Chema Alonso’s departure from Telefónica marks the end of an era at the Spanish telecommunications company. After nearly 13 years with the company, and having been one of the most visible bets of former president José María Álvarez-Pallete, Alonso has announced his resignation from the position of Chief Digital Officer (CDO). His departure comes in the wake of recent changes in the executive leadership following the arrival of the new CEO, Marc Murtra, who has begun restructuring the executive team.
Alonso’s replacement has been quick to follow. Telefónica has appointed Sebas Muriel as his successor at the helm of the digital division, thereby consolidating a new direction for the company in its strategy for innovation and digital transformation.
A Leader in Cybersecurity and Digital Transformation
Known for his disruptive image in the industry, always sporting his unmistakable blue hat and casual style, Chema Alonso has been a key figure in Telefónica’s digital strategy. He joined the company in 2012, when Telefónica acquired Informática 64, the cybersecurity company he founded in Móstoles. This acquisition led to the creation of ElevenPaths, the group’s cybersecurity division, from which Alonso reinforced the security strategy of the operator on a global scale.
In 2016, he was appointed Chief Data Officer (CDO) and subsequently, in 2019, took on the role of Chief Digital Consumer Officer (CDCO). During his tenure, he led important projects such as:
- Aura, Telefónica’s artificial intelligence initiative, which never fully gained traction in the market.
- Movistar Home, a virtual assistant for the digital home that did not achieve the expected acceptance among consumers.
- The Fourth Platform, an initiative for advanced cloud data usage, which also faced challenges in gaining traction.
While he drove significant advancements in the company’s digitalization, some of his more ambitious projects did not achieve the reception anticipated by customers nor the commercial impact that had been projected.
A Change in Direction at Telefónica
Alonso’s departure occurs in a context of internal restructuring within Telefónica, with Marc Murtra arriving as the new CEO and Emilio Gayo being appointed as managing director. In recent months, the operator has implemented strategic changes at the top, including the retirement of Enrique Blanco, the former CTO of the company, replaced by Andrea Folgueira.
In an official statement, Telefónica expressed gratitude for Alonso’s contributions over the years, highlighting his role in the digitalization of the group:
“The Board of Directors has thanked Chema Alonso for his significant drive in the digital transformation of Telefónica over the past 13 years, as well as his leadership in the execution of the company’s Data-Centric platforms and the creation of the new ecosystem for industry relations and OpenGateway in his latest stage. Chema Alonso will support Sebas Muriel with his technological advice during the transition.”
This message suggests that while Alonso is leaving the digital leadership, he will remain connected to the company as an advisor during the transition process.
Sebas Muriel, Telefónica’s New Digital Leader
The chosen successor for Chema Alonso is Sebas Muriel, a longtime associate of Telefónica, who has worked in various areas of the company and had recently led GrupoM España.
Muriel has built a solid track record in the digital sector, with experience at companies like Tuenti and Red.es, and at Telefónica, he played a key role in the success of MiMovistar and MiO2, two applications that have grown exponentially and now have over 30 million users in eight countries.
His appointment as CDO will not be easy. Telefónica continues to face challenges in its digitalization, and his role will be crucial in defining the company’s future in this area. Among his main challenges will be:
- Driving artificial intelligence (AI) within the operator’s digital strategy.
- Consolidating the digitalization of services and enhancing customer experience.
- Maximizing the potential of OpenGateway, the initiative through which Telefónica seeks to establish a new relationship with the tech industry.
Muriel has demonstrated his ability to lead strategic changes, and his appointment points to a transformation focused on results and a more pragmatic approach to digitalization.
An Uncertain Future for Telefónica’s Digital Strategy
With Chema Alonso’s departure and Sebas Muriel’s ascent, Telefónica is entering a new phase in its digital strategy. The company has invested for years in innovation in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms, but it will now need to find a balance between technological transformation and business profitability.
The big question is whether Muriel will continue along a continuity line or if he will opt for a different approach, more focused on commercial results and operational efficiency. The integration of AI, big data, and automation will play a key role in this new phase, and Telefónica will have to decide how to leverage these tools to strengthen its market position.
Meanwhile, Chema Alonso leaves behind more than a decade at the operator and opens a new chapter in his professional career. His departure leaves a mark on the digital history of Telefónica, but it also raises a question: what comes next for Spain’s most publicized hacker?