In 1997, Roberto Cocchi started his vision to create high quality software for the Financial Sector, and founded SoftSolutions, an information technology company focusing on the regulated financial markets, primarily on public sector bond issuance.
Over the last 25 years, the highly qualified team at SoftSolutions has grown in size and expertise, responding to the needs of the market and the requirements of our established client-based of global and regional banks.
Corporate Responsibility
SoftSolutions aligns its corporate values across all company divisions and locations, with respect and integrity at the core.
The company is working towards becoming carbon-neutral and has already initiated a hybrid working programme that allows staff to work remotely.
To encourage and promote talent development, SoftSolutions established The Academy in 2019, where young keen candidates at the start of their careers can come to learn more about technology, enhance their skills and receive mentoring and advice, as well as often their first job or apprenticeship. Learn more about the Academy here.
SoftSolutions will assist clients to transition towards more sustainable business models by offering our innovative products, services and advice.
Management & Staff
Collaboration is at the core of the SoftSolutions business model. Each member of the team brings their own unique skills and expertise to create a holistic solution to each client’s challenge, all responding rapidly and acting proactively. Teamwork and communication are at the heart of how SoftSolutions works with its clients.
Giovanni Esmanech
CEO
With over 25 years in Telecommunications, Managed Security Services, and Software Development, I focus on meeting market needs and staying ahead of the competition.
Before joining SoftSolutions, I built and sold three companies, managed portfolios exceeding €15 million, and led teams of more than 100 professionals. I created eight international go-to-market strategies, securing strategic channel partnerships with Fastweb, TIM, Wind3, Zucchetti Informatica, and Var Group across Southern Europe. My work has consistently delivered strong ROI, ranging from 10x to 21x.
I joined SoftSolutions as COO in early 2025, where I worked on operational streamlining, service delivery, and commercial expansion. As CEO I am responsible for driving our strategic roadmap, commercial scale-up, and execution, while keeping the company anchored in quality and continuity.
My vision is shaped by experience: build what’s essential, scale what works, and focus relentlessly on what sets us apart. I believe that anticipating client needs, acting before problems emerge, and communicating our value with clarity are the foundations of sustainable growth. Every achievement in my career has come from applying discipline, focus, and a deep understanding of how strategy becomes execution.
Roberto Cocchi
Owner , President of the Board. CTO and Head of Software Production
With a Masters in Physics gained in 1992 and an experience in laser gas detection systems development, Roberto became passionate about programming and distributed information systems.
This led to an early career start in electronic data systems, introducing Teknekron (now Tibco) to Italian financial institutions in the early ’90’s. Realising that the emerging openness in trading protocols and related technology was a true value for the markets, Roberto founded SoftSolutions.
SoftSolutions was the first company to provide technology to connect to MTS – the first pan-European secondary market for Fixed Income. Since then Roberto has constantly pushed for innovation; launching a number of trading systems for primary and secondary trading in Fixed Income.
Roberto is an enthusiastic luthier, with a selection of his violins having been played in public concerts. Making a violin is an accomplishment of passion and patience.
Andrea Palermo
Head of Product
Graduated with a first-class degree in Electronic Engineering, Andrea has worked in the Fixed Income industry since 2003. As part of SoftSolutions helpdesk team, he built up a very deep knowledge of this demanding trading domain by supporting major European cash desks in using SoftSolutions’ products, covering primary auctions and secondary market activities.
Since 2011, Andrea has been driving the design and implementation of nexRates, the lead product of current SoftSolutions product suite.
Andrea is a keen Economist but also enjoys literature, cinema, sports and classical music.