Francesco Profumo, born in 1953, is a leading figure in education, research and academic and institutional management. Elected President of the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation in May 2016, he has extensive experience in the field.
He served as Minister of Education, University and Research from 11 November 2011 to April 2013, and was President of the National Research Council (CNR) from August 2011 to January 2012.
His academic career is remarkable: he was Dean of the Faculty of Engineering of the Polytechnic of Turin in 2003 and Rector of the same institute between 2005 and 2011. He is currently Professor of Electrical Machines and Drives at the Polytechnic of Turin and Appointed Professor at the University of Bologna. He also taught at numerous international universities, receiving the title of Honorary Doctor of Research from ten institutions in various countries.
Profumo is a member of the Academy of Sciences of Turin and of the European Academy, and has held important roles in various companies, including Telecom, Pirelli and Unicredit Private Banca.
Currently, in addition to the presidency of the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation, he is President of the Bruno Kessler Foundation, President of the ESMI ESCP Europe Foundation/Turin Campus, President of the CDI Italy, member of the Board of the Agnelli Foundation and of the Scientific Council of the IIT.
Profumo has received numerous awards, including the Golden Lion in Turin in 2008, the Valdo Fusi Prize and the Guido Carli Prize in 2011. He also chaired the G8 University Summit 2009 in Italy and was President of Columbus, an association of 55 European and Latin American universities.
He was appointed President of the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation in May 2016 and reconfirmed in May 2020. In addition, since May 2019, he has been President of ACRI (Association of Foundations and Savings Banks SPA).
