Maria Porro is the new president of Assarredo

Unanimously elected by the general assembly, Maria Porro succeeds Claudio Feltrin. Systematic action, innovation, sustainability and dialogue with schools are the tenets of her vision for the future

A woman (finally!) at the helm of Assarredo. A personality of great passion, professionalism, creativity, method and dedication, with a clear, pragmatic vision of the future. Maria Porro, already on the board of advisors of Assarredo, as well as marketing director of Porro Spa, has been unanimously elected – on Wednesday 9 September – by the general assembly to take over from outgoing president Claudio Feltrin.

The importance of coordinated, systematic action, helping companies in the process of innovation and encouraging greater environmental sustainability are just some of the objectives she intends to pursue together with the association and its member companies.

“I was and still am convinced – Maria Porro states – that systematic action is fundamental. The earmark of our time is complexity, as the Covid emergency has demonstrated, so the need for a rapid response to transformations is indispensable. Therefore, I think it is necessary to support companies in the process of innovation and change, both towards greater environmental sustainability, channeling our energies into specific training of human capital, and towards intercepting of institutional financing, with the monitoring and involvement of the entire chain of supply and production. But first of all – she continues – we need to add value to and communicate the already intrinsic force of our products, as the results of a virtuous manufacturing system, and a model that makes quality and durability its central concerns. Wood, a renewable raw material, is in the DNA of our companies and our association. But we have to keep all the channels open, to have a proactive role in the definition of the standards that regulate our sector, in defense of the indisputable quality of our products, whose unique worldwide showcase is the Salone del Mobile in Milan. I believe we should also intensify our dialogue with the world of education, to help young people approach our sector, focusing on design culture and its history. We have four intense years in front of us – the new president concludes – and I would like to thank everyone for the trust they have placed in me, starting with Claudio Feltrin, also for the work carried out to date.”

Claudio Feltrin looks back on his experience at the helm of Assarredo: “It has been a challenge which I approached, at the outset, with a certain trepidation, hoping I would be able to measure up to the expectations of such an important role in our sector. Today I am proud of what we have accomplished, together with all the other members.” Addressing the new president: “I am pleased to pass the position to Maria Porro. I am certain she will be able to move forward with the work conducted in recent years by the association, with tenacity and determination, together with the board of advisors. It is my hope that under her guidance the participation and collaboration of the entrepreneurs will be further extended and reinforced, because I believe that working together is the path for a representative and inclusive Federation. My warmest best wishes to Maria in her new role.”