Board of Directors
Since July 2018, he has been Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of B&D Holding S.p.A. (formerly B&D Holding di Marco Drago e C. S.a.p.A., of which he served as Chairman of the Board of General Partners from 2006).
In June 2022, he was appointed Chairman Emeritus of De Agostini S.p.A., the operating holding company of the De Agostini Group, after serving as Chairman from 1997.
He leads one of Italy's largest family-owned groups, which he has steered over the years through an extraordinary journey of growth and diversification into new businesses. As CEO of the publishing group during the 1980s and 1990s, he drove a significant expansion both in Italy and, above all, internationally. After 125 years, De Agostini Editore operates in 20 countries, publishing in 12 languages through De Agostini Publishing, De Agostini Libri and the Kids Content division.
From 2000 onwards, with the goal of pursuing an ambitious diversification strategy, he led the Group to expand its presence into the following sectors:":
- Lotteries with Brightstar Lottery (formerly IGT), listed on the New York Stock Exchange, global leader in the lottery sector operating in more than 100 countries. Mr Drago was a Board of Directors’ member from the company's establishment in April 2015 until May 2024.
- Media and Communication with Atresmedia in Spain, joint venture with the Planeta Group, a leading television and radio broadcaster, where he was Board member from June 2003 until May 2024, and with Banijay Group, one of the world's largest independent companies in the production and distribution of content for television and multimedia platforms.
- Finance with DeA Capital Real Estate, the leading Italian asset management company specializing in alternative real estate investment funds (AIFs).
- Healthcare with Content Group, Italian Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization leader in Europe in the manufacturing of medical devices and products in the ophthalmic and inhalation segments.
- Insurance until 2006 with Toro, later sold to Assicurazioni Generali, of which the group was shareholder until April 2022.
- Retail with Legami, one of the most dynamic Italian brands in the stationery, gift and ‘happy shopping’ segments, and Venchi, a company specializing in the production and distribution of premium chocolate and gelato.
The De Agostini Group, today fully international in its operations, reports consolidated revenues of €2.7 billion and employs over 12,000 people.
He is Honorary Chairman of De Agostini Editore and of Group Planeta De Agostini.
Born in Settimo Torinese in 1946, he graduated in Economics and Business from Bocconi University in Milan in 1969.
That same year, he joined the Istituto Geografico De Agostini, where he began his professional career within the family business. In 1997, having previously held the roles of General Manager and then Managing Director, among others, he was appointed Chairman of the holding company De Agostini S.p.A., succeeding Achille Boroli.
He has been married since 1970 to Donata Morandi and has three children: Marcella, who graduated in Modern Humanities from the Catholic University, and Enrico and Nicola, both graduates in Business Administration from Bocconi University.
He has received several prestigious awards, including the title of Bocconiano dell'anno in 2001 and the honor of Cavaliere del Lavoro in 2003.
Enrico Drago, born in 1977, graduated in business administration at Bocconi University and received an MBA at IESE Business School.
He began his career at Puig Beauty & Fashion Group. Afterwards he joined Inditex Group (Zara) through a rotational program for high-potential young managers, becoming CEO Italy in 2011.
In 2014, he joined IGT, firstly as COO of Lottomatica, then in the US, where he founded and led the strong growth of PlayDigital, IGT's online and sports betting division. He served as CEO of IGT's Digital & Betting segment starting from 2021. He stepped down in 2024 when he was appointed Non-Executive Director of IGT’s Board (today Brightstar Lottery).
In June 2025, he was appointed Executive Chairman of De Agostini S.p.A., after serving as Vice Chairman of the De Agostini Group holding company from June 2021.
Since 2012, he is a member of the advisory board of Fondazione Cometa, which focuses on foster care, inclusion, and education.
Enrico is married to Federica, and they have four children.
Nicola Drago, born in 1978, graduated cum laude at Bocconi University and received an MBA from Columbia University.
He began his career at the investment bank Sonenshine Partners in New York and then moved to McKinsey.
At De Agostini, he held various operational positions in Italy and abroad, mostly in the media sector (Banijay/Endemol group), and was appointed CEO of De Agostini Publishing in 2016. During the eight years in this role, he saved, transformed and relaunched the longstanding - yet struggling - collectibles company, receiving the “EY Entrepreneur of the Year” award in 2021.
Appointed Vice Chairman of De Agostini Group in 2021, today Nicola, as member of the 4th generation of the Drago-Boroli family, leads the group alongside his brother Enrico.
In 2022 he co-founded ioCambio, an independent civic movement that promotes institutional reforms in Italy.
He sits on the board of several non-profits including Ubuntu Pathways, Opes Impact Fund and Fondazione De Agostini.
He is married to Camilla, and they have two daughters.
