Valerio Forconi

Experience

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  Italian Trade Commission (Istituto Commercio Estero - ICE)

  Jan 2004 - Jul 2004

  Intern
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  Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale

  Jul 2004 - Jan 2005

  Economic and Financial Multilateral Cooperation
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  Malaysia Airlines

  Apr 2005 - Sept 2005

  Finance Assistant
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  British American Tobacco

  Jan 2006 - Dec 2013

  Member of BAT plc Group Comms Steering Committee, reporting to the Corporate Affairs Director for Italy and leading a Team of 2, I had the responsibility of defining and executing the corporate external and internal communication strategies. With direct and constant contact with the Company top management, I was also responsible for all communications related aspects in the context of special projects (reconversion process of the last manufacturing plant in Italy and the roll out of HQ restructuring) including crisis management activities;Key achievements:• Successfully handled external affairs and media relations both at international, national and local level in preparation and during the factory (500+ workforce) reconversion/closure and HQ restructuring ensuring balanced and fact-based coverage and defending Company’s reputation (details on demand);• Effectively developed and executed a robust internal turnaround project by ensuring employees morale and motivation remained high during internal turmoil generated by the restructuring processes;• Turned the media relations function into an effective engagement lever by reframing the public debate on national media over key regulatory initiatives and in preparation of the EU Product Directive review through an effective blend of traditional/new media, advocacy initiatives and generating significant coverage;• Acted as Company spokesperson and representing the Company on national TV, media and public events whilst building a wide ranged network among the media community; Show less Media Relations - Main responsibilities: definition of corporate strategy and approach vis-a-vis the external world; Company spokesperson; creation and consolidation of network within the media community; implementation of activities aimed at increasing the awareness of the Company and its positions; ensure Company's views and positions are delivered through the media to the public opinion contributing to the debate on key issues surrounding the industry; preserve Corporate reputation from speculations; crisis communication management (Factory closure and Company restructuring) and definition of crisis communication protocol; ghost and speech writing; media training for senior management and Company spokespersons; press conference organization; budget and external consultancy management;External Communications - Main responsibilities: Corporate website restyling and maintenance; Corporate publications; Corporate brand custodianship; planning and implementation of Corporate external events;Internal Communications - Main responsibilities: ensure Corporate strategy and plans are fully embedded and understood by the Organization; planning and implementation of internal events; planning and publishing of internal magazine; restyling and maintenance of internal intranet platform; ensure cascading of Group messages and strategies; Show less

  • Head of Communication, Media Relations & Reputation | Crisis Management | Public Relations

    Apr 2012 - Dec 2013

  • Communication & Press Office Manager | Media Relations | Advocacy | External Relations | PR

    Feb 2009 - Apr 2012

  • Regulatory Affairs Manager | Taxation Management | Government Affairs |

    Jan 2006 - Feb 2009
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  Imperial Brands PLC

  Feb 2014 - Sept 2021

  Reporting to Group Corporate Affairs Director, leading the EU Affairs office Team of 5 professionals and coordinating 40+ professionals across the region on EU files, I am responsible for the definition and execution of the Group’s corporate affairs and advocacy strategy in the EU aimed at minimising regulatory-driven business and financial risks whilst generating commercial opportunities and advantages for both tobacco and non-tobacco containing next generation products.Key achievements:• Revamped of the EU Affairs office enabling the Company to tackle current and upcoming EU regulations (on products, environment and taxation);• Effective positioning of the Company in the Brussels environment as credible and reliable interlocutor for EU Institutions, trade Associations and media through the development and consolidation of a robust stakeholder network;• Successfully leveraged EU Institutions and diplomatic channels to mitigate regulatory risks at Member State level and outside the EU;• Conceived and deployed a pan-European advocacy campaign on non-tobacco containing vaping product coordinating a wide number of national associations, thinktanks and stakeholders;• Over £400mln risk mitigation through effective stakeholder engagement (details on demand);• Board and Executive Committee Member of EU industry Associations; Show less Reporting to the South East Europe Cluster GM, I was initially responsible for the Italian market and later for the larger cluster managing 2 professionals on site and 4 remotely. I was responsible for the development and execution of corporate affairs, PR and legal strategies across the different markets acting as main point of contact for authorities, regulators and media.Key achievements:• Review and revamp of the existing structure generating €300k saving on yearly functional budget;• Effectively persuaded Italian Government and regulators to adopt a sustainable regulatory framework for vaping products in Italy enabling a smooth product launch and increasing profitability through a 20% reduction on applicable consumption tax;• Successfully influenced three Budget Laws persuading regulators over the need of balanced excise increases enabling the Company pricing and commercial strategy and contributing to significant market share increases and bottom line uplifts (details on demand);• Positioned Imperial Brands as credible interlocutor by contributing to the regulatory debate with Governments, Authorities and media acting as Company spokesperson in public hearings, events and media initiatives whilst building a broad and robust stakeholder network in the key markets;• Effectively developed and executed traditional and black PR campaigns supporting the commercial and corporate agendas;• Successfully handled labour law cases and negotiations of key contracts; Show less

  • Head of EU Corporate Affairs | EU Trade Associations Board Member | EU Public Affairs

    Jul 2017 - Sept 2021

  • Head of Corporate Affairs & Legal | Public Policy | External Relations | PR | - South East Europe

    Feb 2014 - Aug 2017
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  Trane Technologies

  Oct 2021 - now

  Director, Government Relations and Public Policy - Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)

  Reporting to the Government Relations VP for the Group, I am responsible for the definition and execution of the Company’s advocacy strategy in the EMEA region with the view of supporting and enabling the Group’s path towards zero emissions including the reduction of one gigaton of carbon emissions (CO2) from our customers’ footprint by 2030. Policy areas of focus are the EU Green Deal, the Fit for 55 package and the NRRPs: combined, they will create the suitable regulatory framework for the EU and Member States to achieve the environmental objectives, and for Trane Technologies to commercially succeed through the electrification and decarbonization of the portfolio offerings under the strategic brands Thermo King and Trane. Show less