Benefit Societies continue to grow at a rapid pace in Italy. As of 31 March 2025, there were 4,813 of them, a full 896 more than in the same period last year, when there were 3,917. Certifying the figure is the Observatory of the Brindisi-Taranto Chamber of Commerce together with Infocamere. A rising trend that testifies to the increasingly strong entrenchment of a business model that integrates profit with purposes of common benefit, with tangible effects on both governance and economic performance.
“Benefits have one foot in the present and one in the future.”
The 6th National Day of Benefit Societies, organised by Assobenefit in Milan, provided the occasion for an important baton handover: Mauro Del Barba, promoter of the law establishing SBs in Italy, concluded his term. In his opening remarks, he took stock and relaunched the challenge: “Is that of SBs a political project? The outcome of the law is to contribute to the creation of a new model of sustainable development inspired by benefit societies. […] Benefits continue to grow in number and quality and that is why we want to drive change. It sounds presumptuous but it is simply responsible.”
A statement that underscores the transformative role of these enterprises, which are able to look beyond economic reporting and focus on innovation, inclusion and impact.
Change at the top: Morganti new president
The afternoon of the event marked another step forward with the renewal of Assobenefit’s Board of Directors. Marco Morganti, founder of Banca Prossima, known for his commitment to promoting responsible and inclusive finance, was elected to the presidency. Alongside him is a diverse team that blends banking, academic, entrepreneurial and social expertise: Stefano Barrese, head of Intesa Sanpaolo’s Banca dei Territori Division; Irene Bengo, professor and researcher at the Milan Polytechnic, an expert on hybrid enterprises and impact measurement; Alessandra Bucci, manager and strategic consultant with a focus on social innovation and cultural transformation; Mauro Del Barba, promoter of the Benefit Corporation legislation in Italy; Paolo Di Cesare, co-founder of Nativa, a pioneer of the B Corp and Benefit movement in Italy; Laura Gori, digital entrepreneur and ESG consultant, committed to impact metrics and technologies for sustainability; Paola Osto, Head of Sustainability & ESG at Plenitude; Serena Porcari, president of Dynamo Academy and CEO of Dynamo Camp; Roberto Randazzo, lawyer and lecturer, expert in social economy and strategic philanthropy. A clear signal.
Performance and governance: the numbers prove the model right
During the day, the results of two research studies were shared that confirm the effectiveness of the model. Benefit companies, explained Paolo Di Cesare, “grow more and better than non-benefit companies on economic performance indicators as well as with regard to innovation, but they also ensure gender balance and the presence of young people on the boards.” Moreover, thanks to the Tiresia study, it was possible to map the organisational “postures” of these entities, highlighting the increasing integration between social mission and core business.
Claudia Ravera of NWG Energia emphasised a key point: “Engaging is not just about informing the stakeholder, but listening to their assessment and then acting on that, in ideal osmosis between the internal organisation, which includes the core business functions, and the external organisation.”
A cultural challenge before legislation
The growing success of Benefit Societies is not just a matter of numbers. It is also, and above all, a cultural process. As Lara Ponti (Ponti SpA, Confindustria) noted, “Companies that have constitutionally internalised the risk dimension have been better able to react to crises. […] Businesses are asked so much because they are social actors and as such must assume rights and duties.”
It is on this combination—vision and responsibility—that Benefit Societies are building their future. A future that, with new leadership and an ever-expanding base, promises to be increasingly central to the Italian business landscape.
