Video

Why Italy is hard to scale - explaining the difference between UK and Italian business practice

10/09/2025

Why Italy is hard to scale - explaining the difference between UK and Italian business practice

Is Italy an entrepreneur’s dream or a business nightmare compared to the UK? 

 

In part 3 of our Business Without Baggage series, Andy speaks with corporate lawyer Marco Pistis about the cultural and legal contrasts between doing business in Italy and the UK.

 

From relationship-driven deals to bureaucracy that stifles scale, Marco explains why British companies often struggle in Italy - and what they can learn from its unique, trust-first culture.

 

What you’ll learn:

Why relationships and trust matter more than rules in Italy

The North–South divide: how culture, punctuality, and payments differ

How family-run businesses dominate the market - and what that means for outsiders

Why bureaucracy and employee protection laws slow scaling

How UK businesses can avoid costly mistakes when entering Italy

Where the real opportunities lie: Milan, the mid-market, and creative industries

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Author

IPG, Marco Pistis

Activity area

Civil and Commercial Litigation, Corporate and Commercial Law, Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility

IPG Journal

IPG Law Firm Café S2Ep9 | The Giorgio Armani Legacy: big names and generational transitions

10/11/2025

IPG Law Firm Café S2Ep9 | The Giorgio Armani Legacy: big names and generational transitions

Giorgio Armani's recently published handwritten will has once again brought the topic of succession in business and the values ​​that distinguish it to the attention of the public and industry.   We discuss this with: Marco Pistis, Managing & Founding Partner of IPG Law Firm Andrea Giammello, Partner of IPG Law Firm Maria Teresa Pelle, Notary at Authentica Notai Associati Gabriele Ghio, Notary at the Turin and Pinerolo Districts   A discussion on how law and entrepreneurial vision intertwine at the most delicate moment for families and businesses: the passing of the baton. From the Giorgio Armani Foundation to the role of family members, to the clauses regarding the future listing or sale of the Giorgio Armani group: the Armani will is an emblematic example of how to plan a succession with rigor and foresight.
IPG Law Firm Café S2Ep8 | Football business

03/10/2025

IPG Law Firm Café S2Ep8 | Football business

A journey into the world of football transfers from a unique perspective: the legal one. We'll delve into the role of agents, the complexity of contracts, and the mechanisms that govern one of the most fascinating and controversial markets in sports.   Leading the conversation, moderated by Marco Pistis, Managing Partner and Founding Partner of IPG Law Firm, will be: Maximilian Mairov, Partner of IPG Law Firm, Graziano Battistini, Agent and former Serie A footballer, and Cristiano Novazio, Attorney at Law and member of the Coordinating Committee, Master in Sports Law, University of Milan Bicocca.
IPG Law Firm Café S2Ep7 | The Evolution of Music Consumption from physical media to streaming

16/05/2025

IPG Law Firm Café S2Ep7 | The Evolution of Music Consumption from physical media to streaming

Music consumption has evolved: from physical media to digital streaming, a revolution that has transformed the way we listen to and experience music. In this episode of our podcast, we explore how this transition has impacted the industry and listeners.   Led as always by Marco Pistis, Managing Partner and Founding Partner of IPG Law Firm, with the participation of Maximilian Mairov, Partner of IPG Law Firm, we spoke with Eleonora Bianchi, Digital Services & Consumption Director at Universal Music, and Federico De Nigro, Product Sales & Brand Partnership Director at Universal Music.
IPG Journal