AGM 2025 – Meet the candidates for Council

We are pleased to introduce the candidates standing for election or re-election to the Council of the BCCI for a two-year term: Carlo Azzola, Cristiano Cominotto, Paolo Coniglio Pringle, Matt Cook, Massimo Donà, Richard Hamilton, and Alessandro Vio.

Carlo Azzola is a seasoned professional with currently a dual role at Colt Technology Services as Country Manager Italy and as Sales Business Operation Director for the Global Organization.

His responsibilities encompass a range of strategic and operational functions. Carlo leads strategic analysis, implements segmentation, designs business review framework, and articulates data to senior leaders to drive investment returns, sales productivity and KPI culture, managing a globally dispersed team. In his Country Manager role Carlo manages significant revenues and a team of 130 employees locally. Azzola’s comprehensive role reflects his ability to lead all aspects of the business, ensuring operational excellence and adherence to Colt’s strategy.

Carlo holds a Master of Science in Business Economy from the Università degli Studi dell’Insubria.

Cristiano Cominotto is an experienced attorney and co-founder of A.L. Assistenza Legale, a network with presence in several cities across Italy.

He holds significant roles in international legal organizations:
• IAP Istituto Autodisciplina Pubblicitaria: member of the Scientific Committee • The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy: Co-chair Tax and Legal • IAA International Advertising Association: Italian Chapter’s Councilor • LINEE Lawyers International Network for Executives: Co-chair

Paolo Coniglio Pringle is a highly experienced freelance consultant specialising in property advisory and agency services, with over 30 years of international experience in real estate, mergers & acquisitions, and related sectors. He has a proven track record advising both corporate and private clients on transactions, management, strategies, and finance, with a strong focus on Italy and London.

Before transitioning into consulting, Paolo worked in the FMCG industry with Procter & Gamble and Angelini in Italy. He holds an MEng with honours in Management & Production Engineering from the University of Palermo and an MBA from London Business School.

A dual British-Italian citizen, Paolo serves as the Honorary Regional Secretary for Sicily of The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy and is the Founder and Board Member of the Associazione Chiesa d’Inghilterra. Born in Kenya and educated across Kenya, Italy, and the UK, Paolo brings a truly global perspective to his work. In 2023, he was awarded the title of Officer of the British Empire (OBE) by King Charles III and received the Canterbury Cross from the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Paolo, a father of two daughters, now resides in Palermo, Sicily, where he continues to make a significant impact both professionally and within his community across Italy.

Matt Cook has been a Vice President of the BCCI since February 2023. Matt has recently moved into the Business Strategy and Consultancy arena.

He previously held the role of CEO/Amministratore Delegato of CBRE GWS in Italy and was responsible for growing the business from 18 to 1450 strong.

This work was both through organic growth and a series of game changing acquisitions.

He now provides consultancy and advice in M&A, Organisational Change, Sales Strategy and Client Care and Engagement.

Born in Milan in September 1965, Massimo Donà holds a degree in Economics and Business Administration from Bocconi University. He began his professional career at the age of 24, gaining international experience in Germany and the United States within the sales departments of large industrial corporations (ZF, GM and Detroit Diesel), ), learning on the job in diverse international business environments. He has continued to develop his managerial expertise through academic courses in M&A, people management, leadership, and corporate finance.

Since 2005, he has been managing as Chairman and CEO the family business SAIM S.p.A , a mid-sized international group of companies in Italy, UK, Germany, Norway, and Switzerland.

He has been married to Maria Luisa Mirò Princep of Barcelona, Spain, since 1994. They have two sons, Jordi and David, who are now independently pursuing their professional paths. He also works alongside his younger brother, Marco, and older sister, Cristina, in the family business.

Outside of his professional commitments, he enjoys tennis, skiing, and home brewing. He is passionate about fine food, Italian wine, and craft beer. He is actively involved in community initiatives, including volunteering with a solidarity purchasing association, and previously served for ten years as president of an amateur football club.

Richard Hamilton has been a Councillor of the BCCI since June 2021. He is a partner at the Milan office of Gianni & Origoni.

Born in London in 1964, Richard Hamilton graduated in History at the University of Leeds and had a career in publishing before attending law school and embarking on a legal career.

Dual qualified as an English solicitor (since 1996) and an Italian avvocato (since 2007), Richard has worked in Italy for over 20 years. At Gianni & Origoni since 2010, his specialist areas are capital markets, financial services and banking, as well as cross-border M&A and litigation. More recently, he has advised on the implications of Brexit for businesses and individuals, both in Italy and in the UK.

Transactions over the years have included IPO’s on Borsa Italiana of companies such as Amplifon and Il Sole-24Ore, and innovative debt capital markets transactions, including: debut Eurobond issues by ATM and Invitalia; debt restructurings by Kiko and Astaldi; project bond issues by Passante di Mestre and Spedale Civile di Brescia; and, in December 2020, the issue by Veritas of one of the first examples in Italy of a bond bearing ESG-linked interest.

Outside of work, Richard is a longstanding member of Idle Cricket Club in Lodi and Tennis Club Lombardo in Milan.

Graduating in Law from the University of Parma, Alessandro Vio subsequently attended a second-level Master’s degree for ‘Giuristi d’Impresa’ at the University of Genoa.

Qualified to practice law in the Italian legal system since 2014, Alessandro has deepened his knowledge of civil law, specialising in in-court and out-of-court corporate litigation, banking law and credit recovery on behalf of companies and individuals.

Alessandro currently deals with civil litigation throughout Italy, in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution department. He is a native Italian speaker and is fluent in English.