Annual Conference of the Chamber of Commerce
“The Future of Business Relations between Italy and the UK: Effects of Covid-19, Brexit and Climate Change” was the ambitious theme of this year’s Conference of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the UK, which took place on the 18thNovember at the Royal College of Surgeons with the patronage of the Italian Embassy in London.
The Conference, established in 1981, has become an unmissable appointment in the agendas of businessmen and bankers, both for the topics covered and for the participation of internationally renowned speakers and guests of honour, including ministers and representatives of the business development between Italy and the UK.
The event started with an inspiring speech by the keynote speaker, the Tv journalist Piero Angela, followed by the first panel moderated by Deborah Bonetti (Director, Foreign Press Association) which included Betta Maggio, President, U-Earth, Marco Pesce, Sustainability Coordinator, ARB S.p.A, Paolo Taticchi, Professor in Strategy and Sustainability, UCL and Martin Townsend, Global Head of Sustainability and Circular EconomyBSI.
The second panel moderated by Simone Filippetti (Senior Reporter, IlSole24Ore) included Giuseppe Calcagni, President, Besana Group, Nicola Farinetti, CEO, Eataly, Franco Ferrante, General Manager North Europe, Luxottica S.p.A, Alberto Mancuso, UK&MEA Country Manager, Intesa Sanpaolo, London Branch and Pietro Mattioni, CEO, Zonin1821.
This year the Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the UK decided to combine two other events during the same day: a gala dinner and the Talented Young Italians and Keynes Sraffa Awards.
These awards celebrate talented young Italians who have succeeded in their endeavour in the UK, keeping at the same time a link with Italy and fostering exchanges between the two countries. The most distinguished individuals are awarded in each of the following categories: Finance and Services; Industry and Commerce; Research and Innovation; Media and Communication/Charity.
Among the requisites for the award, apart from being under 40 years of age and a UK resident, the candidates must have a track record of positive collaborations with Italy. The winners for each category have been chosen by a committee of senior representatives, who have evaluated the applications by using their expertise in each field.
For the 2021 the winners were: Olga Venosa, Founder and Chair, We Are Stronger Charity, Martina Andretta, Digital Engagement Manager, openDemocracy, Federica Stanelli, Senior Marketer, Aviva Investors, Gilberto Marcheggiano, Senior Portfolio Manager, Partner, Citadel, Crescenzo Petrone, Head of Model Research and Evaluation, Willis Towers Watson, Carlo Ciliberto, Associate Professor, UCL, Andrea Bonaceto, Partner, Eterna Capital and Flavia Brutti-Righetti, Director, FBR Luxury Hotel Consulting.
The Keynes Sraffa Awards have the aim to celebrate Italian and English leading personalities who epitomise the co-operation between Italy and the UK. The prestigious awards were given this year to two undeniably high profile of the Italian-British Community: Professor Mario Draghi, Prime Minister of Italy and Professor Mariana Mazzucato, professor in the Economics of Innovation and Public Value.
Sponsors of the events were Intesa Sanpaolo, Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center, Leasys and Ferrero.