Capgemini has made a move at the top in Spain by appointing Laurent Perea as the new CEO starting from February 1, 2026, replacing Luis Abad, who concludes a five-year leadership period at the affiliate. The announcement, communicated by the company from Madrid, outlines a transition that emphasizes continuity but also highlights new focus: the profile chosen combines engineering, digital transformation, and leadership in innovation-driven units, just as the Spanish market accelerates projects related to technological modernization and Artificial Intelligence initiatives in companies and government.
The change comes after a period that the company describes as “successful” in a “highly competitive” environment, with Abad strengthening the local positioning and customer recognition. Within this framework, Capgemini is investing in an executive with internal experience, familiar with the group’s structure and with expertise in areas key to large programs: operational model redesign, post-merger integration, and performance improvement.
A “homegrown” profile focused on engineering and innovation
Laurent Perea is an industrial engineer with over 20 years of experience at Capgemini. In recent times, he gained particular prominence leading, since 2023, the Capgemini Engineering unit in Spain, the group’s branch dedicated to engineering services and R&D. Previously, between 2018 and 2023, he headed Capgemini Invent in Spain, the brand focused on digital innovation, design, and transformation — a type of consulting often operating at the strategic forefront, where decisions are made about what to transform, why, and with what roadmap.
The company also emphasizes Perea’s academic background: he holds dual master’s degrees from the École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées (Paris) and the Polytechnic University of Madrid, reinforcing the idea of hybrid leadership grounded in both technology and change management.
In his first statements after the announcement, Perea framed this as a phase marked by innovation, emphasizing internal talent and the blend of technology and human creativity. Summing up the tone of the transition, he expressed being “delighted” to take on the role during “an unprecedented wave of technological innovation.”
A second move: Eva Cesteros takes over leading Capgemini Engineering
The transition isn’t limited to the CEO position. As a direct consequence, Eva Cesteros will assume leadership of Capgemini Engineering in Spain. An industrial engineer with over 20 years of experience, she previously held the position of Operations Director for engineering and R&D activities in the country. The corporate note highlights her extensive background in high-responsibility roles, including functions related to Aerospace, Space, and Defense, as well as her focus on operational excellence and management of complex programs.
This second move is often seen as a sign of internal continuity: the company not only promotes the person ascending but also chains the replacement within a key business unit, especially as clients demand measurable results in modernization, automation, and efficiency.
Context: a global consultancy driven by AI
Capgemini describes itself as a global partner in business and technology transformation “powered by Artificial Intelligence.” Its corporate profile states the group’s scale at 420,000 professionals across more than 50 countries, and notes that in 2024 it recorded 22.1 billion euros in global revenue.
Against this backdrop, Perea’s appointment appears aligned with a sector-wide trend: clients are not just buying “technology,” but execution. They want strategy to translate into architecture, operations, product engineering, data, cybersecurity, and governance. The experience of the new CEO — spanning Invent and Engineering — fits this demand, where business decisions are intertwined with technical deployment realities.
With the date for the leadership change set, attention now shifts to how the strategy will evolve in Spain, especially in areas where Capgemini competes with other major firms: application modernization, systems engineering, managed services, and AI adoption with compliance, security, and control guarantees.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Laurent Perea start as CEO of Capgemini Spain?
He will assume the role on February 1, 2026, according to the company’s statement.
What experience does Laurent Perea bring to lead a technology consultancy in Spain?
He has worked for more than 20 years at Capgemini and has led in Spain both Capgemini Engineering (since 2023) and Capgemini Invent (2018–2023), focusing on digital transformation, innovation, and strategic programs.
Who will lead Capgemini Engineering in Spain after the transition?
The leadership of Capgemini Engineering in Spain will pass to Eva Cesteros, previously responsible for Operations in the engineering and R&D division in the country.
What is Capgemini’s size and global presence?
The group reports having 420,000 professionals across more than 50 countries and recorded 22.1 billion euros in global revenue in 2024.
via: capgemini