Riccardo Illy

Born in Trieste in 1955, he joins the family business in 1977 where he initially takes care of sales and marketing, becoming Commercial Director in the second half of the 1980s. In 1992 he holds the position of Chief Executive Officer and from 1995 to 2016 that of Vice Chairman. He was Chairman of the family holding company from its foundation in 2004 until 2019, when he became Chairman of Polo del Gusto, today an independent holding company.

Starting from the 90s Riccardo Illy embarks on a political career, becoming Mayor of Trieste from 1993 to 2001. In 2001 he’s elected Deputy of the Italian Parliament and, from 2003 to 2008, President of the Autonomous Region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, as well as President of the Assembly of European Regions.

Riccardo Illy is a freelance journalist and author of several books: “Dal Caffè all’Espresso” (Mondadori, 1989), “Polietica. Una promessa” (scritto in collaborazione con Paolo Maurensig, Marsilio Editori, 2003), “La Rana cinese” (Mondadori, 2006), “Così perdiamo il Nord” (Mondadori, 2008), “The Art of Excellent Products” (Harper&Collins Leadership, 2022), “L’arte dei prodotti eccellenti” (La nave di Teseo, 2022).

In 2000 he receives the Honoris Causa Degree in Political Science from the University of Trieste. In 2009 the President of the Italian Republic confers to him the title of Grande Ufficiale. From 2020 to 2025, he served as Honorary Consul of the French Republic in Trieste.

Riccardo Illy is married and has one daughter.