Antonio Vázquez, new president of the Advisory Board of the Instituto Franklin-UAH
Last Tuesday, January 24th, 2023, in an ordinary meeting, the Advisory Board of the Instituto Franklin-UAH unanimously elected Antonio Vázquez, until that date a member of the Board since its creation, as the new Chairman of the Board, replacing José Ignacio Goirigolzarri, who had been presiding the Board since its creation in 2010 with the aim of enhancing the social role of the Institute.
Antonio Vázquez is Chairman of H2B2 Electrolysis Technologies Inc. He was previously Chairman of Iberia and of IAG, which arose after the merger of Iberia with British Airways, of which he was the mastermind after having been Chairman of Tabacalera/Altadis and Logista. In 2010 he was distinguished by H.M. the King with the Encomienda de la Orden de Isabel la Católica.
José Ignacio Goirigolzarri will continue to serve on the Advisory Board as a spokesperson. During his years as Chairman of the Board, he promoted different initiatives that positioned the Instituto Franklin-UAH as a reference center for research on North American Studies in Spain, increasing its presence in different media. Special mention should be made of the establishment in 2012 of the Royal Road Award, presented by H.M. the King to Spaniards who have projected a positive image of Spain in North America through their professional careers, having been awarded so far Rafael Nadal (2022), Antonio Banderas (2017), Pau Gasol (2015), Valentín Fuster (2013) and Plácido Domingo (2012).
The current composition of the Board after the new appointment is: Chairman: Antonio Vázquez (President of H2B2 Electrolysis Technologies Inc); Vice Chairman: Joaquín Ayuso (Chairman of the Board of Adriano Care); Secretary: José Antonio Gurpegui (Director of the Instituto Franklin-UAH); Spokespeople: Amalia Blanco (Senior Advisor, Kreab) Claudio Boada (Senior Advisor, Blackstone); Daniel Carreño (CEO Grupo Lantero); José Ignacio Goirigolzarri (Chairman of Caixabank); Bernardo Hernández (CEO of Verse); Helena Herrero (President and delegate of HP for Spain and Portugal); and Miguel Zugaza (Director of the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum).
The Academic Council of the Instituto Franklin-UAH, its staff and faculty, and the management team are deeply grateful to José Ignacio Goirigolzarri for his work during his years at the head of the Advisory Council and congratulate Antonio Vázquez on his recent appointment.