Career
In 1992, Alessandro Benetton created 21 Investimenti S.p.A. [3] (the company changed its name in 21 invest in November 2018). [4] 21 Invest, a European group now part of the 21 Next Group, invests in mid-market companies in Italy, France, and Spain, with more than 120 investments and nearly €3 billion fundraising from institutional investors worldwide over the last 33 years of activity. [5] [6] He is one of the pioneers of private equity in Italy. [7]
Benetton served as Chairman of the Benetton Formula from 1988 to 1998. [8] His chairmanship years were marked by Formula One victories (26 out of the team's total 27), including two world titles won with Michael Schumacher [9] in 1994 and 1995, a manufacturing victory in 1995, and a collaboration with Nelson Piquet, Jean Alesi, Riccardo Patrese, Alessandro Nannini.
From 1988 to 1989, he was the first Italian to work in the Global Finance department at Goldman Sachs International in London as an analyst in the Mergers and Acquisitions and Equity Offering sectors.
In January 2022, Alessandro Benetton took on the role of Chairman of Edizione, which became an S.p.A. company. [10] [11] [12] He is currently also the Honorary Chairman of Avolta, the new unified brand born through the subsequent integration agreement between Autogrill and Dufry. [13]
In May 2022, he published "La Traiettoria", an autobiography about his professional career and the choices he made during his life. [14] His second book “Mai Fermi”, published in June 2025, tells the stories of eight mentors that inspired Alessandro Benetton’s approach to life and business: Michael Schumacher, Andy Warhol, Amadeo Giannini, Kelly Slater, Bethany Hamilton, Tadao Ando, Emilie Floge, and his father Luciano Benetton. [15]
In January 2023 he was appointed Vice Chairman of Mundys, a group that invests in sustainable infrastructure and includes subsidiaries such as Aeroporti di Roma, Telepass, Yunex, and Abertis. [16]
He is also the Founder and Chairman of the Unhate Foundation, a third-sector organization he established in 2011 and relaunched in 2025 with the support of Edizione S.p.A., Mundys, and Aeroporti di Roma. Alessandro Benetton leads its strategic direction, promoting initiatives aimed at combating hate and fostering social inclusion, with the support of a scientific committee made up primarily of individuals under the age of 30. [17] [18]
Awards
In 2012, he created the United Colors of Benetton's UnHate communication campaign, winner of the Press Grand Prix at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. [28]
In 2011, he was named Entrepreneur of the Year by EY. [29]
In 2018, he received the Kennedy Prize for placing sustainable development at the center of 21 Invest. [30]
In 2023, the U.N. Correspondents Association, UNCA, awarded him as "Global Advocate of the Year 2023”. [31] [32]
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