We all know the image of the phoenix rising from its ashes, but what is new (and extraordinary) is Generali's commitment to make the real Italian and European economy rise from the ashes, through a project which was not called by chance Phoenix 190, launched on the occasion of the 190th anniversary of the founding of the Trieste insurance group. The plan desired by the company founded on 26 December 1831 is worth 3,5 billion in five years, to support "sustainable recovery in Europe and the real economy". The countries most interested, in addition to Italy, are France and Germany, e over 1 billion euros has already been allocated through 10 investment funds focused on infrastructure, innovation and digitization, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), green living, health care structures, education.
The Fenice 190 plan is implemented through the multi-boutique platform of Generali Investments ed it is open to third party funds and institutional investors as well as all the group companies that can participate in a synergistic way, based on their own objectives, in the allocation of investments. The initiatives, a note explains, are selected by an investment committee of the Asset & Wealth Management Business Unit, led by CEO Carlo Trabattoni, with experts in real assets, sustainability, private markets, credit and equity. The responsibility of the committee is entrusted to the CEO of Generali Real Estate, Aldo Mazzocco, with a approach based on compliance with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations and the specific objective of generating a positive impact on the economic recovery and the real economy in Europe.
To celebrate its 190th anniversary, however, Generali does not stop at this important initiative, but has already organized other series in 2021. In December, for example, the recovery and enhancement project by David Chipperfield Architects will be completed , from the Procuratie Vecchie in Venice, which will be open to the public after 500 years and which will become the global hub of The Human Safety Net Foundation. In addition to Venice, the celebrations will obviously also involve Trieste and its city community to which Generali still feels very close: in the new spaces of Palazzo Berlam, recently renovated by architect Mario Bellini, will open the Company's Historical Archives to the public in a new interactive way. The courses and classroom experiences of the Group Academy, the new global training center of the Group, will also be launched at Palazzo Berlam.
Also, in the fall the first edition of EnterPRIZE will be held, the initiative dedicated to European small and medium-sized enterprises with the aim of encouraging them to adopt sustainable business models, giving visibility to those that have already done so and stimulating public debate on the subject. An online platform will be activated on which to share best practices and download content and general information relating to sustainability. At the same time, the first edition of a White Paper created with Bocconi University, dedicated to the effects of introducing sustainability principles in European SMEs, will be presented.
“Generali is one of the few companies in the world that can boast such a long history – commented the CEO of Generali Group, Philippe Donnet -. It is an extraordinary wealth of knowledge and experience, thanks to which the Group faces today's challenges and contributes to a better future for the communities in which it operates, both as an insurer and as a social innovator. The 190th anniversary falls in a decisive year for overcoming the most serious post-war world crisis together and laying the foundations for a major global relaunch. With Fenice 190 we want to be protagonists of this recovery leaving a concrete sign for the future, with significant support for the most innovative, sustainable and strategic sectors for the rebirth of the European economy and to encourage the inclusion of those who have been most affected by the crisis".
“Never before – added the president of Generali, Gabriele Galateri di Genola -, in an unprecedented context, the Generali Group intends to build a shared and sustainable vision of the future for all stakeholders. In 2021, the year that we hope will mark the start of the economic recovery, we celebrate our anniversary through a program of initiatives that unite past and future to offer new opportunities for growth and sharing. We want to participate in the development of an increasingly sustainable society by implementing the ambitious Fenice 190 investment program. At the same time, we intend to enhance the Company's extraordinary legacy of skills and memory so that it can be a stimulus for knowledge and inspiration for future generations " .
“We confirm the targets for 2021 of our plan and we will reach them all”, added Donnet during the streaming presentation. “This is our priority and we are focused with all the management team on this, but at the same time we always look at M&A opportunities, also at the European level”.
