Demetrio Carceller Arce, executive chairman of Damm, receives the Forbes Best CEO 2024 award
The award recognises the strategic vision and transformational leadership of Damm's executive chairman
Demetrio Carceller Arce, executive chairman of Damm, has been awarded the Forbes Best CEO 2024 award, a distinction that highlights his career at the helm of one of the leading companies in the food and beverage sector. The award, presented during a ceremony held at the Mandarin Oriental Ritz Hotel in Madrid, recognises his transformational leadership and his capacity to consolidate a sustainable, innovative growth model committed to the development of talent.
Each year, Forbes presents this award to business leaders who stand out for their strategic vision, their ability to anticipate market challenges, and their contribution to the country's economic and social development. With this distinction, Demetrio Carceller Arce joins an exclusive list of business leaders recognised in previous editions, such as Gonzalo Gortázar (Caixabank), María Dolores Dancausa (Bankinter), José María Álvarez-Pallete (former CEO of Telefónica), Florentino Pérez (ACS), Pablo Isla (former CEO of Inditex) and Francisco Reynés (Naturgy), among others.
Under the executive chairmanship of Demetrio Carceller Arce, Damm has consolidated its position as one of the leading companies in the food and beverage sector, with a presence in more than 130 countries. Over the last 30 years, the company has grown from a turnover of just over 200 million euros to over 2,000 million euros in 2023, thanks to a sustained growth strategy based on business diversification, operational efficiency and a firm commitment to international expansion.
During his speech, Demetrio Carceller Arce expressed special gratitude for the work and commitment of Damm’s entire team, highlighting the crucial role they have played in the company’s success, "As we all know, no man is an island and no business succeeds because of one person. Without the hard work and dedication of a talented team, no matter how great your ideas are, your business will not get to where you want it to be. I have been fortunate throughout my career to be surrounded by excellent people, and I feel it is my duty to give each of them the tools they need to thrive, both personally and professionally, " he said.
The Damm CEO also shared his vision for the future, based on corporate responsibility and social commitment, "Our business can only remain healthy if the world we live in — and our society in particular — are healthy and prosperous. Our aim is to have a global vision while continuing to develop the local economy, and our efforts so far have been encouraging," he said.
Finally, Demetrio Carceller Arce stressed the importance of preserving the company’s core identity in a context of transformation and continuous growth, "A company cannot grow and prosper without remaining true to its deepest values and founding spirit. For our corporation, that means focusing on the customer and their needs, always striving to improve what we offer and how we offer it — and focusing on our employees and their needs, nurturing their talent, and helping them reach their full potential," he concluded.
Long-standing career as an entrepreneur and philanthropist
Demetrio Carceller Arce is one of Spain's leading businessmen and philanthropists. With more than three decades at the helm of major projects in sectors such as food and beverage, energy, infrastructure and services. Currently, in addition to serving as executive chairman of Damm, he is also chairman of Disa Corporación, and vice-chairman of Ebro Foods and Sacyr.
His commitment to society is channelled through the Damm Foundation, which promotes cultural, educational, and sports initiatives with a clear inclusive and transformative approach. These include strong support for grassroots sports, universal access to culture, and support for social organisations working to promote equal opportunities. A calling that transcends the business world and reinforces his commitment to making a positive impact on society.
