El Corte Inglés announces a new leadership structure
What: El Corte Inglés begins its 2025-2026 fiscal year with a significant management restructuring under CEO Gastón Bottazzini, including expanded responsibilities for financial director Santiago Bau and the creation of a Transformation Office focused on digitalization and operational integration.
Why it is important: The management changes signal El Corte Inglés' commitment to comprehensive transformation, balancing traditional retail strengths with digital innovation and operational efficiency under new leadership.
El Corte Inglés has initiated its 2025-2026 fiscal year with a major organizational restructuring, effective from March 1st. Under the leadership of CEO Gastón Bottazzini, appointed by Marta Álvarez Guil, the company has significantly expanded the role of Santiago Bau, their former Goldman Sachs banker. Bau's enhanced responsibilities now include oversight of the Transformation Office, Indirect Purchasing, Methods and Processes, and Merchandising. This restructuring follows the departure of José María Folache, the former retail business head, with his responsibilities now distributed among three executives: Laura Moreno for Fashion, Home, and Beauty; Roberto Gómez for Food and Hospitality; and Víctor Llatas for Electronics and Appliances. The company maintains continuity in other key positions, with Gabriel Mateos leading sales and established directors continuing in their roles across various divisions including Travel, Logistics, Human Resources, Technology, and Legal Affairs. This comprehensive reorganization aligns with the company's forthcoming strategic plan, aimed at driving growth after years of adjustment.
IADS Notes: El Corte Inglés' latest management restructuring under CEO Gastón Bottazzini marks a significant evolution in its transformation journey. As reported in February 2024, Bottazzini's appointment brought a focus on e-commerce and management efficiency , leading to the strategic partnership with McKinsey in October 2024 to develop a comprehensive transformation plan . The company's commitment to change is evidenced by its February 2025 investment of EUR 428 million in store renovations and digital innovation . This transformation gained momentum with the October 2024 departure of retail director José María Folache , reflecting the new leadership's determination to implement significant changes. The restructuring builds on the company's successful transformation efforts reported in September 2024, which saw debt reduction from EUR 5 billion to EUR 2 billion . The elevation of Santiago Bau's role and the creation of the Transformation Office demonstrate El Corte Inglés' systematic approach to modernizing its operations while maintaining its core retail strengths. This comprehensive reorganization suggests a strategic shift towards a more integrated, digitally-enabled retail operation under Bottazzini's leadership.
