Raffaele Riva is an entrepreneur and financier who specializes in asset and wealth management, estate planning, trust real estate and international issues. He founded AUREA Multi Family Office in 2008 and is still a co-owner and partner in this business. Riva has also founded numerous related companies, including Aurea Consulenti Associati SA, Aurea Gestioni Patrimonialia SA, Milano Fiduciaria and BGB AUREA Ltd. In addition, he holds chairmanship positions in the first three of these companies.
Education
Riva graduated with honors from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, Italy in 1987. He holds a degree in economics, with specialties in accounting, banking law, corporate financing, mergers and acquisitions, and tax law. He also earned a Dottore Commercialista degree from the same school in 1989, making him a Qualified Accountant. In addition, Riva completed a post-graduate program in SSQUEA at the Canton Ticino Management Business School in 1997. He also completed a post-graduate program in SUPSI at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland the following year.
Early Career
Riva worked in Milan and Manchester for a “Big 4” accounting and auditing firm from 1988 to 1992, initially as an assistant supervisor and later an assistant manager. He then served as a senior executive in a multinational conglomerate from 1992 to 1996. He also sat on the boards of several affiliated companies during his time in this position, with locations in Europe and South America among other regions. Riva later managed operations for several branches and subsidiaries of his firm in Canada, Western Europe, Central America, South America and South Africa.
Riva founded several advisory companies from 1997 to 2008, remaining a managing partner in most cases. During this period, he specialized in corporate financing and restructuring, estate planning, international activities, mergers and acquisitions, and wealth management.
Personal Life
Riva was born in 1962, and is married. He has dual citizenship in Italy and Switzerland, and is fluent in English, French and Italian. His personal interests include collecting wine, classic cars and art, including contemporary and modern styles. His hobbies also include auto racing, diving, show-jumping and skiing. Riva has memberships in the London Reform Club and the Monaco Yacht Club. He is also a Benefactor Member of the Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana. Riva’s memberships in professional organizations include the Associazione Il Trust in Italia, the Italian Association of Anti-Money Laundering Officers, the Register of Chartered Accountants in Milano and the Register of Legal Auditors in Rome.
Schedule
Riva doesn’t have a typical schedule, but he usually begins working at 7:30 to 8:00 am, ensuring that he gets his most urgent work done first. He normally finishes his work day between 8:30 and 9:00 pm. His agenda is planned each day, and he keeps a daily journal that includes the various activities he needs to complete each day. The clients and types of meetings he has vary each day, as do the locations. Riva travels a lot during his work day, so he must plan appointments well in advance to ensure he remains productive.
Growth Strategies
Riva has always considered providing clients with value as being crucial to the long-term success of his businesses. He begins each day by asking how he can serve his clients more effectively, which he finds improves his business dramatically. He adds that you should always think in terms of serving your clients, even if they’re wrong. When this happens, you should show initiative by correcting the problem immediately.
Challenges
Riva says that he discovered early in his career that he has a tendency to allow his businesses to grow beyond his ability to manage them. He would commit to too many opportunities and partners, some of which were the wrong choice and caused overly rapid growth. Riva overcame these challenges by understanding the difference between not being able to do something and deciding not to do it. As a result, Riva was able to limit the growth of his companies to a healthy level.
Advice
Riva would advise his younger self to put his own priorities above those of other people, although that isn’t to say that you shouldn’t support those around you who need your help. Riva also says that you should do what you like and believe in it. Don’t fear failure if you want people to believe in you. Riva adds that almost no one agrees with him when he says a person is rich when they aren’t afraid of becoming poor, rather than having plenty of money.
Reading Material
Riva recommends that entrepreneurs should read 1984 by George Orwell, primarily to understand the mechanics of totalitarianism. Winston Smith is the protagonist of the story, who tries to resist a world in which Big Brother is watching everyone. However, his efforts are ultimately in vain when the Party brainwashes him.