Communications

On September 8-9, Finmeccanica gathered together its long-serving employees - Seniores and Maestri del Lavoro (masters of their craft) - to reward their loyalty and commitment after 35, 40 and more than 45 years of service with Group companies. Thanks to these dedicated employees, Finmeccanica has become the main high technology group in Italy and one of the leaders in Europe and the world.

The two-day event took place in the superb setting of the Caserta royal palace and at the Grazzanise military base, kindly made available by the Italian Air Force, and was devoted to more than 700 long-serving employees who have worked for the Group in plants and offices located in Italy, the UK and France. Now at its second edition, this event is becoming a strong sign of integration and pride, celebrating both shared experience and common values, with full respect for the different cultures and the wide variety of skills that make up the Finmeccanica world.

The title, "Large companies reflect people's aspirations", emphasizes the major themes that characterized this year's edition. Companies, aspirations, people. Not by chance, the institutional film shown on the gala evening, September 8, at the Reggia di Caserta, drew an unusual parallel between the architecture of the royal palace and the synergies and the teamwork that inspire the companies in the Finmeccanica Group. In both cases, the focus is on the centrality of people as creators and rational beings, on aspirations backed by enthusiasm and commitment, and on business enterprises as broad-based structures which lead us towards the future through innovation and development.

This year's event coincided with the final stage of another major initiative - the Finmeccanica football tournament, the first of its type within the Group. The coincidence was not by chance. The two events are linked by a sense of belonging, not only in the field of work but also in sports events. The football teams were made up of employees from Finmeccanica plants and offices in various regions of Italy and the United Kingdom.
The four finalists - Lazio, the UK, Campania and Piedmont - were trained by well-known names in the Italian football world (Mauro Bellugi, Romeo Benetti, Mario Corso) and by Doug Baxter, managing director and site manager of the UK Basildon plant. The teams met on Friday morning at the "A. Collana" football ground, where Lazio won fourth place, the UK third place, and Campania second place. The Finmeccanica trophy went to Piedmont after a penalty shoot-out.

Shortly afterwards, the celebrations moved to the splendid baroque scenario of the Reggia di Caserta. The famous gardens, designed by architect Vanvitelli in the mid-18th century, were the setting for a cocktail reception attended by all the guests including: President-CEO Francesco Guarguaglini, Chief Operating Officer Giorgio Zappa, CO-General Manager Alessandro Pansa and CO-Chief Operating Officer Remo Pertica , as well as managing directors and HR managers from all Finmeccanica companies, together with long-serving employees - Seniores and Maestri - from Group companies, and representatives of institutional authorities including Hon. Luigi Nicolais, Minister for reforms and innovation in the public administration, Ciro Cozzolino, councillor for agriculture and production activities (Campania Region), Francesco Domenico Moccia, urban planning councillor (Naples Province), Air Force Colonel Roberto De Micco, commander of the Ninth Squadron "Francesco Baracca" (Grazzanise air force base), recently returned from a mission in Kabul (Afghanistan), and Tony Lock, mayor of Yeovil in the UK.

The evening was hosted by two well-known personalities, Fabio Fazio and Victoria Cabello, who entertained the audience by switching smoothly from performances by viola player Julie Marghilano, the Nuova Compagnia di Canto Popolare and Cotto's Orchestra to other events of a more institutional type such as the video dealing with values and achievements, prize-giving for the Finmeccanica football tournament and, of course, the focal point of the whole evening - the award ceremony for Seniores with 45 years of company service and for Maestri del Lavoro. The presenter, Carlotta Brambilla, called each of the employees one by one on to the podium to receive their awards in front of the assembled guests. It was a moving occasion highlighting the significance of the whole event which was to celebrate the commitment and loyalty of long-serving employees.

On the following day, celebrations included the award ceremony for Seniores with 35 and 40 years of company service, at the Grazzanise air force base, headquarters of the Ninth Fighter Squadron, commanded by Col. De Micco. The ceremony was attended by Finmeccanica top management together with managing directors and HR managers from all Finmeccanica companies, who shook hands and congratulated each of the 550 Seniores, presenting them with their awards. The ceremony was preceded by a spectacular flying display of Finmeccanica aircraft and helicopters, with a commentary by retired General Gianfranco Da Forno, PR officer and commentator (1979-1990) for the Frecce Tricolore aerobatic team. Guests also had the chance to tour a static display of some of the main aircraft produced by Finmeccanica.

To sum up, more than 700 Seniores and Maestri received their awards during the two days of celebrations, along with prize medals for the four teams who reached the final round of the Group's first football tournament. For the second time in its history (after last year's event at Turin's Lingotto complex), Finmeccanica set out to thank its employees in a very special way, in order to highlight the important contribution that each of us makes to the successes and goals achieved. The significance of these two days is precisely this - our commitment and enthusiasm lead to success for our companies. Exactly as highlighted in the title of the event "Large companies reflect people's aspirations".