Maria Cristina Squarcialupi Appointed New President of Confindustria Federorafi
Appointed yesterday by the General Council of Confindustria Federorafi, the newly elected President, Maria Cristina Squarcialupi, shared with us her first thoughts about the new role for the 2025–2029 term
«I am honored and delighted by this appointment, which I fully recognize as a great responsibility,” said Squarcialupi. “This is a difficult moment for our sector, with the Italian gold industry facing an unstable economic and geopolitical environment: the unpredictable fluctuations in gold prices, U.S. tariffs weighing on exports, ongoing wars, and the polycrisis affecting markets and consumption—all with inevitable negative consequences on market confidence. Taking on this role after the excellent presidency of Claudia Piaserico is an additional challenge: she led the Association with great expertise and vision, guiding it through years that were both rewarding and complex, during a phase of profound transformation for our sector,while always maintaining balance, openness and a constructive approach. She leaves a clear and valuable path made of concrete projects, strong relationships and an association climate that encourages dialogue and growth. It is a direction I intend to pursue, strengthening the Association and its role in Italy and abroad.Our history shows that this sector always knows how to react. We are a community that does not give up, that keeps investing, innovating, and proudly defending our work and craftsmanship. This collective strength and our ability to work together will be the foundation of my presidency.My goals are twofold: to continue and complete the initiatives launched by Claudia Piaserico and her team, and to bring Federorafi even closer to companies, enhancing its authority with institutions and major international stakeholders.I envision an inclusive Association that represents every part of the supply chain—from large companies to small workshops—and provides concrete tools to face key challenges such as sustainability, technological innovation, traceability, and the training of future generations.I am confident in the support of a highly skilled group of entrepreneurs and professionals and a motivated Board. Together, we will further strengthen our industry, support our companies and promote worldwide the authentic value of Italian goldsmithing—built on beauty, expertise, tradition, ethics and innovation.I will dedicate myself fully, with commitment, passion, and a strong team spirit.» she concluded.
The President will be submitted for a vote at the next General Assembly in mid-December, which will mark the end of Dr. Claudia Piaserico’s term and the beginning of the new Presidential team.From Arezzo, Maria Cristina Squarcialupi—formerly Vice President of Federorafi with responsibility for Sustainability—holds a degree in Chemistry from the Faculty of Natural, Physical and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Florence, and also earned a PhD in Conservation Science for Cultural Heritage. She is President of Unoaerre Industries S.p.A., one of the world’s leading goldsmith companies with nearly 100 years of presence in the market, and she serves as Executive Director of Chimet, the family-owned company primarily engaged in the recovery and refining of precious metals. The precious metals manufacturing sector reached a turnover of €12.7 billion in 2014 (source: Confindustria Federorafi Research Center) and is strongly export-oriented, with 90% of production destined for foreign markets, comprising nearly 7,000 companies and 34,000 employees. In 2025, as in many other Italian manufacturing sectors, a slowdown in performance is emerging (-12.3% in the first seven months of the year compared to the same period in 2024), due not only to a stabilization of demand after two years of strong growth, but above all to uncertainties caused by record prices of precious raw materials, international geopolitical tensions, and the increase in U.S. tariffs.
The President will be submitted for a vote at the next General Assembly in mid-December, which will mark the end of Dr. Claudia Piaserico’s term and the beginning of the new Presidential team.From Arezzo, Maria Cristina Squarcialupi—formerly Vice President of Federorafi with responsibility for Sustainability—holds a degree in Chemistry from the Faculty of Natural, Physical and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Florence, and also earned a PhD in Conservation Science for Cultural Heritage. She is President of Unoaerre Industries S.p.A., one of the world’s leading goldsmith companies with nearly 100 years of presence in the market, and she serves as Executive Director of Chimet, the family-owned company primarily engaged in the recovery and refining of precious metals. The precious metals manufacturing sector reached a turnover of €12.7 billion in 2014 (source: Confindustria Federorafi Research Center) and is strongly export-oriented, with 90% of production destined for foreign markets, comprising nearly 7,000 companies and 34,000 employees. In 2025, as in many other Italian manufacturing sectors, a slowdown in performance is emerging (-12.3% in the first seven months of the year compared to the same period in 2024), due not only to a stabilization of demand after two years of strong growth, but above all to uncertainties caused by record prices of precious raw materials, international geopolitical tensions, and the increase in U.S. tariffs.