José Manuel Entrecanales
José Manuel Entrecanales Domecq | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 1, 1963 Madrid, Spain |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, businessman |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Known for | Chairman and CEO of Acciona |
José Manuel Entrecanales Domecq (born 1 January 1963) is a Spanish entrepreneur and ex-banker. He took over as chairman and CEO of Acciona in 2004, following the passing of his father. Acciona is recognized worldwide for its focus on sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, and water management solutions. In 2019, Forbes placed him as the 85th wealthiest individual in Spain, estimating his net worth at approximately US$362 million, while his family's overall assets are valued near US$3.6 billion.
Entrecanales stands out among the contemporary generation of Spanish business leaders who combine a rich familial legacy with progressive modernization efforts. He is an outspoken proponent of corporate responsibility in combating climate change, which has earned him honors such as the Order of the Rising Sun and speaking roles at prominent international events including the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference.
Biography
Hailing from Madrid, Entrecanales belongs to a distinguished business lineage. He is the son of José María Entrecanales y de Azcárate, former chairman of Acciona, and grandson of José Entrecanales e Ibarra, one of the company's founders. His mother, Blanca Domecq y Zurita, was the daughter of the 2nd Viscount of Almocadén. He pursued Economics studies at the Complutense University of Madrid.
Personal life
Entrecanales embarked on his professional journey in 1985 as an investment banker with Merrill Lynch, working initially in New York and subsequently in London. From 1995 to 2007, he chaired Vodafone España, and between 2007 and 2009, he held leadership positions at both Endesa and Acciona.
He is married to María Carrión and they have four children: José, Gonzalo, Clotilde, and Gerardo. His three sons received their education at Eton College. An avid polo player and skilled golfer with a 5.2 handicap, Entrecanales practices these sports at Puerta de Hierro.
Professional career
Beginning his career at Merrill Lynch in 1985, Entrecanales divided his time between New York and London before joining Acciona in 1991. In 1995, the family enterprise acquired a controlling interest in mobile operator Airtel, with Entrecanales appointed CEO in 2000. Following Vodafone’s acquisition of Airtel shares in 2003, he became CEO of Vodafone Spain until October 2007.
He succeeded his father as Acciona’s president in 2004. Under his guidance, Acciona transformed from a primarily construction-focused company into a global leader in infrastructure, energy, and water services, employing more than 50,000 people across 52 countries. In 2007, Acciona purchased a 25% stake in Endesa; Entrecanales acted as CEO until these shares were divested in 2009.
Distinctions
A committed supporter of sustainable development and environmental initiatives, José Manuel Entrecanales participates actively in key organizations such as the United Nations Global Compact, the World Bank’s Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
He holds trustee roles at the Princess of Asturias Foundation and the Prado Museum, serves as Vice President of Fundación Pro CNIC and Instituto de Empresa Familiar, and acts as an Ambassador for Spain Brand (Marca España).
Entrecanales leads acciona.org, which aims to ensure universal access to water and energy resources. In 2009, he established the Fundación José Manuel Entrecanales Innovación y Emprendimiento to foster innovation in sustainability and provide angel investment support to companies focused on resource efficiency.
Honours
- Awarded the Sorolla Medal in 2017 by the Hispanic Society of America
- Received the Order of the Rising Sun from Japan in 2018
- Honoured with the Premio Tiepolo in 2018
- Conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Business by RMIT University, Melbourne, in 2024