London, 9 March 2026 – “Equity and Debt Investments in Italy Conference” is the title of the annual event, now in its tenth edition, organised by Legance and the Embassy of Italy in London, under the patronage of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy. The event took place this morning at the Italian diplomatic headquarters in London.
In the presence of the Italian Ambassador, Inigo Lambertini, and more than 180 participants including investors and City operators, the conference opened with remarks by Filippo Troisi, Co-Managing and Senior Partner of Legance.
“This event has become an important platform for dialogue between Italian institutions, international investors and the financial community here in the United Kingdom,” said Ambassador Lambertini.
“A tenth anniversary does not happen by chance. It is, in fact, a testament to strong commitment, the high quality of the speakers and the strength of the content discussed.
Private equity and private debt continue to represent essential tools for supporting innovation and sustainable growth. Italy has demonstrated resilience and renewed dynamism, and the interest of international investors remains strong across a wide range of sectors,” he added.
Riccardo Barbieri Hermitte, Director General of the Treasury at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, then spoke on the topic “Italy from value to growth”, moderated by Francesco Bongarrà, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in London.
The first panel, “Long term equity investments: market opportunities in all sectors, challenges and lessons learned”, explored the outlook for long-term investments in Italy, reflecting on opportunities across different sectors and the challenges posed by the market.
The session, moderated by Anna Irrera of Bloomberg together with Laura Li Donni and Francesco Florio, Partners at Legance, featured contributions from Francisco Cabeza (Antin Infrastructure Partners), Stefano Giambelli (H.I.G. Capital), Lorenzo Stanca (Mindful Capital Partners), Valentina Pippolo (Nextalia Investment Management), Fabio Canè (Renaissance Partners), Mauro Moretti (Three Hills Capital Partners), Gabriele Cipparrone (Apax Partners), Claudia Scarico (Apollo Global Management), Andrea Valeri (Blackstone), Giampiero Mazza (CVC Capital Partners), Francesco Pascalizi (Permira) and Marco Bellino (PAI Partners).
The second panel, “Unleashing debt capital market: opportunity for private debt and alternative lenders in Italy”, moderated by Nicol Degli Innocenti of Il Sole 24 Ore and Andrea Giannelli, Co-Managing and Senior Partner of Legance, included speakers Stefano Questa (Ares Management), Elena Dal Soglio (Goldman Sachs Asset Management), Giovanni Luna (Fortress Investment Group), Maria Teresa Iardella (Mediobanca) and Andrea Pescatori (Ver Capital SGR).
During the third panel, entitled “Italy unleashed: policies and reforms in the Italian contemporary economic, business and legal environment”, speakers included Alessandro Cattaneo, Chair of the UK-Italy Friendship Group in the Italian Parliament and Co-chair of the Pontignano Conference; Chiara Mosca, Acting Chairwoman of CONSOB; Marika Cioffi, Chief Representative Officer for the United Kingdom at the Bank of Italy; and Fabrizio Testa, CEO of Borsa Italiana. The discussion was moderated by Marco Varvello of La Stampa together with Federico De Rosa of Corriere della Sera and Marco Gubitosi, London Resident Partner at Legance.
The day concluded with institutional remarks by the Deputy Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy, Valentino Valentini; Renato Loiero, Advisor to the President of the Council of Ministers; and Marco Gubitosi, London Resident Partner at Legance.
“We are living through one of the most genuinely uncertain moments since the post-war period,” said Valentino Valentini, Deputy Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy. “Yet in this context, Italy’s trajectory over the past decade has been very encouraging. Foreign direct investment projects have almost doubled compared to pre-pandemic figures. Capital markets are reopening. Private equity has found in Italy one of its most dynamic European arenas. And, crucially, Italy has avoided not only economic volatility but also political volatility. Investors have noticed this. Rating agencies have noticed this as well, because in moments of real uncertainty, mature markets with strong institutions, credible legal frameworks and proven resilience become more attractive, not less. The work is not finished. It never will be. But the foundations are solid.”
“Despite the global geopolitical and economic context,” commented Marco Gubitosi, London Resident Partner at Legance, “Italy is looking towards 2026 with a particularly dynamic and significant pipeline of private equity investments. The country stands out for its institutional stability, entrepreneurial dynamism and social resilience. International investors’ interest remains high, and private equity in particular will continue to support the growth, transformation and internationalisation of Italian companies. Over its ten years of meetings, the Equity and Debt Investment Conference in London has established itself as one of the key hubs for dialogue between international investors, entrepreneurs and Italian institutions.”
For further details, please contact: stampa.amblondra@esteri.it
