Team size: 13  

Major legal advisers: DLA Piper, Unarelli, Elexia  

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? 

Five years ago, we developed an IT system to support our procurement processes and are working to update the system by integrating ESG KPIs. By integrating ESG considerations into the procurement process, organisations can ensure that their suppliers adhere to ethical and sustainable practices, reducing their environmental and social impact while improving their reputation and relationships with stakeholders.  

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

Modern general counsel need to be more than just lawyers; they must also be business strategists and advisors. This will be imperative in future years, and the role will extend to advising on ESG, diversity and inclusion policies, and ERM models. All the company’s risks are well known by the general counsel and his point of view must be considered in mitigation plans. 

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

Regulation on ESG and sustainability are the most impactful matters for airports. Advanced Air Mobility  is a new and impacting theme from a legal and regulatory point of view.  

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?  

Bologna Airport has placed Innovation and Sustainability at the heart of its development plan and has decided to make it the trademark for two of the strategic areas of the company’s development. Alongside extremely sustainability forward team members, I study and create best practices tailor-made and revised for our company. It is amazing and exciting.  

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? 

Rapid and massive technological changes have led to the growth of new business models, activities, and market participants as well as to the adaptation of recent technologies by traditional market participants. While the coverage of commercial law varies among legal systems, key areas, such as registries, contracts, securities, and documents of title, secured transactions, company law, and insolvency, are all connected to these sweeping changes.  

How do you prioritise diversity and inclusion within your legal department, and what initiatives have you implemented to foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment? 

I strongly support all the policies related to diversity and inclusion. In September 2022, Aeroporto di Bologna has been the first airport in Italy to have obtain gender equality certification. The company has a female workforce of 48% and a gender pay gap of 0.6% in favour of women. Discussions have also begun in relation to obtaining an international Diversity & Inclusion certification. 

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 always try to be aware of new policies and laws through specialist websites and ask my team to do the same. This is one of the most difficult activities, considering projects and objectives, but is relevant and essential for our business and job.  

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

I love describing myself as a serious, affordable, trusted and ethic manager. The legal department serves as an ethical role model for the company, and I want to be a paragon of ethical management: it is possible, and for me, it is a pleasure and an honour.