4th Castilla y León Económica Awards for Best Executive

Last Thursday, 25 May, the ceremony for the 4th Castilla y León Económica Awards for Best Executive took place. The event was organised by the magazine Castilla y León Económica and sponsored by Vodafone and Bankinter, with the collaboration of Collosa, Industrias Maxi, EPUNTO Interim Management, Renault-Nissan Consulting, Ibecon and Renault.

The event was held to recognise the work of 16 executives from companies based in Castilla y León and those with a presence in the region. EPUNTO Interim Management attended for the third consecutive year as a member of the judging panel, represented by Emilio del Prado. The event brought together more than 700 people, who were able to enjoy a unique opportunity for networking and learning in Valladolid.

Emilio del Prado, as well as being a member of the judging panel, presented one of the awards, in the category of Best Executive of a Multinational Based in Castile and León:

Emilio del Prado presenting the award to María Berzosa, Best Female Executive of a Multinational Based in Castile and León.

“These awards demonstrate, yet again, the exceptional calibre of the executive class in Castile and León, the driving force behind good corporate governance and one of the fundamental pillars for the sustainability and competitiveness of the region’s businesses. And once again, EPUNTO Interim Management continues to contribute its experience and knowledge of the world of management.”

Emilio del Prado, at the awards ceremony.

Compilation video of the 4th Castilla y León Económica Awards for Best Executive

Award Winners

• Honorary Award: José Rebollo, Chairman of Michelin Spain and Portugal
• Best Executive in Castile and León: Carlos Tejedor, Managing Director of Queserías Entrepinares
• Best Executive at a Multinational in Castilla y León: María Berzosa, director of the Europac Group’s recycled paper mill in Dueñas (Palencia)
• Best Finance Executive: Javier Cid, Managing Director of Alentia
• Best Sales/Marketing Executive: Fernando Villalba, Marketing Director at Bodegas Protos
• Best Human Resources Executive: Sonia Fajardo, Director of Human Resources for Southern Europe at Skretting
• Best Export/Internationalisation Executive: Belén Martín, Managing Director of Alucoil, part of the Alibérico Group
• Best R&D&I Executive: José Luis Barredo, Director of Biotechnology at Crystal Pharma
• Best Quality Executive: Ángel Calleja, Technical Director and Winemaker at Bodega Cuatro Rayas
• Best Executive from Castile and León Succeeding Abroad: Pilar López, Chair of Microsoft Ibérica

Insightful speeches

Jose Rebollo, Chairman of Michelin Spain and Portugal, highlighted the importance of a critical yet open-minded approach, “as the environment is so changeable and uncertain that we are constantly beginners in something”.

According to the executive, it is essential not to lose touch with reality; “to try to understand and accept ourselves so as not to set unrealistic expectations of ourselves, of others and of life in general; to take an interest in people and to be humble”; to show respect for team members, “regardless of their position within the organisation”; and to value all opinions.

In his view, in their day-to-day management, executives must know how to prioritise people over indicators and processes. “The greatest favour an executive can do for themselves is to delegate and empower their team, to trust the professionals who make up that team, and to free them from the dictates of the boss. In the vast majority of cases, their creativity, talent and sense of responsibility will do the rest,” pointed out Rebollo, who stated that the company’s plants in Spain are among the group’s most competitive, “and in particular those in Castile and León”. For the chairman of Michelin Spain and Portugal, having a sense of humour helps a great deal, “at least enough not to take oneself too seriously and to be able to create an atmosphere where there is room for more relaxed moments”. He also commented that one must know how to convey enthusiasm and a desire to work towards a common goal, whilst emphasising that the end does not justify the means, which is why managers must set an example of ethical behaviour.

In her speech, the president of Microsoft Ibérica championed lifelong learning, “it’s what motivates me every day as an executive”, whilst reminding the executives “that we have a duty to demonstrate and convey energy, so that it rubs off on our teams”.

In her view, managers must step outside their comfort zone “to take risks and learn from our mistakes. Companies need authentic people, capable of influencing others”.

She also emphasised that Castile and León can play a key role both now and in the future – an autonomous community of which she said she felt very proud, given her roots in Astorga.

During the presentation of the event, Luisa Alcalde, a founding partner of Castilla y León Económica, explained in more detail that these awards are intended to recognise the work of the winners, “and also an incentive for you to continue to set an example not only for your teams, but also for other executives, and indeed for society as a whole, which is so lacking in leaders”.

The journalist highlighted that four women had won awards in this year’s competition, mostly from the industrial sector, “hence my enthusiasm and gratitude, because society needs women to become role models – or rather, to have public visibility so that we can recognise that they already are”.

The Jury for the 4th Castilla y León Económica Awards for Best Executive

• José María Ribot, Director-General of the Institute for Business Competitiveness of Castile and León
• Joaquín da Silva, Deputy Managing Director and North-West Regional Director at Bankinter
• Miguel Ángel García, Northern Regional Director at Vodafone
• Carlos Fraile, Managing Director of Renault-Nissan Consulting
• Ángel García, Managing Director of Industrias Maxi
• Patricio Llorente, Director of Collosa
• Emilio del Prado, Managing Partner at EPUNTO Interim Management
• Lorenzo Alonso, Managing Director of Ibecon
• Luisa Alcalde, founding partner of Castilla y León Económica and chair of Dircom Castilla y León
• Alberto Cagigas, editor of the magazine *Castilla y León Económica*