Jorge Oliveira, General Manager of Solvay for Spain and Portugal and recent speaker at the European University of the Atlantic (UNEATLANTICO), in the series of conferences ‘What now? ’ has been awarded the prize for Manager of the Year Cantabria 2024, granted by the Association for the Progress of Management (APD). This award recognises his exceptional leadership at the head of the Solvay factory in Torrelavega and his key contribution to the economic and social development of the region.
During the award ceremony, Oliveira highlighted decarbonisation as an essential factor to ensure the future of Cantabrian industry. In this regard, he announced the imminent launch of a project that will reduce nearly 400,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, thus revitalising the regional industrial fabric. He also called for greater economic support from the national government to accelerate this transition to sustainable energy, noting that the support of the Cantabrian government has been constant within its means.
In his speech, the executive reflected on his professional career, describing his experience at Solvay as transformative. He stressed the importance of teamwork, personal development and mutual learning in the workplace. ‘A good manager nurtures, teaches and learns with the people who run the business,’ Oliveira said, emphasising that collective success is essential to achieve common goals.
This recognition not only reflects Oliveira’s professional achievements, but also highlights his commitment to values that promote regional progress. These same principles are the ones he recently shared with the community of the European University of the Atlantic, during his participation in the Employability Conference ‘What next?’, where he gave an inspiring talk on leadership and adapting to changes in the labour market.
The award ceremony was attended by the rector of UNEATLANTICO, Mr. Rubén Calderón, and the vice-rector of academic planning and faculty, Ms. Silvia Aparicio, both professors of the degree in Business Administration and Management (ADE), underlining the commitment of the university with the managers of the region.
The ADE degree at UNEATLANTICO stands out for incorporating prestigious executives as lecturers in their subjects. These professionals bring their real experience of the business world, defining new business standards, designing innovative strategies and sharing the daily challenges of business decision-making in their own companies. This practical and close approach allows students to acquire a comprehensive training that connects directly with the demands of today’s work environment.
The award received by Jorge Oliveira highlights the importance of leaders who, like him, work tirelessly to transform challenges into opportunities, both within their organisations and for the benefit of the entire community.