site.btaItalian Industrial Association in Bulgaria Marks 25th Anniversary with Forum on Generational Change in Family Businesses

The International Centre of UniCredit Bulbank in Sofia Friday hosted a forum on "Generational Change: The Next Generation of Leaders. Vision and Sustainable Transition." The event was organized by Confindustria Bulgaria - the Italian industrial association in Bulgaria - which has been fostering connections between Bulgarian businesses and Italy’s long-standing expertise for the past 25 years, the association said.

The forum brought together members of Confindustria Bulgaria, institutional partners, and entrepreneurs to explore the challenges and opportunities associated with generational change in business leadership, a topic of critical importance for family-owned companies in both Bulgaria and Italy.

The event opened with welcoming remarks from Confindustria Bulgaria President Roberto Santorelli, Italy’s Ambassador to Bulgaria Marcello Apicella, and Maya Alexova, Head of the International Centre at UniCredit Bulbank.

“Even in Italy, generational change remains a critical phase,” Santorelli said. “Only 30% of companies successfully pass to the second generation, 13% to the third, and just 3–5% reach the fourth. These figures underscore the importance of early planning, fostering intergenerational dialogue, and implementing proper governance models,” he added.