Giovanna Vitelli wins the 2024 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award

The independent jury, composed of representatives of institutions, economics and industry, awarded the prestigious recognition to Giovanna Vitelli for “not only  directing the company  towards growth in size and profitability, but also for inspiring technological advancements and projects focused on sustainability, employee well-being and corporate social responsibility.”  

A recipient for the award is selected each year by EY – global leader in professional services for auditing and accounting, tax and legal assistance, transactions, and consulting – among Italian entrepreneurs who have contributed to the economic, social and environmental growth of the country. The winners stand out for their capacity to transform, innovate and promote sustainability, demonstrated in the context of significant challenges and continuous change.  

After practicing corporate law, Giovanna Vitelli joined the Board of Directors of the family Group Azimut|Benetti in 2000, progressively took the lead in product development, and became Chair in 2023. The Group – the world’s leading manufacturer of mega yachts for twenty-four consecutive years – closed the latest financial year with 1.3 billion euros of revenue, representing a 55% growth over the last four years.  

In continuity with the mission and values of the Group founded by her father, Giovanna Vitelli identifies the constant investment in innovation as the determining factor in maintaining leadership and generating value for people and the local community. Thus, the product development strategy – consistent with the positioning of both the Azimut and Benetti brands – includes the creation of new trends and onboard lifestyles, as well as technological advancement, trailblazing the way to reducing environmental impact.  

Since the beginning of her entrepreneurial journey, Giovanna Vitelli has explored new frontiers of nautical design, encouraging technical offices and designers to rethink onboard spaces and offer today’s owners a more contemporary lifestyle, focused on conviviality, elegance, and proximity to the sea. Recent examples of this are Benetti’s Oasis Deck® and Azimut’s Seadeck Series, both of which are top sellers in the market. In this process of evolution, the Group has established itself as Design Hub with many international collaborations, introducing architects and creatives to the sector and thus enriching it with new and innovative influences and solutions.  

In the field of environmental sustainability, the Group’s strategy combines pragmatism with an ambitious vision offering the best results achieved today in emissions reduction through the development and integration of the most effective solutions available: weight reduction, high-efficiency hulls, hybrid propulsion systems, and onboard power management. At the same time, in collaboration with independent organizations and universities, it promotes the establishment of certification standards for consumption and emissions, in order to guide the industry towards an increasingly conscious and mature approach.  

In support of the strategy, Chair Giovanna Vitelli has launched a drive to strengthen the managerial culture and governance by also establishing the Azimut|Benetti Group Corporate Academy, aimed at the professional education and growth of the people, with the goal of transferring the expertise that embodies Italian excellence in technology, engineering, and manufacturing within the company, while also supporting young people entering the world of yachting.  

“I believe that this award represents recognition for the results obtained by the entire Group as we accompany our clients into a new era of yachting and a new way of experiencing the sea,” declared Giovanna Vitelli, Chair of the Azimut|Benetti Group, adding, “As a family company, we have the privilege of looking ahead and creating value over time. Today, this means committing to reducing emissions to make the nautical world more sustainable, which inspires other players in the sector to do the same. But above all, it means continuing to combine the greatest beauty with the most sophisticated technology. My thanks to the 2,250 people who work for Azimut|Benetti Group around the world and who, together with me, continue to chart the course.”