In terms of professional background, people of managerial extraction were to be preferred (primarily: CEOs or CFOs of significantly large companies), but the contribution of academic experts in finance and taxation, risks, law or the technical sector in which the Group operates were also judged useful; ■ international openness was desirable, with the inclusion in the slate of non-Italian candidates, i.e. individuals who had gained professional experience overseas; ■ a balanced mix of the various components was required, as the coexistence of diverse skills and experience ensures the complementarity of professional profiles, promoting fruitful discussion and the efficient operation of the Board, in the knowledge that specialised skills can be contributed by internal structures or, if necessary, by external consultants, and that the complexity of the matters to be dealt with suggest that candidates with prior experience gained on the boards of listed companies would be appropriate.