Excellence, rootedness, and global impact: the Andalucía Management Awards 2026 crown the strength of the southern economy

We live in a macroeconomic context characterized by the demand for global competitiveness and the urgency of sustainable transformations, and this is where the Andalusian business fabric once again shows its strength and maturity. The seventeenth edition of the Andalucía Management Awards now has winners: Acesur, Instituto Español, and Biorizon Biotech have claimed the top recognitions in a historic call that set an absolute record with 297 applications, consolidating these awards as the largest platform for assessing business leadership in southern Spain.

The jury's decision distinguishes three corporations that embody, from different sectors, the strategic pillars of the contemporary economy: international scale with solid governance, intergenerational legacy committed to the environment, and biotechnological disruption focused on environmental regeneration. The official award ceremony will be held on December 3 at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga (FYCMA), as the central event of the Andalucía Management congress.

1. Business Development: Acesur, the agri-industrial giant with a global vision

In the Business Development category, the jury has awarded Acesur, recognizing a sustained growth model and strategic expansion rooted in 1840 with the founding of Aceites y Jabones Luca de Tena. The company's turning point was in 1964, when Juan Ramón Guillén Prieto founded Aceites del Sur S.L., initiating a process of integration and strategic acquisitions highlighting La Española (1977) and Coosur (2002).

Today, Acesur represents the highest exponent of Spanish agri-industrial transformation:

• Global scale: It is the leading national exporter of olive oil, with commercial presence in more than 120 countries, operational plants in Spain, the United States, and Syria, and commercial subsidiaries in key markets such as China and the United Kingdom.

• Financial strength and employment: With a workforce exceeding 900 professionals, the group records consolidated revenues exceeding 1 billion euros, with more than 50% of its business stemming from international activities.

• Brand leadership and R&D+i: It manages a global portfolio of 20 brands, where Coosur positions itself as the leader in extra virgin olive oil in the national market and La Española champions international projection. The group's innovation is articulated from its R&D&I technological center in Vilches (Jaén), becoming a benchmark for operational efficiency and quality.

2. Family Business: Instituto Español, 120 years of resilience and commitment to the territory

The award for Family Business went to Instituto Español, a case study on how to preserve operational excellence and foundational values over more than a century. Founded in 1903 in Hinojos (Huelva) as an artisanal perfumery workshop, the company went through complex historical moments before being acquired in 1978 by the Granados family, whose third generation now leads the organization.

Instituto Español’s corporate profile stands out for its balance between growth and social responsibility:

• Presence and infrastructure: Operating in more than 68 countries, the company exceeded 72 million euros in revenue in 2024.

• Social impact and equity: It maintains over 300 direct jobs, with 98% local hiring in the province of Huelva and a team where women represent 90% of the workforce.

• Sustainability and governance: Located near the Doñana National Park, it has implemented production processes aligned with the goal of zero waste, promoting reconciliation initiatives and community impact alliances with entities such as the Red Cross, the Food Bank, and Sporting Huelva Femenino.

3. Social Impact: Biorizon Biotech, Almerian biotechnology for planetary regeneration

In the Social Impact category, the award has been granted to Biorizon Biotech, an Almerian company leading the transition toward regenerative, chemical-free agriculture through the development of biotechnological solutions based on microalgae.

Key aspects of its value proposal and impact:

• Disruptive innovation: Creator of Algafert®, the world’s first commercial product derived from microalgae, the company designs solutions that turn agricultural operations into carbon sinks and regenerators of soils and aquifers. It allocates more than 20% of its annual income to R&D.

• Scientific ecosystem and regional traction: With more than 60 highly qualified researchers and technicians and presence in 30 countries, it acts as a leading company in the Almeria Science and Technology Park (PITA) and promotes the Chair of Regenerative Agriculture 4.0 with the University of Almería.

• Ethical and international projection: Adherent to the UN Global Compact since 2021 and awarded the Andalucía TRADE Award in 2025, the company develops international cooperation projects such as the Madina Project in Sierra Leone, focused on local food sovereignty, while promoting female leadership in the scientific senior management.

A prestigious jury for a benchmark institutional event

The selection of the awardees was carried out by an evaluation panel composed of executives and analysts of recognized prestige:

• Maite González, Global Head of Life Business and Deputy General Manager of Mapfre Re.

• José Vilches, Commercial and Marketing Director of Cantero de Letur.

• Roger Domingo, Editorial Director at Grupo Planeta (Deusto, Alienta, Gestión 2000, Historia).

• Margarita Álvarez Pérez de Zabalza, CEO of Working For Happiness.

• José Carlos Díez, Economist, author and professor at the University of Alcalá.

• Santiago Alfonso Rodríguez, VP of Communication & Reputation at Grupo Cosentino.

• Manuel Guerrero, General Director of Strategy and CEO’s Office at Unicaja.

• Jorge Sicilia Domenech, Business Development Director for Companies and Public Institutions at Mapfre Spain.

A top-level congress program

The XVII edition of Andalucía Management will bring together on December 3 from 9:00 a.m. in Málaga prominent speakers from the economic, business, and social fields, including Natalia Gironella (IE Business School), Josu Ugarte (Schneider Electric), Fidel Sendagorta (diplomat), José Carlos Díez (economist), Juan Iturri (CEO Grupo ITURRI), Pilar Jericó (consultant and speaker), Néstor Guerra (NCompany), and Ousman Umar (Founder of Nasco Feeding Minds).

The congress is institutionally and corporately sponsored by Solunion, Cajamar, Andalucía TRADE, Diglo, Sage, TREICO Grupo Manolet, Orange Empresas, BCD, and Mapfre, together with the collaboration of the Málaga City Council, ESIC University - EIG Education, and the Provincial Council of Málaga.