OUR PRESIDENTS
The Founder and President CESARE ROMITI (2003-2018)Cesare Romiti was born in Rome on June 24, 1923. He graduated in Economic and Commercial Sciences and he joined in 1947 the Bombrini Parodi Delfino, where he became Group General Manager. In 1968, following the BPD-SNIA Viscose merger, he was appointed Financial Director General of SNIA Viscose.
In 1970 was in Alitalia as General Manager and Chief Executive Officer and, subsequently, in 1973, goes to Italstat with the same assignment.
In 1974 he joined FIAT, later becoming its Chief Executive Officer and President. Arrived at the time of the energy crisis, he is primarily dedicated to the work of financial recovery, continues developing the international dimension of the company and strengthening production sites in Italy. He worked for building several factories for the FIAT, including Belo Horizonte (Brazil), which is now the largest cars plant in the world.
After the exit from FIAT, he has been Chairman of RCS, from 1998 to 2004, and of the construction company Impregilo and Engineering, in 2005-2007.
In 2003 he founded the Italy China Foundation, where he's currently serving as Honorary President.
President Romiti got the labor Knight Medal in 1978, the title of honorary citizen of China, the title of honorary professor of Shanghai Donghua University, the prize of the US Chamber of Commerce in Italy, World Management Council, New York with the International Manager Award, from the National Italian American Foundation in Washington with the Lifetime Achievement Award of Business, from the Italy - America Chamber of Commerce in New York with the Golden Globe Award, he received the honorary degree by various Italian and foreign authorities.
On 13rd October 2006 in Beijing the "Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries" awarded him honorary citizenship of the People's Republic of China for its commitment to strengthening Sino-Italian bilanteral relationships. He was appointed Officer of the National Order of the French Legion d'Honneur.
He received honorary degrees from several universities: in Mechanical Engineering from the University Complutense of Madrid and the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais in Belo Horizonte, in Public Relations from the University of Languages and Communication IULM of Milan and in Commercial Sciences from St.John University in Rome.
There are also many awards received from foundations and from various organizations: the Chamber of Commerce and Italian Industry for the Madrid Spain with Tiepolo Prize and the City of Rome with the Campidoglio Prize. He is the author of numerous publications and articles in economic and industrial matters and has held major conferences on topical economic issues, national and international.
On 7th October 2010, Cesare Romiti was honored by Prime Minister Wen Jiabao on the occasion of the Year of Chinese Culture in Italy. It is a prize created by the China Association for Friendship among Peoples, delivered ten Italian personalities from the Chinese Premier on the occasion of the celebration of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic and Italy. The honor is given to those who, in the opinion of China, have engaged in activities of collaboration and exchange between Italy and China.
The President ALBERTO BOMBASSEI (2018-2020)Born in Vicenza on October 5, 1940, Alberto Bombassei is founder and President of Brembo SpA, a market leader in the design and production of high performance braking systems for cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, as well as for the world of competitions and for the auto parts market. On June 26, 2018 he was appointed President of the Italy China Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to fostering dialogue and exchanges between the two countries.
He founded and presides Kilometro Rosso, an innovation district inspired by multi-sectorality and interdisciplinarity that enhances the dialogue between academic, entrepreneurial and scientific culture.
In June 2018, he was appointed Vice President of Aspen Institute Italia. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of Assonime since 2017, and of the Board of Directors of ISPI - Institute for International Political Studies since 2016.
Always engaged in the confindustrial field, in May 2018 he joined the Advisory Board of Confindustria for the period 2018-2020. Previously, he held the position of Chairman of Federmeccanica from 2001 to 2004, and as Deputy Chairman of Confindustria for Industrial Relations, Social Affairs and Social Security from 2004 to 2012.
From February 2013 to March 2018 he was a member of the Chamber of Deputies and of the X Commission for Productive Activities, Commerce and Tourism.
He received several honors in his long career: in 2017, he became part of the Automotive Hall of Fame, the highest honor of the global automotive industry; in 2014, he received the Order of Commander of the Royal Order of Isabella la Cattolica for his extraordinary civil behavior; in 2004 he was named Cavaliere del Lavoro by the President of the Italian Republic, Azeglio Ciampi.
Among the numerous prizes and awards assigned to him over the years are Leonardo Award 2016, for his significant contribution to the promotion of Italy in the world; Ernst & Young Award "The Entrepreneur of the Year 2012"; "Tiepolo 2012" Award for the important contribution to the development of relations between Spain and Italy; Leonardo Quality Italy Award 2003, for bringing the Made in Italy in the world.