As of February 1, 2017, Alessandro Maria Poggiali, External Relations Director of Philip Morris Italia was appointed Vice-President Corporate Affairs for the Eastern Europe, Middle-East and Africa area and for Philip Morris International (PMI) Duty-Free. In this new role, Poggiali is called to lead the External Relations of a large and strategic region for the group, in view of the future challenges related to the business transformation of Philip Morris International.
Alessandro Maria Poggiali joined PMI in 2003 and built his career in the Corporate Affairs department. After an experience in Brussels, in 2013 he took over the leadership of the external relations of the Italian subsidiary of the group, supporting both PM Italia and PM Manufacturing & Technology Bologna. Under his direction of the Corporate Affairs department, the group's Italian affiliates achieved important milestones, such as the launch of RRPs (reduced-risk products) and the opening of new production plants in the Bologna area.
With effect from the same date, he was appointed in his place Gianluca Bellavista, the new Philip Morris Italia Director of External Relations, who is returning to Italy after a long experience abroad. Gianluca Bellavista joined Philip Morris Italia in 2002 in the Business Development and Planning department, and has built a successful international career over the years.
