Business · Companies · 5 hrs ago
Unicaja hires Santander executive to lead new alternative investment unit
Unicaja has hired Emilio García from Santander to lead a new business unit focused on alternative investments.
The Spanish bank created the unit, called New Businesses and Platforms, to identify and develop opportunities and explore partnerships.
The unit aims to diversify Unicaja’s income and improve the group’s profitability.
García began the role in September and previously worked in corporate development and strategy at Santander’s wealth management and insurance division.
He reports to the head of Unicaja’s Alternative Investments division, which sits within the finance department.
The work supports Unicaja’s 2025–2027 strategy, which seeks to reduce the bank’s reliance on its core business.
Unicaja has expanded in areas such as large companies, small businesses and private banking, but more than 60% of its lending is still for home loans.
Unicaja has created a new unit called New Businesses and Platforms to develop opportunities in alternative investment.
The Spanish bank has hired Emilio García de la Sierra from Santander to lead the unit.
The unit will identify, develop and structure business opportunities, and explore platforms and strategic alliances.
García de la Sierra has worked at Unicaja since September, covering balance-sheet investment activities in debt instruments.
The appointment forms part of Unicaja’s effort to diversify income and become less reliant on its core business.
- Who
- Unicaja has hired Emilio García de la Sierra, formerly of Santander, to lead the new unit.
- What
- The bank created a New Businesses and Platforms unit focused on alternative investment opportunities.
- When
- García de la Sierra has been in the role since September. The article was published on October 23, 2026.
- Where
- Unicaja, a Spanish banking group.
- Why
- To develop new sources of income, diversify the business and improve the group’s profitability.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
García de la Sierra began covering Unicaja’s balance-sheet investment activities in debt instruments.
Expansión reported Unicaja’s creation of the New Businesses and Platforms unit and García de la Sierra’s appointment to lead it.
- New unit
- New Businesses and Platforms
- New unit’s focus
- Alternative investment
- New leader
- Emilio García de la Sierra
- Previous employer
- Banco Santander
- Reporting line
- Reports to Daniel Vázquez, head of Alternative Investments
- Strategy period
- Unicaja’s 2025–2027 strategic plan