From May 22 to 24, 2025, the city of Modena hosted the international conference “Purpose in Business: Steward Ownership and Enterprise”, organised by the Department of Law at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. This high-level academic event brought together renowned scholars, legal experts, and practitioners from over 20 jurisdictions to explore the evolving landscape of steward ownership and its transformative potential for modern enterprises.
Fondazione SAFE was honoured to contribute to this significant dialogue, which placed purpose-driven governance at the center of economic and legal innovation. Representing Fondazione SAFE, President Andrea D’Angelo participated in a dedicated roundtable on national models and case studies of steward ownership. His intervention highlighted SAFE as a real-world example of purpose-led governance, emphasizing the Foundation’s commitment to innovation, accountability, and systemic resilience in pursuit of long-term public value.
Throughout the three-day program, the conference featured seven focused sessions addressing the legal, financial, governance, and organizational dimensions of steward ownership. Key comparative insights were shared from jurisdictions such as Germany and the Netherlands, where progressive frameworks for alternative ownership models have begun to influence policy and enterprise design. Discussions also examined how legal structures can be aligned with societal goals and intergenerational responsibility.
Fondazione SAFE’s participation underscored its institutional mission to promote ethical collaboration, inclusive innovation, and trust-based partnerships. As a foundation actively engaged in applied research and cross-sector cooperation, SAFE views steward ownership as a strategic enabler for aligning enterprise with the common good, reinforcing democratic values, and supporting the transition to a more equitable and sustainable economic model.
We extend our sincere thanks to the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia for the impeccable organization and for fostering such a meaningful exchange of ideas on the future of business and governance.