblin is a senior sports and retail executive newly appointed to lead Fanatics' UK-operated business.
Davide Faloppa
Davide Faloppa is an executive who spent 15 years at Nike before joining Fanatics Italy and now leads its Italian business.
Stephen Dowling
Stephen Dowling is the president of International at Fanatics Commerce, to whom both newly appointed managing directors report.
The details
David Giblin joined Fanatics on November 2 as SVP and managing director UK, reporting to Stephen Dowling. Davide Faloppa, who joined Fanatics Italy in 2022 and most recently served as chief revenue officer, was promoted to managing director in Italy and also reports into Dowling.
Timeline
2022: Davide Faloppa joins Fanatics Italy.
November 2, 2026: David Giblin joins Fanatics as SVP and managing director UK.
Market Landscape
Fanatics' European push rests on its Serie A club partnerships, which the Italian managing director role now oversees directly. Placing a dedicated UK leader alongside that Italian leadership under Stephen Dowling signals a regional structure built around the country-level football and fan markets.
For fans in the UK and Italy, these leadership changes do not alter product or pricing in the announcement, so day-to-day shopping is unaffected for now. The appointments mainly signal who will steer Fanatics' European merchandise and club partnerships going forward.
The takeaway
Leadership changes at the regional level often precede shifts in partnership strategy, so watching how Giblin and Faloppa handle club and market relationships will show where Fanatics' European business is headed.
Further reading
Explore more business people coverage for context on executive moves across the industry.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sgbonline.
