Milan, 15 October 2026
In 2025, the average age of FS Group employees dropped to 41.5 years, as opposed to 48.4 in 2017 and 42.7 in 2021. This development also reflects the generational shift currently taking place within the company, where over 65% of new recruits were under 30 in the last five years. This was stated by Francesca Stacchiotti, FS Group’s Chief People, Culture & Transformation Officer, during her speech at the panel discussion “Nurturing talent and developing skills: the necessary strategic vision”, at Il Sole 24 Ore’s “Job Evolution 2026”.
“These figures do not merely reflect staff turnover. They tell a story of cultural transformation. We are witnessing the arrival of a new generation of professionals, who bring along their own energy, digital skills, new expectations and new ways of learning and collaborating - said Stacchiotti - The value of younger generations goes beyond their immediate professional contribution. Young people can drive innovation across the entire organisation, thanks to their familiarity with emerging technologies, their fresh perspective on work processes, and a different approach to collaboration, continuous learning and the valuing of individual and cultural differences.”
To recognise the way new professional roles contribute to the Company, and support staff development, FS Group complements entry-level opportunities with skill-building programmes and initiatives designed to nurture talent.
In 2026, around 61,000 people in Italy were involved in training activities, totalling over 2 million hours of courses. Alongside training, FS promotes personal development and talent management initiatives addressed also to younger generations. Among these, NexTGeN offers young people an opportunity for direct dialogue with senior management, and to delve into corporate governance and strategy issues, broadening their knowledge and understanding of the Group’s dynamics, beyond the specific scope of their own roles.
Attracting new talent is only part of the challenge. In a labour market where people can compare a wide range of opportunities, staff retention is increasingly dependent on how the working experience is perceived and on actual career potential, consistent with personal aspirations. Three factors stand out for both younger generations and more experienced professionals: growing as a professional, feeling valued, and striking the right work-life balance.
Building on these pillars, FS Group is expanding on a value proposition for its people, combining corporate culture, leadership, career opportunities, employee benefits, health, well-being and flexibility.
“We want to build a company where we don’t have to ask people to stay. We want to create the right conditions every day, so that they choose to do so, through opportunities for growth, a high-quality working experience, a focus on well-being and a career path that can evolve alongside their aspirations” -concluded Stacchiotti.