In the competitive world of European lobbying and institutional relations, one Italian name stands out among the giants: AB Group. Ranked by EU Reporter among the ten most influential public affairs firms in Europe, AB Group is the only Italian company to make the list, alongside global heavyweights like Covington & Burling LLP, Squire Patton Boggs and Edelman.
Founded in Rome in 2018 by Alessandro Bertoldi, who remains its CEO, and managed by Adriano Teresi, AB Group has carved out a distinctive place in the European landscape. Its success rests on a “tailor-made” approach to consulting, blending advocacy, strategic communication and both public and corporate diplomacy.
A boutique model competing with global players
In a European public affairs market worth between €1.6 and €2.2 billion, Italy’s lobbying ecosystem is expanding but remains opaque, lacking a mandatory register. While the country’s top ten firms generate more than €60 million in revenue, AB Group has opted for quality over volume. With 850 Italian actors active in Brussels and over 600 registered at the EU level, the firm stands out for its elite positioning, competing not through size but through expertise and influence.
EU Reporter highlighted AB Group’s independence and transparency, noting its registration in the Italian Chamber of Deputies’ interest representatives list from day one and its active participation in parliamentary hearings on the forthcoming Italian lobbying law. Operating in more than 25 countries, the firm integrates government relations, communication and public diplomacy, focusing particularly on Europe, the Americas and the Middle East.
Expanding across Francophone markets
Under Teresi’s leadership, 2025 marks a turning point for AB Group as it strengthens its presence across Francophone markets, notably in France and Africa, regions of growing strategic importance. Leveraging Italy’s position as a bridge between Western and Mediterranean worlds, the company offers a model of influence rooted in dialogue, credibility and cultural fluency.
As Bertoldi puts it, “Italy must turn its international relations into an engine for economic and industrial growth, promoting and defending free markets and fair competition.”
With a network spanning think tanks, embassies, international organizations and major media, AB Group has become a trusted partner for businesses and governments seeking to enter new markets or navigate complex regulatory environments.
Its inclusion in the European top 10 is not just a recognition of its excellence; it signals the rise of Italy as a serious player in the global diplomacy of influence, where business strategy meets geopolitical vision.
