Our History
The association was launched in 2011 by a number of individuals and businesses with a diverse range of experience, professional expertise and a genuine passion for promoting Spanish trade, business, communication and culture in Australia.
La Camara aims to be the preeminent point of reference for Spanish companies interested in investing in Australia, as well as for Australian companies willing to develop and expand their business in Spain.
From the very beginning, these initial members had the support and advice of the Spanish Trade Commission, given that the purpose of the association was to become the Spanish Official Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Australia.
After only one year La Camara became a reality, The Official Spanish-Australian Chamber of Commerce is an incorporated association formed under and governed by the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 (“the Act”) in the State of New South Wales and operates at a national level. Currently over 70 companies are formal members, including individuals, small and medium organisations and large corporate members.
Our Mission, Vision and Values
Mission
Our mission is to promote and facilitate the creation of business links between our members.
Vision
Our vision is to become the preeminent point of reference for the Spanish Australian Business community.
Values
Our values are integrity, transparency and accountability, ensuring leadership and diversity within our board and management team, striving for excellence and innovation in our work and the services to our members and the broader community.
Honorary Roles
H.E. Esther Monterrubio Villar
Honorary President
Ambassador of Spain to Australia
Rodrigo Tilve Seoane
Bachelor of Law from the Complutense University, holds a Master’s in Financial Markets from the Institute of Stock Market Studies.
A career civil servant, he joined the Spanish public administration as member of the corps of State Economists and Trade Experts. He has held various positions of responsibility, both in Spain and abroad, related to business internationalization and development financing, in close collaboration with international financial institutions such as the World Bank and the European Investment Bank, among others. In recent years, after a stint as Deputy Minister of Economy and Competitiveness of the Madrid region, he served as Director of Industrial Technology and Professional Services at ICEX Spain, Export and Investment. Since September 1st, he has held the position of Chief Economic and Trade Commissioner of Spain in Australia.
Throughout his career, he has also served on the boards of entities such as IFEMA and Metro de Madrid. In 2016, he was awarded the Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic by His Majesty King Felipe VI.
Rodrigo Tilve Seoane
Honorary Vice-President
Chief Economic and Trade Commissioner
Economic and Trade Commission of Spain in Australia
Embassy of Spain in Australia
Patron
Christopher Brown AM
Patron of La Camara
Board Members
Carmen Verdú
PRESIDENT
General Manager and Executive Director
TYPSA
Sylvia Fernandez
Sylvia Fernandez is a senior partner at Thomson Geer and an experienced litigation lawyer with international and multiindustry experience. Sylvia is Australian born of Spanish parents and is fluent in spoken and written Spanish. She is also an experienced team leader.
Sylvia has been a member of the Board of La Camara since 2011 and served as President from July 2014 to July 2018 after served as Vice-President and Secretary and is currently serving as President again.
She brings to the Board exceptional corporate legal expertise, a solid understanding of corporate governance as well as experience with government, major corporates and multinationals. This, together with her Spanish heritage makes Sylvia a solid contributor to La Camara’s Board.
Miguel castro
VICE PRESIDENT
Head of Business Development AUS/NZ / MOBILITY
Sylvia Fernandez
sECRETARY
Senior Partner
Thomson Geer
Beata Krasuska
Treasurer
Financial Controller
Ferrovial Construction(Australia) Pty Ltd
Guillermo Garcia-Perrote
Board Member
Director
Grupo Cobra
PILAR Gómez
Board Member
Human Resources Director
Acciona Infrastructure Australia
Manuel González
Board Member
Managing Director
Sice ANZ
Pedro Pellón Lescot
Pedro is the Director of CAF Rail Australia, Australian subsidiary of CAF, since 2015. Pedro has more than 15 years of international experience in the Transport and Telecommunications sectors.
Since his arrival to Australia, CAF has grown considerably in the region winning projects valued at more than 1.6billion AUD in the region and becoming a key player in the rolling stock and rail systems sectors. CAF has now a local presence of around 100 staff in Australia. Pedro has a deep understanding of complex projects including PPP’s and DBOM’s.
Pedro brings to La Camara his international and constructive thinking, together with his experience managing stakeholders and partners in demanding environments. Pedro is currently serving as Secretary.
Pedro Pellón Lescot
Board Member
Director
CAF Rail Australia
Pablo Santos
Board Member
Director
S&L Steel
Mariano Villaescusa
Board Member
CEO
Consystex
Management Team
