Geneva – The General Assembly of the International Road Transport Union (IRU) today appointed Umberto de Pretto as new Secretary General of the IRU.  He replaces IRU Secretary General Martin Marmy and will assume this new function as of 1 June 2013.

IRU President, Janusz Lacny, said “Umberto’s profound background, experience and knowledge of IRU and the road transport industry, gained during his 18 years with the IRU, makes him the best candidate, who will bring a new approach forward with his passion, seemingly endless energy and commitment, to continue building a bright future for the road transport industry, and IRU Members.”

Mr de Pretto thanked the IRU’s Members for their trust and confidence, and gave a special thanks to Martin Marmy, stressing that unity would be the key to IRU’s continued successes.

Mr de Pretto said: “We need to be confident. We need to have pride. We are the team that can boast that ‘without trucks, the economy stops.’ We are the team that can offer the ‘Smart Move’ to mobility challenges, and which is available ‘anytime, anywhere’. As such, if we work as one, we will build on IRU successes!”

Mr de Pretto joined the IRU in 1995 and was appointed Deputy Secretary General in 2002.  He previously worked for the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, and the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa. 

Born in Ottawa in 1961, Mr de Pretto is a Canadian and Italian national, is happily married and a proud father of 2 boys.

Download High Resolution pictures of Umberto de Pretto

Press contact: Juliette Ebélé, +41 22 918 27 07, press@iru.org