Paola Palazzani joins the IPAF board

Paola Palazzani, CEO of Palazzani Industrie, has been seconded to the IPAF board of directors.

Palazzani’s secondment adds further manufacturing expertise to the IPAF board, it said, and reinforces the federation’s commitment to representing and supporting the global powered access industry. Palazzni will be voted onto the board by members at the IPAF AGM on 2 June 2026, which will be held at the APEX Show in Maastricht, Netherlands.

Paola Palazzani and Peter Douglas at the IPAF Anch'io 2026 conference, taking place today, where Palazzani's secondment was officially announced.

Palazzani joined the business at an early stage in her career and developed broad expertise across both its industrial and commercial operations. Established in 1935, Palazzani Industrie has more than 90 years of experience in the design and manufacture of aerial work platforms.

In the early 2000s, she led quality management within the company before assuming progressively broader responsibilities and later serving as sales director. She now leads the business with a focus on innovation, sustainability and long-term growth, while maintaining the company’s values and manufacturing.

Under her leadership, the company has expanded its international presence and continued to invest in advanced technologies, environmentally conscious solutions and high-performance platforms for working at height.

IPAF President Karel Huijser said, “Paola is a fantastic addition to the IPAF board. As a long-standing member and supporter of IPAF, her contribution to the powered access sector, combined with her international perspective and manufacturing insight, will strengthen the board as we continue to set the direction and strategy of IPAF to enable the safe and effective use of powered access worldwide.”

Paola commented: “I am very honoured to have been chosen as a board member. I hope to contribute meaningfully to IPAF’s mission while also growing through collaboration with experienced industry leaders. Serving at board level would give me the opportunity to help shape strategic decisions, support the continued development of safety standards and training, and represent the interests of members across the industry.”