Stefano Pelle

Stefano Pelle graduated with honours from Luiss University of Rome, followed by a Masters in Marketing from the same university. He completed his second graduation in Political Science from La Sapienza, University of Rome. During his career he has attended executive education programmes in renowned institutes such as HEC, ESSEC, INSEAD and London Business School.

He joined Price Waterhouse in 1985 but started his marketing career in 1987 with Johnson and Johnson. After spending six years in the FMCG sector, he moved to the services Industry as Head of Marketing of Iberia Airlines. He subsequently joined the Italian Railways as the Marketing and Sales Director, and later took over the responsibility of the High Speed Train Division. In 1998, he joined the Perfetti Van Melle Group, to oversee the Indian sub-continent operations of Perfetti Van Melle as the Managing Director.
Since 2005, Stefano is Group Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Based in Dubai, he manages the Business Unit South Asia, including three Operating Companies with manufacturing operations in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and the export in the surrounding countries (e.g. Pakistan, Afghanistan, etc.). Recently he was also given the responsibility to develop green field projects in Africa, as well as to find New Business Opportunities for the Group.
Stefano is also still holding the position of Chairman for the Indian operating company, Perfetti Van Melle India, as well as for PVM Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

For his work in South Asia, he received the high award of Knight Commander (Commendatore) from The President of Italy in 2006.

Despite his busy schedule in the Perfetti Van Melle Group, Stefano dedicates his free time to academics: he published in 2007 the book “Understanding Emerging Markets: Building Business BRIC by Brick” as well as several essays. He is also Honorary Professor in IMI (International Management Institute) New Delhi. Since 2007 he cooperates with LUISS University of Rome, Faculty of Economics, as contract Professor for International Marketing and International Business. He also teaches in the Executive MBA in LUISS Business School. Apart form the above mentioned book S. Pelle has published several articles and essays in newspapers, management journals and magazines, the list of which is attached below:

- “ The Economic Times”, August 15th, 08, “Let every day be November 14th”

- “Il Veltro”, June ’08, Rivista Della Civilta` Italiana, “India and Italy: a bridge between two Continents”

- “Spandan”, Nov. 05, Journal of Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode, “Media Innovation: on line advertising

- “Il Sole 24ore”, June 3rd, 05, “Delhi is prepara ad agguantare Pechino”

- “Pitch”, The Advertising, Marketing and Media review, May/June 05, “Integrating Marketing and PR”

- “Pitch”, The advertising, Marketing and Media review, March/April 05, “Advertising that works”

- “Pearls of Wisdom”, Volume 2, March 05, publication of Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resource Development, “Global and Local Brands”

- “The Economic Times, Corporate Dossier”, February ’05, “Laying a firm foundation”;

- “Markazine”, January ’05, publication of FMS Delhi, School of Management,” Innovation for effective sales promotion”;

- “Spandan”, January 05, Journal of Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode, “Developing new products: the way to sustain sales growth- Some Asian Experiences;

- “4 P”, Journal of the Indian Institute of Planning and Management, October 04, “Packaging innovation, a decisive variable”;

- “La Tecnica professionale” April 97, “A new marketing approach to high speed train”;

- “Impresa e società” February 87 - “Evolution of financial brokerage in Italy”;

- “Impresa e società” November 86 - “Public Bonds, taxation and new Public policies”;