The board of El Corte Inglés has appointed Javier Catena as the new chief executive on Friday, at the proposal of president Cristina Álvarez.
Catena, who previously served in the group as chief operating officer overseeing supply chain, logistics and real estate, returns to continue implementing the Strategic Plan. The various business units will report their results to Catena, who will lead the steering committee.
The appointment follows the departure of Santiago Bau, who is leaving the company by mutual agreement. Bau had taken on the role of general director after the dismissal of Gastón Bottazzini in October 2025.
Cristina Álvarez has stressed that Catena's incorporation will be decisive in this new stage of growth. The president has thanked Bau for his commitment and execution capacity in recent years.
The company recently presented results for the 2025-26 fiscal year with a net profit of 628 million euros and revenue of 14.988 million euros.
