Leslie J Schirato

Infobox Person
name = Leslie J Schirato


image_size =
caption = Leslie J Schirato
birth_date = 1955
birth_place = Sydney,Australia
occupation = CEO Cantarella Group fo Companies
spouse = Luisa
parents = Rolando, Teresa
children = Gabriella, Rolando

Leslie J Schirato is the Chief Executive Officer of the Cantarella Bros. Group of Companies

Personal, education, and career history

Recognised as Australia’s ‘Coffee King’, Leslie Schirato heads the Cantarella Group of Companies, which accounts for over 43.1% market share in the pure coffee market with the Vittoria, Aurora and Delta brands. The son of Italian immigrants, Schirato was born in Sydney in 1955. His marketing expertise and passion for the Italian lifestyle has seen him build many traditional Italian products into Australian household names.

Les was first employed by Cantarella Bros part-time during school holidays, joining full time in 1972. recognizing his contribution to the growth and debt reduction of the company, he was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (consumer & industrial goods) in 2001

His expertise in marketing is recognised in a number of practical Australian & International marketing texts including "Marketing without money" by Edward de Bono and John C Lyons, and "Winning marketing decisions that grow a business – how successful entrepreneurs do it" by Greg Byrne.

He is Vice President of the Australian Tea & Coffee Association and was a coffee judge at the Royal Agricultural Society coffee competition from 2000 to 2003. Schirato is also a member of the Young Presidents Organisation, [Australian Food and Grocery Council] , Australian Institute of Directors and the Australian Marketing Institute.

Philanthropic work

Les was awarded the Paul Harris Medal by the Belrose Rotary club in 1998 for his ongoing help given to Camp Quality children’s cancer charity.

A love of rural Australian holidays and country towns preceded his active support of two rural community projects designed to revitalize their towns – Project 2828 at Gulargambone and Robertson CTC. Both received coffee equipment, supplies and training to service their community activities.

Awards and accolades

*2004 Australian Marketing Institute’s National Innovation award
*2004 Family Business Australia Business of the Year – second generation
*2004 Big Business Award
*2002 GIO fastest growing business
*2001 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (consumer & industrial goods)
*1998 Paul Harris Medal

External links

* http://www.cantarellabros.com.au
* http://www.vittoriacoffee.com
* http://www.santavittoria.com

References

* Source: AC Neilsen Scantrack / Total Pure Coffee (ex. Coffee Bags)/ MAT to 30 July 2006/ Volume (tonnes)
** Source: BIS Shrapnel report entitled “Coffee in Australia (2006-2008)”