Begoña Villacís has taken on her new role as the Executive Director of Spain DC, the Spanish Data Centers Association, succeeding Manuel Giménez, who held the position since the organization’s inception.
On February 3, 2024, the announcement was made, marking the beginning of Villacís's mission to strengthen the relationship between data centers and public administrations, as well as to raise public awareness about the significance of these infrastructures.
Emilio Díaz, the president of Spain DC, expressed gratitude for Giménez's contributions and shared his confidence in Villacís. "We are convinced she is the ideal person to lead Spain DC at a key moment for our industry, where Spain's future lies to consolidate itself as the digital hub of southern Europe," Díaz remarked.
Villacís's academic credentials are substantial. A graduate of the CEU San Pablo University with a law degree, she also holds a master's degree in Tax Advice and Tax Law from the Pontifical University of Comillas. Her professional history spans both the public and private sectors, with notable roles including her service as councilor and deputy mayor of Madrid from 2015 to 2023.
Returning to the corporate world after her political career, Villacís most recently worked with BeDisrutive, focusing on cybersecurity technology. Her extensive expertise complements her ambitious agenda at Spain DC.
Regarding her new position, Villacís expressed her excitement, stating, "I feel excited and motivated by what is a challenge for the data center sector, but also for the country. Never before has Spain been so well positioned to create a strong, modern, and sustainable industry." This statement reflects her confidence in Spain's growth potential within this sector.
Spain DC was founded by nine partners and has shown remarkable growth, now representing nearly 200 entities and over 95% of the national and international players active within the data center industry. The sector is pivotal to Spain's digital transformation, contributing around 2.5% to the national GDP.
Emilio Díaz emphasized Villacís's alignment with the values of the association, noting her consensus-building skills and her rich background within technology. "The values of Begoña are fully aligned with those of the Association; we all know how her capacity for consensus and dialogue has accompanied her throughout her career," he added.
Looking forward, Villacís intends to push for greater collaboration between public and private sectors to address the industry's needs. She is also focused on dispelling misconceptions about technology and artificial intelligence through enhanced public education initiatives, potentially facing challenges as she works to unite stakeholders.
The significant investments expected to flow to Spain's data center sector — projected to be over €36.5 billion within the next five years — underline the urgency and importance of her mission. Villacís’s leadership will play a pivotal role as these funds are directed toward developing the country’s technological capabilities.
Villacís aims to advocate for initiatives promoting diversity within the tech industry, particularly increasing women's representation. Her participative leadership style seeks to cultivate environments where diverse voices can thrive and be heard.
Villacís’s vision for Spain DC centers on establishing the country as a formidable player on the European data center stage. Her leadership coincides with vast growth projections for data centers, with estimates indicating sixfold increases in capacity by 2030. Investments are expected to catalyze significant technological advancement and sustainability within the sector.
By bridging the gap between public and private procurement, Villacís is positioning herself as a dynamic force for change, destined to leave her mark on the data center industry and, by extension, on Spain’s economy.
With her wealth of experience and progressive vision, Begoña Villacís is set to navigate the complex landscapes of public-private relations, education surrounding technology, and the data center industry's growth, driving Spain's engagement on the path to becoming the digital hub of Southern Europe.