Intesa Sanpaolo strengthens dialogue with Oxford on circular economy
19 February 2026
Intesa Sanpaolo took part in the first Principal Circle’s Lecture of 2026 organised by the University of Oxford’s Green Templeton College, an event dedicated to fostering dialogue between academia and practitioners on sustainability and the transformation of economic models.
Intesa Sanpaolo and the University of Oxford have maintained a strategic partnership since 2017, strengthened over time through numerous academic, cultural and social initiatives.
The initiative confirms the Group’s commitment to promoting collaborations with international academic institutions aimed at supporting the development of new skills and sustainable growth models.
The event, held on 5 February 2026 at the college — specialised in postgraduate programmes and MBAs in management and medicine — brought together students, researchers and professionals to explore the role of the circular economy in rethinking the global economy. Alongside the public lecture, a selected group of students took part in a dedicated discussion session with the guests, encouraging an informal exchange of experiences and perspectives.
Circular economy as a strategic lever for resilience and competitiveness
Representing Intesa Sanpaolo was Massimiano Tellini, Director and Head of Circular Economy at the Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center, who delivered a contribution dedicated to the theme “How to rethink a global economy”. In his speech, he highlighted how global challenges — from climate change and biodiversity loss to supply-chain vulnerabilities and geopolitical tensions — require a systemic approach capable of moving beyond the linear economic model.
«Climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, supply-chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions are no longer separate challenges»
Massimiano Tellini, Director and Head of Circular Economy at the Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center
Tellini highlighted that the systemic transition towards the circular economy represents not merely — or not primarily — an environmental agenda, but rather an economic strategy aimed at strengthening resilience, resource security and industrial competitiveness.
According to this vision, the transition implies designing systems capable of eliminating waste and pollution, keeping products and materials at their highest value, and contributing to the regeneration of natural capital, complementing traditional climate policies with an approach focused on the material foundations of the economy.
The value of collaboration between academia and the financial sector
Among the key themes emerging from the meeting was the role of collaboration between academic institutions, businesses and financial actors as a crucial element in accelerating the transition towards circular models. "We need to be radical about direction and pragmatic about execution", Tellini emphasised, highlighting the importance of combining strategic vision with concrete actions through public-private partnerships and appropriate financial instruments.
Participation in the Principal Circle’s Lecture further strengthens the ongoing collaboration between Intesa Sanpaolo and Green Templeton College, helping to promote international dialogue on innovation, sustainability and the transformation of economic models.
In closing, a message addressed to the younger generations present: "The future is not a destination. It's a responsibility".
Last updated 19 February 2026 at 17:06:17
