José Ignacio Goirigolzarri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
José Ignacio Goirigolzarri
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José Ignacio Goirigolzarri Tellaeche
4 February 1954 |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Alma mater | University of Deusto University of Leeds |
| Occupation | Executive Chairman of Bankia |
José Ignacio Goirigolzarri Tellaeche (born on February 4, 1954) is a Spanish economist and business leader. He is known for his work in the banking world. Currently, he is the Chairman of CaixaBank since 2021. He also leads BFA, a company owned by the Spanish government. Before these roles, he was the Chairman of Bankia from 2012 to 2021. From 2001 to 2009, he was a top leader at BBVA.
Contents
Early Life and Education
José Ignacio Goirigolzarri was born in Bilbao, Spain. He studied Economics and Business at the University of Deusto in Bilbao. He also earned a degree in Strategic Finance and Planning from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. These studies helped him prepare for his career in finance.
Career in Banking
Goirigolzarri started his career in banking in 1977 at Banco de Bilbao. This was his first step into the financial world. In 1992, he became a General Director at BBV. Later, in 1999, two big banks, BBV and Argentaria, joined together. Goirigolzarri became part of the new company's leadership team. He was in charge of their business in Latin America.
From 2001 to 2009, he was the president and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of BBVA. This meant he helped manage the bank's daily operations. After working for 30 years in banking, he decided to retire early from BBVA.
Leading Bankia
On May 9, 2012, Goirigolzarri became the president of Bankia. At that time, Bankia was one of the largest banks in Spain. The bank faced big challenges and needed help from the government.
In May 2012, Bankia asked for a large amount of money, about €19 billion, from a special Spanish fund for banks called FROB. Bankia also announced that it had lost a lot of money in 2011, instead of making a profit.
Because Bankia received government help, it had to make many changes.
- The bank had to reduce its size.
- It also had to cut down the number of its branches by 39%.
- The number of employees was reduced by 28%.
- Bankia was not allowed to pay out money to its shareholders until 2014.
By the end of 2015, Bankia had successfully met all the goals set by the European Commission. These goals were part of a plan to make the bank strong again. Bankia became one of the most efficient and profitable banks in Spain.
Other Activities
José Ignacio Goirigolzarri is also involved in other important groups.
- He is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Elcano Royal Institute for International and Strategic Studies. This group studies international relations.
- He chairs the Board of the Deusto Business School.
Recognition
Goirigolzarri has been recognized as a top business leader in Spain. In 2016, he was ranked tenth in the MERCO list of best Spanish business leaders. The next year, in 2017, he moved up to seventh place on the same list.
Views on Education
Goirigolzarri has spoken about the importance of education in Spain. In 2010, he pointed out that many people in Spain do not finish high school. He also noted that many university degrees do not match the jobs available in the economy. He believes that improving education is key for a country's success and wealth. He has said that even though education is vital, it often does not get enough attention from politicians. He encourages everyone to work hard to improve education for the future.
See also
In Spanish: José Ignacio Goirigolzarri para niños
