The Forinvest finance‑business forum announced the winners for its 16th edition in 2023 this Tuesday, highlighting five categories that celebrate innovation and the influence of women in management. Among the recipients was Hilaturas Ferre, the Alicante textile company recognized for its centennial milestone and its ongoing commitment to innovative practices. This year’s ceremony underscored how long‑standing businesses can blend tradition with forward‑looking strategies, rewarding those that push boundaries while honoring established legacies.
During Finance Night, attended by hundreds at Feria Valencia, the event signaled the start of a two‑day conference that continues on the fairgrounds today and tomorrow. Carmen Serrano, Corporate Relations Director at Cárnicas, received the award for professional career in the business sector; Ana Muñoz, general secretary of Cobrejo (the Association of Insurance Brokers), earned the award for professional career in the insurance industry; and Sesame HR and Zeus Smart Visual Data, recognized for their contributions to entrepreneurship, innovation, and data analysis and visualization, respectively. These recognitions reflect And the sustained effort of professionals who shape critical sectors and demonstrate leadership across commerce, insurance, and technology domains.
In addition, Hilaturas Ferre was celebrated as a centennial company, a landmark achievement that accompanies the firm’s ongoing modernization. The company’s evolution—from traditional yarn manufacturing to incorporating recycled materials—illustrates a broader industry trend toward sustainability and circular production methods. PowerCo, a subsidiary linked to the Volkswagen Group, also earned recognition for its role in the Sagunto gigafactory project, highlighting how large‑scale manufacturing partnerships are reshaping regional economies and signaling confidence in Europe’s industrial future.
Attendance included key figures such as Las Cortes president Enric Morera, ministers Rafael Climent and Rebeca Torró, and CEV president Salvador Navarro. The Finance Minister Arcadi Spain emphasized that parity in business and politics remains an ongoing objective and that persistent effort will be required to close existing gaps. He praised the public sector’s essential role, stressing that a healthy economy relies on both strong corporations and engaged workers, and he affirmed that no successful company operates without its workforce. These remarks echoed a broader message about collaboration between government, industry, and labor in driving sustained economic growth and social progress.
Industry perspectives also framed the day as conflicts and global shifts continue to influence commercial risk and opportunity. The event featured a dialogue addressing the war in Ukraine and its wider implications, with Spain’s ambassador to the OECD, Manuel Escudero, and geostrategist and NATO adviser Mira Milosevich. They discussed how both Kyiv and Moscow perceive potential outcomes, the wear and tear of ongoing conflict, and the absence of an near‑term solution. Participants highlighted opportunities for investment in Africa, the rising importance of geopolitics in a more fragmented world, and the need to navigate ecological, energy, digital, and geographic transitions. The conversation underscored that current geopolitical dynamics will shape strategic decisions across sectors for years to come and reinforced the value of diversified, resilient strategies for businesses operating in North American and European markets alike.