Javier Pijoan and Chema Fernández join Alantra in Spain

Alantra has announced two senior hires in Spain, welcoming Javier Pijoan and Chema Fernández to its ranks in Madrid. 

Both are appointed an Operating Partner, and bring over two decades of experience in business to the international financial advisory firm. Pijoan joins the firm’s Consumer & Food practice, while Fernández strengthens the Technology practice. 

Javier Pijoan has to the tune of 25 years of experience in the consumer goods and food sectors, having developed his professional career in national and international groups such as Heineken, where he has been a member of the European Executive Committee, Bacardi, where he was General Manager of Iberia, and Carrefour Group, among others. Pijoan specialises mainly in commercial transformations. 

Chema Fernández has extensive experience in digitalisation and technology projects for leading companies such as Openbank, where he led the development of the bank’s online banking offering, Telefónica, Havas and El Corte Inglés, where he held the position of Chief Transformation Officer. With a technical background, Fernández specialises in digital transformation. 

Both new joiners will support Alantra’s partners with the origination and analysis of new investment opportunities, and with transactions. They will also support Alantra’s own portfolio companies – the consultancy has its own private equity business – with digital transformation projects, development of business lines based on e-commerce and the development of technological infrastructures.

The appointments come shortly after Alantra beefed up its business in Spain with the acquisition of a 40% stake in MCH Investment Strategies, an alternative investment business.