The Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the United Kingdom (ICCIUK) and Agriplan Srl have signed a Referral Agreement aimed at establishing a structured collaboration in the design of internationalisation projects to be submitted for OCM Wine – Promotion in Third Countries funding, specifically targeting the United Kingdom market.
The UK market represents a concrete opportunity for Italian producers, thanks to the growing demand for Mediterranean wines and the strong dynamism of consumer demand. The United Kingdom is one of the most significant wine consumption markets globally, and wine demand is expected to grow moderately (CAGR 0.7%) until 2028, with sector revenues increasing by 2.1% annually.
The agreement was established with the objective of offering Italian wine companies qualified and integrated support, combining institutional and specialised expertise in the design, management and implementation of initiatives financed by public funds, aimed at commercial development in non-EU markets.
OCM Wine – Promotion Funds: what they are and how they work
OCM Wine – Promotion funds are a public financing instrument of the European Union, managed at national level by the Ministry of Agriculture and by individual Regions. They are intended to support promotional and communication activities for European wines in Third Countries, including the United Kingdom.
The objective of the measure is to strengthen the competitiveness of wine companies by promoting:
Eligible projects may include, by way of example:
The OCM contribution generally covers up to 50% of the eligible project costs, while the remaining share is borne by the beneficiary company.
Eligibility requirements
Italian wine companies – either individually or in aggregated form – may apply for access to OCM funds, provided they meet the requirements set out in the applicable legislation, including:
The application process involves a complex evaluation phase, making the support of specialised consultants essential for the correct preparation, management and reporting of applications.
The partners
The Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the United Kingdom, officially recognised by the Italian Government, has been the institutional reference point for Italian companies interested in the British market for over a century. The Chamber supports businesses in their internationalisation processes through strategic consultancy, commercial assistance, promotion and networking services, offering in-depth knowledge of the UK economic and regulatory environment.
Agriplan Srl is a consultancy firm specialised in the management of OCM Wine – Promotion funds, with consolidated experience in assisting Italian companies at every stage of the process: from eligibility assessment to operational management and reporting of funded projects, in full compliance with European and national regulations.
The collaboration and ICCIUK’s role
Thanks to the agreement, ICCIUK will play a central role as an institutional interlocutor for companies interested in the UK market, coordinating access to OCM funds with concrete support for internationalisation. Agriplan will provide the technical and managerial consultancy required for the correct handling of OCM procedures, while the Chamber will support companies in the development of promotional and commercial activities in the British market.
A strategic opportunity for Italian companies
Italian wine companies interested in developing OCM projects focused on the United Kingdom are invited to contact the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the United Kingdom. Through this collaboration, the Chamber will be able to support them along a structured and integrated pathway, from project design to the implementation of activities in the target market. The agreement confirms ICCIUK’s commitment to strengthening tools and partnerships that support the competitiveness of Italian companies abroad, enhancing the opportunities offered by European funds for sustainable international growth.
The South-Tyrolean family business is among the biggest window suppliers in Europe. The company recently opened its Finstral Studio Borehamwood in north London, launching its appeal to resellers in the UK. We asked Andreas Simmer, Head of Finstral UK, about his plans and ambitions.
Mr. Simmer, Finstral is another supplier of continental windows that has decided to come to the UK. Can you tell us why and what your company has to offer the UK market?
I would say it was about time. On one hand UK has a strong premium segment for high-quality building goods, which makes it an attractive market for Finstral. And on the other, anyone who is familiar with continental window suppliers knows that Finstral undoubtedly offers one of the most sophisticated window systems in Europe. Since I started talking to UK dealers and architects about our products, the feedback I keep getting is that this wide range of possibilities in terms of functionality and aesthetics has not been seen before. So this is the pitch.
Finstral is making its debut at the FIT Show in Birmingham this year. What can visitors expect from your presence at the event, and what are you hoping to achieve?
We’re really excited to be part of the FIT Show this year—it’s the perfect platform for us to introduce Finstral to the UK market and connect with professionals who are looking for something different in the world of windows and doors. Stand S70 will showcase the full scope of what we offer: premium-quality products, a modular system that allows for real design flexibility, and a level of craftsmanship that sets us apart. More than anything, we’re here to start conversations. We want to meet dealers, resellers, and industry experts who are looking for innovative, high-margin solutions that can truly differentiate their business. We encourage everyone to stop by, experience the Finstral difference for themselves, and explore the opportunities of working with us. Register to Stand S70 HERE.
What makes the Finstral product range so special? What are the brands unique selling propositions?
Windows are often still seen as a commodity. But in reality, they are an investment for decades. It is therefore worth opting for a better and more beautiful product. Finstral really masters this offer, thanks to its consistently modular product range, its uncompromising material, construction and installation quality and its sense of aesthetics. After all, the strongest sales factor is ultimately beauty. And with Finstral, beautiful windows are really good business.
In addition to the products, Finstral attaches great importance to the “Finstral Studio” showroom concept. What is it all about?
If you want to sell good and beautiful windows and convince customers to opt for added value ... you have to make sure that they experience windows anew. This is why the Studio concept is an important pillar of the Finstral sales strategy. Let’s make a simple comparison: no customer would buy a kitchen without visiting a kitchen studio first. The same applies to new bathrooms: no one would choose the elements without at least visiting one sanitary showroom. And that’s why it was clear to us that we would start our market entry in the UK with the opening of our own Finstral Studio.
And what can visitors of the Finstral Studio Borehamwood expect to see?
Our first British Finstral Studio doesn’t aim for end customers, but mainly for dealers or other professionals who want to inform themselves about the Finstral product range and our premium sales strategy. We explain all the functional and aesthetic options of Finstral elements from the outside, i.e. the façade side; the center, i.e. the core of the window; the inside, i.e. the living side; and all around, i.e. the service around the window. At Finstral, this principle runs through the entire consultation, from the website to the catalogue to the item text in the offer. The best option is to visit finstral.com/borehamwood or make an appointment with us directly in the Studio.
Are there specific goals you have set yourself for the UK? How many retailers do you want to attract, how much turnover are you aiming for?
Our long-term goal is to establish ourselves here in the UK. That will take time, but we have it. After all, we are serious about building truly sustainable partnerships. We are already attracting a lot of interest in the window industry. Many dealers are looking for proven, high-margin products with a high potential for differentiation from the competition. And this is exactly where we can be an attractive option with our consistent premium range.
Don't miss out! Stand S70 at the FIT Show. Scan to register today.
The Finstral company
Founded in 1969, Finstral is now one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of windows, entry doors and glass walls. Diverse, functionally innovative and aesthetically compelling: the unique product range of this South Tyrolean family business permits the customized composition of windows, entry doors and glass walls, all thanks to their consistently modular design. Almost anything can be combined with anything else, mainly because Finstral, with its 1,650 employees and 14 plants, realizes almost everything by itself.
London, March 20, 2025 - Leasys UK, a leading provider in multi-brand operational leasing, is expanding its long-term rental offer for Electric Vehicles with new models from Leapmotor.
Leapmotor, part of the Stellantis Group, the world’s fourth-largest car manufacturer, is dedicated to delivering affordable electric mobility technologies.
With the introduction of two models, T03 and C10, Leasys UK will provide customers further sustainable and technologically advanced mobility solutions, towards a more sustainable future.
The T03 model is a compact, yet comfortable urban vehicle, with all features included as standard on every model and a range of up to 165 miles. Available from £236 per month1 on Business Contract Hire, with an initial rental of £1,416, the T03 is one of the most cost-effective Electric Vehicles available in the UK.
The C10 model is a larger car that delivers high performance electric mobility, with a range of up to 261 miles and equipped with the latest advanced safety features. It is available from £317 per month1 on Business Contract Hire, with an initial rental of £1,902.
Designed to improve the EV customer offering and experience, the new models enhance Leasys UK’s long-term rental formula as a suitable solution for those who want to explore electric motoring, through alternatives to ownership. The new Leapmotor models also help to advance Leasys towards its target of having 1 million vehicles on fleet by 2026.
Shane Coomber, Managing Director at Leasys UK, said: “As we work to increase the appeal of Electric Vehicles, this new product range further enhances our EV customer offering and experience, as we look to accelerate the transition to Electric Vehicles.”
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Notes to Editors
1Business Contract Hire. Leapmotor range from £236 per month plus £1,416 initial rental. Model shown has options, which will increase the initial rental and monthly rental. 36 month term. 10,000 miles p.a. Valid until 31/03/25. Subject to status. Leasys, SL1 0WU.
Leasys
Leasys, a joint venture between Stellantis and Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility, offers mobility solutions which range from medium and long-term rentals to management systems for company fleets, guaranteeing efficient, rational, safe and sustainable mobility. Created out of the merging of two leading companies in the sector, Leasys and Free2Move Lease, the new company has established itself as a pioneer of the new idea of fluid, integrated and global mobility designed for individuals, professionals and companies of all sizes. Leasys boasts of a managed fleet of 906,000 vehicles which is already operational in 11 European countries: Italy, Spain, France, UK, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, Luxembourg and Austria.
Leasys UK, the joint venture between Stellantis and Crédit Agricole Personal Finance and Mobility and a leading player in multi-brand operational leasing, has risen to 9th position in the 2024 FN50 listing of the top 50 contract hire and leasing companies in the UK. The event also saw Leasys UK recognised as finalists in the prestigious FN50 awards in both the Customer Service and Wellbeing categories.
Having grown its fleet since 2023, Leasys UK’s one-point increase in this year’s FN50 listing cements the brand’s continued growth, 18 months on from the consolidation with the former Free2Move Lease.
Announced at the annual Fleet News FN50 Dinner, which took place in London, the list recognises the achievements of companies from across the UK’s fleet and leasing sector.
Widely considered to be among the biggest nights in the leasing industry calendar, the FN50 dinner saw representatives from across the sector come together to discuss issues facing fleets and to network.
The increase in Leasys UK’s Managed Fleet size demonstrates strong customer demand in the long-term leasing sector, and the brand remains committed to offering customers innovative mobility solutions that deliver on customers’ priorities.
Matthew Boswell, Leasys UK Managing Director, said: “Once again, Leasys UK has demonstrated its scale and expertise. We are delighted to report an increase in our fleet size, which would not have been possible without the hard work of the whole team. And being recognised and shortlisted as finalists for our commitment to customer service and employee wellbeing helps us stay focussed on what is required to create good business practice and promote better mental health in the workplace.”
Looking to the future, Boswell stated: “Leasys UK is committed to working with our partners to grow our fleet market offering in a way that makes sense for our customers. We will be approaching 2025 in the same spirit – whether that is through the continued trend towards greater digitalisation to streamline the way products are accessed; further flexibility over contract lengths, after the introduction of our short-term rental service; or supporting on the transition to net zero, with solutions designed to give customers greater flexibility and control.”
London, November 8, 2024
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Leasys
Leasys, a joint venture between Stellantis and Crédit Agricole Personal Finance & Mobility, offers mobility solutions which range from short, medium and long-term rentals to management systems for company fleets, guaranteeing efficient, rational, safe and sustainable mobility. Created out of the merging of two leading companies in the sector, Leasys and Free2Move Lease, the new company has established itself as a pioneer of the new idea of fluid, integrated and global mobility designed for individuals, professionals and companies of all sizes. Leasys boasts of a managed fleet of about 890,000 vehicles which is already operational in 11 European countries: Italy, Spain, France, UK, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, Luxembourg and Austria.
We are thrilled to share the impressive financial results from our patron member, Brunello Cucinelli, who has reported revenues of €920.2 million for the first nine months of 2024. This marks a remarkable growth of +12.4% at current exchange rates and +12.7% at fixed exchange rates compared to the same period last year.
Brunello Cucinelli's success is well-distributed across markets, with notable growth in both Western and Eastern regions. The Americas saw an incredible increase of +17.6%, while Europe contributed a solid +8.0%. In Asia, revenues also surged by +12.2%, demonstrating the brand's appeal across diverse markets.
The brand's growth is evident in both retail and wholesale channels, with retail up by +13.3% and wholesale increasing by +11.0%. This balanced performance underscores the strength of the Brunello Cucinelli brand and its ability to connect with customers through various avenues.
Given the outstanding results from the first nine months and the strong sales of the Men's and Women's Fall-Winter 2024 collections, Brunello Cucinelli confidently projects a continued sales growth of approximately +10% for the entirety of 2024. The brand's commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and exclusive style resonates deeply with clients, fostering strong relationships and a loyal customer base.
Brunello Cucinelli emphasizes the importance of a well-balanced growth strategy, not only for its own brand but for other dynamic enterprises considering going public. At the recent "Dinner of Gratitude" held at the Milan Stock Exchange, the brand honored its supporters and reiterated its belief in the value of being publicly listed while maintaining a focus on sustainable growth.
Executive Chairman and Creative Director Brunello Cucinelli shared, "We are particularly pleased with the highly positive momentum our brand is currently enjoying. Our commitment to craftsmanship and the authentic relationships we build with our clients are at the heart of our success. We see significant opportunities in the true luxury market, and with the substantial orders already placed for the Men's and Women's Spring-Summer 2025 sales campaign, we are poised for healthy, sustainable growth in the coming years."
In conclusion, Brunello Cucinelli's impressive turnover figures and strategic vision reflect a brand that not only values financial success but also cherishes the human connections that underpin its legacy. We look forward to seeing how the brand continues to thrive and inspire in the future.
On October 25th at 11:00, at the Sala Longhi of Unioncamere (RM), the presentation of the report “GreenItaly 2024 – A human-scale economy against crises”, promoted by the Symbola Foundation and Unioncamere and the Tagliacarne Study Center in collaboration with Conai, Novamont, Ecopneus, Enel.
A story of the green transition that through numbers, trends and over 200 case histories offers an information tool on the state of progress of the green economy in Italy and in the world and its effects on the competitiveness of production systems.
For more information: https://symbola.net/live/presentazione-greenitaly-2024/
The European Commission's recent report on the implementation and application of EU trade policy highlights the significant role of trade agreements in fostering economic growth and market access for European companies. At the end of 2023, the EU had 42 preferential trade agreements in force with 74 partners, accounting for 45.8% of the EU's total external trade. The report highlights the success of the four most advanced trade agreements with South Korea, Canada, Japan and Vietnam in boosting EU exports, particularly in key sectors such as vehicles, aircraft, electrical machinery and pharmaceuticals. For example, EU exports of goods increased on average by 127% from 2010 to 2023 to South Korea and by 64% from 2016 to 2023 to Canada.
In terms of market access, the EU has made significant progress in removing barriers in partner countries. In 2023, 41 market access barriers were partially or fully removed in 28 countries. These efforts cover for example sanitary and phytosanitary issues, such as regionalisation in Japan and South Korea, or high-tech sectors relevant for the green transition, as well as other types of more traditional barriers, such as Argentina's non-automatic licensing system, or Colombia's burdens for risk assessments on EU animal and plant products.
The Commission continued to focus on the implementation of Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) provisions that were included in 12 of its trade agreements in force in 2023 with 18 partner countries. Regular engagement in the institutional TSD committees led to tangible progress, such as the ratification of multilateral conventions by partner countries and the strengthening of cooperation with civil society on the respect of labour and environmental standards.
Finally, the report reiterates the importance of trade agreements to open up markets for the 680,000 exporting SMEs, the main drivers of international trade, and facilitate their access to global markets. In particular, SMEs benefit from dedicated tools, first and foremost the Access2Markets platform, designed to help them navigate the complexities of international trade. For example, thanks to ROSA, the rules of origin self-assessment tool, businesses can check the tariff advantages provided by the various trade agreements, with around 14,000 assessments carried out each month. In 2023, over 11,000 SMEs were trained to use this platform, enabling them to exploit the growth opportunities offered by the EU's vast trade network while maintaining their competitiveness.
alessandra.laterza@unioncamere-europa.eu
In today's global landscape, addressing environmental challenges is an essential priority. The transition to a circular economy offers a concrete response to issues related to the exploitation of natural resources and pollution. It promotes a regenerative economic model capable of reducing waste, extending product life cycles, and optimizing resource use.
Call4Circular x Greenthesis | Innovation for Environmental Services is a circular open innovation project developed by the Circular Economy Lab—an initiative by Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center and Cariplo Factory—for Greenthesis. The goal is to identify and support projects that propose circular innovations in environmental services. This initiative aims to engage entrepreneurs, startups, and innovative SMEs ready to contribute with cutting-edge ideas and solutions.
The Greenthesis Group is one of the leading integrated Italian operators in environmental services, including remediation solutions, waste-to-energy technologies, wastewater treatment, sludge management, biogas and biomethane production, and advanced technological solutions for the recovery, recycling, and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. The Greenthesis Group aims to be a constant reference point in the environmental sector for technological innovation and a systemic approach to services.
Deadline: 3rd September 2024
For more information click here.
12th January 2023
18:00 – 20:30
Italian Embassy in London
This year as well, thanks to the consolidated success of past editions, the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the UK - in collaboration with the Italian Embassy in London, with the patronage of H.E. the Italian Ambassador Inigo Lambertini and the Talented Italians in the UK Association - is pleased to announce the ninth edition of the “Talented Young Italians” Awards 2022.
The aim of this award is to bring to public attention the individuals who have succeeded in their endeavour in the UK, keeping at the same time a link with Italy and fostering the exchanges between the two Countries.
The most distinguished individuals will be awarded in each of the following categories:
A committee of senior representatives evaluate the applications by using their expertise in each category:
– Roberto Buizza, scientific attache’, Italian Embassy in London;
– Marco Niada, former journalist and expert in media and communication;
– Brunello Rosa, CEO and Head of Research, Rosa & Roubini and President of Talented Italians in UK Association;
– Leonardo Simonelli Santi, President Emeritus of the Italian Chamber of Commerce for the UK and Talented Italians in UK Association.
This edition’s award winners are:
After the Awards, ICCIUK's President Alessandro Belluzzo presented also the Survey of Italian Investments in the UK, which is an extremely useful tool for economic operators and it is for this reason that the Chamber provides it every 4 years.
Following the Talented Young Italians Awards, the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the UK had the pleasure to present the Keynes Sraffa. As tradition, this prestigious award aims to celebrate outstanding Italian and English individuals who epitomise the cooperation between this country and Italy. This year’s winners are Andrea Bonomi, founder and chairman of Investindustrial and Margherita Della Valle, Interim Ceo of Vodafone.
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