Ana Botín, executive chair at Banco Santander, emphasises the role of entrepreneurs in building ‘a more sustainable, digital, and inclusive economy’ during the Esade Alumni Annual Conference
“We are in an era of exponential change and change is the only option”. With these words, the chair of Banco Santander, Ana Botín, called on businesses to become more digital and sustainable to adapt to the newly competitive post-pandemic environment. Botín highlighted the role of entrepreneurs in building a more digital, sustainable, and inclusive economy during her conversation with Maite Barrera, president of Esade Alumni. The conversation took place as part of the 25th Annual Esade Alumni Conference, which brought together 1000 Esade alumni at the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya, in addition to those who followed the event via streaming. Ana Botín received the 'Esade Prize' for her responsible leadership and contribution to improving business diversity and inclusion, as well as for making access to education easier, and for her commitment to global challenges and tackling climate change – goals she shares with Esade.
Ana Botín also shared her experience and discussed several topics including the challenges facing the city of Barcelona, the impact of social networks, global causes, the role of banks, as well as actions to promote gender equality. Regarding the current geopolitical situation, Botín said that “Europe represents the best combination of inclusive growth that we can have.” She called for greater union with the United States and for measures to stimulate economic activity because “without companies that create jobs there is no economic growth.”
Regarding the financial sector, she stressed that “banks have great power to do things and create a major positive impact”, for which it must be understood that the customer is always “the raison d'être of what we do.” Botín predicted a transformation of the sector towards a platform model in which banks will largely become software companies that serve private customers, companies, and other banks. “In a few years there will be 10 or 15 global payment platforms, and I believe Santander could be one of them,” she added.
Esade Alumni and its mission
Maite Barrera, president of Esade Alumni, reflected on the challenges we face after Covid-19 and the role of companies and leaders. Esade Alumni is one of the largest and most global alumni communities in Europe with more than 65,000 alumni. Barrera describes Esade Alumni as ‘a network with a soul’ as it is one of the most participative and supportive alumni communities and so stands out from the crowd.
Barrera also highlighted Esade Alumni Social – which helps third-sector organisations as mentors or solidarity consultants and has given more than 130,000 hours of pro-bono consultancy. "The pandemic made us reflect and we have redefined the purpose and mission of Esade Alumni to reinforce our commitment to the creation of a fairer, more prosperous, and sustainable society," she said. Esade Alumni Social is celebrating its fifteenth anniversary.
Also speaking at the Esade Alumni Annual Conference were Koldo Echebarria, director of Esade, as well as Sol Daurella, chair of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, and James Quincey, chair and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company.
About the Esade Prize
The Esade Prize is presented by Esade Alumni in recognition of individuals and organisations who have demonstrated the values that define the founding spirit of Esade and are examples for others to follow. Prize winners have included: Pablo Isla, CEO of Inditex; Mikael Ohlsson, CEO of Ikea; Carlos Slim, CEO de Inbursa; Indra K. Nooyi, chair and CEO of PepsiCo; Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever; Hiroshi Mikitani, founder, president, and CEO of Rakuten; Enrique Lores, president Imaging & Printing Solutions at HP; and James Quincey, chair and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company.
