Iberdrola Hosts Two-Day European Round Table For Industry Meeting In Bilbao, Bringing Together Top Executives From 60 Major European Firms

Iberdrola recently hosted a two-day meeting of the European Round Table for Industry in Bilbao, bringing together senior executives from around 60 of Europe’s leading companies. The event was formally closed by Imanol Pradales, highlighting the importance of the gathering for both regional and European industry.

The European Round Table for Industry, based in Brussels, is a high-level forum made up of chief executives and chairpersons from major European companies across different sectors. It plays an important role in shaping discussions around economic growth, competitiveness and policy within Europe.

The meeting in Bilbao was held as an “Associates” session, which typically brings together senior executives and advisers ahead of a full plenary meeting of ERT members. The next plenary session is scheduled to take place in Sweden in May. During the Bilbao discussions, participants focused on several key issues affecting Europe’s industrial future, including energy policy, industrial competitiveness, innovation, artificial intelligence, trade, and security and defence. These topics are especially relevant at a time when Europe is working to strengthen its competitiveness while dealing with the effects of the ongoing energy crisis linked to tensions in the Middle East.

Anthony Gooch Gálvez, Secretary General of the ERT, noted that Europe has faced increasing uncertainty in recent years, along with concerns about deindustrialisation. He pointed out that hosting the meeting in the Basque Country is particularly meaningful, as the region is often seen as a strong example of how traditional industrial areas can successfully transform and modernise. He also acknowledged Iberdrola’s role in hosting the event and providing a platform to assess the current state of Europe’s industrial landscape.

The sessions, held on 16 and 17 April, took place at Torre Iberdrola, the company’s headquarters. Both the building and the city of Bilbao served as an important setting for discussions on Europe’s economic direction. The meeting came at a time when the continent is facing major challenges related to competitiveness, security and strategic autonomy, with electrification emerging as a key factor in addressing these issues.

Executives from a wide range of industries—including energy, automotive, technology, telecommunications, aerospace and pharmaceuticals—took part in the discussions. Companies represented at the meeting included major global names such as Airbus, AstraZeneca, BASF, Deutsche Telekom, Nestlé, SAP, Siemens and Unilever, among others.

The European Round Table for Industry was originally established in 1983 to promote cooperation between businesses, policymakers and other stakeholders, with the aim of supporting the development of the European Union’s single market and single currency. Today, its member companies collectively generate nearly €3 trillion in annual revenue, employ more than 6 million people worldwide and invest around €120 billion each year in research and development.

Overall, the Bilbao meeting provided an important platform for business leaders to exchange ideas and prepare for future discussions, while reinforcing the role of collaboration in addressing Europe’s industrial and economic challenges.