Team size: 60 legal/paralegal   

 How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?  

During periods of crisis or instability, I strive to be a reliable point of reference as the general counsel of a broad structure dealing with diverse legal issues. I prioritise maintaining the right balance, focusing on positive elements while managing critical situations. Essential to this process are adaptability, marked flexibility, and the speed and thoroughness required to solve new problems, which can sometimes transform into growth opportunities. 

In alignment with corporate strategy, I continually advocate for teamwork that fosters trust and ensures close alignment with the business. This approach guarantees comprehensive and accurate support, which can also adapt to new strategies when previous ones prove ineffective. 

The ultimate goal is to solidify the company and seamlessly integrate legal considerations into the business. By fully understanding their needs, I aim to provide a legal product that is truly tailored to them—complete and correct, even when delivered swiftly. This integration with business strategy is indispensable for the effective management of legal aspects. 

What are the main cases or transactions that you have been involved in recently?      

I have been involved in several significant transactions recently. Firstly, I supported the Regional Business Department in preparing and negotiating new public passenger service contracts with various Italian regions, including Abruzzo, Basilicata, Molise, Sicily, and the Autonomous Province of Trento, in compliance with Regulation (EC) No. 1370/2007. 

Secondly, I assisted in the negotiation and definition of a preliminary contract with DB Fernverkehr, a German railway company, to provide high-speed services using Frecciarossa trains between Italy and Germany, set to commence at the end of 2026. 

Additionally, I was involved in the purchase by Trenitalia of 100% of the shares of Italia Loyalty, the company responsible for managing and developing the MilleMiglia customer loyalty programme. 

Finally, I facilitated the acquisition of the shares necessary for Trenitalia to obtain a majority stake in Intermodalidad de Levante, a high-speed railway company in Spain, thereby consolidating a corporate operation that commenced several years ago. 

How have you integrated technology into your legal processes, and what impact has this had on efficiency and compliance?   

 I have integrated artificial intelligence into both business and legal processes, significantly enhancing the efficiency of our operations. The impact on everyday work has been substantial. For example, searching for documents and regulations has become much faster, allowing us to optimise the time spent on cases. By streamlining processes with AI, we can dedicate more time to resolving complex issues. While the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence is still a work in progress, the results in terms of efficiency are already evident. 

What do you see as the major legal challenges for businesses in Italy over the next five years, and how are you preparing to address them?   

I believe that the primary challenge for our business in Italy, as well as for our company, lies in remaining competitive while expanding not only within the rail sector but also across the broader tourism market. As general counsel, my objective is to ensure that the legal actions of my department are fully aligned with the corporate strategy, focusing on providing customers with train services that represent the best possible environmental and sustainable choice. Our trains must be convenient and comfortable for tourists, capable of offering a comprehensive “door to door” service that emphasises modal integration. We are preparing for this challenge on a daily basis, not only through continuous updates on new regulatory frameworks but also by studying European and international benchmarks to inform our approach.