Demetrio Carceller Arce receives the Executive of the Year Award at the 2025 Vanguardia Awards
The award recognises the strategic vision and transformational leadership of Damm's executive chairman
Demetrio Carceller Arce, Damm CEO, has been distinguished with the Executive of the Year Award at the third edition of the Vanguardia Awards, a recognition that was bestowed by His Majesty the King during a gala held at the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya, in the presence of the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, the President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, and prominent figures from the business and social world.
The Vanguardia Awards, organised by the leading Catalan daily newspaper, have established themselves in just three editions as a prestigious prize that is a mark of distinction of companies, organisations and leaders whose work promotes innovation, economic growth and social progress. In this third edition, the judges awarded the Executive of the Year Award to Demetrio Carceller Arce, valuing his strategic vision, his firm commitment to diversification and internationalisation, as well as his ability to transform a company with Mediterranean roots into a global group with a presence in more than 130 countries, always upholding a firm commitment to sustainability and social development.
Leadership that has transformed Damm
Demetrio Carceller Arce took over as Executive Chairman of Damm in 1994 and has since led its unprecedented growth and transformation. Under his management, the group's turnover has grown from 214 million euros in 1994 to more than 2.025 billion euros in 2024. The company has gone from a local brewery to a multinational with 18 breweries and two malting plants of its own, plus a workforce of over 5,700.
"The keys to Damm's success in recent years have been threefold: to grow, to transform ourselves and to maintain a close bond with society. We have consistently invested in production capacity, innovation, technology and brand building, which has allowed us to become more competitive and efficient. But above all, the real driving force has been our people: their talent, commitment and passion make our achievements possible and convey our values to society," said Demetrio Carceller Arce after receiving the award.
In 2026, Damm will be celebrating its 150th anniversary, a milestone that the company sees as an opportunity to honour its legacy and, at the same time, view itself in the future. "Celebrating 150 years of history is a huge responsibility. We don't want it to be just a commemoration, but the impetus that will launch Damm into the future, strengthening our commitment to innovation, sustainability and contribution to society, while sharing with employees, consumers and society the values that have brought us this far," said Damm's executive chairman.
Recognition at this year's Vanguardia Awards was also given to Airbus as European Company of the Year; the Red Cross and Caritas in the Solidarity category; BirdLife International with the Sustainability award; Manel del Castillo (Sant Joan de Déu Hospital) in Innovation and Science; the Sagrada Familia in Promoting Cities; the British historian Timothy Garton with the Europe Award; the performing artist Aitana in Culture; the ophthalmologist Elena Barraquer for her Career Achievement; and the French writer and activist Caroline Darian with the International Award.
