The Diplomat
Giuseppe Buccino Grimaldi, Ambassador of Italy, inaugurated the award ceremony of the Tiepolo Prize 2023 last Monday, in the presence of the Spanish Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory, Víctor Ángel Torres; the Spanish Ambassador to Italy, Miguel Fernández-Palacios Martínez, and the Presidents of the CCIS, Marco Pizzi, and of the CEOE, Antonio Garamendi.
The Tiepolo Prize, whose award ceremony is organised by the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Spain (CCIS) and the Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations (CEOE), recognises successful Italian and Spanish personalities in business and entrepreneurship.
In its 26th edition, the Award was presented to Gian Maria Gros-Pietro, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Intesa Sanpaolo; and Alejandra Kindelán, President of the Spanish Banking Association; for their contribution to strengthening the financial sector in Italy and Spain, and their support for the growth and competitiveness of the companies that make up the business fabric of both countries.
In his speech, the Italian ambassador said that “this year, two very important figures have been honoured who, with their vision and experience, have consolidated the banking sector as an engine of sustainable and responsible business”. He added that their “success stories have benefited not only Italy and Spain, but the entire European context”.
Gros-Pietro, who is also a member of the Board of the Italian Banking Association (ABI), said on receiving the award that he hopes that “the friendship between Spain and Italy can grow even more and play a catalytic role in building a more egalitarian and environmentally friendly society, also thanks to the precious help of the banking and financial system”.
For her part, Alejandra KIndelán, the first woman to receive the Tiépolo Prize, who was unable to be present at the event, conveyed the message that she considers the distinction “an encouragement, because our sector wants to be and is with the companies, with those who promote the growth of economies”.
