Leadership Update at the Amancio Ortega Foundation
Six years after stepping away from the presidency of Inditex, Amancio Ortega has also relinquished the helm of his foundation. A concise statement from the foundation confirmed the leadership transition and emphasized that the organization will remain affiliated and continue to sit on its Board of Trustees. The move marks another phase in a long history of philanthropic activity connected to the Ortega family’s extensive business interests.
Flora Pérez Marcote, the foundation’s vice president and the wife of the Galician entrepreneur, will assume the role of president. Since the foundation’s founding in 2001, Pérez Marcote has steered program development with a clear emphasis on social initiatives and the institutional representation of the organization. Her leadership has shaped how the foundation engages with communities, partners, and public institutions, guiding a strategic approach to grantmaking and project oversight that aligns with the family’s philanthropic priorities.
Marta Ortega, at the helm of Inditex and a member of Spain’s most prominent entrepreneurial family, will become the foundation’s vice president. On a board proposal supported by the Trustees, and after years of service since 2015, the Amancio Ortega Foundation Board of Trustees includes key members from the Ortega circle and senior executives from the family’s business network. The roster features figures such as Pablo Isla, who led the textile group from 2005 to 2021, Roberto Cibeira, head of Pontegadea, and José Arnau Sierra, among trusted associates who contribute to governance and strategic direction. This leadership team is expected to sustain the foundation’s trajectory and extend its influence across education, health, and social welfare initiatives.
Amancio Ortega Foundation Projects
The Amancio Ortega Foundation, established in 2001, emerged during a pivotal moment when Inditex underwent its initial public offering and the wealth of the Ortega family expanded through Pontegadea. The foundation directs its efforts along two primary tracks: education and social welfare. The education program provides scholarships to high school students who aim to study abroad, including opportunities in the United States and Canada. This initiative is designed to broaden access to international education and to cultivate a network of alumni who can contribute to communities worldwide. The social welfare program funds health and community projects, supporting therapy initiatives, health infrastructure, and the expansion of public health networks in various regions. It also backs comprehensive care centers for the elderly in Galicia, underscoring a commitment to improving quality of life for aging populations and strengthening social safety nets in the community. A sizable portion of the foundation’s budget supports these efforts, reflecting a sustained investment in human capital and social resilience.
In 2022, the foundation allocated 52.8 million euros to social investments across its own projects and to financing partner initiatives. Between 2018 and 2022, hundreds of millions of euros were directed toward completed projects and ongoing efforts, illustrating a durable investment in both regional and international programs. Looking ahead, the foundation announced an ambitious mobilization plan for 2023 through 2027, aiming to mobilize nearly 488 million euros. The largest portion of this anticipated investment is earmarked for socio-sanitary infrastructure, with projections exceeding 386 million euros. This forward-looking agenda signals a sustained commitment to improving healthcare, education, and community services with a broad geographic footprint that includes Europe and beyond. The foundation’s strategy emphasizes measurable outcomes, strategic collaboration with public and nonprofit partners, and rigorous oversight to ensure that resources deliver meaningful impact for beneficiaries and communities alike.