Foundations, a formula for promoting roots. The case of the Antonio Aranzábal Foundation.

  • Anton Aranzabal Fundación Antonio Aranzábal
  • Maite Aranzabal Fundación Antonio Aranzábal
  • Jokin Aranzabal Fundación Antonio Aranzábal
Keywords: Entrepreneurs, Foundations, Rooting, Family businesses, Bond, Civil society, Social impact, Social challenges, Innovation, Young employment, Professionalization, Business and family government, Succession, Young talent, Collaborations, Talent attraction and retention

Abstract

The article highlights the role of foundations in establishing companies, highlighting that their contribution is crucial to the well-being and progress of society, being linked to the competitiveness of companies.

The Antonio Aranzábal Foundation (FAA), created in 1998, focuses on the development of entrepreneurs and the establishment of Basque family businesses, promoting the exchange of experiences and new governance models.

The FAA renews its founding purpose and defines strategic pillars based on contributing to the rooting of the business family, collaborating with other organizations to address challenges, and improving and retaining talent in the territory.

FAA projects include recognition of the work of the business community through the Antonio Aranzábal Award, the Case Collection, an Advanced Government Workshop for young people, and collaborations with entities such as Novia Salcedo Fundación and Rural Kutxa to attract and retain talent.

The FAA adapts its strategy to social challenges, renewing its founding purpose and focusing on multidimensional and interrelated projects to generate long-term impact.

Entrepreneurs, in addition to promoting companies, can generate roots as promoters of foundations, contributing to the link with society and the territory.

Author Biographies

Anton Aranzabal, Fundación Antonio Aranzábal

Member of the Board of Trustees of the Antonio Aranzábal Foundation since 1998. Extensive experience in the multinational industrial world (Graftech Intl.) holding various positions from CEO for Europe and EMEA to Vice President of Worldwide Operations and General Management. President of the European Advanced Carbon and Graphite Materials Association (ECGA). All types of courses and qualifications in the world of management.

Maite Aranzabal, Fundación Antonio Aranzábal

Member of the Board of Trustees of Fundación Antonio Aranzábal since 1998 and associate professor at IE Business School. Independent director of listed and private companies, as well as business associations and non-profit organisations. International experience as an executive in a variety of sectors, ranging from retail, fashion, consumer goods and real estate. As a consultant, she has advised numerous retail companies on business and talent strategy. She has also worked as a strategy consultant at McKinsey & Co. and in mergers and acquisitions at Goldman Sachs. In-depth knowledge in strategy, international business development, consumer and marketing intelligence, transformation, M&A integration and family businesses. Lecturer and mentor at leading private universities in business administration. Speaker at international events (on corporate governance, family business, talent and retail). Member of WCD, IC-A and IWF. She holds a Board Certification from IC-A (Spain) and an MBA from Wharton Business School.

Jokin Aranzabal, Fundación Antonio Aranzábal

Jokin has been a trustee and secretary of the Antonio Aranzábal Foundation since 1998. He is responsible for strategy, financial planning and investments. He also participates in the Impact Foundations Fund and Climate Foundations. He worked in the family business Bombas Itur for 5 years and in process consultancy for clients in Utilities, Public Administrations and Defence for 10 years. He is an industrial engineer (Tecnun, University of Navarra). He holds an Executive MBA from Instituto de Empresa and an Industrial Management degree from Mondragón University.

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Published
2024-03-25
How to Cite
Aranzabal, Anton, Maite Aranzabal, and Jokin Aranzabal. 2024. “Foundations, a Formula for Promoting Roots. The Case of the Antonio Aranzábal Foundation.”. Bulletin of Economic Studies 78 (234), 205-15. https://doi.org/10.18543/bee.2852.