Globalia Corporación Empresarial

The judicial rollercoaster that Air Europa has been on since the SEPI rescue due to the pandemic, or the new horizons the airline is seeking with Turkish Airlines' entry into its capital, have advised strengthening its board and, upstream, also that of the parent company Globalia with renowned lawyers. The group that owns the airline, controlled by the Hidalgo family, has entrusted the reins as CEO to Ramiro Campos, who has been Globalia's legal head for years, as well as a man of the utmost trust of founder Juan José Hidalgo. The professionalization of the board may well trace the line of succession in the company, with Hidalgo turning 85 this July.

Campos, a Law graduate from the University of the Basque Country and Master in Corporate Legal Advice from IE, was instrumental in the operation to sell the airline to IAG, which was ultimately frustrated by the European Commission in August 2024, oversaw the process of accessing SEPI public credit during the pandemic, and has led the defense of the Hidalgos when the 475 million aid granted by the Fund for Support to the Solvency of Strategic Companies (FASEE) was brought to court. His previous position at Globalia was secretary of a board where only Juan José, Cristina, and María José Hidalgo sat.

The lawyer's ascent to the CEO position occurs amidst a restructuring of the board of Globalia Corporación Empresarial and also of those governing Air Europa Holding and Air Europa Líneas Aéreas. The company has fortified itself with experienced lawyers. Globalia continues to be chaired by Juan José Hidalgo, with the aforementioned Ramiro Campos as CEO, and alongside them, the daughters of the alma mater, María José Hidalgo and Cristina Hidalgo, continue as members. The new hires are Alejandro Ortiz Vaamonde, Álvaro Badiola Guerra, and Javier Beltrán Yturriaga, the latter as non-board secretary.

Lawyer Alejandro Ortiz holds degrees in Law and Business Administration, and has practiced for several decades as a partner in firms such as Latham & Watkins, Linklaters, and Garrigues. At Linklaters, he served as chairman or senior partner for several years. Ortiz is a specialist in corporate operations and private equity, and his contribution seems essential if Globalia decides to open its capital to new partners or in the very operation of Turkish Airlines' entry into Air Europa. Álvaro Badiola, with a degree in Economic and Business Sciences from Icade and an MBA from the University of Chicago, boasts 35 years of experience in companies such as Cepsa, where he was CFO, Banco de Crédito Local, Atento, and Haya Real Estate.

Badiola, with a clear financial profile, also served as CEO of Telefónica Perú. Javier Beltrán, finally, holds a Law degree with 20 years of experience. He has participated in mergers and acquisitions operations and has knowledge in corporate law, corporate finance, and commercial contracting. Before joining Globalia, he was a partner at Ramón y Cajal Abogados. Air Europa itself is also remodeling its decision-making body now that it has left behind the SEPI intervention phase, with Jesús Nuño de la Rosa as the previous CEO. Joining María José Hidalgo are new members Juan Moral de la Rosa and Félix Ruiz Hernández.

José María García Santos moves to the position of non-board secretary, and the CEO continues to be Richard Clark. The latter, like Ramiro Campos, is part of Juan José Hidalgo's inner circle of influence. Juan Moral-de la Rosa is a lawyer, a prosecutor on leave, and holds a doctorate in Commercial Law. He currently holds the position of Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability for Globalia and Air Europa. During his career, he has been part of the boards of El Corte Inglés, Viajes el Corte Inglés, Sicor El Corte Inglés, and LRI21. Félix Ruiz holds a degree in Business Administration and Management and is the executive chairman of Jobandtalent.

This entrepreneur was the founder of Tuenti and holds executive responsibilities at Playtomic, a sports booking technology platform. José María García Santos, finally, is a state lawyer on leave; holds degrees in Law and Business Administration and Management (ICADE), and a Master's in Sports Law (INEFC). He has an extensive career, having been part of the Legal Services of the AEAT and performed his duties before various High Courts of Justice. In the private sector, García Santos has been a partner at Dentons Europe and has served as legal advisor to the Professional Football League.