Team size: about 40 worldwide    

Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense? 

We recently restructured our approach to a global compliance program, which over time, will be applicable to the whole Amplifon group. This was particularly challenging because we had to deeply innovate, involving our countries in the process, while providing global guidelines to set the tone. We did this with very limited recourse to outside counsels and preferred to leverage our local legal teams and expertise.  

Can you foresee any key developments to the way general counsel work over the next five years? 

Certainly, AI will play a key role. Not only because it will certainly affect our companies’ business, but because it will also impact how our legal departments carry out their duties and support the business. I think it is just a matter of “when” this will happen (and not “whether”), so we will have to be ready for it.  

What are some of the main trends impacting the industry sector you work in in Italy? 

Digitalisation plays a key role in our sector. The computer, digital or web literacy of our customers and prospects is growing exponentially, and they increasingly expect more out of it. At the same time, they expect the same robust relationship with our audiologists and medical specialists in-store. Hence, we have a delicate balance to strike between digital innovation and in-person audiological excellence.   

What measures has your company taken to embed sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the role of the general counsel contribute to driving and ensuring sustainable practices within the company? 

As a listed company, we work and invest a lot in ESG practices, and are also ranked by international investors on those aspects. We discuss at length with our board of directors where I act as secretary. We included ESG targets and parameters in our compensation structure and our large credit lines with primary banks. As a general counsel, I support and sometimes steer relevant departments in facing these challenges and seizing opportunities.  

How would you assess the impact of new technologies on the legal landscape in Italy, and what measures would you propose to leverage these technologies while ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations?  

I think it is probably too early to make a full assessment around compliance aspects of AI. For now, I have taken a wait-and-see approach, providing only very high-level guidelines, which we will review in six months. 

How do you stay updated on the evolving regulatory landscape in Italy and ensure compliance with domestic laws, EU regulations, and industry-specific regulations? 

I have a good network of peers and former colleagues. I have solid relationships with all main law firms, and this provides a quick and cost-effective way to ensure that nothing (large) falls into the cracks regarding regulatory and legal changes. Furthermore, my team and I follow forums and seminars as needed and are part of relevant organisations. My local general counsel follow a similar approach.  

What is a cause, business-related or otherwise, you are passionate about, and why? 

I am very fond of the work our Foundation does for elderly people. As Amplifon employees, we can contribute and donate time to the Foundation’s activities, and it is always a pleasure doing that. We work with elderly, and often vulnerable people; it is only fair that we do our part to support them and be grateful for what they do for the community. 

What steps do you take to ensure effective communication and collaboration with external counsel and other stakeholders during the dispute resolution process? 

Open, frank, transparent approach. In-person communication and taking time to have quality exchange of views makes the difference. Showing that we genuinely care about resolving a difficult situation, while preserving the relationship, is paramount.