Andrea Illy

Andrea Illy (born 2 September 1964, Trieste) is an Italian businessman. He is the Chairman/CEO of illycaffè S.p.A., a family coffee business founded in Trieste in 1933.

Life and education

Illy was born on 2 September 1964 in Trieste, Italy and is the son of Ernesto Illy. He started his studies in Switzerland and graduated in Chemistry at the University of Trieste. He subsequently took a Master Executive at SDA Bocconi in Milan. In 2003, he joined the Advisory Board of SDA Bocconi. Andrea Illy is married and has three daughters.

Business career

In 1990, he joined the company in the quality control department, where he started the F.A.I. Qualità program, thanks to which illycaffè was one of the first food companies in the world with two quality certifications. After being director in charge of production and quality control, Andrea Illy was appointed CEO in 1994. In 2004, he was awarded the title of "Imprenditore dell'Anno" (English: Businessman of the Year) by Ernst & Young Italia. In 2005, illycaffè shareholders' meeting appointed Andrea Illy chairman of illycaffè.