Ignacio Juliá, former CEO of ING for Spain and Portugal, has been appointed as the new CEO of Santander Spain, effective 1 October 2024, pending regulatory approvals. Juliá will succeed Ángel Rivera, who will remain with the bank to assist during the transition period.
Santander highlighted that Juliá’s appointment aims to enhance their business model for improved customer service, alongside fostering growth and efficiency. His tenure at ING was marked by a significant transformation, shifting the bank from a product-focused approach to a customer-centric one through digital channels.
Juliá brings extensive experience, having previously served as chief financial and risk officer and later as the global head of retail banking for ING since 2016, a position that also included oversight of global innovation.
Ana Botín, chairman of Banco Santander, expressed enthusiasm about Juliá’s appointment, stating, “We are delighted to announce Ignacio Juliá as CEO of Santander Spain. He is a young professional with significant experience in transformation projects similar to our own. I am confident that his expertise will accelerate the implementation of global platforms and fuel growth at Santander Spain.”
She also thanked Ángel Rivera for his contributions and leadership, noting that his efforts have greatly advanced the bank’s commitment to becoming more customer-oriented and responsible.