The youth segment of the Círculo Ecuestre, until now called the Committee of New Initiatives (CNI), is beginning a new stage marked by inclusion and dynamism.
Emilio Zegrí de Olivar, criminal lawyer and partner of the Zegrí + de Olivar firm, a pioneer in specialization in comprehensive criminal law since 1986, has once again been revalidated as president of the youth group of the Círculo Ecuestre, a position he adopted in January 2023, with the help of his vice president, Javier Cornet Segarra, Senior Account Executive at MCR International, a company specialized in direct executive search, with the purpose of strengthening the voice and presence of young people in Catalan civil society.
The renewal of the position was voted unanimously by the members of the Governing Board of the organization, held on November 21, and ratified by the Board of Directors of the Club. "This reelection is a recognition of the teamwork we have done. We want to continue consolidating this space as a meeting place to merge ideas, share knowledge and be a spokesperson for relevant initiatives”, says Zegrí.
Another of the changes adopted by the youth segment of the Círculo Ecuestre is its change of name. Following a decision by the Board, the CNI has been renamed as the Círculo Ecuestre Youth Committee. “The change responds to the need to better reflect our identity. Although the previous name had history, it was not always understood and sometimes generated confusion”, says Zegrí, who also highlights the support of the Círculo Ecuestre board of directors in this transition. “Now we clearly identify ourselves as the space for those under 40 years of age within the club, promoting a closer and more inclusive environment”, adds Javier Cornet, vice president of the committee.
The great novelty adopted by the small group of young people of the Barcelona business club, made up of more than 300 members under 40 years of age, is undoubtedly the female majority on its Board of Directors, following the incorporation of Sara Rafecas, director of the Commercial Law Area of the RCD law firm; Claudia Bosch, founder and CEO of the gastronomic startup Cuvo Foods, and Arantxa Cordón, expert in gastronomy and International Legal Counsel at Teladoc Health. In addition, the reassignment of leadership functions in promotion, sponsorship and guidance and accompaniment in the incorporation of new members of Mónica Moser, lawyer and headhunter of the Legal Sector at IurisTalent - partner of Women in a Legal World.
The female majority on the Club's Youth Committee's Governing Board, made up of five women and four men, represents a milestone from the perspective of the members, breaking down historical barriers in leadership roles and making female talent visible in a field historically represented by men. This change, together with the six active subcommittees chaired by four women, promotes gender equality, inspires future generations and reinforces the Club's commitment to diversity.
“I became a member of the Círculo Ecuestre seven years ago, understanding that it was an essential meeting point for a Barcelona open to the world, far from dogmatism and radicalisation. It is a privilege to be part of the Youth Committee and to work together with my colleagues in the organisation of events that bring the Club closer to the young people of our city”, says Sara Rafecas.
“It is an honour and a pride to play the role of president of the Business Economic Committee of the Círculo Ecuestre Youth Committee. Currently, the Círculo has a community of young people characterised by their ambition and desire to learn. My main objective is to strengthen this category by promoting networking among members, attracting business talent to the Club and organizing high-level conferences”, argues Claudia Bosch.
“By joining the Youth Committee, my goal is to contribute to the continued growth and innovation within our Club, especially by encouraging the participation of the emerging generation of young members. I firmly believe that our generation has a key role in enriching the social life of the Club with new ideas and perspectives, reflecting the dynamism and vision of the future that defines us. In addition, from this space I seek to develop new proposals and formats that connect gastronomy with society, highlighting it as a cultural, social and generational meeting point, promoting initiatives that generate a positive impact on the Club community and highlight our generation for its enthusiasm and commitment inside and outside our institution”, explains Arantxa Cordón on the occasion of her entry into the Committee's Governing Board.
“It is a pride to lead a committee that gives prominence and visibility to the talent and worth of the members, showing that we are a diverse and inclusive space”, conclude the president and vice president of the Club's Youth Committee.
Another significant novelty in the renewed board of the Youth Committee is the incorporation, for the leadership of the Social Subcommittee, of Carles Ruiz i Gil, legal consultant at HF LEGAL and Industrial PhD candidate in Digital Law and Economics at the Abat Oliva CEU University.
Thus, the Governing Board of the Círculo Ecuestre Youth Committee is made up as follows: Emilio Zegrí, president; Javier Cornet, vice president; Lucía Esquerdo, secretary; Mónica Moser, Promotion subcommittee; Sara Rafecas, Legal-Political subcommittee; Claudia Bosch, Economic-Business subcommittee; Xavi García Tort, Sports subcommittee; Arantxa Cordón, Gastronomic subcommittee, and Carles Ruiz i Gil, Social subcommittee.
With a diverse team full of talent and aspirations, the board works to generate activities and encourage the participation of all its members. “We want young people to find an accessible space here where they can develop their potential and connect with leaders, encouraging an enriching exchange of ideas and experiences”. “We propose activities that range from legal and business events to cultural and sporting proposals. In addition, measures have been implemented to facilitate the participation of young people, such as reduced fees and benefits for the use of the facilities”, argues Emilio Zegrí.
“Our intention is that young people find in the Committee an accessible space where they can develop their potential and connect with leaders of various ages, fostering an enriching exchange of ideas and experiences”, explains Cornet. Among the more than 40 events and activities promoted in the last two years by the Youth Committee, the most notable are dinners with top-level businessmen, politicians and leaders, such as John Rigau, Eva Rosell, Joan Clos, Marta Negra, Sandro Rosell or Aleix Puig, focused on professional development and interaction between young members, as well as conferences and discussions with experts from various fields, afterworks and social gatherings, which encourage networking, in addition to debates and round tables on relevant topics, such as the economy, housing, or the labor market. These events, in addition to the already established Relevant Young Award that promotes and recognises young entrepreneurs with projects of social, cultural or business impact, reflect the commitment of the Youth Committee to the training, learning and development of its members, offering spaces for personal and professional growth.
A speaker for Catalan youth
The Committee seeks not only to impact its members through training, learning and offering spaces for professional growth, but also to contribute to the public debate on issues of social, economic and cultural interest. “What we do here is relevant to Catalan civil society. From this space, we want to contribute our grain of sand to the development of Barcelona and its community”, says Cornet.
With this renewed leadership and a determined commitment to inclusion, the Círculo Ecuestre Youth Committee strengthens its role as a dynamic and diverse meeting point for the new generations of Catalan civil society. From the organisation of innovative activities to the intergenerational connection with established leaders, the Committee consolidates itself as a space for learning, collaboration and debate around social, economic and cultural issues. Looking to the future, the Committee aims to continue expanding its impact by consolidating its six subcommittees, promoting quality initiatives and generating synergies that strengthen its community and contribute to the development of Barcelona and its surroundings.