Luis Castilla Cámara, CEO of the Infrastructure area of ACCIONA, and a key figure in the history of the water sector in Spain and the world, has died at the age of 63, causing deep consternation. The news was made official this Saturday by ACCIONA's management, with an announcement from Chairman José Manuel Entrecanales to the company's workforce.
A civil engineer from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Castilla had devoted 17 years of his professional life to ACCIONA, starting in 2006 as general manager of Acciona Agua. In 2014, he was appointed CEO of the infrastructure division, and since then he has led a significant portion of ACCIONA's global workforce. Under his leadership, ACCIONA has not only expanded its global footprint but also fortified its position as a leading Spanish company in the water and wastewater utility management sector, with a presence in more than 40 countries and a labor force of more than 41,000 employees. The company excels in providing O&M services that serve approximately 18 million inhabitants worldwide and boasts an extensive project portfolio, including designing and building more than 330 wastewater treatment plants, operating over 460 such facilities, and maintaining sanitation networks for more than 180 municipalities.
Prior to his indispensable time at ACCIONA, Castilla left his mark at Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas (FCC) for another 17 years and chaired Pridesa until its acquisition by ACCIONA in 2006.
José Ángel Tejero, a member of the management team and head of Financial Economics and Sustainability, will take Castilla's position on an interim basis.
ACCIONA's Chairman and CEO, José Manuel Entrecanales, highlighted Castilla's values, his dedication and the decisive influence he had on ACCIONA's growth and consolidation as a worldwide leading company. On a personal level, Castilla will be remembered for his warmth, sense of humor and valuable advice, elements that made him a much-loved figure in the company.
From iAgua and Smart Water Magazine we deeply regret the loss of such an influential personality as Luis Castilla, whose legacy in the construction sector and, especially, in the field of water, will live on. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, colleagues and friends, as well as to the entire ACCIONA community at this time of mourning.
