Giuseppe Vita

Giuseppe Vita (born 28 April 1935) is an Italian corporate executive, notable for his leadership roles in pharmaceutical, media, and banking sectors across Germany and Italy. Trained as a radiologist, he became a prominent figure in several European companies, including Schering AG, Axel Springer SE, and UniCredit.

Early life and education Vita was born in Favara, Sicily, and raised on a family estate with fourteen siblings. He earned his high school diploma in 1953, studied medicine at the Universities of Catania and Rome, and graduated in 1959 summa cum laude. Specializing in radiology in 1961, he received a stipend to attend the Radiology Institute of the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany, in 1962–63.

Career

Schering AG In 1964, Vita joined Schering AG in Berlin as a research associate in contrast media development and later moved into management. He returned to Italy as CEO of Schering SpA in Milan, building a successful subsidiary. In 1987, he rejoined the Berlin headquarters and was appointed to the board. In June 1989, he became Chairman of the Executive Board (CEO). In 2001, he transitioned to Chairman of the Supervisory Board, a position he held until 2006.

Axel Springer SE Vita joined the Supervisory Board of Axel Springer AG in 2001 and became Chairman in 2002, serving until 2019. In 2018, the company announced his succession by Ralph Büchi following the 2019 Annual General Meeting. He stepped down in April 2019 after 17 years as chairman.

UniCredit In May 2012, Vita was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of UniCredit, a major pan-European bank, a role he held until April 2018. He had previously been chairman of Allianz S.p.A. (until May 2012), resigning that role upon assuming the UniCredit chairmanship.

Other positions Vita held leadership or board roles across numerous companies, including: Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Hugo Boss (2000–2008) Chairman of Deutz AG (2006–2009) Supervisory boards: Allianz Lebensversicherungs-AG, Continental AG, Evonik Degussa, Vattenfall Europe AG, and Bewag (Berlin)

He has also held roles in non-corporate organizations, including the Aspen Institute Italia, the Italian group of the Trilateral Commission, the Istituto per gli Studi di Politica Internazionale (ISPI), the European Financial Services Round Table, the Robert Koch Foundation, and the Accademia Teatro alla Scala, where he became honorary chairman in 2024.

Honours and recognition Cavaliere del Lavoro (Order of Merit for Labour), Italy, 1990 Order of Merit of the State of Berlin, 1994 Inducted into the German Business Hall of Fame, 2003

Personal life Vita is married and has two children. He maintains residences in Berlin–Tiergarten and Milan. Biography of Giuseppe Vita (in Italian) Giuseppe Vita: Ein Mann mit der Gabe, sich Freunde zu machen (in German)