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Grande Ufficiale Marco Cereste, a Pugliese by birth, is the Chairman of the Italian Community Association, Peterborough, since 1984. He is also the Chairman of NHS Peterborough, and, recipient of three Italian knighthoods. Marco is Dept Chair of the board of the East of England Development Agency and busy changing the face and fortunes of Peterborough.

The academia asks Marco Cereste the following questions:

Peterborough has a proud Italian community of which your father Serafino was one of its most important members – he was the first to emigrate from Bovino in Puglia in 1952. Is it true that a further 150 men left, en-masse, the old town of Bovino to join him in Peterborough?

According to the old priest at the church of St Maria di Valleverde, he said mass for 150 men leaving for England in 1952.

What do you miss most about Italy? What less?

I miss the friendliness of the people, the weather and the food. I hate the country’s bureaucracy.

In recognition of your loyalty and contribution to the Italian Republic you received the title of Grande Ufficiale, the highest honour bestowed by the Italian government. What did this honour mean to you?

I can only describe it in the terms in reverse to the prodigal son but as the prodigal mother who remembers that her children have left home and she seeks them out.

What is hope?

Hope is that one day we will all truly live as brothers and sisters irrespective of colour or creed.

You have helped shape the Health Care in your region for over 20 years. As Chairman of NHS Peterborough you have a great responsibility for the health service of more than 200,000 people in Peterborough and its surrounding areas. Steering this enormous operation towards any given direction must be quite a task. Which is your most effective communication medium?

Regular small meetings with stakeholders.

Was there a special person(s) or event(s) that inspired you over the years, that gave you strength to persevere?

I have been fortunate enough to meet 2 great men, one was the son of one of the founders of Tesco - he taught me everything about business and sparked the my ambition to be a success. I also met a missionary priest who helped me believe in God and the importance of fairness and equality.

You have achieved considerable results, but has there ever been particularly difficult time in your career/life? How have you overcome it?

I have lived and worked through 3 recessions, my advice is to do what must be done to survive and prepare for the up turn.

How does your heritage help you deal with the challenge of today’s social integration?

I am not sure that my heritage does, however, I am sure that being an immigrant helps me to understand the pain and suffering that other people are experiencing when they have to leave their home in order to live a decent life. 

What does the Italian Catholic Mission mean to you?  

It was very important to me and our community, unfortunately, for many legitimate reasons the Missionaries are struggling to find priests and therefore, the mission is not as important as it once was.

You are also a member of the board of the East of England Development Agency, responsible for the development of new businesses opportunities, employment and housing to the region. How do you see Peterborough in the next 10 years?

I want to see Peterborough as the new Regional Town, The Environment Capital of the UK and the City where everyone wants to live work and play.

You are a resourceful businessman. You recently considered the possibility of setting up a £200 million waste management plant in Italy. A further project considered new technologies for building houses made from a material developed in Italy, which can withstand earthquakes. Can you tell us more about these innovative projects?

I am very sorry to say that even I have found it impossible to work in Italy. The bureaucracy killed the projects.

Does 'perfection' exist?

Yes, Italy without the bureaucracy

What is your next dream?

Another baby, and a house in Rome.

Where do you think you will retire to one day? (Will you ever retire?)

I shall never retire, however, I expect to be doing much more travelling.

Marco Cereste, a remarkable success story of a boy from Bovino who rose to the top. What is his message to young aspiring professionals working around the world? 

Never take no for an answer!