IEF Leaders: Rodés, Sendagota, and the Growth of a Family Business Forum

The Institute of Family Business (IEF) traces its leadership to Leopoldo Rodés and Andrés Sendagota, marking a unique chapter in its history. Established in 1992 in Barcelona, the IEF has grown into the premier gathering place for Spanish family entrepreneurs. Its reach spans a hundred members, with eighteen regional associations contributing to a vibrant nationwide network. Rodés emerged as an early force in Spanish advertising, building a media planning agency that later joined the Havas group, underscoring his influence in the business and communications landscape. His career highlights include involvement in shaping Barcelona’s 1992 Olympic bid, working closely with IOC members well before the city’s successful appointment in October 1986. Parallel to his business achievements, Sendagota pursued a substantial engineering career and chairs Şener, a diversified engineering group active in the Basque Country with operations spanning aerospace, defense, and related sectors. His recent strategic move involved a significant investment in Australia, where he participates in several projects and acquired a 60% stake in the engineering firm Tactix, signaling a clear expansion mindset. Together, these leaders have helped the IEF crystallize its role as a practical resource for family-owned enterprises, offering governance insights, succession planning, and a platform for collaboration that resonates with the modern realities of family businesses across North America and beyond.