María Concepción Jiménez Gonzalo, with an extensive career at the Bank of Spain, and Ana Santillán Nieto, an executive at Fireblocks for EMEA, join the Board of Directors of Cecabank as directors
The Board of Directors will maintain its current composition of eleven members, four of whom are women, representing 36%. For the first time in history, the independent directors are all women. With the future appointment of the new CEO, Ainhoa Jauregui, to the Board, the percentage of women will rise to 45%
The incorporation of the two female directors follows the expiration of the term of office, without the possibility of renewal as independent directors, of Santiago Carbó Valverde and María del Mar Sarro Álvarez
MADRID, 14 APRIL 2025.- Cecabank, the benchmark custodian bank for Securities Services in Spain and Portugal, strengthens its Board of Directors with the incorporation of two independent female directors: María Concepción Jiménez Gonzalo, former Managing Director for Cash and Branches and former member of the Executive Committee and Governing Council of the Bank of Spain; and Ana Santillán Nieto, Head of Financial Institutions for EMEA and co-Managing Director of Fireblocks in Switzerland. Both join the Board of Directors as directors.
The incorporation of the two female directors follows the expiration of the term of office of the independent directors, Santiago Carbó Valverde and María del Mar Sarro Álvarez, who were not eligible for renewal as independent directors since they had been on the Board for 12 years. Cecabank's Board of Directors will continue to be made up of eleven members - six proprietary, four independent and one executive - four of whom are women, representing 36%. This means that Cecabank thus complies with the obligation placed on public interest entities to reach a quota of 33% of the under-represented sex by 30 June 2026, in accordance with the provisions of the said Spanish Organic Law 2/2024 on Equal Representation. Cecabank also has a firm commitment that at least 50% of the independent directors should be women. With this renewal, this percentage rises to 100% for the first time, compared to the 75% maintained since 2019. With the future appointment of the new CEO, Ainhoa Jauregui, to the Board, the percentage of women will rise to 45%.
Cecabank's Board of Directors relies on four specialised committees (Audit Committee, Appointments Committee, Remuneration Committee and Risk Committee) to assist it in the exercise of its powers. In accordance with the Articles of Association and the Regulations of the Risk Committee, independent directors play a special role in the committees, and must in any case chair them. María Concepción Jiménez Gonzalo will chair the Risk Committee and will be a member of the Audit Committee and Appointments Committee. Ana Santillán Nieto will chair the Remuneration Committee and will be a member of the Risk Committee.
A distinguished professional career
María Concepción Jiménez Gonzalo has worked for over 40 years at the Bank of Spain, holding positions of responsibility in different departments at the Bank until her appointment as Director of the Operations Department in 2006. In 2015, she was appointed Deputy Managing Director for Cash Management and Branches, becoming Managing Director in 2017. She was also a member of the Executive Committee and of the Governing Council of the Bank of Spain. She has also sat on several committees of the European Central Bank and the Bank for International Settlements and is a chartered accountant registered with the Official Register of Auditors (ROAC). She holds a degree in Economics and Business Administration from the Complutense University of Madrid and has completed the Management Programme and the Leadership and Change Management Programme at IESE.
Ana Santillán Nieto, meanwhile, began her career at Goldman Sachs as a junior portfolio analyst in Geneva. In 2007, she worked in the London and Zurich offices of Morgan Stanley as an Associate in Private Wealth Management and as a fixed income sales specialist. Nine years later she joined Credit Suisse as an advisor to Corporate and Family Offices clients in Spain. After founding a digital asset and cryptocurrency startup, she joined Fireblocks in Switzerland in 2021, where she holds the position of Advisor and Sales Executive for Switzerland, Spain, Italy and Portugal. Santillán Nieto holds a degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Deusto, a CFA certification, as well as a Master's degree in Strategic Management and Corporate Finance from the École de Management de Lyon. She has been named in the global list The Twenty Most Influential Women in Crypto in 2023 by Financial News.
Cecabank, excellence in equality policies
These latest appointments are in line with Cecabank's commitment to equality, which was recently recognised with the granting of the 'Equality in the Company' (DIE) distinction, awarded by the Women's Institute of the Ministry of Equality. This recognition is awarded to companies that demonstrate a commitment to equality and equal opportunities for their employees, both in their internal policies and in their work practices. Only 197 companies in Spain have this recognition, which now includes Cecabank.
Membership of the DIE network implies for the bank further recognition of the excellence of its gender equality policies and the opportunity to be part of a forum where companies can share experiences and successful strategies in the field of gender equality.
The entity boasts an Equality Plan that regulates the Equality Committee's functions, establishes affirmative action measures and includes the improvements agreed between workers' representatives and the company on balancing family and professional life.
The bank has also implemented a number of initiatives to promote gender equality and diversity. In 2024, the entity has reached parity in its workforce. Furthermore, 38% of the members of the Management Committee are women and 40% of management positions are held by women. Cecabank has also designed specific training programmes for the Equality Committee and has created the position of equality agent.
In this regard, it is worth highlighting the EFR Certificate (Family-Responsible Company), which accredits quality in employment, conciliation, equal opportunities and professional development. Cecabank also has the ‘Empowering Women's Talent’ and ‘Diversity Leading Company’ seals awarded by Equipos y Talento and is also a signatory of the Diversity Charter since 2021 for its equality, diversity and inclusion policies.
