Josep Lagares Biography

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Josep Lagares i Gamero (1963, Besalú - Girona). Married with Marta and with two sons (Jordi and Maria), I hold a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Instituto Químico de Sarrià (IQS), a MBA from the Universidad Politécnica de Catalunya UPC and an AMP from the IESE Business School.

In 1988 I began working as a meat technologist at METALQUIMIA, S.A., a Girona-based 100% family-owned business, which has become a world-class center of reference for the study of Meat Science and Technology, specialized in offering its customers integral "turn-key" solutions for the manufacture of meat products, with a guarantee of the finished product, effecting more than 90% of its operations in the international markets with active presence over 70 countries.

In 1996, my father Narcis handed over to me the General Management of METALQUIMIA, where with the encouragement, help and the efforts of our entire family we have seen our joint labor to enhance the economy and society recognized on numerous occasions, most recently having been awarded the "Premio Principe Felipe a la Excelencia Empresarial" (2006/2007)in the category of Competitividad Empresarial (PYME), or the awards "Premios a la Tecnología" (1992 and 2001), granted by the Government of Catalonia, for our vanguard system of Strategic Creativation Management.

I have had the good fortune to be a member of various Boards and Councils, such as the Academic Board of IQS, the Board of Directors of AMEC (Multisectorial Exporters Association) and AEFEMAC (Spanish Association of Manufacturers of Machinery for the Meat Industry) where thanks to this activity I was awarded, in 1999, the "AMEC Silver Medal" for promoting exportation. I have also been a member of the Board of Directors of Tribuna de Girona and the Forum Carlemany; and I've also been able to contribute my grain of sand as member of the Jury for such prestigious awards as the Technology Innovation Award granted by the Government of Catalonia (years 2002 and 2009), the Premio Principe Felipe a la Excelencia Empresarial (2008) or the IMPULSA Awards granted by the Prince of Girona Foundation (2010 and 2011)

Today, I am a member of the Rector Council of APD Zona Mediterránea, a member of the FemCat Foundation (Private Business Leaders Foundation) and a partner of the CENTA Foundation (Center for New Food Technologies) among other bodies and associations. I am also a member of the CCRI Catalan Council for Research and Innovation, Catalonia's Government Advisory Board for Research & Innovation and its Policies; and a member of IRTA's Scientific and Advisory Board.

Since December 2009, I have the great honour of being one of the three Vicepresidents of the Prince of Girona Foundation, which has the mission of bringing social value by means of youth support and promotion... and also the huge honour of being the President of the IMPULSA Forum Organizing Committee.

In 2009 I co-published my first book FLIGHT PLAN: The Great Adventure of the Family-owned Business (RBA Integral Nueva Empresa) jointly with the journalist and writer Martí Gironell, and the member of the Family-owned Business Faculty of IESE, Professor Josep Tàpies.

I have combined all this business and organizational activity with the spiritual exercise by being Secretary for the Venerable Congregation of Our Lady of Sorrows of Besalú (Creu de Sant Jordi Award, 2005) together with practicing my favorite sport: Formation Skydiving; and finally, I've also found time for cultural and musical activities where, among other tasks and occupations, I enjoy learning and playing the clarinet.