CEO Philippe Donnet Reflects On 10 Years at Generali
Philippe Donnet is celebrating his leadership anniversary at Generali, marking 10 years since his first day as the company’s Group CEO.
Philippe joined the company in 2013, serving as CEO of Generali Italia S.p.A, overseeing company mergers and acquisitions, such as the integration of Liberty Seguros’ European operations, the largest transaction for the group in the past decade.
He became Group CEO in March 2016 and continued as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Generali Italia S.p.A until 2022.
Under Phillippe’s leadership, Generali has navigated macroeconomic instabilities like geopolitical tensions and economic volatility and continues to implement strategies to deliver on growth and returns to boost the European economy.
Discussing economic shifts during his tenure, Philippe says: “It has been a decade shaped by profound – and often unexpected – external disruptions, from economic volatility and geopolitical shifts to global health crises and rapid technological change.
“We transformed and strengthened our organisation while staying true to the DNA that has defined Generali since 1831: that of an Italian, international and independent group.”
Company foundations for growth
Philippe approaches leadership through dedication to supporting employees and customers as well as delivering long-term value creation for stakeholders, demonstrating his commitment to progression within the business and the culture around it.
In an official company statement, he outlines the company’s proof of quality and success with the recent delivery of three consecutive strategic plans: advanced underwriting and expanded loss prevention, boosted multinational programs and expanded product offerings.
Philippe explains the success of these plans has allowed the company to build solid foundations and will help guide the direction of Generali going forward.
Generali has invested heavily in ESG under Philippe’s leadership, including with Fenice 190, a €3.5bn (US$4bn) investment fund launched in 2021, designed to support sustainable growth for European economies impacted by COVID-19.
Philippe states investment strategies like these should balance ESG and return on investment.
“Looking forward, what matters is the recovery, but not any kind of recovery, it can only be sustainable and it must be green,” he adds.
He also acknowledges how Generali uses its strategic foundations for growth: its people, by promoting an environment that encourages skill development and excellence; its AI systems, by investing in technology for new opportunities; and sustainability, by adhering to responsible investments and considering the environmental impact.
Strategies for economic uncertainty
Looking ahead, Philippe reaffirms his commitment to supporting colleagues and driving Generali’s quality and resilience among economic uncertainties and rapid technological changes.
He highlights Generali’s next chapter of growth with plans like the Lifetime Partner 27: Driving Excellence strategy, a strategy designed to enhance customer relationships, build on core capabilities like growth acceleration and technical proficiency and evolve Generali’s operating model to provide scalable services and productivity gains.
In 2025, Generali saw a record operating profit of €8bn (US$9.3bn), reporting a 9.7% rise in profits across all business segments. The company is also announcing plans to implement a €500m (US$578.6m) share buyback, emphasising Philippe’s focus on shareholder returns.
Despite the potential economic challenges faced by the US-Iran conflict, the company remains committed to the targets of its 2025-2027 plan, including 8-10% annual growth earnings per share.
“The quality, dedication and humanity of our people are what continues to drive Generali forward, and I am so proud of the bond we have built throughout this journey,” Philippe adds.
“The next decade will bring new complexities. But I know that, together, we will face them with the same unity, long-term vision and unwavering commitment that have guided our company for 195 years.”
