Health, Retail and Digital Culture See Top Appointments
Today’s business landscape in Catalonia is shifting, with major leadership changes announced across the health, retail, and digital culture sectors. As of 18 September 2026, several high-profile appointments are set to reshape strategic direction in key institutions. Laura Iglesias has been named the new general manager of Catalonia.health, the sector association uniting 230 companies and knowledge institutions in Catalonia’s health industry. A molecular biosciences doctor from the University of Geneva and genetics graduate of Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Iglesias brings over seven years of experience in translational research, European project management, and business development in digital health, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
Ametller Origen Reinforces Executive Team
In the retail sector, Ametller Origen has appointed Sergio Pérez as its new retail general manager to strengthen organisational structure, improve efficiency and boost competitiveness. Pérez, a chemistry graduate and IESE Business School executive programme alumnus, spent his entire career at Lidl in Spain, where since 2018 he held national responsibility for sales and operations. The company also welcomes back Àngela Folguerola as marketing director. She previously led communications at Ametller Origen from 2020 to 2024 and most recently served in design and communications at Bon Preu. In her new role, she will oversee brand positioning, internal and external communications, and strategic partnerships.
Novas faces at Ametller Origen: the company appoints Sergio Pérez as retail general manager and Àngela Folguerola as head of marketing
Barcelona’s Digital and Care Economy Hubs Appoint Leaders
Carmina Balaguer, a journalist with extensive experience in high-impact cultural projects, has been named the first director of the Casa de la Creació Digital, a new municipal cultural infrastructure in Barcelona. The project, promoted by Barcelona City Council through the Commissioner for the Social Use of Catalan, 3Cat, betevé, Barcelona Activa and Accent Obert, aims to build a transgenerational and plural team from audiovisual, journalism and film sectors. Meanwhile, Laura Armayones Carranza joins as co-director of the Barcelona Care Economy Pole, a new municipal facility led by Barcelona Activa to transform the care ecosystem through training, innovation and entrepreneurship. A psychologist and economist, Armayones will share leadership with Jordi Picas Vilà, Bàrbara Outeiro and Felip Miralles, driving innovation and entrepreneurial initiatives from Suara Cooperativa and Eurecat.
The Casa de la Creació Digital now has a director in Carmina Balaguer, while the new Barcelona Care Economy Pole begins the year with a new co-directorship
Other notable appointments include Mònica Botta Santasuana, who becomes the first woman to lead the Terrassa Health Consortium (CST) in its 38-year history, succeeding Ferran Garcia Cardona upon his retirement. Botta, a medicine graduate from Universitat de Barcelona (UB), previously served as medical director at Hospital de Granollers and manager of the Barcelona Metropolitan South Health Region at CatSalut. Rafa Serra, president of the Corporate Association of Specialist Travel Agencies (ACAVe), has been appointed president of Fira de Barcelona’s B-Travel tourism fair, replacing Martí Sarrate who led the event since 2019. Serra also serves as CEO of travel agency Temps d’Oci and has over 30 years of industry experience.
Reported by viaempresa.cat.
