Youth Economic Circle (YEC)

Thursday November 7th, we had the pleasure of welcoming Pau Relat CEO of MAT Holding and President of Fira de Barcelona, for an evening filled with inspiration and learning. Pau shared insights from his impressive career, from his current position at MAT Holding and his achievements as President of Fira de Barcelona, where he has led significant initiatives. We also had the opportunity to learn about the role of managing Circuit Barcelona. His professional journey and his approach to leadership and personal values left a strong impression on our community. Thank you, Pau Relat, for sharing your experiences and inspiring us with your vision of Barcelona for the future. It was a true honor to have you with us at Youth Economic Circle (YEC).

Last night, we had the chance to sit down for dinner with Jaume Miquel , the President and CEO of TENDAM . Since taking the helm in 2016, Jaume has transformed Tendam (formerly Grupo Cortefiel) into one of Europe’s most innovative fashion groups, merging digital experiences with physical stores and putting data analysis and personalization at the heart of the business. Today, Tendam’s brands – like Women’secret, Springfield, and Pedro del Hierro – connect with a community of over 24 unique million loyal members. A couple of key insights Jaume shared really stood out: First, he mentioned the importance of “competing by not competing” with fast-fashion giants. For Jaume, Tendam’s strength lies in staying true to its values of quality and timeless style, instead of chasing fleeting trends. He also touched on the growing demand for convenience in retail, noting that the best customer experiences are not just about the purchase itself but about making everything, including returns, as seamless as possible. It was inspiring to hear Jaume’s perspective and his vision for retail. With a degree in Economics from the University of Barcelona and further executive training from IESE, Jaume leads with a collaborative approach, focusing on big-picture goals and letting his team run with them. His forward-thinking leadership was recognized by the World Retail Congress in 2018, where he received the Reinvention and Transformation Award. Thank you, Jaume, for sharing such valuable insights!

Yesterday, Wednesday, October 23rd, we had the honor of hosting Casimiro Gracia, Managing Director of Axis Corporate. With over 25 years of experience in business transformation across sectors like finance, insurance, and real estate, Casimiro shared key lessons from his impressive career. From his early days at CaixaBank to co-founding Axis Corporate and its recent acquisition by Accenture, he offered valuable insights on entrepreneurship and leadership in today’s competitive market. It was a pleasure to hear from such an accomplished leader and to share an evening filled with enriching discussions. Thank you, Casimiro Gracia, for joining us and inspiring the YEC community! #YECBarcelona #CasimiroGracia #BusinessTransformation #Networking #AxisCorporate #YECevents

Yesterday, October 23rd, we had the pleasure of hosting Juan F Castuera, Vice President of Corporate Solutions at American Express for Spain, the Netherlands, and FCS EMEA. With over 32 years of experience at American Express, Juanfran has held various leadership roles and brings a wealth of knowledge about the payments industry. During dinner, Juanfran shared valuable insights about how the payments landscape is evolving, particularly highlighting American Express’s three-party model and their efforts to expand their commercial network. He also touched on how Spain is becoming a key #hub for international business. Beyond payments, we discussed the importance of fostering a strong team culture and the role that staying active—whether it’s sports like tennis, golf, or mountain biking—plays in keeping balanced both personally and professionally. Juanfran’s deep knowledge of corporate payment solutions and his leadership overseeing teams across #Spain, the #Netherlands, and #Europe was impressive. He’s been instrumental in driving growth in #B2Bpayments and ensuring businesses of all sizes have access to innovative solutions. Thank you, Juanfran, for such an engaging evening and for sharing your journey with us. It was a pleasure having you at the YEC!

Last Wednesday, October 16th, we had the pleasure of hosting Aurora Catà, a distinguished leader with an outstanding career spanning various sectors, from finance to media and talent management. Aurora has held key executive positions, including CFO of Nissan Motor Corporation Iberia, CEO of Grupo Planeta, Territorial Director of Catalonia at Radiotelevisión Española, General Director of Catalonia at Grupo Recoletos Unidad Editorial, and partner at Seeliger y Conde • Kingsley Gate. She has also served as an independent director for companies such as ATRESMEDIA, ABANTIA GROUP, ICF, and eDiagnostic, Grupo Atrys Health. From 2020 to 2022, Aurora presided over Barcelona Global, and she currently serves as an independent director for Banco Sabadell and Repsol, in addition to being a trustee for the The Cellnex Foundation and CIDOB (Barcelona Centre for International Affairs). One of her latest achievements has been serving as vice president of the 37th America's Cup Barcelona, which has had a significant impact on Barcelona in terms of visibility and economic growth. This event, is considered one of the most prestigious in the world, surpassed only by the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup. During the dinner, Aurora shared invaluable insights and lessons learned throughout her career. Moreover, she highlighted how fortunate we are, as young professionals, to witness the transformative changes driven by artificial intelligence, emphasizing the vast range of opportunities that lie ahead for us. Aurora encouraged us to embrace our roles as change-makers, explore new paths, and innovate in our endeavors. She passionately described Barcelona as "the city of talent," showcasing its immense potential and unique advantages that position it as a leading global hub. Thank you, Aurora, for your inspiring words and for sharing your journey with us. It was a true pleasure to have you at the YEC.

Last Tuesday, October 8th, we had the privilege of hosting an exclusive YEC Alumni event at the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona, featuring a practical case study titled “La Fageda y las personas.” Led by Iñigo Gallo Professor of Marketing at IESE Business School , the event explored how businesses can create a positive impact on people. Professor Gallo shared his expertise and insights, followed by an engaging group case study discussion where attendees collaborated on solutions and ideas. The evening concluded with valuable takeaways and a formal dinner, providing the perfect setting for our alumni to connect, learn, and share experiences. Thank you, Íñigo Gallo, and all the YEC Alumni who joined us for this enriching evening. We look forward to more inspiring events! #YECAlumni #LaFageda #BusinessImpact #Networking #YECBarcelona

At yesterday's YEC Talk, Wednesday October 3rd, we had the honor of welcoming Dídac Lee, a proud “figuerenc” with an outstanding career in entrepreneurship and investment. Dídac Lee is the co-founder and managing partner of Galdana Ventures, a venture capital fund of funds that invests in some of the top VCs in the United States, Asia, Israel, and Europe. These funds have contributed to the creation of 17 companies, with an aggregated value of $1.5 billion. Additionally, he has founded several companies, including Tradeinn SL , fhios smart knowledge, Peninsula, and Matrix, which together employ over 800 people. In the startup ecosystem, he is a well-known business angel and currently sits on the boards of companies like Glovo, Badi, Housfy, and Exoticca. In 2019, he was named Best Business Angel by AEBAN - Asociación Española Business Angels Networks and has received other prestigious honors such as Doctor Honoris Causa from the 21st Century Business University, Best Technological Entrepreneur from the University of Cambridge, and Best European Startup Mentor from the Founder Institute. His passion for football led him, after being unable to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional player, to serve on the board of FC Barcelona from 2013 to 2020, where he headed the digital area and led key projects like Barça Studios. During the talk, Dídac Lee shared his experiences and lessons learned throughout his career with our members. He emphasized that a good entrepreneur should have three essential skills: being an excellent salesperson, being a great recruiter, and having deep market knowledge. He also highlighted the importance of product-market fit, noting that one of the keys to success is ensuring that sales are replicable and, to some extent, predictable. Thank you, Dídac Lee, for your time and for sharing your insights and experiences with us in the wonderful space of Juno House. It was a true pleasure to have you with us at YEC!

This past Monday, September 30th, the members of the Board of YEC Barcelona had the honor of attending the second edition of the La Vanguardia Awards, held at the Palacio de Congresos de Catalunya. The event was dedicated to recognizing excellence and impact in various disciplines, such as Sustainability, Businessperson of the Year, Innovation and Science, City Development, Culture, and International Contributions. A special tribute was also made with the presentation of an In Memoriam award. On behalf of YEC, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to Grupo Godó de Comunicación for their generous invitation and congratulate them on the success of this admirable initiative and its flawless organization. Furthermore, we would like to extend our sincerest congratulations to the awardees of the evening: - Sustainability Award: Audrey Azoulay (Director of UNESCO) - Businessperson of the Year Award: Gabriel Escarrer (Chairman and CEO of Meliá Hotels International) - Innovation and Science Award: Mateo Valero (Director of Barcelona Supercomputing Center) - City Development Award: Pau Relat (Chairman of Fira Barcelona) - Culture Award: Eduardo Mendoza (Writer) - In Memoriam Award: Joan Oró (Scientist) - International Award: Yulia Navalnaya (Navalny Russian Anti-Corruption Foundation)

We are thrilled to announce that YEC members had the exclusive opportunity to attend The District Show from Wednesday, September 25th to Friday, September 27th, at Fira Barcelona. This prestigious international event focused on the real estate sector from the perspective of capital markets and investment. Thanks to YEC’s collaboration with The District Show our members received 25 complimentary Business Passes, allowing them to engage with top industry leaders, investors, and innovators. It was an incredible opportunity for networking, gaining insights into the latest trends in real estate, and exploring new business opportunities. Thank you so much to The District Show for this experience, all attendees found the event valuable and inspiring! #YECBarcelona #TheDistrict #RealEstate #Networking #Opportunities

Last Wednesday, September 25, we had the honour of receiving Javier Cabrerizo, President of Movistar Prosegur Alarmas and CEO of Prosegur Alarms, as a guest at YEC Madrid. During dinner, various topics were touched on, and Javier highlighted the relevance of enjoying what one does and wondering about what one really wants to achieve in life, focussing on discovering the most valuable thing about each day. Thank you very much for your advice and for sharing your experiences with us. It has been an absolute pleasure to have you at YEC. #YECMadrid #Education #Leadership