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Giorgio Possagno is the new General Manager of Assocalzaturifici

Sep 10, 2024 Italy

The Italian Footwear Manufacturers’ Association (Assocalzaturifici) has unanimously appointed Giorgio Possagno as its new General Manager. He joins the association from Veronafiere S.p.A

Possagno began his career at Pirelli, working in the company’s Milan office, moved to Brazil in 2002 to work in the Rio de Janeiro office of TIM Brazil, and returned to Telecom Italy in 2012. The following year, he joined the Veronafiere Group as General Manager of Veronafiere Servizi S.p.A and moved on to the parent company Veronafiere S.p.A. as Director of Operations. Since 2019, he has been Managing Director of Polo Fieristico Veronese S.p.A.

The 53-years-old professional also has a law degree from the University of Parma and a “master’s degree certifying expertise in industrial property rights”, specialising in “sustainable business models: creation and implementation of corporate sustainability models” from Ca’ Foscari Challenge school in Venice with Ernst & Young.

“Taking on this role in an organisation that clearly represents the excellence of the Italian footwear manufacturing sector, with a long entrepreneurial history serving numerous production chains and representing around 500 companies, is undoubtedly an important responsibility”, said Possagno after thanking President Giovanna Ceolini, the General Executive Council of Assocalzaturifici, and the Board of Directors of ANCI Servizi for the trust they have placed in him.

He continued: “I embark on this new path with great enthusiasm and with a commitment to start right away by listening to all the association’s members, continuing to grow and innovate its services and products, and pursuing the mission of closing even the smallest gaps that may exist between the country’s many footwear districts, with a view to strengthening the central role of Confindustria”.

“I am confident that, drawing on the professional skills of all the directors, management and staff, together we will be ready to face the important challenges that lie ahead”, concluded Possagno. His appointment comes at a time when the Italian footwear industry is experiencing a sharp slowdown. In the first quarter of 2024, with a fall in both exports (down by 9.7% in value and 10.3% in volume) and turnover (down by 10.1%), according to the latest data from Confindustria Moda Research Centre for Assocalzaturifici.

Image Credits: assocalzaturifici.it

Italy Footwear Management Organisations