Leading with Ethics: The 2025 Federmanager Award Honours ESCP Alumni

Luca Canonico and Ludovico Frati recognised by Federmanager for excellence, ethics and innovation

Out of nearly 2,000 candidates across Italy, two Executive graduates from ESCP Business School have been recognised by Federmanager in the 2025 edition of the Premio Giovane Manager.

Luca Canonico and Ludovico Frati were named among the 44 Silver Managers, with Canonico securing a prestigious place in the national top 10 as a Gold Manager. Their recognition highlights ESCP’s commitment to developing ethical, visionary, and innovation-driven leaders.

Shaping the future of management through ethics and transformation

Held at the Pontifical Patristic Institute Augustinianum in Rome, the national final of the Premio Giovane Manager 2025 celebrated emerging leaders who exemplify integrity, innovation and impact. Now in its seventh edition, the award focused on the theme NEXT – New Ethics for Transformation, placing ethical leadership at the heart of digital and organisational change.

“This edition confirms how the new generations of managers are ready to lead change with courage, responsibility and an open mindset towards innovation. The Premio Giovane Manager aims precisely to recognise this: the ability to read the present and prepare for the future by putting ethics and competence at the centre,” stated Paola Vitale, National Coordinator of the Federmanager Young Group.

Among this year’s 44 Silver Managers selected from over 2,000 profiles by Jefferson Wells (ManpowerGroup), both Luca Canonico and Ludovico Frati stood out for their cross-sector achievements and human-centred leadership.

Luca Canonico – Gold & Silver Manager, Italy 2025 

After being selected among the 44 Silver Managers, Luca Canonico was further recognised among the top 10 young executives in Italy, receiving the prestigious Gold Manager award during the national final in Rome.
Senior Manager at BorgWarner and a graduate of the ESCP General Management Programme, Canonico impressed the jury with a career rooted in technical expertise and a people-first approach.

“Winning this award as a Top Young Manager is deeply meaningful to me, as it represents not just a result, but a journey shaped by curiosity, responsibility, and constant learning. I have always believed that innovation is not only about new ideas but about having the courage to challenge the status quo and imagine better ways of creating value,” he shared.

Canonico’s path spans engineering, sales and strategy in the automotive sector, with a strong emphasis on innovation and ethical leadership: “Ethics is a fundamental compass in my decisions, because true leadership means building the future with integrity, respect for people, and a long-term perspective. This recognition strengthens my vision of leadership as a force for positive change, capable of shaping more sustainable, forward-looking, and human-centered organisations.”

“I would like to sincerely thank Federmanager and the Gruppo Giovani Federmanager for this honor and for their commitment to developing managerial talent. I see this award not as a finish line, but as a responsibility—to share my experience, pass on knowledge, and support the growth of the next generations of managers” concludes Canonico.

Ludovico Frati – Silver Manager 2025 

An ESCP Executive MBA alumnus, Ludovico Frati was selected among the top 44 under-44 managers in Italy and awarded as a Silver Manager during the North West region semifinal event held in Novara.
Currently serving as Sales & Marketing Director, Digital at BOBST, Ludovico Frati brings 13 years of experience across R&D, business development and digital transformation in the packaging sector. He is passionate about responsible innovation and inclusive leadership:

“Awards like this are not just milestones. They allow us to pause, reflect, and truly appreciate the path we have walked, the challenges we have faced, and the lessons and people who shaped our journey. In a time of accelerated technological and social change, and unpredictable events, I believe more than ever in the need for a new business ethic, one capable of guiding innovation with responsibility, progress with humanity, and transformation with awareness,” Frati reflected after receiving his award.

His leadership is marked by a strong commitment to collaboration, team empowerment and sustainability: “True transformation requires not only technical evolution but also ethical intention. Only by aligning growth with dignity and sustainability can we shape a future that genuinely serves people. 
My sincere thanks to Federmanager and Gruppo Giovani Federmanager, for this recognition and for the work they do every day to elevate our community of managers and foster meaningful synergies across the ecosystem.”

Recognising leadership potential at ESCP

Both Luca and Ludovico credit ESCP Business School as a key influence in their professional development:
“ESCP has strengthened my managerial mindset,” said Canonico, while Frati expressed his gratitude to the school “for its profound contribution to shaping the person and manager I am today.”

Their journeys embody ESCP’s mission to educate responsible leaders who embrace transformation, value diversity, and drive impact.

About the Premio Giovane Manager  

Organised by Federmanager and its Giovani Group in partnership with Jefferson Wells, the Premio Giovane Manager celebrates Italy’s top under-44 managers annually. The rigorous selection process evaluates leadership qualities, innovation projects and ethical vision.

In 2025, the award spotlighted ethical transformation in an era of technological disruption, underscoring the need for managers who can lead with purpose and integrity.

Congratulations to Luca Canonico and Ludovico Frati for exemplifying the power of responsible management and innovation.