The ITP Aero Board, chaired by Josep Piqué, has added Ben Story, strategic marketing director Rolls-Royce and retired Colonel Diego García Bernabeu. Reflecting ITP Aero’s status as a “corporate entity” within the Rolls-Royce Group, Carlos Alzola has been appointed CEO and member of the ITP Aero Board. He will now report to Warren East, CEO of Rolls-Royce.
ITP Aero has also made significant organizational changes to bolster its two business units – Civil and Defence – ahead of the next decade, led by Mikel Lantero and Álvaro Santodomingo respectively (appointments effective January 2020). MRO and aftermarket services will be integrated into the two business units with the aim of improving market access through the strategic partnerships with different OEMs and creating in service support creative solutions to meet each market segment needs. These business units will benefit from reinforced capabilities including engineering and commercial services.
The organizational changes bring the additional benefit of a leaner executive committee comprised of the Civil and Defence Business Units, Operations, Engineering, and reinforced corporate functions; HR, Finance and Internal Governance.
“Coinciding with our 30th anniversary, we are now working to further develop our Strategic Plan as we seek to drive our business ahead for the next decade. Our Board of Directors has been reinforced with new members, who will help us to continue to thrive as a ‘corporate entity’ within the Rolls-Royce Group; with our own P&L and autonomy, allowing us to continue to work with all our different customers across the markets in which we operate,” Carlos Alzola says. “The organizational and management changes will bring increased clarity and improved market access allowing us to further develop ITP Aero’s position as the leading Spanish aero engine and components company, positioning us well to master the opportunities and challenges which lie ahead.”
Carlos Alzola, CEO ITP Aero, has developed his professional career in ITP Aero, occupying various positions of responsibility. In 2007, he was appointed Executive Officer of the Civil Business Unit, a position he held for ten years. In 2017, he assumed the position of General Manager of the Externals business of ITP Aero. He is an Industrial Mechanical Engineer (UPV-EHU). In addition, Carlos is Member of the Shareholders Board of the European Defence Consortium Europrop, Chairman of HEGAN (Basque Aeronautic Industry trade body) and member of the Board of the Aeronautical Technology Centre (CTA).
Ben Story, Strategic Marketing Director, Rolls-Royce has over 25 years of investment banking experience. Throughout most of his career, Ben has focused on the industrials sector, including aerospace & defence and transportation. Prior to joining Rolls-Royce, Ben was Head of UK Investment Banking & Broking at Citi from 2013. Previously, he worked at Deutsche Bank from 2005 to 2012 and at Morgan Stanley from 1997. Ben holds a BSc in Management Sciences from the University of Warwick. He is a Board Member of Transport for London and a Governor of the Warwick Manufacturing Group Academy Coventry.
Diego García Bernabeu, has developed his career within the Spanish defence institutions; since 1977 within the Spanish Air Force and from 1986 within the Spanish Ministry of Defence. Between 2007 and 2010 he worked for NETMA (NATO agency) being responsible of negotiating contracts with Eurofighter and Eurojet, among others. His last official position has been Deputy Director (Ministry of Defence) between 2014-2019. In addition to his military career, He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and an MA in International Trade.
Mikel Lantero, Executive Officer, Civil Business Unit, will be responsible for the r
elationship with all ITP Aero’s civil customers, and the development of current and future programmes. Mikel joined ITP Aero in 1998, where he has held various positions of responsibility in engineering and commercial aviation programmes. In 2014, he was appointed Business Director of Pratt & Whitney Canada. He is an Industrial Engineer from University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU) and a Master of Science (MSc) in Thermal Power from Cranfield University.
Álvaro Santodomingo, Executive Officer, Defence Business Unit. Álvaro will be 
responsible for ITP Aero’s positioning and access to the Defence market as well as the development of current and future defence programmes. Álvaro joined ITP Aero in 2008 as Executive Director of Strategic Planning and Corporate Development. Prior to joining ITP Aero, Álvaro worked over 10 years in corporate finance at Lehman Brothers. He holds a Bachelors degree in Economics and Business Administration from the Universidad Pontificia de Comillas de Madrid (ICADE) and is CFA Charterholder.