Officers & Councillors

HM Ambassador to Italy and San Marino
Honorary President, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy.

Edward Llewellyn (Lord Llewellyn of Steep) was appointed British Ambassador to Italy in February 2022.

Ed was British Ambassador to France from November 2016 to August 2021. Before joining the Embassy, he was the Downing Street Chief of Staff to former Prime Minister David Cameron (2010 to 2016) and his Chief of Staff as Leader of the Opposition (2005 to 2010).

Ed started his career in 1988 in the Research department of the Conservative Party. In 1992, he worked as an adviser to Governor Chris Patten in Hong Kong, and then in the office of the High Representative in Sarajevo in 1997. He worked with Chris Patten again in Brussels from 1999 when the latter was appointed European Commissioner for Foreign Affairs. In 2002, he returned to Sarajevo as Chief of Staff to the High Representative, Lord Ashdown.

He is married to Anne, herself a French national, and they have 3 young children. In 2016, he was appointed Lord Llewellyn and became a member of the House of Lords.

2016 to 2021 | Paris, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to France and Her Majesty’s Non-resident Ambassador to Monaco

2010 to 2016 | Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street

2005 to 2010 | Chief of Staff to the Leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition

2002 to 2005 | Office of the High Representative, Sarajevo, Chief of Staff to Lord Ashdown, High Representative and Head of the Political Department

1999 to 2002 | European Commission Brussels, Member of the Cabinet of the EU Commissioner for External Relations

1997 to 1999 | Office of the High Representative, Sarajevo

1992 to 1997 | Hong Kong, Personal Adviser to the Governor

1988 to 1992 | Conservative Research Department (including a year as a private secretary to Margaret Thatcher November 1990 to October 1991, on loan from the Conservative Research Department).

President, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy since 25 June 2025.

Tom is an English business lawyer and first came to Milan with his former firm, Withers, in the autumn of 2010 on a six-month secondment. At the end of that period, he was asked to stay on in Italy where he has remained ever since. His work focuses on advising Italian clients on UK corporate and commercial matters as well as UK and international clients on investments into Italy.

In 2018, Tom left Withers and, with several former colleagues, helped to launch a new law firm, L2B Partners Studio Legale, which currently has its offices in Vicenza and Padova. The firm’s focus is on assisting Italian entrepreneurs and companies looking to expand their business abroad as well as foreign investors looking to operate in Italy.

Tom was appointed as a Councillor of the British Chamber of Commerce in 2016 and then as the Vice-President in 2018. In 2019, Tom was elected President of the Chamber in which position he served until 2021. In 2024, Tom returned to the Council of the Chamber and in 2025 was elected as President for a second time, taking over from Steven Sprague in June of that year.

HM Consul General and Director of Trade and Investment Italy
Honorary Vice President, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy.

Immediate Past President – Vice President, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy
Councillor since June 2020.  

Steven qualified as an English and Welsh Solicitor in 1985 and was admitted to the Ordine di Milano as an avvocato in 2017, he is also a qualified Mediator.

Steven specialises in advising clients in relation to international development and investment and trade and business.

Steven’s career began in London where he worked in a number of leading international law firms in the City.  He has lived and worked professionally in a number of countries and jurisdictions both in the European Union and elsewhere, including the Russian Federation and other former Soviet Union countries.

Steven was elected President of the Chamber in June 2021, a role he held for 4 years, until June 2025.

Vice President, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy since 22 February 2023.

Matt Cook has recently moved into the Business Strategy and Consultancy arena.

Matt 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.

Vice President, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy since 27th June 2019.

John was born in Leicester on 7th April 1958 and was educated at Ratcliffe College and the University of Manchester, where he read English Language & Literature.

He joined the Barclays Group in 1980 where he became an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and, after a broad based training programme, held various management positions in Barclays’ Corporate & Investment Banking Division in London. In 1993 he gave in to pressure from his Italian wife, Simonetta, and moved to Rome as part of Barclays de Zoete Wedd’s Structured Finance Division.  He transferred to Milan in 1996 where he managed the credit, operational and compliance risk functions at Barclays, Deutsche and HSBC, covering large and mid cap corporates, leveraged and acquisition finance, FIs, NBFIs and “work-out”.

John first joined the British Chamber of Commerce for Italy in 1998 and became a Councillor in 2009. He was elected President in June 2010, a role he held for 6 years until June 2016 and for which, in 2015, he was awarded an MBE for services to British Trade and Investment in Italy.

John is currently a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Governors of the British School of Milan where he Chairs the Nominations Committee and is a member of the Finance Committee.

John has two children – Andrew who works for a digital marketing agency in London and Emily who works as a Legal Researcher and Parliamentary Assistant in the UK Parliament.

His interests outside work include golf, cycling, rugby and literature.

Treasurer, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy since January 2019.

Bob Franchini retired from EY in June 2018 after having worked for over 40 years in EY in Italy, UK and US. Twenty-seven years as an audit partner in Italy. Leader for Independence matters for EY EMEIA (Europe, Middle East, India and Africa) and Asia-Pacific/Japan from 2008 through 2018. Six years as member of the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) setting ethical and auditor independence requirements for the accountancy profession worldwide.

He is currently an independent non-executive director of Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A

Bob is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and a Registered Auditor in Italy.

Born and educated in the UK with a degree in Economics from University of Salford he started his career with a predecessor firm of EY in London before moving to Italy in 1981. He is bilingual in Italian and English.

Councillor, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy since 25 June 2025

Carlo Azzola is a seasoned professional currently holding a dual role at Colt Technology Services, serving as Country Manager for Italy & Greece and Director of Sales Business Operations for the Global Organization. His responsibilities span a wide range of strategic and operational areas.

Carlo leads strategic analysis, executes transformational programs, and designs business review frameworks. He also drives people engagement initiatives and maintains regular communication with both internal and external stakeholders.

In his role as Country Manager, Carlo oversees significant revenue streams and manages a local team of 130 employees. His comprehensive responsibilities reflect his ability to lead all aspects of the business while ensuring alignment with Colt’s global strategy and strong local engagement.

Carlo is married to Roberta, with whom he has a 7-year-old daughter. He holds a Master of Science in Business Economics from the Università degli Studi dell’Insubria.

Councillor, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy since May 2023.

Rossella is the Head of International Corporate Banking for Italy at Barclays Bank.

In this role Rossella supervises core client relationships as senior executive and works closely with Investment Banking, Markets and Private Bank to ensure the delivery of a consistently excellence experience to clients globally. She is a member of the Management Committee in Italy as well as member of Management Committee of ICB Europe.

Rossella joined Barclays in 2013 as Senior Relationship Director and Team Head in Milan. She has since covered large corporates in different sectors, including A&D, Energy, Power&Utilities, originating high profile transactions in the Italian and international markets, whilst working closely with Investment Banking.  During her career at Barclays, Rossella was also member of the ICB Global Energy Council Initiative and was part of the Bank’s Committee for the European Referendum Response Program.

Prior to Barclays, Rossella worked for BNP Paribas, Milan branch as Coverage Director in the Investment Banking Europe division, and previously for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London where she covered the role of Principal Banker for CEE with secondments in various cities including Warsaw. She started her career in Mitsui, Milan branch, in 1996. Rossella graduated from Bocconi University and holds an International MBA from SDA Bocconi.

Councillor, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy since June 2024.

Marina Bidoli joined critical issues firm Brunswick as a Partner in 2008.  She has extensive experience in communication and journalism, having worked in Italy, the UK and Southern Africa. She formerly headed Brunswick South Africa.

Now based in Milano, she leads on significant crises, deals and reputation mandates. Marina chairs the Brunswick’s European DEI Committee.

She formerly headed Group Communications at energy firm Sasol and was an award-winning journalist.

She holds an MBA and BA degree, and serves on external advisory boards.

She intends to leverage her expertise to provide meaningful networking opportunities to enhance the Chamber’s membership drive.

Councillor, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy since 25 June 2025
Co-Chair, BCCI Tax&Legal Working Group

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

Cristiano holds significant roles in international legal organizations:
• IAP Istituto Autodisciplina Pubblicitaria: member of the Scientific Committee
• IAA International Advertising Association: Italian Chapter’s Councilor
• LINEE Lawyers International Network for Executives: Co-chair

Councillor, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy since 25 June 2025.
BCCI Hon. Regional Secretary for Sicilia.

Paolo 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.

Councillor, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy since May 2022

Massimo Di Terlizzi is a Lawyer (Avvocato) registered with the Italian Bar Association and a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales.

Massimo is also registered with the Italian Register of Certified Tax Advisors (Dottore Commercialista) and the Italian Register of Certified Auditors (Registro dei Revisori Legali).

He is Co-Managing Partner and Member of the Executive Committee as well as of the Board of Directors of Pirola Pennuto Zei & Associati; he is also Managing Partner of Pirola Pennuto Zei & Associati Ltd., Chairman of Pirola Advisory China and Pirola Advisory Hong Kong and Chairman of Pirola Corporate Finance SpA.

He has knowledge of and experience with corporate M&A, Private Equity, commercial and tax law as well as restructuring transactions.

Massimo is a Member of Boards of Directors and Boards of Statutory Auditors of Italian companies and Italian subsidiaries of foreign multinational groups.

Councillor, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy since 25 June 2025

Born in Milan in September 1965, Massimo Donà holds a degree in Economics and Business Administration from Bocconi University and additional academic course certificates in M&A and corporate finance.

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.

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 since 1994 and his family counts two sons who are now independently pursuing their professional paths.

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.

Councillor, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy since July 2018.
BCCI National Delegate.

CEO, LM School Uniforms

Councillor, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy since June 2021.
Co-Chair, BCCI Tax&Legal working Group

Richard Hamilton 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.

Councillor, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy since 25 June 2025 

Alessandro Vio is a Senior Associate at Giambrone & Partners.

After graduating in Law from the University of Parma, Alessandro 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.

Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia.
Honorary Councillor, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy

Roberto Costa’s culinary journey began in Italy and took a defining turn when he brought his vision to London, opening what he called “the last restaurant of the chain” in South Kensington. This bold move led to his professional separation from former partner Garrone in 2014 and the founding of Macellaio RC, a unique restaurant concept celebrating Italian butchery, craftsmanship, and regional cuisine. Over the years, Roberto expanded the brand across London. In 2018, he partnered with Mariella Radici to establish RC Group, a dynamic holding company that now oversees Macellaio RC restaurants blending Italian authenticity with modern flair. He currently owns and operates three Macellaio RC locations in London.

Beyond his entrepreneurial success, Roberto plays a key role in promoting Italian excellence abroad. He currently serves as President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the United Kingdom, one of the oldest and most active Italian chambers worldwide. Under his leadership, the Chamber is strengthening bilateral economic ties, supporting Italian businesses in the UK, and elevating the Made in Italy brand across multiple sectors.

Roberto is also President of RIAE (Coordination of Authentic Italian Restaurants Abroad), where he advocates for the protection and promotion of true Italian culinary tradition on the international stage.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to Italian culture and entrepreneurship abroad, Roberto was awarded the title of Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia by the President of the Italian Republic.

Honorary Councillor, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy.

Born in 1954, graduated in Economics & Commerce, Gianni is registered with the Order of Chartered Accountants and Accounting Experts of Milan since 1983 and with the National Register of Auditors since 1993.

Gianni’s professional career began in 1981 joining Price Waterhouse where he worked as auditor on international assignments achieving the role of Manager. As CFO he moved to Amsterdam where he worked in ENI International Holding BV for two years.  Back to Milan he has continued his career in different fields working as CFO in international Companies like Conquest Europe (Advertising Agency), Polyedra Spa (Paper distribution), VOR Motori (off-road bike production), Yamaha Motor Italia (bikes distribution and production, scooters and outboard engines distribution; Motogp and SBK racing activity ), Fila Europe (sport wear distribution).

He has closed his professional career by taking on the role of CFO and subsequently of Board Member at the British School of Milan from which he retired last August 2024.

Honorary Councillor, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy.

Roger King was born in Birmingham on 26th July 1945.

A member of the BCCI since 2005, Roger served as Treasurer from 2010 to 2018. 

He read history at Manchester University from 1963 to 1968, where he was awarded a B.A. (hons. – first class) and an M.A. with a specialization in medieval history. Between 1968 and 1969 he did further post-graduate research at Magdalen College, Oxford.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and a “Revisore Contabile” (Italian Registered Auditor). He holds an ICAEW Practicing Certificate and his practice Roger King s.r.l. is registered to provide Italian statutory audit services.

Roger joined the London office of Arthur Andersen in 1969 transferring to Andersen’s Milan office in 1972. He has subsequently worked continuously in Milan with the exception of a two year period in London in the late 1970’s and a further two year period developing Andersen’s Croatian practice in Zagreb in the mid-1990’s.

He is presently the sole quota holder of Roger King s.r.l., incorporated in 2004 to provide accounting and auditing services. His clients include Italian subsidiaries of companies quoted on foreign exchanges (NASDAQ, etc.)as well as Italian owned enterprises.

Roger is member of the Board of the Italian Association of International Accountants (IAIA). He has lectured at the IAIA’s Continuing Professional Education courses as well at numerous courses organized by the Ordine dei Dottori Commercialisti di Milano, Italian and Croatian Universities and the Italian tax authorities for the training of tax inspectors.

Treasurer of The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy from 2010 to 2018.
Treasurer of the Istituto Italiano della Donazione until 2020.

Commendatore OMRI.
Honorary Councillor, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy.

Hugh Malim was born on December 10th, 1944, and was educated at Wellington College, the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth and London University.

In the early 1960s, he entered the Royal Navy as a career officer, specializing as a naval aviator, and saw active service in the Middle and Far East, Northern Ireland and South Atlantic.

During the mid-1970s Hugh Malim joined the Barclays Group and in 1978 he came to Italy for the first time as assistant to the managing director of Banca Barclays Castellini SpA, Milan, and was then responsible for creating Group companies in the areas of factoring, consumer finance and investment banking.

In 1981 he was transferred to Rome to set up a local branch for the bank, while in 1985 Mr Malim went to London to join the newly formed investment bank of the Group, Barclays de Zoet Wedd, where he was responsible for the area of export and project finance.

In 1993, Hugh Malim was appointed Barclays Group country manager for Italy, and was responsible for refocusing the Group’s activities from commercial to investment banking. He retired from Barclays at this own request on the 31st Dec. 2013.

At present Hugh Malim, who became Commendatore della Repubblica Italiana in 2003, holds the following positions:

• President of Davis & Morgan Merchant Bank SpA
• Board Member of Vitale&Co SpA
• Cavaliere del Sovrano Ordine Militari di Malta
• Consigliere Ministro dell’Ambasciata SMOM in Slovenia

Honorary Councillor, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy.

John was born in Irvine on 14th January 1947 and is member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales since November 1969, and fellow since January 1979. Furthermore, he is Registered Italian Auditor and Licensed to practice by Consob (the Italian Stock Exchange regulatory authority) in 1980.

John has extensive professional experience in public accounting (including audit), receivership, international tax, valuations, M&A, project finance, and is considered an expert negotiator in acquisitions, disposals and mergers with extensive management experience in setting and implementing strategy, building businesses and managing all aspects of multidisciplinary services professional services firm both nationally and worldwide.

John is Managing Partner of WST Law & Tax, a leading professional services firm with over 20 years of history and 400 professionals based in Milan, Bologna, Rome, Turin and Venice, offering Legal, Risk & Compliance, Tax and Finance & Accounting consulting and being member in past years of Fieldfisher and Crowe networks.

During the time the firm was a member of Crowe network, John had the role of International Tax Director. This global role involved assessing and enhancing the international tax client service delivery capabilities of Crowe International member firms. This included monitoring firm growth and the content of training programs, evaluating member firm compliance with common tax practice standards and supervising tax practice inspection programs.

From 1993 to 2002 John was the Managing Partner of a big 4 accounting firm’s practice areas in Italy for corporate finance, tax, legal and outsourcing, growing the practices from 40 people in 8 offices to 1,200 people in 20 offices and twice the size of the second player.

Since September 2014, John is the Chairman of the main airport handling company of Milan’s two airports at Linate and Malpensa, as well as at Fiumicino in Rome, employing over 5,000 people.

His interest outside work includes cycling, skiing (all forms: langlauf, touring, downhill), climbing mountains, playing tennis and watching sport on TV.

John became Councillor in 2006 – Vice President from July 2016 to February 2018.

Honorary Legal Advisor, The British Chamber of Commerce for Italy.

Massimo was born in Milano on 7th August 1960 and was educated at Leone XIII College and at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan where he took his Law Degree in 1984.
He started his practice at Studio Radice – Izar in the civil and commercial field and was awarded a scholarship in London by the British Council within the European Lawyers Scheme.

He then deepened his experience in the labour and employment field which would become his prevalent activity.
The competence to assist clients, and particularly foreign companies, with a practical approach and with a knowledge of both commercial and labour and employment law has been and still is his strength.
He became a partner of CMS, the largest grouping of European law firms where he strengthened his practice at an international level, without losing his national background.

He then moved to Tosetto Weigmann e Associati, one of the oldest and most renowned Italian law firms, setting up and developing its Milan branch.
Finally, in January 2013, he set up Audisio e Associati together with two partners, within the same field of activity, maintaining the same approach towards work and clients, with a more flexible approach to their specific needs.
He collected several appointments within Professional Institutions and Associations, both at a National and International level, such as the National Vice President for Aiga (the National Association of Young Lawyers), the National Representative for Aija (the International Association of Young Lawyers), the Chairman of the International Commission of the Milan Bar (which he led for more than 10 years) taking care of the relations with foreign Bars around the world.

Massimo is now a member of Aba (the American Bar Association) and IBA (the International Bar Association) where he also represents the Milan Bar.
He first joined the BCCI in 1995 and became a Councillor in 1998; after standing as Vice President, at the end of his mandate within the Council, he was appointed Honorary Legal Advisor, an office where he was recently confirmed.