Francesco Pignatelli

Francesco Pignatelli Email and Phone Number

Strategic Advisor | European Commission - Joint Research Centre, Digital Economy Unit @ European Commission
brussels, brussels hoofdstedelijk gewest, belgium
Francesco Pignatelli's Location
Milan, Lombardy, Italy, Italy
About Francesco Pignatelli

Francesco Pignatelli is the Strategic Advisor for the Digital Economy Unit at the European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC). He provides expert advice on emerging policy challenges in the context of the new Commission’s priorities, on JRC/Unit work programme, strategic partnerships, organisation and outreach. He represents the EC in boards/committees and inter-service groups, by identifying opportunities, and supporting negotiations process.After joining in 2000, Francesco served the EC in several senior roles. From 2012 to 2022, he lead JRC research projects on "Digital Government and Innovation of Public Services", investigating impacts and opportunities offered by AI and other technologies (i.e. Digital Platforms, Blockchain, Big Data, IoT, Digital Twins or Virtual Worlds/metaverses) to increase efficiency of public services and transform the relationships between governments, business and civil society. He managed the “European Union Location Framework” (EULF) and the “European Location Interoperability Solutions for E-government” (ELISE) Actions and associated large contracts, part of multi-annual EC-funded Interoperability programmes. From 2000 to 2012, Francesco co-ordinated JRC inter-institutional activities, such as the European Research Area and major EU-led space programme, i.e. Galileo and GMES/Copernicus, as adviser for Space Policy-related activities in Brussels. He was Member of EC Delegation of the inter-governmental Group on Earth Observations (GEO) concerned with Ministerial Summits political negotiations, and nominated as EU Co-chair of "the GEO User Interface Committee", and of "the EU-Russia Dialogue on Space Cooperation".Prior to joining the EC in 2000, Francesco spent first years of career in the Space Industry working abroad and gaining an international reputation in management and business development of satellite systems. Among other functions, he managed a large technology transfer and training programme for satellites design & production involving a team of 40+ people (20M US$/year budget), and spent two years in Palo Alto, CA (USA) as System Manager responsible for a constellation of 64 telecommunication GLOBALSTAR spacecrafts Assembly, Integration and Test, as well as two years in Toulouse (France) as responsible for Thermal Protection & Control Systems of the HERMES Spaceplane.Francesco has extensive experience in leading/managing large teams/projects, and integrating strategies that drive business development.Francesco graduated magna cum laude in Mechanical Engineering from University of Naples, Italy

Francesco Pignatelli's Current Company Details
European Commission

European Commission

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Strategic Advisor | European Commission - Joint Research Centre, Digital Economy Unit
brussels, brussels hoofdstedelijk gewest, belgium
Website:
europa.eu
Employees:
30984
Francesco Pignatelli Work Experience Details
  • European Commission
    Strategic Advisor @ Digital Economy Unit, Directorate For Digital Transformation And Data, Jrc
    European Commission Jan 2023 - Present
    Ispra, Lombardia, Italia
    Francesco Pignatelli is the Strategic Advisor for the Digital Economy Unit at the Directorate for Digital Transformation & Data of the European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC). The JRC is the European Commission’s department of science for policy, providing independent, evidence-based knowledge and science, supporting EU policies. The goal is to contribute to the development and implementation of EU policies towards a successful, efficient and fair digital transition of the European economy and society. Francesco provides expert advice on emerging policy challenges in the context of the new Commission’s priorities and on JRC/Unit work programme, strategic partnerships, organisation and outreach, as well as representing the European Commission in boards and committees or inter-service consultations, by reporting, identifying opportunities, and supporting negotiations process in key occasions.
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  • European Commission
    Senior Programme Manager For Jrc Research On "Digital Government And Innovation Of Public Services"
    European Commission Jan 2016 - Dec 2022
    Ispra, Lombardy, Italy
    @ Digital Economy Unit, Directorate for Growth and Innovation - Joint Research CentreManaging the JRC institutional projects and resources on "Digital Government and Innovation of Public Services" at Digital Economy Unit of the Directorate for Growth and Innovation.The research in this context aims at investigating impacts and opportunities offered by the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other technologies (i.e. Digital Platforms, Blockchain, Big Data, IoT, Digital Twins or Virtual Worlds/metaverses) to increase efficiency of public services and transform the relationships between governments, business and civil society. The project explored the Open Data reuse to increase public administration transparency, accountability and efficiency, enhancing collaborative models and participatory policy-making, as well as the Data-Driven-Digital governance by assessing the framework conditions and potential impacts of cross-border interoperability services in selected economic sectors where the public administration plays a key 'orchestrating role' at different level (e.g. environment, transport, energy, employment, health and social services) building on previous work conducted with the implementation of the INSPIRE Directive.Among others, this project aims to provide a contribution to:- the public sector perspective of the Digital Decade 2030 and the Digital Principles;- the Interoperable Europe policy package;- the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL);- the European approach to artificial intelligence;- the New European Innovation Agenda;- the European Strategy for data; and- the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
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  • European Commission
    Manager Of The "European Location Interoperability Solutions For E-Government" (Elise)
    European Commission Jan 2016 - Dec 2020
    Ispra, Lombardy, Italy
    @ Digital Economy Unit, Directorate for Growth and Innovation - Joint Research CentreManager of the European Location Interoperability Solutions for E-government (ELISE) Action of ISA² Programme. The key goal of this initiative was to pave the way from e-Government to Digital Government, enabling a more efficient and effective cross-border or cross-sector digital public services through Geospatial and Location Intelligence frameworks, solutions and best practices. The ELISE Action, part of the multi-annual EC-funded ISA² Interoperability Programme (2016-2020), was successfully developed in consultation with Member States Working Groups, as well as relevant services of the Commission, or other EU agencies (e.g. CNECT, DIGIT, RTD, MOVE, ENER, SECGEN, REA) and International Organisations (e.g. OECD, UN, etc). On the top of the JRC institutional research agenda and resources, the competitive part of ELISE initiative, involved coordinating the work of around 20+ staff/year, including both EC/JRC internal and external consultants (i.e. Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, Gartner, etc) - through Framework Contracts, Open Calls, Expert and Intramuros contracts - with a budget responsibility of around 10M Euro. The ELISE objective was to break down barriers and promote a coherent approach to the sharing and reuse of location data across borders and sectors, supporting Better Regulation goals in terms of EU policy and the Digital Single Market strategy in the context of the digital transformation of public services.
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  • European Commission
    Manager Of The European Union Location Framework (Eulf)
    European Commission Jan 2012 - Dec 2015
    @ Digital Earth and Reference Data Unit, Institute for Environment and Sustainability - Joint Research Centre Leading the European Union Location Framework (EULF), an Action of the Commission-driven Interoperability Solutions for Public Administration (ISA) Programme to facilitate eGovernment interoperability. EULF helped EU public administrations, and their interactions with businesses and citizens, by developing and testing EU-wide, cross-sector interoperability frameworks and solutions for the sharing of location data and services, applying INSPIRE Directive in thematic sectors beyond the environment. EULF deliverables include studies, tools, guidance, applications and support services. I have been instrumental in developing productive relationships with DIGIT leading the ISA programme, other Commission DGs (including CNECT, MOVE, ENER and MARE), and related multi-national initiatives (such as UN-GGIM Europe and the European Location Framework), as well as engaging an effective EU-wide Advisory Group. The framework was refined through a series of ready-for-operation pilots in the Transport, Energy and Marine sectors. An important focus in these pilots was to involve public authorities and private companies working together in productive partnerships towards the Digital Single Market goals, to support innovation, and reduce constraints or barriers facing businesses across Europe. The EULF has being taken forward by a 5-year ISA2 ELISE Action (2016-20) offering location interoperability advice to other Commission services.
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  • European Commission
    Jrc Co-Ordinator Of Global Monitoring For Environment And Security (Gmes/Copernicus)
    European Commission Jan 2003 - Feb 2012
    Ispra, Lombardy, Italy
    @ Global Environment Monitoring Unit, Institute for Environment and Sustainability - Joint Research CentreI have worked extensively in coordinating Commission activities in relation to Earth Observations (EO) and use of this data. My experience has covered the full life cycle from considering the space mission requirements to applications of the data. I managed and co-ordinated the GMES (now Copernicus) initiative for the whole Joint Research Centre. I demonstrated proven ability in this coordinating role for many (9+) years, setting out EC/JRC's position and strategy in consultation with Directors and Unit Heads. Several JRC “actions” and competitive projects funded in the frame of the Commission’s Research Framework Programme make extensive use of space-based remote sensing techniques and applications. This involved a large number of staff working in two Ispra-based Institutes focusing on environment and safety/security of citizen.Tasked with ensuring at operational level, JRC scientific support to the development of this initiative, and an optimal relationship with Policy DGs (ENV, DEVCO, ENTR, REGIO, AGRI, MARE, RTD, etc) as well as with European Member States Delegations and Agencies (i.e. ESA, EEA, EUSC, ECMWF, Eumetsat). Screening Commission’s needs and federating the internal demand, in order to better understand how GMES can support the EU policies implementation, in line with JRC’s mission goal. I drafted GMES/Copernicus Reports and Communications, and participated in the overall management and governance of the Programme - i.e. Board of Directors, Steering Committees and Advisory Council meetings with Member States, through the organisation and co-chairing of periodic meetings.With this job assignment of high visibility and degree of responsibility I have significantly contributed to enhance JRC’s role in the EO technologies and activities in the areas of environment, security needs, and space, information and communication technologies.
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  • European Commission
    Ec Delegate Of The “Group On Earth Observations” (Geo) & Eu Co-Chair Of Geo User Interface Committee
    European Commission Jan 2003 - Dec 2011
    Ispra, Lombardy, Italy
    @ Global Environment Monitoring Unit, Institute for Environment and Sustainability - Joint Research CentreI participated to the Group of Earth Observation (GEO) process from its inception. From 2003 to 2011, as the Commission's JRC delegate in the inter-governmental GEO, I was highly involved in political negotiation processes for international agreements during the Earth Observation Ministerial Summits (2004 in Tokyo, 2005 in Brussels, 2007 in Cape Town and 2010 in Beijing), the GEO Plenaries (2005 in Geneva, 2006 in Bonn, 2008 in Bucharest, 2009 in Washington DC, 2011 in Istanbul) and the Executive Committee meetings. During this time, I directly supported the former DG RTD Directors (Manuela Soares, Zoran Stančič, Achilleas Mitsos, as well as Janez Potočnik - Science and Research Commissioner. GEO was launched in response to calls for action by the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development and by the G8 leading industrialized countries. International collaboration is essential for exploiting the growing potential of Earth Observations (EO), to support decision making in an increasingly complex and environmentally stressed world. GEO is a partnership of 100+ Governments and 100+ Participating Organizations that envisions a future where decisions and actions for the benefit of humankind are informed by coordinated, comprehensive and sustained EO.GEO was formally established for co-ordination of global observing strategies on the basis of a GEOSS 10-Year Implementation Plan (2005-15), adopted during the Earth & Space Week in Brussels (Feb. 2005). I managed JRC participation in that event which was a great success, with over 30.000 visitors and articles in the press.At the 4th GEO Plenary in 2008 I was nominated the European Co-Chair of GEO User Interface Committee (UIC), with the goal of identifying critical EO global priorities, user needs and requirements, best practices in applications, engagement strategies, and managing Communities of Practice.
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  • European Commission
    Assistant To The Jrc Work Programme And Strategy Unit On Space Policy
    European Commission Jan 2004 - Dec 2010
    Brussels Metropolitan Area
    @ Work Programme and Strategy Unit, JRC Headquarters - Brussels Assistant to the JRC Work Programme and Strategy Unit in Brussels on Space related activities associated with the JRC involvement such as Space policy matters, Interservice consultations, etc. Attend relevant workshops or conferences and periodical meetings, when JRC official contact points are needed, such as the DG ENTR (then GROW) Inter-Service “Task Force on Space”, the “Space and Energy” reflection and workshops organized by DG TREN (then MOVE) and the ESA, etc.Supported the JRC chairmanship for the running of the International Users Committee of the Proba-V programme, to ensure the “Vegetation” products continuity in view of the ESA Sentinel-3 data availability.In 2009, I organised and co-chaired the 33rd International Symposium on Remote Sensing for Environment (ISRSE-33), Sustaining the Millennium Development Goals. This Symposium covering space applications in various earth observation thematic fields, received an unprecedent participation, making it the most successful ISRSE Symposium - a “vintage” edition - since its beginnings in 1962.
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  • European Commission
    Jrc Member Of The Gmes Bureau, European Commission, Dg Entr - Brussels
    European Commission Jul 2006 - Dec 2007
    Brussels Metropolitan Area
    @ GMES Bureau, Directorate of Aerospace Industry, Defence and Security - DG Enterprise and Industry - BrusselsMember of the “GMES Bureau” on a part-time basis in Brussels, providing advice to Bureau’s Work Plan tasks on services development, governance, communication, data and information dissemination policy, Commission internal co-ordination, drafting and definition of GMES Reports and Communications, including Interservice and at Cabinet level consultation.Supporting the Bureau in official meetings linked to the overall strategic management and planning (i.e. the GMES Advisory Council, Steering Committee, representatives of Regions, User Community, and Stakeholders). Involved in Communication and Public Relations activities such as preparation and delivering of briefings, presentations, promotion materials and information to the public.On the international relations scene, I was nominated the European Co-chair for the Earth Observation sector in the frame of the “EU-Russia Dialogue on Space Cooperation”. H.Zourek - DG ENTR Director-General headed the Commission delegation as member of the Steering Board, which included the ESA Director General and the Russian Federation
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  • Un-Ggim: Europe
    Un-Ggim: Europe Executive Committee
    Un-Ggim: Europe Jun 2022 - Present
    Representative of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre at the UN-GGIM: Europe Executive Committee as observer status. The aim of UN-GGIM: Europe is to ensure that the national mapping and cadastral authorities and national statistical institutes in the European UN Member States, the European Institutions and associated bodies work together to contribute to the more effective management and availability of geospatial information in Europe, and its integration with other information, based on user needs and requirements.
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  • European Commission
    Co-Ordination Of European Commission Inter-Institutional And Cross-Jrc Programmes
    European Commission Aug 1999 - Dec 2002
    Ispra, Lombardy, Italy
    @ Space Applications Institute - JRCMember of "Ispra ERA Group" - a core “horizontal” team, tasked with developing the European Research Area at JRC. Ensuring that activities of 3 JRC Institutes focusing on health, environment and safety of citizen, were developed in line with ERA requirements (through its related instruments i.e. networks, integrated projects, training and mobility, infrastructures, benchmarking, enlargement, etc). In particular, the “JRC ERA Action Plan” and "ERA at JRC" website was developed.Member of the “IPSC Scientific Committee” - with the objective of advising the Director General on JRC awards and prizes, as well as on scientific issues.Secretary of the “Ispra-Site Development Group” and of the “CHST - Comitè d’Hygiene et Securitè du Travail”. Assigned to the Secretariat of the Ispra-site Development Group, which was responsible for overseeing the development of the whole site, with particular reference to security, infrastructure, health and safety, movement, logistics, as well as elaborating sensitive conceptual and outline plans, including the “Ispra-site Development: Reshaping the Nuclear Footprint” and the “Emergency Management Plan”. Supporting the CHST President by managing meetings with participation of Staff Union representatives and by co-ordinating the involvement of “Responsabili dei Servizi di Prevenzione e Protezione”.GALILEO programme - Provision of technical support to Galileo programme on behalf of JRC partner DGs ( former TREN & INFSO), involved in tendering evaluation and negotiation process and the management of resulting contracts (i.e. pilot projects and market analysis). Publication of various EC Reports on satellite systems and applications).Total Quality Management (TQM) - With experience in both space industry and in public/private sector, I was requested to participate in JRC’s TQM Self Assessment Initiative, with responsibility for the evaluation of criteria such as partnerships, resources, results.
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  • Thales Alenia Space
    Programme Manager & Business Development Of Satellites Production
    Thales Alenia Space Jan 1996 - Jul 1999
    Rome, Latium, Italy
    Alenia Aerospazio, Space Division – Rome, Italy Programme Manager of the NEMO (Naval EarthMap Observer) satellite. NEMO is a space-based remote sensing system for the Civil Sector and Naval Forces collecting broad-area, hyper-spectral coastal imagery for the Civil Sector and Naval Forces (NRL, Washington). Successfully delivered the satellite platform against a very tight schedule and challenging requirements. These included the integration of an advanced optical instrument into an existing commercial spacecraft without affecting the production line, and the balancing of often conflicting requests from civil and military customers. My management and responsive attitude played a fundamental role in the successful delivery of NEMO spacecraft; an appreciation letter was sent by NASA to Alenia top management.I also managed a 2-year training program "the Technical Assistance and License Agreement between Alenia (Italy), Space Systems/Loral (USA) and Hyundai (South Korea)" on satellite production, involving confidential aspects, technology transfer and negotiation issues. This training on satellite design and development (in-class, on-the-job & hands-on), involving a team of over 40 people, a budget of 20M US$/year, was successfully delivered daily to groups of over 20 engineers employed by Hyundai. The challenge was not to exceed the know-how transfer permitted under the contract for confidentiality reasons.Business development of Alenia's Small Satellite Centre in Rome for Assembly, Integration and Test activities. Responsible for a series of complex bid proposals (i.e. Teledesic, Iridium Next, Skybridge, Galileo) including technical, financial and management aspects (costs, schedule, milestones, logistics, manpower, training), and for satellite production facility design (rough cost 100M US$), to different customers worldwide (South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Egypt), as well as contract management of several environmental tests on equipment, payloads and antennas.
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  • Loral Space & Communications
    Satellites System Manager And Member Of The “Globalstar Core Team”
    Loral Space & Communications Jan 1994 - Dec 1995
    Palo Alto, California, United States
    @ Space Systems/Loral – Palo Alto, California USAI worked in the GLOBALSTAR Programme from the inception phase and quickly became a valued member of the team, contributing actively to the development of the Programme, being the Company’s reference point in Palo Alto (California) at the Space Systems/Loral premises. I was acting as liaison between Alenia, Space, Systems/Loral and partner companies in Palo Alto, during the design and development phase, and responsible for testing and production of the full Globalstar constellation of 64 spacecraft for telecommunication. This was the first time that such a large number of spacecraft were required to be delivered at the rate of 1 satellite per week. Traditional concepts utilised for space production and satellite design configuration were inadequate, therefore a radical assembly and test approach was needed and a new satellite centre was created in Rome to satisfy these demands. Unique working experience, in terms of acquisition of new technologies and processes, and through the adoption of new organisational methods to optimise production.
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  • Thales Alenia Space
    Leader Of Thermal Control/Protection Systems And Contract Manager Of Carina Re-Entry Vehicle
    Thales Alenia Space Feb 1988 - Dec 1993
    Naples, Campania, Italy
    @ former Alenia Spazio – Naples, ItalyContract Manager in Alenia Spazio’s Program Office. Managed the CARINA (Apollo-like re-entry vehicle for microgravity experiments) design B2-phase contract, prepared and negotiated the production C/D-phase proposal and co-ordinated the “Design to Cost” task force to minimise the quotation. Co-ordinator of the Descent & Recovery sub-system winning proposal of the Atmospheric Re-entry Demonstrator vehicle for the Ariane-5 launcher.@ former Aeritalia Space Group – Naples, ItalyThermal Engineer and team leader of the Thermal Control and Protection System. Development of thermal models, aerodynamic analysis, and heat shield design of re-entry vehicles. Carried out research studies on ablative and advanced ceramic materials testing and development for aerospace applications.
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  • Thales Alenia Space
    Spacecraft Thermal Engineer And Member Of The “Bureau D’Etudes Hermes”. Eurohermespace – Toulouse
    Thales Alenia Space Jan 1991 - Dec 1992
    Toulouse, Occitanie, France
    @ Bureau d’Etudes Hermes, EuroHermespace Directorate – Toulouse, FranceDetached from the former Alenia Spazio to the “Bureau d’Etudes Hermes”, dealing with optimisation of HERMES - the European space plane - architecture to reduce mass and power budgets. Significant participation in a confidential task force for the re-orientation of HERMES (manned version) to the “X-2000” project (sub-orbital flight version) and responsible for the all thermo-mechanical subsystems (200 MECU cost involvement), outlining differences in design, development, schedule and budget. Personal achievement: I have launched a study on the Hermes layout achieving an optimisation of radiators’ design achieving a mass saving of 80kg.
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  • Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico Ii
    Research On Advanced Materials Technology And Testing - University Of Naples, Italy
    Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico Ii Aug 1987 - Feb 1988
    Naples, Campania, Italy
    @ University of Naples, Department of Materials & Production EngineeringResearch Fellow on technology of composite and ceramic materials: manufacturing and production, mechanical and thermal testing, laboratories and tools.
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Francesco Pignatelli Education Details

Frequently Asked Questions about Francesco Pignatelli

What company does Francesco Pignatelli work for?

Francesco Pignatelli works for European Commission

What is Francesco Pignatelli's role at the current company?

Francesco Pignatelli's current role is Strategic Advisor | European Commission - Joint Research Centre, Digital Economy Unit.

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Francesco Pignatelli attended Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico Ii, Ensae Paris.

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Francesco Pignatelli's colleagues are Lady Rafaela Of Wenlock, Elisabeth Kretz, Ratna Sudewo, Nicolae Nedelcu, Valentins Hitrovs, Benedikt Hermann, Lilia Selmi.

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