*Gandini has been at Flos for 22 years, since his father died*

Piero Gandini has resigned as CEO of Flos, the Italian lighting brand founded in 1962 by his father, following a clash of views with its new parent company Design Holding.

Gandini, who has been at Flos for 22 years, also stood down as chairman of Design Holding, the luxury furniture and lighting group he helped create.

The departure is due to "different strategic and management views of the new holding company", according to a statement issued yesterday.

The move ends the Gandini family's involvement with Flos, which was established 57 years ago in Merano, Italy, by Piero's father Sergio.

Design Holding formed eight months ago

Design Holding was formed in September 2018 with Gandini as its chairman.

The group is made up of three leading design companies: furniture brand B&B Italia, and lighting brands Flos and Louis Poulsen.

The three brands showed together on a 4,000 metre-square stand at the Salone del Mobile during Milan design week last month, which Gandini described as one of the largest in the fair's history.

Gandini was upbeat about the new group when he spoke to Dezeen last month, saying that Flos and Louis Poulson "can perfectly work together". However the statement suggests there were underlying issues.

In the statement, Gandini thanked the company and shareholders.