Generali´s Josef Beneš Takes Decisions with Care Based on a Century of Experience

The chief executive of Generali Investments CEE, Josef Beneš, has held positions in the World Bank and London’s Standard Bank, and has investment experience in the Czech Republic, the US, China and the UK.

“We are the region’s leaders in the value of assets under management,” he says. “We currently have assets of over €16bn in the Czech Republic, and similar amounts in other countries. We consider our company the central and Eastern Europe trendsetter — and we constantly provide our clients with new opportunities.”

As well as his leadership role at Generali Investments, Beneš acts as chief investments officer for Generali CEE Holding, overseeing the group’s investments in 12 countries. He has held his chief executive’s position since 2014, and prior to his time at Generali he headed two other major Czech investment companies.

“We consider our company the central and Eastern Europe trendsetter — and we constantly provide our clients with new opportunities.”

– CEO Josef Beneš

He studied at the Prague University of Economics and Business and the Columbia University of New York.

Beneš has represented the Czech Republic in beach volleyball and is the vice-chair of the Czech volleyball federation. He is also the vice-president of The Committee of Good Will — Olga Havel Foundation.

Fund Portfolio Management

Five portfolio managers, with 105 years of collective experience, oversee the funds of Generali Investments CEE.

Patrik Hudec has over 18 years of expertise in investments. At Generali Investments CEE, it is him who is responsible for the whole portfolio management department of investment funds. He also manages several funds – the Generali Gold Fund and the Generali Emerging Europe Fund among others.

Martin Pecka has worked in investments for 30 years and specialises in pharmacy and biotechnology. He manages 13 funds, including the Generali Fund of Oil and Energetics and the Generali Fund of Pharmacy and Biotechnology.
Daniel Kukačka has been with Generali Investments for 20 years and in the sector for more than 25. He is an expert on bonds and investments in global companies. He is responsible for the management of the Generali Fund of Global Brands and the Generali Corporate Bonds Fund.

“After all these years, I consider some of the funds I manage, especially the Generali Corporate Bonds Fund, as my children,” he says. “I try to make them the best they can be and hope that they will benefit the most people possible.”

Marco Marinucci focuses on sustainability and the ESG aspects of investments. He manages several funds, including the Generali Fund of the Living Planet and the Generali Fund of Sustainable Growth.

Toghrul Mammadov reinforced the team of portfolio managers in 2021 with specialisation in corporate shares.

“Apart from the flagship funds, Generali Investments CEE also offers thematic and sector funds that respond to current developments in society and the financial markets,” says Beneš.

“The development of modern technologies, economic and demographic developments, globalisation and the shift towards sustainability represent driving forces with considerable impact on the global economy.

“We create specific funds narrowly focused on such areas to complement standard dynamic investments portfolios.”