Description
The UK has a strong desire to improve infrastructure and innovate but suffers with complex policy and poor cost effectiveness. Can Spanish infrastructure companies provide a solution to this problem?
The Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the UK is delighted to host in partnership with Systech an upcoming panel discussion on the impact of Spanish contractors in the UK infrastructure market and what the future looks like in the UK market.
Bringing together senior leaders, the session will explore how Spanish firms are shaping delivery across major UK projects, from commercial strategy and risk allocation to programme execution and collaboration.
With a shared track record across some of the UK’s most complex infrastructure programmes, this panel will offer a practical, first-hand perspective on what is driving success, and what the future holds for the sector.
The panellists include
- Rafael Foulquié Echevarría, UK/I Commercial & Bidding Director at Ferrovial
- Carlos Arilla de Juana, COO of Infrastructure at Acciona
- Alcibíades López Cerón, Business Development Director in Europe at FCC
- and Stephen Holmes, UK/I Managing Director at Dragados.
The seminar will be moderated by Max Woodward-Smith, Managing Director at Systech.
The morning will start with a light networking breakfast upon arrival between 08:00-08:30, followed by the panel discussion between 08:30-09:30 where attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a live Q&A session. Finally, the morning will conclude with an opportunity to network between 09:30-10:00.
About the panellists
Rafael Foulquié Echevarría – UK/I Commercial & Bidding Director, Ferrovial
Rafael is currently UK & Ireland Commercial and Bidding Director at Ferrovial Construction, where he plays a central role in shaping the commercial strategy of the business and sits on the boards of several of the country’s most significant infrastructure programmes, including Crossrail, Thames Tideway Tunnel, Silvertown Tunnel, the Northern Line Extension, Heathrow H7, and HS2.
He is a Fellow of both the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), and a Chartered Civil Engineer with over 20 years of experience delivering major infrastructure projects. He has led multidisciplinary teams on some of the most complex and high-profile schemes in the UK, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, integration, and building high-performing, inclusive teams.
Carlos Arilla de Juana – COO, Infrastructure, Acciona
Carlos Arilla de Juana is a senior finance and infrastructure executive with extensive experience driving strategic and financial performance in complex organisations. He serves as Chief Operating Officer at Corporación Acciona Infraestructuras SL, overseeing operations, governance and long‑term growth within a global leader in sustainable infrastructure, having previously served as CFO of this division of Acciona.
He also held senior roles at Acciona as Director General of the Economic‑Financial Area and Director General of Management Control, shaping financial strategy and strengthening controls in dynamic markets. Previously, he was Financial Director at Acciona Agua, Trizecahn Spain and Spanish subsidiaries of GEA Group.
Alcibiades Ceron Lopez – Business Development Director, Europe, FCC
Alcibíades López Cerón is Director of Business Development for Europe at FCC Construcción. He has over 30 years’ experience in business development at major corporations such as Cobra and FCC.
He has been a member of the company’s senior management team for many years, leading the construction firm’s expansion into strategic markets outside Spain. He has played an active role in consolidating business operations in countries such as Norway, the United Kingdom, Romania and other European markets, where FCC has competed for highly complex contracts for tunnels, bridges and rail networks.
Stephen Holmes, UK/I Managing Director, Dragados
A qualified civil engineer and chartered builder with over 35 years’ experience in the construction sector working on rail, highway, and air infrastructure projects through frameworks and standalone projects from £5m – £2.5bn. Career started as a setting out engineer and followed traditional progression to Operations Director for GleesonMCL and Morgan Est before being appointed airports MD for Morgan Sindal. Joined Dragados in 2014 and currently MD responsible for UK and Ireland operations.
Moderator: Max Woodward- Smith, Associate Director, Systech
Max is an Associate Director at Systech International, operating as part of the UK Senior Management Team. He has oversight over a number of commissions across the infrastructure, energy and data centre space in the UK for Systech, having worked with Systech across the UK, France and South Africa, supporting a range of international contractors. Previously, Max spent 5 years working within strategy consulting, advisingcompanies operating in the infrastructure and construction sector on a wide array of commercial strategy topics. Max leads Systech’s relationship with the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the UK.
About Systech
Systech is a market leading multi-disciplinary practice supporting the delivery of complex and challenging project globally. They are the leading global provider of commercial management, contract administration, planning and scheduling, claims, expert witness, dispute resolution and legal services on construction, infrastructure and energy projects. Their team of professionals provides services over the full lifespan of projects – from bid to handover – across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and the Americas.
This event is open to all and free for Members of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the UK
Register here