Ermenegildo Zegna (businessman)

Ermenegildo "Gildo" Zegna (born 30 September 1955) is an Italian entrepreneur and manager. He is Chairman and CEO of Ermenegildo Zegna Group.

Early life and education
Gildo is a grandson of Ermenegildo Zegna, who founded the family business in 1910. Born in Turin in 1955, Gildo Zegna's father, Angelo, along with his brother Aldo, had been overseeing the business since the mid-1960s. Angelo served as the Company's honorary chairman until his death in 2021.

Gildo Zegna graduated with a degree in economics from the University of London in 1978. In 1981, he completed a managerial program at the Harvard Business School.

Career
Gildo Zegna entered the family business in 1982, assuming the role of President of Ermenegildo Zegna Corporation, where he managed the distribution of Zegna products in the U.S. and Canada.

From 1986 to 1989, he served as CEO of Italco SA, supervising the distribution of Zegna products in Spain.

Gildo Zegna has been a board member of Ermenegildo Zegna Group since 1989, becoming chief executive officer in 1997. Under his guidance, alongside his cousin Paolo Zegna, the label has undertaken a strategy of full verticalization and brand extension. The Zegna Group acquired the high-end textile manufacturer Bonotto in 2016; the historic Cappellificio Cervo hat-maker and the American label Thom Browne in 2018; the Italian high-quality jersey fabrics manufacturer Dondi in 2019; the fabric makers Tessitura Ubertino and Tessitura Biagioli Modesto in 2021.

Besides leading the Zegna Group, Gildo Zegna serves as the Chairman of the board of directors at Thom Browne Inc. and a board member at Tom Ford International. Additionally, he holds the position of Chairman at Filati Biagioli Modesto. From 2014 to 2018, he was a board member at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV. Gildo Zegna is also a member of the Council for the United States and Italy and the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana.

Awards and honors
Gildo Zegna was awarded the title Knight of Labour (Cavaliere del lavoro) in 2011 by Italian president Giorgio Napolitano.

In 2016, he received the Leonardo Prize from Italian President Sergio Mattarella, a prestigious award given to an Italian personality who has acted in a significant way to promote the image of Italy in the world.

Personal life
He is married and has two sons.

Honours

 * Knight of the Order of Merit for Labour (2011)