Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi was established in the early Nineties by Cavaliere del Lavoro Romeo Invernizzi, one of the most brilliant and innovative entrepreneurs in the Italian dairy industry, and his wife Enrica Pessina, a constant presence in Milan social life, to offer a point of reference in scientific research and to promote, through knowledge, the progress and improvement of society.
By statute, the Foundation has always supported initiatives in the fields of economics, agri-food sciences and medicine.
In 2005, after the Founders’ passing, all their assets, besides previous contributions, were given to the Foundation that bears their name, further strengthening its assets and capacities. Today, the Foundation continues in its mission guided by an independent and apolitical Board, including representatives from the world of culture, the professions, business and the Italian scientific community. In the last few years, partnerships with universities have led to funding several research projects and promoting the work of scholars of international significance.
Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi protects and preserves the two residences of the Invernizzi couple: Trenzanesio Villa, located on the outskirts of Milan, a property that has been bound by State decree since 1912 with the surrounding park and a farming area extending on approximately 750 hectares, and Palazzo Invernizzi, located in Corso Venezia 32, Milan, the Foundation headquarters, the historic garden of which, hosting pink flamingos, is one of the symbols of the city of Milan.
Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi is a non-profit organisation and aims at organizing scientific and cultural initiatives and events in the fields of economics, agri-food science and medicine-surgery, in full respect and protection of national traditions and the teachings of the Catholic Church (Art. 3 of the Statute).
It awards prizes and supports training and research projects also by awarding scholarships (Art. 6 of the Statute). As a purely grant-making body, the Foundation undertakes to foster innovative projects and support them for a period that is appropriate and consistent with their complexity. Its aim is to lay the foundations to increase knowledge and constantly improve the living conditions of future generations and all living beings.
Activities carried out by Fondazione Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi comply with the principles of transparency and efficiency in resource management, by implementing processes that ensure independence, quality and cost-effectiveness of decisions at every stage.
It is the will of the founders that Fondazione Invernizzi maintains its independence and autonomy over time and that its assets, placed at the service of freedom, of ideas and of opinions, are allocated towards developing the economy, medicine and agribusiness, for the improvement of individuals and society.
Romeo was born in Pozzuolo Martesana on 3 rd May 1906 in a family of small entrepreneurs who were already involved in dairy production. The development, growth and visibility of the company stemmed from his commitment and ingenuity.
He spent some time in Marseilles where he studied the techniques of transalpine marketing, focusing on product differentiation from competitors and the power of advertising as a sales driver. In 1941, after the passing of his father, he took over most of the management functions. Advertisements are memorable that were launched by the company, such as the young boy licking his fingers, Susanna tutta panna and cow Carolina, which contributed to the success of Invernizzi.
In 1966, he was appointed Cavaliere del Lavoro (Knight of Labour) for his merits in the agri-food and entrepreneurial fields. In 1998, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore awarded Romeo Invernizzi an Honorary Degree in Agricultural Sciences. Together with his wife Enrica Pessina, they were representatives of Milan high society and were proactive philanthropists. Among many other things, they supported Milan La Scala Theatre and the construction of the pavilion of Milan Maggiore Hospital (the current headquarters of Ingm). Enrica Pessina, a violinist and a fashion and interior design enthusiast, was the president of the association "Gli amici della Scala" (The friends of La Scala) in 1978.
In 1990, as the ultimate expression of their patronage, they set up Fondazione Invernizzi, which was established with the aim of organizing scientific and cultural initiatives and events in the fields of economics, medicine and agri-food sciences. It was their idea to establish the Invernizzi Award, which was assigned from 1997 to 2003 and suspended in 2004 when it was turned into a grant for research.
The Foundation was chaired by Romeo Invernizzi until 2004, always flanked by his wife Enrica who was the Vice-President and later, the President until 2005. Romeo Invernizzi passed on 17 th July 2004 and his wife, Enrica Pessina, died a few months later on 27 th January 2005.
The Foundation
Assets
Funding of research
Cultural activities
Invernizzi Award
