Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism: The Alicante Connection
Alicante plays a central role in the Department of Innovation, Industry, Trade and Tourism. This is not only because the headquarters are located in the province and Nuria Montes hails from there, but also because a strong representation from Alicante permeates the department’s leadership. Half of the positions in the organizational chart are filled by people linked to Alicante, forming a recognizable identity mark. The professional backgrounds of these leaders align with the key sectors they manage, all essential to the economic development of the Valencian Community and the province itself.
In the last legislature, the Department of Innovation was already based in Alicante, with two council members, Carolina Pascual and Josefina Bueno, also from the state. The new autonomous government, led by Carlos Mazón, not only preserved this commitment but expanded it. The department absorbed responsibilities beyond University, Science and Digital Society, broadening into Industry, Commerce and Tourism alongside Innovation. It is noteworthy that much of the management team maintains direct ties to Alicante.
Leading the charge is Nuria Montes, who previously directed the Hosbec hotel association for 27 years. She now heads the department and has prioritized surrounding herself with trusted colleagues, many of whom bring deep knowledge of the state and its diverse areas of responsibility.
The second in command is Elena Lumbreras, serving as undersecretary. She is the sister of Santiago Lumbreras, the regional secretary of Corporate Affairs and Transparency, and has long been connected to the tourism sector. She previously held the role of director of the Local Development Agency and also contributed to municipal efforts in commerce.
The regional secretary for innovation, Jerónimo Mora, is a professor of Information Technologies and Computing at the University of Alicante. He participates in numerous research, development and technology transfer projects with local companies. His mandate focuses on strengthening the tech sector and promoting digitalization across the Valencian economy, linking with the Digital Zone facilities in Alicante and steering lines set by the City of Alicante. The future of the Valencia Innovation Agency is a topic of discussion as it may transition away from independent operation.
The new general manager of Innovation works closely with Mora. Juan José Cortés, formerly director of Digital Identity Alicantina and now with Devesa & Calvo handling Compliance and New Technologies, will oversee technology parks and institutes and guide the region’s digital strategy.
Ester Olivas, General Manager of Entrepreneurship and Internationalization, will participate in this leadership phase. Between 2008 and 2010 she directed the Commerce section of the Alicante Chamber and has held roles with the Union of Denominations of Spanish Origin. Her remit includes fairs and the internationalization of various business sectors.
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Here are the top officials connected to Alicante. The regional secretary for Industry, Trade and Consumption is Felipe Carrasco. He has been a spokesperson for the PP Industry in the Valencian Cortes and has led multiple executive roles in employers’ associations and industrial foundations. A key challenge remains addressing deficiencies in industrial land across the Valencian Community.
The Valencian leadership will be joined by Manuel Rosalén, General Manager of Industry, who brings twenty years of public service experience, including seven years with the Ministry of Industry. Maria Isabel Sáez, the new general director of Commerce, Crafts and Consumption, has nearly two decades in the business sector and previously served as deputy mayor of Sagunto. The unit overseeing Energy and Mining currently has an open post.
Tourism Secretary Cristina Moreno will collaborate closely with Nuria Montes, a Gandia council member since 2015, leveraging her sector experience. Esther Labaig, with a technical background and former director of the Castellón Tourist Centre, will provide additional support to the tourism agenda.
Once again, Alicante figures prominently among the counselors. Miguel Angel Sánchez, coordinator of Ciudadanos in Alicante and advisor to the Tourism Department, serves as chief of staff. José Antonio Espinosa, formerly head of protocol for the Provincial Council of Alicante, will handle Institutional Relations. Journalist Sergio Sampedro, specialized in tourism from Benidorm, acts as the department’s press officer. Cristina Esteban of Segorbe, serving as advisor on Parliamentary Affairs, carried out similar functions for Ciudadanos in the Cortes during the last legislative period. [citation]