- Cepsa has appointed Belén Linares as head of research, development and innovation, which are the driving forces behind the acceleration of Cepsa's 'Positive Motion' strategy;
- The executive has international experience in the energy and aerospace sectors and is an expert in innovation and technologies for the decarbonization of energy systems
"Having Belén Linares on board will enable us to give new impetus to innovation, which is central to our 'Positive Motion' strategy. Her experience in important areas for the energy transition such as electrolytic hydrogen production, renewable generation, sustainable mobility, and energy storage systems will be crucial to the company's transformation strategy and its goal of helping society on its path towards decarbonization," explained José Manuel Martínez, Cepsa's Director of Technology, Projects, and Services.
According to Belén Linares: "Leading and fostering the R&D and Innovation area in technologies for the energy transition of a company in full transformation like Cepsa is an amazing challenge that I am looking forward to taking on. I am joining a team with great experience and know-how where I hope to contribute innovative value so that we can tackle the energy transition together".
Cepsa's new director of R&D and Innovation has 23 years of experience in technology and innovation in the energy and aerospace sectors and in multiple international markets. She is an expert in renewable technologies, and, since 2016, she has headed up innovation at Acciona Energía, a company recognized for its use of technology and innovation in its transformation and diversification processes.
Previously, Belén Linares worked as the Director of Technology and Product Development in the renewable energy area at Siemens-Gamesa, a position she took up after focusing her career on the renewable energy sector following her position at Airbus. Belén is an Aerospace Engineer and has completed her education with different postgraduate courses: Electrical Systems at Universidad Politécnica of Madrid, a Master's in Senior Management for Executives and, later, the Advanced Management Program at ESADE Business School. Finally, she completed the Global Growth Strategy Program at the Wharton School in Philadelphia.
Belén Linares is also a Fellow of the Aspen Institute and, between 2017 and 2023, she was vice president of Innovation and Digital of EJECON, the Association of Female Executives and Board Members of Spain, member of the Business Advisory Committee on R&D and Innovation of Universities of the Community of Madrid and senior advisor to the Chief Technology Officers (CTO) group. Since 2022, she has been an independent advisor for the promotion of innovation in the insurance company Mutua de Propietarios.
