An appointment that recognizes Gessi’s contribution to the evolution of Made in Italy in design, wellbeing, and the culture of living

Gessi proudly announces the appointment of its Founder and CEO, Gian Luca Gessi, to the Board of Directors of Fondazione Altagamma for the 2026–2029 term.

Since 1992, Fondazione Altagamma has brought together and represented the companies that most significantly contribute to strengthening the value of Italy’s high-end cultural and creative industries, promoting the excellence of Made in Italy around the world. Entrepreneur Giovanna Vitelli, President of the Azimut-Benetti Group and former Vice President for the Yachting sector during the previous term, has been appointed President of the Foundation, succeeding Matteo Lunelli after two mandates.

This new leadership structure not only celebrates the very best of Made in Italy, but also highlights a remarkable Piedmontese synergy at the Foundation’s highest level, bringing together entrepreneurial visions that have redefined global standards through innovation, style, quality, and craftsmanship.

The high-end sector today represents an industry worth more than €140 billion and stands among the main drivers of Italy’s competitiveness. It contributes 7.4% of national GDP and 8.2% of total employment, with exports accounting for more than 70% of its output. These figures reflect the strength of an ecosystem capable of generating growth, attracting talent, and enhancing local territories. Within this prestigious landscape, bringing together leading names in design, fashion, jewelry, food, hospitality, yachting, and automotive, Gessi has established itself as one of the key players driving the sector’s evolution. Through extraordinary growth, the company has secured its position among the most dynamic and visionary businesses in the Italian industrial landscape, transforming the strength of a family-owned business model into internationally recognized value and prestige.

The appointment of Gian Luca Gessi to the Board of Directors of Fondazione Altagamma marks the culmination of a pioneering journey that extends far beyond the boundaries of the company. Gessi has elevated the bathroom to a leading role in the world of design, redefining it from a purely functional space into the very heart of personal regeneration and longevity. A true cultural revolution that anticipated global trends in contemporary living and that today finds its highest expression in the philosophy of Gessi Haute Culture, where experimentation, material research, and artisanal craftsmanship come together to give wellbeing an even deeper meaning. A vision that naturally aligns with Altagamma’s mission of promoting the companies that contribute most significantly to strengthening the distinctive value of the Made in Italy brand around the world.

“Joining the Board of Directors of Fondazione Altagamma is not a personal achievement, but rather the recognition of a collective heritage that belongs to our company, our territory, and an entire sector that we have always been committed to supporting and promoting,” said Gian Luca Gessi, CEO and Founder of Gessi.

“I take on this responsibility with the awareness that the high-end sector plays a fundamental role in addressing the major challenges facing Italy today. Becoming part of Fondazione Altagamma’s Board means engaging in an ongoing dialogue across different industries, united by the shared ambition to elevate the standards of Italian enterprise. It means promoting a culture rooted in the strength of our manufacturing tradition and in the ability of our companies to create beauty, innovation, and meaning. It also means preserving a wealth of expertise that represents one of the most valuable assets of Made in Italy and a vital legacy for future generations. It is a place where one gains invaluable insights through dialogue with some of the most respected organizations, while also being entrusted with the important responsibility of putting our experience at the service of the development, competitiveness, and international reputation of our country.” 

For Gessi, the deep connection to its Italian roots has always found expression in the ecosystem of Parco Gessi in Valsesia, a virtuous model where manufacturing, vision, and nature coexist in perfect balance. This appointment therefore holds special significance for the Piedmont region as well, reaffirming the importance of a territory that continues to distinguish itself through its entrepreneurial spirit.

At a time when Made in Italy is called upon to strengthen its relevance on a global scale, Gian Luca Gessi embraces this prestigious role with gratitude and a strong sense of responsibility. His appointment to the governance of Fondazione Altagamma represents a further opportunity to promote a culture capable of creating value and generating tangible benefits for people, territories, and the future of Italian industry over time.