Giovanni Ravazzotti is Non-Executive Chairman of Italtile Ltd and Chairman of Ceramic Industries Ltd, companies he founded in 1969 and 1976 respectively, to pioneer the ceramic tile industry in South Africa.
The Group recently celebrated its 30th anniversary since listing and its 50th year of trading. In its milestone fifth decade the business recorded system-wide turnover of R10 billion; the Group employs over 2 500 people across its operations.
Gianni has established the Italtile and Ceramic Foundation which is a broad-based black empowerment ownership scheme with the objective of conducting public benefit activities in a non-profit manner with an altruistic and philanthropic intent.
His philanthropic and conservation work has supported the Lapalala Wilderness School, the rebuild of the new Lapalala Wilderness School and the Lapalala Wilderness Foundation NPC which is also a Public Benefit Organisation.
Gianni received the Senior Order of Knighthood, Cavaliere, from the Italian Government in 2007 and was knighted by the Italian Government in 2020 with the title of Cavaliere del Lavoro.
His interests include conservation, support for SA Birdlife and the WWF, the Arts and music.
