ESSEC Alumni in Italy: “France is a major partner of our country”

Fabio Di Mauro (BBA 99), President of ESSEC Alumni’s Italy Chapter, tells us about our local community – and the activities he offers to them. If you are a graduate or a student in the area, join their online group!

ESSEC Alumni: What is your personal history with Italy?

Fabio Di Mauro: I’ve been living and working in Italy for 20 years. I started out as an Export Manager at Donnafugata, a Sicilian wine producer, then an Export Director at Elenka, a Sicilian gelato and pastry brand, and Pernigotti, an Italian chocolate lovemark. I am now Marketing Manager Confectionary & Ice Cream Western Europe at Barry Callebaut Group, based in Milan. 

EA: What are the profiles of our alumni in Italy?

F. Di Mauro: We have about 300 members in our Chapter. 50% are French expats, 50% are Italian. Most work in luxury, fashion, financial services, audit, and consultancy. They also tend to concentrate in Milan, which keeps cementing its position as one of the main economic hubs in the country.

EA: What opportunities are there in Italy for our alumni? 

F. Di Mauro: Despite or thanks to the excessive deficit procedure (EDP) initiated by the European Union in 2023, Italy is doing relatively well. GDP growth reached 0.5% in 2024 and is expected to rise to 0.8% in 2025, while unemployment rate stabilized at around 6%. This performance is similar to France's and better than Germany's. However, a sense of economic uncertainty persists. The outlook for consumption and investment remains weak despite the Transition Plan 5.0. Exports continue to suffer from sluggish international demand. The end of the Superbonus incentive is likely to weigh on residential construction. And the manufacturing sector, which is quite important, particularly the automotive and textile industries, is struggling, with production down by as much as 10% in some areas. Nevertheless, the country offers many opportunities for our community – especially as France and Italy are major trading partners. Trade in goods between the two countries exceed €100 billion per year. In particular, France is leading foreign direct investments (FDI) in Italy, with almost 2,300 controlling stakes in local companies, making it the second largest foreign employer in the country. This presence is not without advantages for our French graduates.

EA: Is the ESSEC diploma an asset in Italy?

F. Di Mauro: To a certain extent. The brand is getting more and more traction in northern Italy thanks to our school’s partnerships with Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi in Milan, Ca’Foscari University of Venice, Università degli studi di Firenze, School of Management SAA at Università degli studi di Torino, LUISS Guido Carli in Rome…

EA: What advice do you have for our alumni moving in Italy?

F. Di Mauro: Learn the language! Otherwise, be aware that there is a huge gap between Milan and the rest of the country. For example: do not expect cheap in Milan! The rents and cost of daily life are more or less aligned with Paris. Healthcare is also quite expensive compared to France; make sure you come with a good insurance.

EA: What is the offer of ESSEC Alumni’s Italy Chapter?

F. Di Mauro: We launch many events, mainly in Milan. In 2024, we had afterworks, gatherings with partners such as CCI France and the Grimaldi Alliance, corporate conferences with AXA Assurance, Microsoft, and Condé Nast, cultural evenings such as a visit of the Cézanne and Renoir Exhibition at Palazzo Reale, aperitivi with fellow expats from other Grandes Écoles, get-togethers with ESSEC students on field trips…  Our next event will be a Luxury Career Learning Lab with GMBA participants on March 18^th. You can follow our news on our LinkedIn group.

EA: Who are the members of your team?

F. Di Mauro: I am very grateful to Anne-Sophie Chouillou (E04), Emmanuelle Martin (E92), Giovanni Papini (E15), and Selene Litta-Modignani (who did an exchange program at ESSEC during her master’s degree at Bocconi), who help out a lot. Many thanks to them! 

Join our Italy Chapter and our 125 clubs and chapters!

Interview by Louis Armengaud Wurmser (E10), Content Manager at ESSEC Alumni 

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