Ignacio Galán

Ignacio Galán
Born	José Ignacio Sánchez Galán Template:Birth year and age
Birthplace	Spain
Nationality	Spanish
Occupation	Business executive
Title	Executive Chairman, Iberdrola
Known for	Executive Chairman of Iberdrola
Awards	Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), Platts CEO of the Year, International Energy Award (2025)
Website	[Official profile at Iberdrola Official site]

José Ignacio Sánchez Galán (born 1950), known professionally as Ignacio Galán, is a Spanish business executive who serves as the executive chairman of Iberdrola, one of the world's largest electric utility companies. Under his leadership, which began in 2001, Iberdrola has undergone a significant transformation from a primarily domestic Spanish energy company into a multinational corporation with operations spanning Europe, the Americas, and other global markets. Galán has been a prominent figure in the global energy sector, steering the company toward substantial investments in renewable energy and electricity networks. His tenure has been marked by major international acquisitions and a strategic pivot toward clean energy sources, positioning Iberdrola as one of the largest producers of wind energy in the world. Beyond his corporate role, Galán has maintained a presence on international stages including the World Economic Forum in Davos, United Nations Climate Change Conferences, and various energy policy forums, where he has advocated for electrification as a pathway to reconciling economic growth with environmental sustainability. He has received numerous recognitions for his work in the energy industry, including the honorary title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and multiple industry leadership awards.

Early Life

José Ignacio Sánchez Galán was born in 1950 in Spain. Details regarding his family background and upbringing remain largely private. He is known to have connections to the Castile and León region of Spain, where he has received several civic honors over the course of his career. Galán pursued an engineering career path, which laid the groundwork for his eventual rise through the ranks of the Spanish energy industry.

Education

Galán received his higher education in engineering in Spain. In 2012, he was appointed to preside over the Social Council (Consejo Social) of the University of Salamanca, one of Spain's oldest and most distinguished academic institutions, reflecting his ties to the academic community in Castile and León.

Career

Early Career and Rise at Iberdrola

Before assuming the chairmanship of Iberdrola, Galán gained extensive experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors in Spain. He held leadership positions within major Spanish industrial companies, developing expertise in engineering, energy production, and corporate management. His career trajectory brought him through various roles in the energy industry, culminating in his appointment at the helm of Iberdrola.

Leadership of Iberdrola

Galán became the chairman of Iberdrola in 2001, a period during which the company was primarily focused on the Spanish domestic energy market. Under his leadership, Iberdrola embarked on an ambitious strategy of international expansion and transformation toward renewable energy sources. The company grew from a largely Spain-centered utility into a global energy group with significant operations in the United Kingdom, the United States, Brazil, Mexico, and other markets.

A central element of Galán's strategy has been the prioritization of renewable energy, particularly wind power, and the expansion and modernization of electricity distribution networks. Iberdrola became one of the world's largest operators of onshore and offshore wind farms under his stewardship. The company has also invested significantly in solar energy, hydroelectric power, and energy storage technologies.

Key strategic moves during Galán's tenure included the acquisition of Scottish Power in the United Kingdom and the establishment of Avangrid in the United States, which consolidated Iberdrola's North American operations. These acquisitions positioned the company as a major player in the energy markets of the English-speaking world, diversifying its geographic footprint and revenue base.

Galán has consistently articulated the view that energy security is equivalent to national security, a position he has voiced at multiple international forums. He has argued that the electrification of the economy, powered by renewable sources, represents the most effective pathway toward achieving both economic growth and climate objectives.

International Engagements and Diplomacy

As the head of one of the world's largest electric utilities, Galán has maintained a prominent role in international energy policy discussions and diplomatic engagements. He has been a regular participant at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he has spoken about the future of the energy sector and the role of electricity companies in the global energy transition. At the Davos forum in January 2026, Galán discussed Iberdrola's ambitions to become the world's largest electricity company.

Galán participated in the COP30 climate summit in Brazil in November 2025, where he was present at the summit of heads of state and government. During the conference, he interacted with leaders including Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and António Costa, President of the European Council. At COP30, Galán defended the position that economic and environmental sustainability are compatible through electrification, particularly when driven by renewable energy sources and supported by modern electricity networks and energy storage.

In September 2025, Galán met with Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, at 10 Downing Street to discuss investment opportunities in the UK, reflecting Iberdrola's substantial presence in Britain through its subsidiary Scottish Power.

In May 2025, Galán attended a state dinner hosted by the Emir of Qatar in honour of a visit by United States President Donald Trump, placing him among a select group of international business leaders present at the high-profile diplomatic event.

In January 2026, Galán spoke at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, further extending his engagement with energy and sustainability forums in the Middle East and beyond.

Board Memberships and Affiliations

Beyond his role at Iberdrola, Galán has served on several notable boards and councils. He served as a member of the board of trustees of the Real Instituto Elcano, a Spanish think tank focused on international and strategic studies. He has also been involved with the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance (Renewable Hydrogen Coalition), reflecting Iberdrola's investments in green hydrogen as an emerging energy vector.

Galán was listed among the members of the board referenced in the JPMorgan Chase 2018 annual report, indicating his connections to the global financial community.

Recognition

Galán has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career in the energy sector.

In 2006, he received the Platts CEO of the Year award in New York, with Iberdrola simultaneously being named Energy Company of the Year by the same organization.

In 2008, Galán received the Premio Internacional Fundación Cristóbal Gabarrón de Economía (Cristóbal Gabarrón Foundation International Economics Award), recognizing his contributions to the field of economics and business. That same year, he received recognition from the community of Castile and León.

He received the Gold Medal of the Province of Salamanca (Medalla de Oro de la Provincia de Salamanca), a civic honor reflecting his ties to and contributions within the region.

In 2011, Galán was recognized by the Basque Government (Gobierno Vasco), reflecting Iberdrola's historical roots in the Basque Country, where the company is headquartered in Bilbao.

In 2014, Galán was made an Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by the United Kingdom, in recognition of his contributions to British-Spanish relations and UK energy security through Iberdrola's subsidiary Scottish Power.

He has been voted the best CEO of European utilities by Institutional Investor magazine, an annual poll of institutional investors and analysts covering the European energy sector.

In his capacity as chairman of Avangrid, Iberdrola's U.S. subsidiary, Galán received the ESG Leadership Award from the Foreign Policy Association in New York, recognizing leadership in environmental, social, and governance practices.

In October 2025, Galán received the 2025 International Energy Award in Qatar, further cementing his standing within the global energy community.

Legacy

Galán's tenure at the helm of Iberdrola, spanning more than two decades, has been characterized by the company's transformation into one of the world's largest electric utility companies with a pronounced focus on renewable energy. Under his leadership, Iberdrola expanded from a predominantly Spanish energy company into a global enterprise operating across multiple continents, with major subsidiaries including Scottish Power in the United Kingdom and Avangrid in the United States.

His consistent advocacy for electrification as a solution to both economic development and environmental challenges has placed him as a notable voice in global energy policy debates. Galán's participation at forums such as the World Economic Forum in Davos, COP climate summits, and Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week reflects the international scope of his influence in the energy sector.

The strategic direction Galán set for Iberdrola — prioritizing investments in wind energy, solar power, electricity networks, and emerging technologies such as green hydrogen — has been credited with positioning the company as a major participant in the global energy transition. His statements at the 2026 Davos forum about ambitions for Iberdrola to become the world's largest electricity company indicate ongoing strategic ambitions under his leadership.

His receipt of honors from multiple nations — including the CBE from the United Kingdom, civic awards in Spain, and international energy awards — reflects the cross-border impact of his career in the energy industry.