Why Diego Della Valle values independence - footwearbiz: Leading site

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Why Diego Della Valle values independence

24/09/2015
The chief executive of luxury footwear and accessories group Tod’s, Diego Della Valle, has said he values his independence highly because it allows him to direct money into philanthropic projects of his choosing and to speak his mind in public. He famously did both in 2011 by putting up €25 million to help complete a restoration project on the Colosseum in Rome while being heavily critical of successive governments for their inability to complete the work on their own.

In an interview in the Financial Times on September 22, Mr Della Valle explained that a new initiative he will launch in October, Noi Italiani (We Italians), will channel donations from entrepreneurs into an education programme for schoolchildren. It will aim to teach them the importance of striking a balance between being competitive and sharing the benefits of success, he said, adding that “the Ferrari and the private jet are not everything”.

Asked if he thought his outspokenness had prevented Tod’s from becoming even more successful than it is, Mr Della Valle said it had had “repercussions” but added that he likes the fact that running a successful business that is “totally independent” allows him to say what he wants.


Related stories:

Tod’s aims for more exclusive products 08/08/2017
First phase of Tod’s-led Colosseum restoration complete 05/07/2016

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