10.10.2022
Gestamp, the Spanish multinational company specializing in the design, development and manufacture of highly engineered metal components for the automotive industry, has appointed Ernesto Barceló Rodriguez as ESG Director, who has been until now Vice President Sustainability at Omya headquarters in Switzerland. His appointment has been approved by the Nomination and Compensation Committee as well as by the Board of Directors of Gestamp. Mr. Barceló´s incorporation to Gestamp will be effective as of October 3rd, 2022 and he will be reporting directly to the Executive Chairman.
Ernesto Barceló Rodriguez joins the Gestamp ESG area after a long career globally in Spain, France and Switzerland. His professional background has a strong focus on Sustainability, Health and Safety, Regulatory Affairs and Quality, among others. His experience includes managing the co-existence of linear and circular economy, while transitioning to a new low carbon system.
With a degree in Industrial Engineering (Textile Chemistry) from University Politècnica of Catalunya (UPC), Master in Industrial Quality Management (UPC-EFQM) and Business Education Graduate from IESE Business School, Barceló began his career as Head of Quality Assurance in Nubiola (formerly Colores Hispania) in 1995. Later, he joined Omya in 1997, first as Quality, Environment and Safety Director in the Swiss company Spanish division, which led subsequently to different global positions such as Marketing Manager, Sales Director, Head of Regulatory Affairs and Group VP.
For over 10 years and based in Switzerland, he has been Vice President Sustainability at Omya. Playing a key role in the transformation of the leading global producer of industrial minerals, Mr. Barceló reported directly to the Group CEO, with Global responsibility on a matrix structure with four regions, managing a team of 22 with seven direct reports. During this decade, he was responsible for many achievements meeting the ESG criteria for Omya as part of the sustainability strategy. For example, more than 150 production sites certified for quality, H&S and Environment. 17 ISO standard certified on a cluster approach for selected sites (including the first ISO 22000 for France with AFNOR). On top of this, he was also Global responsible for Data Protection according to EU GDPR and other related regulations. Barceló is also active on ESG Academic research in Aalto (Finland), School of Chemical Engineering Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems.