Euskaltel names former Jazztel exec as strategy chief

Spanish regional cable operator Euskaltel has named Alfonso Enríquez as group manager for strategy and investor relations.

Enríquez will take charge of strategic projects as well as conveying relevant information to Euskaltel Group investors, analysts and shareholders.

He previously worked as head of strategy and investor relations at Jazztel for five years, where Euskaltel’s new CEO, José Miguel García, was CEO.

The appointment follows the naming of García as the northern Spanish operator’s CEO earlier this month.

The appointment of García as replacement for Franciso Arteche marked the realisation of one of Eusaltel shareholder Zegona Communications’ key goals for the company.

Earlier this year Zegona raised £100 million via a placing to increase its investment in Euskaltel as part of its strategy to increase its influence on the Spanish Telecoms company. Since the fund raising, Zegona has increased its disclosable shareholding in Euskaltel to 21.0%, supplanting Basque Country bank Kutxabank as Bilbao-based Euskaltel’s biggest shareholder.

In addition to the appointment of García, Zegona was also able to secure the appointment of its chairman and CEO Eammonn O’Hare as its proprietary director on the Euskaltel board.

Zegona wants Euskaltel to become a national operator, potentially leveraging the Virgin brand to serve customers across Spain.