A Key Leadership Change at Telefónica Group
Today, Telefónica’s Board of Directors approved, following a favorable recommendation from the Nominations, Remunerations, and Good Governance Committee, the appointment of Emilio Gayo as the new CEO of Telefónica Group. Gayo, who previously held the executive chairmanship of Telefónica Spain, assumes this role with the goal of leading the digital transformation and growth of the company in an increasingly competitive sector.
This change is part of a strategic restructuring aimed at strengthening Telefónica’s leadership in key markets, including Spain, Brazil, Germany, and the United Kingdom, as well as consolidating the Hispam business unit under his direction.
Emilio Gayo’s Background and Experience
Emilio Gayo is a Telecommunications Engineer and holds an MBA from IESE. His extensive experience of over 30 years in the industry has made him a leader with deep knowledge of the telecommunications market and business transformation strategies.
Since joining Telefónica in 2004, he has held key roles in the company, notably:
- General Director of International Operations at Telefónica Móviles (2004-2010).
- Director of Business Development, Strategy, and Regulation at Telefónica Latam (2010-2011).
- Head of the Consumer Division at Telefónica Spain (2011-2013), which he later expanded to include Marketing and Business segments.
- Executive Chairman of Telefónica Spain since 2018, where he has led the digital transformation and growth of the company in the Spanish market.
Under his leadership at Telefónica Spain, the company has consolidated its position in the sector, facing challenges such as the digitalization of services, the integration of new technologies, and adaptation to a changing regulatory environment.
Restructuring and Strategic Changes at Telefónica
The appointment of Emilio Gayo is not the only significant change in the company’s leadership. Telefónica has carried out a major organizational restructuring, which includes strategic movements in key areas:
- Borja Ochoa, until now General Director of Defense and Security at Indra, will assume the Executive Chairmanship of Telefónica Spain. Ochoa brings solid experience in technology, digital transformation, and innovation, which will allow him to continue driving the company’s evolution in the domestic market.
- Sofía Collado will be the new leader of Telefónica Tech, succeeding José Cerdán, who has been instrumental in consolidating this business unit over the past five years. Collado, with more than 25 years of experience in consulting and talent management in technological environments, will focus on enhancing the expansion of Telefónica Tech and integrating innovative solutions for the business segment.
- Sebas Muriel returns to Telefónica as Chief Digital Officer, taking over from Chema Alonso, who has led the company’s digital transformation for the past 13 years. Muriel, with a distinguished background in digital transformation and business strategy, will be tasked with continuing to drive the group’s digitalization.
Additionally, Ángel Vilá, who is stepping down as CEO after more than 25 years at Telefónica, will remain connected to the company as Advisor to the Executive Chairman, Marc Murtra, and will join the Board of Telefónica Germany and Virgin-Media O2.
A New Focus for Telefónica Spain and Movistar+
Within the changes in the organizational structure, there have also been movements in Telefónica Spain and Movistar+:
- Sergio Oslé is leaving his position as CEO of Telefónica Spain, with this position being eliminated in the new structure. Oslé, who has been key in returning Telefónica Spain to growth, will remain as an advisor to Borja Ochoa during the transition.
- Daniel Domenjó will assume the role of CEO of Movistar+, succeeding Cristina Burzako, who will continue to be associated with the Telefónica Group in new roles. Domenjó has a long history in the audiovisual industry, having worked for media outlets such as TVE, Atresmedia, Mediaset, Movistar+, and Discovery.
- Javier de Paz will take on the Chairmanship of Telefónica Audiovisual Digital (Movistar Plus+), replacing Sergio Oslé.
Impact on Telefónica’s Global Strategy
These changes reflect Telefónica’s intention to strengthen its digital and technological strategy in a rapidly transforming telecommunications industry. The company seeks to consolidate its position as a leader in innovation, infrastructure, and digital services, betting on:
📌 Expansion of the B2B business and Telefónica Tech: With Sofía Collado at the helm, Telefónica Tech will continue to evolve as one of the key units in the group’s growth.
📌 Digital transformation and platform development: Sebas Muriel will take over the digital strategy, ensuring the implementation of data-driven solutions, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies.
📌 Consolidation of presence in key markets: Spain, Brazil, Germany, and the United Kingdom will continue to be priority regions for Telefónica, with unified management under Emilio Gayo’s leadership.
📌 Strengthening of the audiovisual and entertainment segment: With Daniel Domenjó leading Movistar+ and Javier de Paz in Telefónica Audiovisual Digital, the company will continue to focus on innovation in content and streaming platforms.
Conclusion: A New Era for Telefónica
With the appointment of Emilio Gayo as the new CEO, Telefónica takes a strategic step in its global transformation, consolidating its focus on innovation, digitalization, and optimizing its organizational structure.
The company faces a challenging future, marked by the evolution of connectivity, the growth of the technology sector, and competition in key markets. Under this new leadership, Telefónica strengthens its commitment to operational excellence, efficiency, and value generation for its customers and shareholders.
These changes represent a new chapter in Telefónica’s history, as it aims for a more agile and digitized structure, ready to tackle future challenges and continue leading the telecommunications industry.