Antonio Iozzo
| Antonio Iozzo | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 12, 1976 Johannesburg, South Africa |
| 🏳️ Nationality | South African |
| 💼 Occupation | Entrepreneur, author |
| Known for | Founder of Alpha, Body Action Gym, The 11th Floor |
| Notable work | Slaying the Dragon |
Antonio Iozzo
Antonio Iozzo (born 12 October 1976) is a South African entrepreneur and author. He is the founder and CEO of Alpha, a cell captive underwriting management agency, and the founder of Body Action Gym and The 11th Floor Rooftop Restaurant and Cocktail Bar in Bedfordview, Gauteng.[1]
In 2024, Iozzo published Slaying the Dragon: A South African Billionaire’s Battle to Conquer Opioid Addiction, a memoir recounting his recovery from prescription opioid dependency following a motorsport accident.[2][3]
Early life and education
Iozzo was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. He began working at age 15 to support his family after his father was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He left Jeppe High School for Boys before matriculating and later trained as a chef through Parktown College Hotel School.[4][5]
Career
Insurance
In 2004, Iozzo founded Alpha, a Johannesburg-based underwriting management agency operating through a cell captive model.[6] Alpha provides both personal and commercial insurance solutions and has partnered with actuarial platforms to support data-driven underwriting.[7]
Iozzo was named a finalist in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in 2019 and 2021.[8][9]
Fitness and wellness
In 2021, Iozzo launched Body Action Gym, a luxury fitness and wellness facility located in Bedfordview. The facility includes advanced equipment and recovery services and has been featured in health and fitness publications.[10][11][12]
Hospitality
Later in 2021, Iozzo opened The 11th Floor, a rooftop restaurant and cocktail bar located in the Alpha Building. In 2024, the restaurant was named Africa’s Best Rooftop Restaurant at the World Culinary Awards.[13][14]
Motorsport
Iozzo previously competed in national superbike racing. In 2018, he sustained spinal and thoracic injuries in a crash at Killarney International Raceway. His recovery from addiction following this accident was later chronicled in his memoir.[15]
He later established a motorsport team to support his son, Dino Iozzo, who competes in the FIM JuniorGP Stock 600 category.[16]
Philanthropy
Iozzo has supported educational and small business initiatives in South Africa. In 2023, he launched Alpha’s Business Upliftment Initiative to assist small businesses with funding and branding support.[17][18]
He also engages in public advocacy around addiction recovery.[19]
Published works
- Iozzo, Antonio (2024). Slaying the Dragon: A South African Billionaire’s Battle to Conquer Opioid Addiction. Truth Be Told Publishing. ISBN [978-0-7961-7612-7](https://www.worldcat.org/isbn/9780796176127).
Recognition
- Business Person of the Year – Italian-South African Chamber of Trade & Industry (2013)[20][21]
- Finalist – EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (2019, 2021)[22]
- Business Icon of the Year – GQ Men of the Year Awards (2024)[23]
Personal life
Iozzo lives in Johannesburg with his wife and two children.[24]
References
- ↑ https://www.cover.co.za/ium-announces-a-first-of-its-kind-in-south-africa-ium-s-business-upliftment-initiative/
- ↑ https://www.ewn.co.za/2024/12/04/overcoming-opioid-addiction-billionaire-businessman-tells-his-gripping-story-in-slaying-the-dragon
- ↑ https://iol.co.za/the-star/news/2024-11-20-slaying-the-dragon-one-mans-battle-against-opioid-addiction
- ↑ https://executiveleadership.africa/#flipbook-df_6452/131/
- ↑ "Antonio Iozzo, Business Person of the Year". Bedfordview Edenvale News. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ↑ https://www.zululandinsurancebrokers.co.za/insurance-news/uncategorised/exciting-news-ium-is-rebranding-to-alpha-insure/
- ↑ https://www.akur8.com/press-releases/alpha-insure-selects-akur8-for-efficient-data-driven-insurance-pricing-platform-in-south-africa
- ↑ https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2019-11-12-ey-honours-unstoppable-entrepreneurs/
- ↑ https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/three-top-entrepreneurs-named-as-ey-world-entrepreneur-award-southern-africa-winners-2021-03-26
- ↑ https://www.healthclubmanagement.co.uk/health-club-management-news/Six-star-fitness-and-wellness-club-Body-Action-Gym-to-open-in-seven-locations-across-South-Africa/350274
- ↑ https://ridehighmagazine.com/building-to-save/
- ↑ https://www.healthclubmanagement.co.uk/health-club-management-features/Interview-Antonio-Iozzo/36052
- ↑ https://worldculinaryawards.com/award/africa-best-rooftop-restaurant/2024
- ↑ https://www.luxurytravelmagazine.com/news-articles/the-11th-floor-a-sky-high-celebration-of-mediterranean-flavors
- ↑ https://iol.co.za/the-star/news/2024-11-20-slaying-the-dragon-one-mans-battle-against-opioid-addiction
- ↑ "FIM JuniorGP Results 2023 – Stock 600". Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ↑ https://www.cover.co.za/ium-announces-a-first-of-its-kind-in-south-africa-ium-s-business-upliftment-initiative/
- ↑ https://www.news24.com/life/motoring/news/a-random-act-of-kindness-brings-horsepower-motorsport-new-life-thanks-to-a-chance-encounter-20240830
- ↑ https://www.ewn.co.za/2024/12/04/overcoming-opioid-addiction-billionaire-businessman-tells-his-gripping-story-in-slaying-the-dragon
- ↑ https://www.citizen.co.za/bedfordview-edenvale-news/uncategorized/2013/12/05/antonio-iozzo-business-person-of-the-year/
- ↑ "Past Winners – Business Excellence Awards". Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ↑ https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/three-top-entrepreneurs-named-as-ey-world-entrepreneur-award-southern-africa-winners-2021-03-26
- ↑ https://www.gq.co.za/style/introducing-all-the-moty2024-honourees-5d516b2c-1213-4231-a93e-939257dd5859
- ↑ https://executiveleadership.africa/#flipbook-df_6452/131/
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