A change of era at Grupo Gallo and other signings this week

A hectic week due to Trump's tariff policy, which has left little room for signings. Companies from virtually all over the world are beginning to crunch the numbers to try to mitigate the effects of these skyrocketing tariffs as much as possible. However, during the week, there have been changes at Gallo, Triodos, Puertos del Estado, and Eurofer, among others.

Fernando Fernández leaves the presidency of Gallo

A change of era at the leading pasta group. Fernando Fernández, executive chairman and CEO of Grupo Gallo since 2019, has stepped down as head of the company, although he will remain a member of the board of directors, the company announced this week. Likewise, the association of consumer brand manufacturers, Promarca, also announced this week the appointment of Fernández as its new president, replacing Ignacio Larracoechea, who held the position for the past 15 years. Fernández was appointed unanimously by the governing board of the association.

Gallo has been owned by the Proa Capital fund for more than five years and has recently been implementing cuts in the pasta company, specifically in the historic Granollers factory with the aim of closing the division, according to reports The Economist.

However, Néstor Nava will continue to lead the group as CEO. Nava joined in May 2024 and has since continued to drive the company's transformation into a healthy food group, with a focus on innovation and sustainable growth.

Jordi Cazorla (Celsa), appointed vice president of Eurofer

Celsa Group CEO Jordi Cazorla has been appointed Vice President of the European Steel Association (Eurofer), the organization that represents all steel manufacturers in the European Union. The nomination was unanimously approved on April 8, effective immediately. According to the company, this position will allow Celsa to "continue leading the sector's demands" at a particularly critical time for steel manufacturing and trade in the European Union.

Cazorla is also a member of the UNESID executive committee, along with representatives from Spain's five largest steel companies. This association brings together all of the country's steel manufacturing companies.

Triodos Bank appoints Benedek Vasy as Managing Director in Spain

Triodos Bank has appointed Benedek Vasy as the new CEO of Triodos Bank Spain, who will join from June 16, 2025. Vasy replaces Daniël Köhler, who has worked at the Dutch bank for over a decade and has held the position of CEO since December 2023. Vasy has experience in both the Spanish and international banking sectors. He has held positions as a CEO at Standard Chartered Singapore, as a director of the global excellence program for retail banking at Boston Consulting Group in London, and in various marketing and business development positions at Barclays Madrid and at the bank's London headquarters.

Among the challenges facing the bank is customer complaints regarding the marketing of share depository receipts (SCRs). In fact, in Spain, the Supreme Court is currently reviewing appeals against rulings in favor of Triodos and is expected to issue a ruling sometime in 2025.

Gustavo Santana Hernández, new president of Puertos del Estado

This week, the Council of Ministers approved, at the proposal of the Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Óscar Puente, the appointment of Gustavo Santana Hernández as the new president of Puertos del Estado. Santana holds a degree in naval and ocean engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Since December 2023, he has held the position of Director General of the Merchant Marine at the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility and President of Maritime Rescue. Previously, he was a technical advisor to the Directorate General of the Merchant Marine.

He was born in Puerto del Rosario (Fuerteventura) in 1973 and belongs to the State Corps of Naval Engineers, where he works as a technical advisor to the General Directorate of the Merchant Marine. During his professional career, he has held positions of public responsibility, such as Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport for the Government of the Canary Islands and as Vice President and Managing Director of the public business entity Puertos Canarios.

Eloi Planes, new president of the Business & Climate Foundation

The Business & Climate Foundation (FEC) has announced the appointment of Eloi Planes, Executive Chairman of Fluidra, as the foundation's new president, succeeding Joan Planes, who led the institution until his recent death. Eloi Planes assumes the presidency, representing the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, with the aim of strengthening the FEC's role as a key player in collaboration between companies and governments in the fight against climate change. With extensive experience in the business world and a strong commitment to sustainability, his leadership will bring continuity and renewed impetus to the foundation's objectives.