Antonello Esposito: Delivering innovative solutions in quick succession through Framework Contracts

Learning about the landslide win was a feeling like no other. Before the submission of the bids, Antonello shares that the team spent three long months laser-focussed on getting the offers right. It was a global effort, he adds, as they enlisted the support of NIRAS offices all over the map – Colombia, Finland, France, Serbia the Philippines, Ukraine and Sweden to name a few.

“I was working with all the time zones, so the team was spread out,” Antonello says. “It took a lot of coordination, but we are used to that.”

Multi-tasking in his genes 

For as long as he can remember, Antonello has been the restless type. Back in 1997 in Italy, his grandfather, an influential figure in his life, would tell a young Antonello to stop moving around the kitchen and sit still so that he could finish his food. Refusing to listen, Antonello had to be strapped to the dining chair with a belt "like when you're in the car”.

“‘Now, we are having lunch. You cannot do a thousand things,’” Antonello recalls his grandfather saying.

But given his role in the FWC Unit, Antonello’s work can feel like doing just that: having a thousand balls in the air at the same time. He wears many hats in NIRAS.

Apart from his regular duties, Antonello is also the Consortium Manager for Lot 11 (security, conflict prevention, sustaining peace and building resilience) and Lot 2 (sustainable natural resources management). He manages and collaborates with multiple teams of varying expertise, while ensuring the EU’s requests – like the TA to Establish a Risk Management Unit in Ethiopia, Pilot Project for Engagement with Youth in Congo and Ex-post Evaluation of Access to Sustainable Energy in the Philippines – are met in a timely manner.

Antonello with NIRAS colleagues in Italy for a global meeting

On top of that, he also serves as the Project Director of several projects at NIRAS, including the Technical Assistance to Support the Implementation of the Blue Economy Programme in Tanzania and EU-LAC Critical Raw Materials Support Action. While many might feel overwhelmed by these responsibilities, Antonello is unfazed. He thrives in a fast-paced environment.

“Working with frameworks is a good match for me because of all the requests we receive and because you always have to be on top of new things,” he says. “I try to do a lot and keep myself busy.”  

This drive for activity comes naturally to him, even outside of work. “I usually start my day with a CrossFit class in the early morning. I wake myself up with that since it gives me a lot of energy to face all the daily challenges,” he remarks. 

These days, after work Antonello plays dodgeball, a sport that requires as much agility as his role at NIRAS, with perhaps a little more fitness in the mix. He is, after all, a member of the Danish National Team (Dodgeball Danmark) – and they are in the middle of training for an upcoming tournament.

"We went last year for our first Dodgeball World Championship,” Antonello shares. “We are preparing for the European Championship now. It’s going to be in Ireland in June.” He says that whether he will make it to the final cut is still up in the air, but he continues to show up to practice for the sheer love of the game.

But more than the thrill of having many things to do, Antonello is particularly moved to work with companies like NIRAS because of his strong sense of justice and the opportunity to deliver support where it is needed as quickly as possible. While he originally wanted to become a lawyer, the economics graduate shifted his career path to pursue a different kind of more meaningful work. “I could help bring justice in other ways also.” 

Standing on the shoulders of strong leaders 

Although his internship there happened purely by chance, joining the Italy-based NGO Sustainable Development Foundation was life-changing for Antonello. His role as project coordinator for the major culminating event of the States General of the Green Economy, a process that brings together all the relevant green economy actors in Italy, was the catalyst for his years-long career in development. 

If you asked Antonello who had personally helped shaped his character and career path, he would name his grandfather (who, beyond strapping him in to his seat to eat, inspired him to take up economics), his project manager at the Sustainable Development Foundation Alessandra Bailo Modesti (who showed him what fair and true leadership is), and Italy's former Environmental Minister, Edo Ronchi, who, since 2008, has been the President of the Sustainable Development Foundation.  

Alessandra is someone whom Antonello describes as a confident and empathic leader, making sure to give credit where it was due. “Nowadays, I try to have the same approach because it is the right thing to do,” he says. “And Edo was a sort of a father figure for me. Everybody was nervous to talk to him because he was someone you look up to and admire. Every day, you could see him reading the newspapers, studying what was happening in the world – a very technical person, always gathering facts.” 

Some eight years ago, Antonello took his chances and left Italy to take a six-month internship at Ramboll in Denmark. Edo gave him a few parting words. “I remember him saying, ‘Go and have this experience. Don’t quit the Foundation, I can offer you a sabbatical and if you decide to stay in Denmark then we can discuss about it later. If not, you will come back, and you will still have your job here. But I will happily see you growing internationally elsewhere.’” 

That internship turned into four years with Ramboll, after which Antonello joined NIRAS. The influence of his grandfather, Alessandra and Edo all had an impact, and today he is recognised as a strong but empathic leader.  

“Anto cares! He cares about colleagues, he cares about projects, and he cares about making the world a better place,” says Karen. “He is passionate and dedicated about what we do, and we are incredibly grateful to have him on our team.” 

Karen and Antonello in Gaborone, visiting the EU Delegation to Botswana

As he continues to lead part of FWC Unit team and heads up two of the FWC SEA 2023 Lots, Antonello is bringing justice through the broader goal of building a just and equitable world while staying humble.  

“Throughout my journey, I have connected people and helped them make business towards sustainability,” he says. “I want to continue in that direction, and I’m navigating this day by day, taking more responsibilities and trying to learn new things. Sometimes I wish my grandfather was here to strap me in when things get a little crazy, but then I get hit with a few dodgeballs and realise I can take most anything thrown my way.”