Genoa, October 12, 2024 – A new global ambassador for the city of Genoa: Gian Luca Grondona, Chief HR, Organization & Systems Officer of the Webuild Group, was honoured today by Mayor Marco Bucci during the “Genoa and Columbus Day” celebrations at Palazzo Ducale. Grondona received the recognition for his civic engagement and ability to showcase the city's innovation and potential on an international stage. 

“As a proud Genoese, I am honoured to receive this recognition today, which reflects a community that overcomes challenges and adversity with determination and a spirit of collaboration to build a future for younger generations,” stated Grondona. “With them in mind, the Webuild Group — present in Liguria with strategic infrastructure projects such as the Terzo Valico dei Giovi and the New Breakwater — has launched numerous initiatives focused on specialized training, innovation, and sustainability. Thanks to partnerships with institutions and universities, these efforts aim to create value for the Genoese territory.” 

For nearly 10 years, Grondona has led Webuild’s global efforts across Human Resources, Quality, Safety, Environment, Information Technology, and Innovation, tackling the complexities of managing a group that today counts 90,000 employees from over 100 nationalities in more than 50 countries.  Over the past decade, Webuild has seen significant growth, which required daily efforts to promote a shared culture, with increasing emphasis on training, cultural diversity, and inclusion as key drivers for both personal and business development. 

The Webuild Group, which in the aftermath of the tragic Morandi Bridge collapse in 2018 built the San Giorgio Bridge in Genoa in record time, is currently involved in projects aimed at transforming the city into a strategic global logistics hub. These include the Terzo Valico dei Giovi-Genoa Junction project, a high-speed railway system connecting Genoa to Milan and eventually integrating into the European TEN-T network, stretching to Rotterdam. Alongside this project is the New Breakwater of Genoa, the deepest in Europe, which will enable the port of the Ligurian capital to compete with the largest ports in Europe. 

In Genoese territory, Webuild has formed a strong collaboration with the University of Genoa, resulting in the establishment of UniWeLab, a research lab and open innovation model, as part of a broader strategic framework agreement. The lab stands as a tangible symbol of teamwork between academia and industry, with a mission focused on applied scientific research and advanced training in sustainable mobility.

A Political Science graduate, Grondona began his career at Fiat Auto before joining Indesit Company in 2001, where he became Chief HR & Organization Officer. Throughout his career, he has held several association roles in Federmeccanica, Fondo Cometa, and the Bergamo Industrialists’ Union, and has also contributed to university programs at MIP Politecnico di Milano and Bocconi University.