The 2025 edition of the Order of Merit for Labour shines a spotlight on the vitality and talent of Italian enterprise. Among the 25 entrepreneurs honoured by President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, standout figures such as Francesco Caltagirone, Francesco Milleri, and Claudio Descalzi represent icons of Italian industry.
Francesco Caltagirone, born in 1968, has led Cementir Holding since 1996, transforming it into a global leader in the construction materials sector. Under his direction, the company expanded to 18 countries, operating in cement, aggregates, and high-value-added products, and today employs over 3,000 people.
Francesco Milleri, born in 1959, is the Chairman and CEO of EssilorLuxottica. A key figure alongside Leonardo Del Vecchio in the landmark merger of the Italian and French giants, he has helped create a global powerhouse in the eyewear industry, with 600 plants, 18,000 stores, and over 710 million lenses produced annually.
Claudio Descalzi, CEO of ENI, joined the company in the early 1980s and is now its longest-serving managing director. He has spearheaded ENI’s transformation and energy transition, confirming his role as a central player in the Italian industrial system.
This year, however, the spotlight turns particularly to the South of Italy, with a strong representation from Campania and beyond. The names of Fulvio Scannapieco, Maria Giovanna Paone, and Piero Mastroberardino are emblematic of a Southern Italy that innovates, creates value, and holds firm to its cultural and entrepreneurial roots.
Fulvio Scannapieco, born in 1952, is the founder and president of ALA – Advanced Logistic for Aerospace, one of the most dynamic players in the European aerospace supply chain. Based in Naples, ALA delivers advanced logistics and component solutions for international aerospace and defense clients. His vision has transformed a Campanian SME into a global benchmark, promoting local talent and high-intensity technological solutions.
Alongside him is Maria Giovanna Paone, creative director and president of Kiton, a brand synonymous with Neapolitan sartorial elegance. Daughter of founder Ciro Paone, she has led the company with passion and insight, blending tradition with innovation. Under her leadership, Kiton has consolidated its Kired and Sartorio lines, reinforcing its global standing in bespoke luxury while remaining firmly anchored in Neapolitan identity.
Completing the Campania trio is Piero Mastroberardino, born in 1965, who heads the historic Radici Mastroberardino winery in Irpinia. A university professor and author as well as entrepreneur, he has elevated his family’s winemaking heritage to global prominence, with wines that honour native varieties like Aglianico and Fiano di Avellino. His DOCG labels are today cultural ambassadors, merging agriculture, history, and business in one of Southern Italy’s most prestigious wine enterprises.
Beyond Campania, the South distinguishes itself through other virtuous stories. From Apulia, Laura Ruggiero leads Faver, a company specialised in metalworking for hydraulic, maritime, and mechanical engineering. Her leadership reflects the growing role of women in the industrial fabric of Southern Italy, marked by technical excellence and environmental sustainability.
Finally, from Sicily, Giuseppe Basile, born in 1967, has been recognised for his commitment at the helm of Basicem, a Catania-based company that excels in the processing and transformation of steel products. His enterprise stands out for its innovation, efficiency, and competitiveness, contributing significantly to the industrial renewal of the Etna area.
These stories of Scannapieco, Paone, Mastroberardino, Ruggiero, and Basile are more than individual success tales—they are the living proof of a Southern Italy that dares, evolves, and leads. From regions often seen as peripheral, these entrepreneurs have built globally relevant models while staying rooted in community values and traditions.
Their recognition in the Order of Merit for Labour affirms that the South is not just a land of heritage, but a vital driver of the real economy, capable of combining innovation with cultural identity. With these new knights, Southern Italy confirms its role as a protagonist in the vision of an Italy that knows how to look forward—without forgetting where it came from.
Order of Merit for Labour, Sergio Mattarella, Italian entrepreneurs, Southern Italy, Campania, Paone Kiton, Scannapieco ALA, Mastroberardino wines, Ruggiero Faver, Basile Basicem, Italian excellence, aerospace, fashion, winemaking, industry, Mezzogiorno, Made in Italy
- Quirinale – President of the Republic
- Kiton Official
- Mastroberardino Wines
- ALA Group
- Basicem S.r.l.
- Faver S.r.l.
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