Fabrizio Cazzoli, Managing Director of Ducati UK, will be a special guest speaker at the North East STEM Foundation’s (NESF) prestigious Black Tie Charity Dinner this October.

Cazzoli will join headline speaker, Liverpool and England football legend John Barnes MBE, at the flagship fundraising event, which brings together business leaders, educators, and supporters to champion STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education across the region.

Based in Bologna, Italy, Ducati is world-renowned for its blend of speed, style, and engineering innovation. The luxury motorcycle manufacturer has a long-standing commitment to STEM, including strong ties with Bologna University.

From its iconic desmodromic valve system and high-performance 90º V-twin engines to cutting-edge electronics and race-derived technology, Ducati exemplifies how STEM fuels world-class innovation. The company is equally passionate about promoting those principles in the UK.

Fabrizio Cazzoli, a mechanical engineer by training, said:
"I’m honoured to be invited to support the work of the North East STEM Foundation and to share Ducati’s story. STEM is at the heart of everything we do at Ducati, from design and innovation to performance and sustainability. It will be a privilege to talk about this focus.”

NESF Chair, Tania Cooper MBE, said:
"We are thrilled to welcome Fabrizio to our charity dinner. Ducati is a brand synonymous with engineering and design excellence, and its work in championing the next generation of innovators perfectly reflects our mission here in the North East."

The Black Tie Charity Dinner takes place on Friday, 10th October at Dalton Old Pump House, Seaham – a highlight of NESF’s calendar. Funds raised will support the charity’s mission to ensure that every young person, regardless of background, has the opportunity to study STEM.

Through partnerships with industry, NESF delivers outreach programmes, removes financial barriers, and creates direct pathways to help young people discover how STEM connects to real-world careers. Its work is shaping a skilled, diverse workforce for the North East’s future prosperity.