Francesco Di Lieto

Francesco Di Lieto is Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Solutions Consultants Ltd.

Lecturer in the 2024 edition of Global Management for China, with over 15 years of experience in managing and mediating between the private sector and government institutions, he is a recognized expert in fostering strategic relationships and promoting partnerships between Italy and China.

Since 2012, he has served as CEO of Horizon Solutions Consultants Ltd., a leading firm specializing in supporting the establishment and management of foreign-owned businesses in China. His key areas of expertise include: opening and managing branch offices in China; establishing joint ventures between Italian and Chinese companies; trademark and patent registration for foreign businesses in China.

Throughout his career, he has collaborated with prominent Italian companies, such as Leonardo S.p.A., MD S.p.A., Italtech S.p.A., and Robur S.p.A., providing targeted strategies for market entry and consolidation in China. He has ensured regulatory compliance while fostering business development opportunities, delivering tangible results.

Simultaneously, he has organized governmental and business delegations, creating dialogue platforms between public institutions, enterprises, and academic organizations. Notable partners he has worked with include the Campania Region, the Banco di Napoli Foundation, the Suzhou Municipality, and the Consulate General of Portugal in Shanghai.

In the public sector, he has made significant contributions to strategic bilateral projects, including the Italy-China Science, Technology, and Innovation Week, promoted by the Italian Ministry of University and Research in collaboration with Città della Scienza. In this capacity, he coordinated high-level meetings between academic institutions, tech companies, and government representatives, fostering joint projects and strategic investments.

During his 15 years in China, he gained experience at the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China, while also holding managerial roles in consulting firms and industrial plants, significantly contributing to revenue growth.

As the founder of the Young Italians Abroad Association – China Section and creator of the ChinaMasterAcademy brand, he has consistently promoted technical and professional training in business for young sinologists and economists, enhancing their skills and career opportunities.

With a unique combination of linguistic, technical, and managerial expertise—spanning business incorporation, intellectual property management, intercultural negotiation, and joint venture creation—he has established himself as a key figure in the landscape of economic, scientific, and technological cooperation between Italy and China.