Fabrizio Palermo is one of Italy’s leading executives in corporate finance, strategic transformation, and infrastructure management. Born in Perugia in 1971, he graduated with honors in Economics and Business Administration from Sapienza University of Rome. He began his international career at Morgan Stanley in London, specializing in capital markets, mergers, and acquisitions, before joining McKinsey & Company, where he focused on restructuring, operational transformation, and the turnaround of major industrial and financial groups.

In 2005 he joined Fincantieri, where he served as Chief Financial Officer and later Deputy General Manager. During a crucial phase of expansion, he played a key role in the acquisitions of Manitowoc Marine Group and STX OSV, while overseeing the company’s first Eurobond issuance and its landmark IPO on the Milan Stock Exchange in 2014.

From 2018 to 2021 he was Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, leading an ambitious industrial plan that mobilized €200 billion for Italian businesses, infrastructure, territorial development, renewable energy, circular economy initiatives, and social housing. Under his leadership, CDP launched Italy’s first Social Housing Bond and strengthened strategic partnerships at national and international level.

Since 2022, Palermo has been Chief Executive Officer of Acea, and since 2023 also General Manager. He now leads one of Italy’s most important utility groups, active in water services, energy, and environmental infrastructure, with a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and resilience.

Recognized by Fortune Italia as Businessperson of the Year in the industrial sector, Palermo has also held numerous board and advisory roles, including the Italy-China Business Forum and major international industrial partnerships.