Alessandro Benetton
{{short description|Italian businessman|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Alessandro Benetton
| image = Alessandro_Benetton.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Alessandro Benetton
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1964|3|2|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Treviso, Veneto, Italy
| death_date =
| death_place =
| nationality =
| other_names =
| occupation = businessman
| years_active =
| known_for = Founder and Chairman of 21 Invest
| notable_works =
| employer = 21 Investimenti S.p.A.
Benetton Formula
| alma mater = Boston University
Harvard University
| relatives = Luciano Benetton (father)
Rocco Benetton (brother)
Giuliana Benetton (aunt)
Carlo Benetton (uncle)
Gilberto Benetton (uncle)
| family = Benetton family
| spouse = {{marriage|Deborah Compagnoni|2008|2021|reason=separated}}
| children = 3
}}
Alessandro Benetton (born 2 March 1964){{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Kate |date=6 May 2012 |title=This man has to make that jumper cool again. Good luck |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/this-man-has-to-make-that-jumper-cool-again-good-luck-d75h9bqzwrq |work=The Sunday Times}} is an Italian businessman.
Early life
Alessandro Benetton is the son of Luciano Benetton and Maria Teresa Maestri. He attended university in the United States where he graduated from Boston University in 1987 with a degree in Business Administration and in 1991 received his Master of Business Administration from Harvard.{{cite news |title=Face Value - New colours at Benetton |url=http://www.economist.com/node/10061081 |date=November 1, 2007 |magazine=The Economist}}
Career
In 1992, Alessandro Benetton created 21 Investimenti S.p.A.{{cite web|title=Chi è Alessandro Benetton, fondatore e presidente di 21 Invest|date=13 August 2022 |url=https://economiafinanzaonline.it/chi-e-alessandro-benetton/personaggi/}} (the company changed its name in 21 invest in November 2018).{{in lang|it}}[https://www.liberoquotidiano.it/news/economia/13404976/benetton-nuovo-logo-per-21-investimenti-diventa-21-invest.html Benetton: nuovo logo per 21 Investimenti, diventa 21 Invest] Today the European Group has offices in Treviso, Milan, Paris and Warsaw. He is one of the pioneers of private equity in Italy.{{cite news|title=Executive profile: Alessandro Benetton|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=539684&privcapId=22598708|magazine=Bloomberg.com}} Some of the companies that have been successfully relaunched are Pittarosso{{cite news|title=PittaRosso bought by British private equity firm Lion Capital|url=http://uk.fashionmag.com/news/PittaRosso-bought-by-British-private-equity-firm-Lion-Capital,448076.html#.VaeqIMbtmko|magazine=uk.fashionmag.com|access-date=2015-07-21|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304123637/http://uk.fashionmag.com/news/PittaRosso-bought-by-British-private-equity-firm-Lion-Capital,448076.html#.VaeqIMbtmko|url-status=dead}} and The Space Cinema.{{cite news|title=21 Investimenti exits Space Cinema|url=http://www.unquote.com/southern-europe/official-record/2376536/21-investimenti-exits-space-cinema-to-vue-in-eur105m-deal|magazine=uk.fashionmag.com}}
Benetton served as Chairman of the Benetton Formula from 1988 to 1998.{{Cite web|url=http://www.benettongroup.com/media-press/press-releases-and-statements/press-note-alessandro-benetton-is-the-new-chairman-of-benetton-group/|title=Benetton Group - Corporate Website|website=www.benettongroup.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-11-22}} His chairmanship years were marked by Formula One victories (26 out of the team's total 27), including two world titles won with Michael Schumacher{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/feb/06/interview-business-benetton-fashion|title=The Friday Interview: Alessandro Benetton|last=Wood|first=Zoe|date=2009-02-06|work=The Guardian|access-date=2017-11-22|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}} in 1994 and 1995, a manufacturing victory in 1995, and a collaboration with Nelson Piquet, Jean Alesi, Riccardo Patrese, Alessandro Nannini.
From 1988 to 1989, he worked in the Global Finance department at Goldman Sachs International in London as an analyst in the Mergers and Acquisitions and Equity Offering sectors.
In 2012, Luciano Benetton handed over the chairmanship of the Benetton Group to his eldest son Alessandro.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/9219707/Luciano-Benetton-hands-over-fashion-empire-to-his-son.html|title=Luciano Benetton hands over fashion empire to his son|last=Hurley|first=Josephine McKenna and James|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=2012-04-22|access-date=2017-11-22|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}} He later chaired the company for two years, from 2012 to 2014.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-06/benetton-heir-alessandro-goes-it-alone-with-private-equity-firm|title=Benetton Heir Alessandro Goes It Alone With Private Equity Firm|date=2016-04-06|work=Bloomberg.com|access-date=2017-11-22}}
Also in 2016, Alessandro Benetton stepped down from Benetton Group Board of directors, due to differences with the company's new strategies.{{Cite news|url=http://wwd.com/business-news/human-resources/alessandro-benetton-leaves-board-of-directors-10713080/|title=Alessandro Benetton to Exit Board of Directors|last=Zargani|first=Luisa|date=2016-11-28|work=WWD|access-date=2017-11-22|language=en-US}}
In May 2022, he published "La Traiettoria", an autobiography about his professional career and the choices he made during his life.{{Cite web|url=https://finanza.lastampa.it/News/2022/08/04/-la-traiettoria-di-alessandro-benetton-tra-i-libri-piu-letti-dell+estate/MTU3XzIwMjItMDgtMDRfVExC|title= "La traiettoria" di Alessandro Benetton tra i libri più letti dell'estate }}
In January 2023 he was appointed Vice Chairman of Atlantia,{{Cite news|url=https://www.corriere.it/economia/finanza/23_gennaio_16/atlantia-nominato-nuovo-cda-alessandro-benetton-vicepresidente-d61c7af8-95b5-11ed-9d82-799102737236.shtml|title=Atlantia, nominato il nuova cda: Alessandro Benetton vicepresidente|date=2016-04-06|work=Bloomberg.com|access-date=2017-11-22}} which later became Mundys in March of the same year.{{cite web|title=Italy's Atlantia becomes Mundys, Blackstone ready to support M&A|website=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/italys-atlantia-becomes-mundys-blackstone-ready-support-ma-2023-03-15/}}
Other positions held
He was a member of the Advisory Committee of Robert Bosch International Beteiligungen AG in Zurich, the consultancy unit of the Swiss holding for the foreign activities of the Bosch Group. Following an agreement between Edizione and Dufry, in 2022 he became the Honorary Chairman of Autogrill S.p.A.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ilsole24ore.com/radiocor/nRC_11.07.2022_08.06_10010100|title=Autogrill: in cda nuovo grupppo Edizione avra' 3 membri, A. Benetton presidente onorario - Il Sole 24 ORE}} He is currently also the Honorary Chairman of Dufry.{{cite web|title=Avolta's Leadership|url=https://www.dufry.com/en/company/our-management}} He was President of Cortina Foundation 2021, the entity responsible for the organization of the FIS Alpine World Ski Championship scheduled in Cortina d'Ampezzo (BL) for January 2021.{{cite web |url = http://www.fis-ski.com/news-multimedia/news/article=alessandro-benetton-named-president-the-cortina-2021-foundation.html |title = Alessandro Benetton named President of the Cortina 2021 Foundation |access-date = 2017-10-31 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171101043625/http://www.fis-ski.com/news-multimedia/news/article=alessandro-benetton-named-president-the-cortina-2021-foundation.html |archive-date = 2017-11-01 |url-status = dead }} This event marked the first major sustainable event in Italy, both environmentally and economically.{{cite web|title=Mondiali di sci: così la Fondazione Cortina 2021 li rende più sostenibili Materia Rinnovabile|url=https://www.renewablematter.eu/mondiali-di-sci-cosi-la-fondazione-cortina-2021-li-rende-piu-sostenibili}}{{cite web|title=Cortina world ski championship – Ecomavi Srl|url=https://www.ecomavi.it/2021/02/11/mondiali-di-sci-a-cortina-2021-un-modello-di-sostenibilita/?lang=en}}{{cite web|title=Il modello Cortina diventa paradigma per i grandi eventi - Nord Est Economia|date=18 October 2021 |url=https://nordesteconomia.gelocal.it/imprese/2021/10/18/news/il-modello-cortina-diventa-paradigma-per-i-grandi-eventi-1.40824434}}
In January 2022, Alessandro Benetton took on the role of Chairman of Edizione, which became an S.p.A. company.{{Cite web|url=https://wwd.com/business-news/financial/alessandro-benetton-named-chairman-family-holding-edizione-1235031485/|title=Alessandro Benetton Appointed Chairman of Family Holding Edizione – WWD|date=13 January 2022 }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/benetton-scion-alessandro-take-helm-family-holding-company-2022-01-13/|title=Benetton scion Alessandro takes helm of family holding company |website=Reuters |date=13 January 2022 |last1=Landini |first1=Francesca |last2=Anzolin |first2=Elisa }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.ilgazzettino.it/nordest/treviso/alessandro_benetton_edizione_holding_sfida_video_youtube_discontinuita_oggi_14_gennaio_2022-6439550.html|title=Alessandro Benetton: "Sto per affrontare la più grande sfida della mia vita. Siamo la discontinuità"|date=14 January 2022 }}
In November 2022, he joined the Parthenope University of Naples' Board of Directors.{{cite web|url = https://napoli.repubblica.it/cronaca/2022/11/29/news/universita_parthenope_massa_e_benetton_nel_nuovo_cda-376744980/ |title = Università Parthenope: Massa e Benetton nel nuovo cda| date=29 November 2022 }}
Personal life
Benetton married former Olympic and Alpine World Ski champion Deborah Compagnoni in 2008, with whom he has three children: Agnese, Tobias and Luce. They separated in 2021.{{Cite magazine |last=Bambini |first=Nicola |date=25 January 2021 |title=Deborah Compagnoni and Alessandro Benetton, "marriage over" (after 13 years) |trans-title=Deborah Compagnoni e Alessandro Benetton, «matrimonio finito» (dopo 13 anni) |url=https://www.vanityfair.it/people/italia/2021/01/25/deborah-compagnoni-alessandro-benetton-matrimonio-finito-dopo-13-anni-figli-oto |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=it}}{{Cite web |last=Follain |first=John |date=13 April 2008 |title=A life in the day: Alessandro Benetton, retail magnate |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/a-life-in-the-day-alessandro-benetton-retail-magnate-37zd227fzk0 |work=The Sunday Times}} He is involved in a variety of sports at a competitive level, particularly Alpine skiing{{cite news|title=Shop Talk: A Ski-Shop Excursion With Alessandro Benetton|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1010057036182657560|magazine=The Wall Street Journal}} - where he is a coach for the Italian Winter Sports Federation - and kite surfing.{{cite news|title=Alessandro Benetton Revels in Outdoor Sports|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424053111904888304576472681097016252|magazine=The Wall Street Journal}} He is a collector of modern art.
Honors
In 2010, he was appointed Cavaliere del Lavoro by the President of the Italian Republic at the time, Giorgio Napolitano.{{cite web|url=http://presidenti.quirinale.it/elementi/Continua.aspx?tipo=Foto&key=14356|title=Presidenza della Repubblica Italiana - Alessandro Benetton Cavaliere dell'Ordine Al Merito del Lavoro}}{{dead link|date=June 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}
In 2016, he received the America Award of the Italy-USA Foundation.
Awards
In 2012, he created the United Colors of Benetton's UnHate communication campaign, winner of the Press Grand Prix at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.{{cite web|url = http://www.benettongroup.com/media-press/press-releases-and-statements/first-accolade-for-unhate-at-the-cannes-lions-international-festival-of-creativity/ |title = Benetton Group press release - First accolade for Unhate at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity}}
In 2011, he was named Entrepreneur of the Year by EY.{{cite web|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pFiMOz05is |title = Alessandro Benetton's Youtube - World Entrepreneur of the Year, by Ernst&Young| website=YouTube | date=27 June 2012 }}
In 2018, he received the Kennedy Prize for placing sustainable development at the center of 21 Invest.{{cite web|title=Alessandro Benetton riceve Premio Kennedy - Il mattino di Padova|url=https://ricerca.gelocal.it/mattinopadova/archivio/mattinopadova/2018/10/17/padova-alessandro-benetton-riceve-premio-kennedy-14.html}}
In 2023, the U.N. Correspondents Association, UNCA, awarded him as "Global Advocate of the Year 2023”.{{cite web|url=https://wwd.com/sustainability/social-impact/unca-names-alessandro-benetton-global-advocate-1236085620/|title=UNCA Names Alessandro Benetton Global Advocate of the Year 2023 – WWD|date=18 December 2023 }}{{cite web|url=https://finanza.lastampa.it/News/2023/12/17/alessandro-benetton-global-advocate-of-the-year-per-la-sostenibilita/MV8yMDIzLTEyLTE3X1RMQg|title= Alessandro Benetton, Global Advocate of the Year per la sostenibilità }}
Publications
- {{Cite book|author=Alessandro Benetton|publisher=Mondadori|isbn=9788804749080|year=2022|title=LA TRAIETTORIA}}
References
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Category:Italian businesspeople
Category:Boston University School of Management alumni
Category:Harvard Business School alumni
Category:Formula One team owners
Category:Italian expatriates in the United States