Board of Management

Born in Madrid, he is an Industrial Engineer from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. He began his professional career at Siemens in 1975, where he worked as a design and process engineer until 1981. During this period, he participated in the development of various electronic circuits and automation systems, such as those for the Trillo Nuclear Power Plant. From 1981 to 1985, he worked at PA Technology in Cambridge (UK), a company dedicated to designing electronic systems and equipment for third parties.

During this period, among other projects, he worked on the applications of amorphous silicon for the production of photovoltaic solar cells, which were in their early development stage at the time. Upon returning to Spain, he participated in the creation of PA Technology España, where he served as President and CEO.

In 1986, he joined Alcatel as Marketing Director for new products. That same year, Spain took on the presidency of a European program for the first time, the Eureka program, and he was asked to lead its management, taking a leave of absence from Alcatel. He remained in this role and later spent an additional year as Deputy General Director at the CDTI (Center for Industrial Technological Development).

In 1988, he returned to Alcatel as General Director of Industrial Electronics and a member of the Management Committee. During this period, he played a key role in the creation of ISOFOTON, the first Spanish company specializing in the design and production of photovoltaic solar cells, including bifacial solar cells. He remained on ISOFOTON’s board until its sale by Alcatel.

Starting in 1993, he served as President of Alstom Spain, the leading high-speed train company in Spain at the time, where he established the largest railway manufacturing plant in the country.

In 1995, he returned to Siemens S.A., holding the following positions successively:

• Vice President and CEO,
• Executive President of Siemens Group in Spain,
• President of the Southwestern Europe Region.

The Siemens Group in Spain employed 7,000 people, covering all branches of the parent company and operating five factories. Under his leadership, Siemens S.A. grew from an annual revenue of €700 million to €3 billion by 2006. Additionally, it was twice recognized as the best Siemens AG subsidiary worldwide. A key achievement of this period was the sale and execution of the Madrid-Barcelona high-speed rail (AVE).

In 2006, he was appointed Vice President and member of the Executive Committee of Siemens AG, as well as President of the Telecommunications Division, based in Munich, the headquarters of Siemens AG. At the time, Siemens AG had over 500,000 employees in 193 countries, while the Telecommunications Division alone had more than 75,000 employees in over 80 countries.

From 2009 to 2012, he served as Executive Advisor to the CEO of Siemens AG.

Upon returning to Spain, he was appointed President of FerroAtlántica, part of the Villar Group, a leading company in ferroalloy and metallurgical silicon production. One of its key innovation projects was the development of solar cells based on metallurgical silicon, a more cost-efficient process than the traditional chemical production of wafers and solar cells.

From December 2010 to December 2017, he was President of UNESA, the association representing Spain’s five largest electricity companies. He was also appointed Board Member of Eurelectric, the European association of major electricity companies.

One of his primary responsibilities during this period was contributing to the rationalization of the renewable energy sector and its integration into the electricity market.

The sector had been in disarray since 2007 due to an incoherent compensation structure, leading to a tariff deficit of approximately €30 billion, which was resolved under his presidency.

He has been, or continues to be, a board member of several companies.

From 2010 until its divestment, he was a Board Member of Tecnocom and Chairman of its Audit Committee.

Mr. Azcona has extensive experience in business administration, having served as a Board Member of the Public Entity for Healthcare Infrastructure Management of the Principality of Asturias (GIPASA) in 2011/12, an Independent Director of ADL Bionatur Solutions, a publicly traded company on the BME, from 2018 to 2020, and Chairman of the Audit Committee of ADL Bionatur Solutions, also listed on the BME, during the same period.

Healthcare Management Experience:

• Medical Director of Primary Care for the Gijón Health Area (INSALUD), 1997/98.
• Provincial Coordinator of Primary Care for INSALUD in Asturias, 1999/2000.
• Managing Director of the Health Service of the Principality of Asturias, 2011/12.

As Managing Director of the Health Service of the Principality of Asturias, he led a high-level administrative organization with complex management responsibilities, overseeing healthcare services for a population of over one million people. The organization comprised 10 hospitals, 160 health centers, and 14,000 employees, including 95 executives. The annual budget in 2011 was €1.36 billion.

Academic Background:

• Degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Oviedo, 1970-76.
• Specialist in Pediatrics at C.S Ntra. De Covadonga in Oviedo, 1978-81.
• Research Personnel Training Grant from the Ministry of Economy and Science, 1979-81.
• Assistant Professor at the Chair of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine of Oviedo, 1979-81.
• Occupational Medicine Certification from the National School of Occupational Medicine, 1987.

Medical and Clinical Experience:

• Primary Care Pediatrician at Health Centers in Oviedo for 35 years.
• Occupational Physician at Agroman E.C. for 10 years.

Journalist. From 1969 to 1983, he served as Chief Editor and Director of News Agencies, as well as in News Services at Radio Nacional and Televisión Española. In 1983, Azcona left media journalism to focus on Communication and Business Management.

In the Communication sector, he is the founding partner and president of ESTUDIO DE COMUNICACIÓN.

Additionally, he served as Executive President of TECNOCOM, Board Member of INYPSA, and held positions in other companies. He was also President of the Social Council of the University of Oviedo and a member of the boards of ARCO, the Museum of the Canary Islands, and the Reina Sofía Museum of Art.

Currently, he presides over the Azcona Foundation, dedicated to the promotion of Spanish art and artists.

She holds a Ph.D. in Economics and Business and is a State Economist and Trade Specialist. She currently serves as an Independent Director at the ICO (Instituto de Crédito Oficial) and Técnicas Reunidas S.A.. Additionally, she is: Member of the Plenary Board of the Spanish Arbitration Court, Member of the Reflection Committee at the Exporters’ Club, Trustee of INCIPE. She also teaches Economics and Global Governance at CUNEF (University College of Financial Studies) and IEB (Institute of Stock Market Studies). She has been awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit and the Silver Medal of the Red Cross.

She holds a Ph.D. in Economics and Business and is a State Economist and Trade Specialist.

She currently serves as an Independent Director at the ICO (Instituto de Crédito Oficial) and Técnicas Reunidas S.A..

Additionally, she is:

Member of the Plenary Board of the Spanish Arbitration Court, Member of the Reflection Committee at the Exporters’ Club, Trustee of INCIPE.

She also teaches Economics and Global Governance at CUNEF (University College of Financial Studies) and IEB (Institute of Stock Market Studies).

She has been awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit and the Silver Medal of the Red Cross.

She has served as: Ambassador of Spain to the Kingdom of Belgium and Secretary of State for Trade. Independent Director at Indra Sistemas (IBEX 35), where she chaired the Sustainability Committee and was a member of the Appointments Committee. Chairwoman of the Board of Directors at ICEX (Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade and Investment). Member of the Steering Committee of the Bank of Spain. Independent Director at Tecnocom, where she was also a member of the Appointments, Compensation, and Corporate Governance Committee. Board Member at the Institute of Directors and Administrators (IC-A). Board Member at CESCE and Telefónica Internacional, among other companies. Member of the jury for the Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences.

President of the Cádiz Employers’ Confederation, Territorial Vice-President of the Andalusian Employers’ Confederation, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Jerez, and President of the Andalusian Council of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, and Shipping, Javier Sánchez Rojas has over 30 years of professional experience as an entrepreneur in various industries. With a degree in Labor Studies from the University of Granada, Industrial Relations from the University of Alcalá de Henares, and a graduate of the Senior Management Program at San Telmo International Institute, he has received a variety of awards recognizing his work defending business interests.

Thanks to his extensive experience and dedication he has been able to take part in successful negotiations with various local governments, as well as with trade unions. He is a member of the Cádiz Free Trade Zone Council, representing the state.