Interview with Alessandro Premoli, Head of People, Culture and Organization at Avolta Italia
Edited by Chiara Schettino, CEO & Co-Founder of Rosso
When you enter Avolta, you immediately sense a unique energy: a welcoming atmosphere, a vibrant corporate culture, and a sense of community that can be felt in every store, station, and airport. This is the result of a history rooted in two iconic realities—Autogrill and Dufry—now united under a single global vision: putting people at the center, both in travel locations and within the organization.
It is against this backdrop that the collaboration with Rosso was born through Corporate Lifesavers, a project that brings the culture of blood and plasma donation inside Italian companies. For Avolta, this choice is not a simple gesture of social responsibility, but a concrete way to care for its people and the communities in which it operates.
To better understand this vision, we spoke with Alessandro Premoli, HR Director of Avolta Italia, who shared how this collaboration came about, what its goals are, and why the topic of donation is more strategic today than ever before.
An Inclusive Culture that Fosters Belonging
Dr. Premoli describes Avolta as a reality shaped by diversity, openness, and a widespread presence.
“Inclusion is a value recognized by our people,” he continues. “Our latest engagement survey shows that 75% of employees perceive the environment as inclusive and oriented toward caring for others. This generates a strong sense of belonging.”
His anecdote is emblematic: “A few days ago, I celebrated a colleague’s 40 years of service. I asked him what his future goal was. He answered: to reach 50. This is the kind of atmosphere we breathe at Avolta.”
The Value of People in Historic Brands
Autogrill and Dufry, now part of the Avolta group, share a principle that goes beyond a slogan: people truly make the difference.
“In food & beverage and travel retail, human contact is everything,” Premoli explains. “Our job is to put people in the best position to deliver an experience that leaves a lasting impression. And this requires an environment that supports them, includes them, and makes them feel part of a group.”
The Spark that Ignited the Collaboration with Rosso
The decision to launch the partnership with Rosso stemmed from a personal story before becoming a corporate one.
“I learned about Rosso through someone I deeply respect,” Premoli recalls. “They told me about a startup that had reinvented the way blood is donated. The topic immediately resonated with me because, in both my family and professional life, I have seen just how much of a difference donation can make.”
One testimony had struck him in particular: that of a colleague who had faced a serious illness thanks to blood transfusions.
“When I met Chiara, the strength of her story confirmed the value of the project. Rosso is not just a social initiative: it is awareness, a system, a network. It is a new way of talking about a topic that is spoken about far too little.”
Shared Goals: Accessibility, Culture, and Real Impact
The primary goal of the partnership is to make simple what often appears complex.
“We want to debunk myths, share stories, and bring people closer,” Premoli explains. “Thanks to your app, anyone can get informed, book an appointment, and donate instantly.”
But there is one aspect that holds even greater value for Avolta: widespread geographical presence.
“Being present all across Italy, we can contribute not only by donating a large volume of blood but by ensuring it reaches where it is truly needed. And we want to create an internal community of donors, bringing together those who already donate and raising awareness among those who don’t yet.”
Sustainability as a Strategic Pillar
For Avolta, sustainability is not a side chapter: it is one of the four pillars of the Destination 2027 strategy.
“It is an identity value, recognized by our customers, travelers, and our own people,” he explains.
Corporate Lifesavers fits perfectly into this journey:
“The project has an all-encompassing dimension: it reaches every single point of sale across all channels. It also carries a personal prevention value because donating means doing good for others while also monitoring one’s own health.”
A Personal Matter Before a Professional One
Premoli speaks with great sincerity about his relationship with donation:
“I have thalassemia and cannot donate, but I know very well what it means to need blood. In my family and in our company, we have lived through stories where donation saved lives.”
This makes him particularly sensitive to the project:
“It is a topic I feel deeply connected to. And it is perfectly aligned with the group’s policies and the values of Global and EMEA HR, with whom we work every day.”
Speed as a Defining Trait
One of the characteristics that struck Rosso was the speed of the decision-making process.
Premoli smiles: “Speed is in our DNA. We work for travelers looking for immediate experiences. But speed alone is not enough; you need a vision. Projects only make sense if they are part of a broader, coherent framework aligned with strategy and values. […] With Rosso, it was a perfect match: culture, goals, and methods were aligned. And we found a smart partner capable of adapting to our needs.”
Innovation and Startups: Natural Terrain for Avolta
Avolta has been working with startups for some time through its Avolta Next F&B Hub Milano.
“We collaborate with innovative realities that improve the customer experience and sustainability,” Premoli explains. “Rosso has a spirit that feels familiar to us: speed, experimentation, flexibility. You are a startup, but already beyond the initial phase. And I hope you will maintain this approach even as you grow.”
A Potential National Impact: 9,000 People Involved
Avolta Italia has approximately 9,000 employees.
“Corporate Lifesavers does not just involve headquarters, but the entire corporate population, wherever they are located. This is what can generate a massive impact. […] We can truly contribute to blood donation at a historical moment when it is needed more than ever. And we can raise awareness on a topic that is little-known but fundamental. […] This project is simple, accessible, and fast: that is precisely why it can make a difference for our people and for those waiting for a bag of blood.”
A Model for Italian Companies
Avolta’s story demonstrates how social responsibility, sustainability, and innovation can integrate into corporate culture, generating value for people and local communities alike.
And, as Premoli concludes, “United, we do good for ourselves and we do good for others.”
