Author: Spanish Chamber

Geopolitical uncertainty and shifting trade dynamics are reshaping the way international businesses think about investment and growth.

With tensions rising in the Middle East and President Trump’s inconsistent (or non-existent) trade policy, firms across Europe are watching global developments closely.  

The US’ shifting position has opened the door for the UK to stand out, not just as a place to do business but as a strategic hub for international firms looking to navigate complexity with confidence. For Spanish companies, the case for engaging with the UK market is becoming stronger, not weaker.  

Blog post written by Alex Wright, Vice President at Chamber Member Crestview Strategy UK 

Supply chains, energy and strategic diversification 

Recent instability in the Middle East has once again highlighted the fragility of global supply chains. Many businesses are taking the opportunity to reassess their operational exposure and invest in greater resilience.  

The UK is responding to this moment with a renewed focus on energy security and supply chain robustness. The government’s £20 billion investment in clean electricity infrastructure and its target of net zero generation by 2035 is not only a climate commitment; it’s a signal to global partners that the UK is serious about long-term, reliable economic growth. Spanish firms in infrastructure, renewables, and logistics are well positioned to contribute to this transition and find meaningful commercial partnerships.  

At Crestview, we have seen a marked increase in clients seeking advice on how to align with the UK’s net zero and industrial strategy objectives to best position themselves for investments, particularly in sectors like advanced manufacturing, green finance, and digital technology.  

A bridge between Europe and the US 

The risk of revived tariffs and more transactional US trade policy has pushed many companies to think differently about market access. With its unique position outside the EU and the Labour government’s strong commitment to cooperation, the UK offers a credible base for businesses needing flexibility across both sides of the Atlantic. 

Some firms are already shifting parts of their operations to the UK to reduce exposure to tariff regimes or to take advantage of the UK’s bilateral trade agreements, including with Australia, Japan, and India. Spanish businesses, particularly those with global ambitions, may find the UK a useful platform to test, adapt and grow. 

Public affairs and reputation management are critical enablers in this process. Whether navigating planning policy for a logistics hub, engaging stakeholders around a new product launch, or building visibility for an emerging brand in the market, tailored strategic communications can make a measurable difference. That’s especially true in a political landscape that is evolving rapidly. 

A government focused on growth and investment 

Since taking office, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made clear that attracting international investment is a priority. The UK government’s recent UK-US trade agreement helped avoid the most punitive tariffs on UK goods, and foreign direct investment increased by 10% in Q1 2025. 

But stability is not just a policy issue; it’s a reputational one. For many international companies, engaging with UK stakeholders means understanding how to build trust, manage public perception and align with national priorities. Crestview works with clients across sectors to do exactly that, helping firms entering the UK market build a profile, manage risk and shape the conversations that matter most to their long-term success.  

The UK remains a stable, ambitious and globally connected economy, one that is actively seeking international partnerships to drive future growth. For Spanish businesses, now is the right time to explore how the UK market can support their strategic objectives. Crestview works with clients across sectors to do exactly that.

For more insight on how to maximise your UK operations, contact Alex Wright, Vice President at Crestview Strategy UK.

The Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the United Kingdom is delighted to reveal that this year’s Eduardo Barrachina Golden Award — previously known as the Annual Golden Award — will be presented to FCC, Spain’s leading construction company.  

Renamed in honour of our late President, Mr. Eduardo Barrachina, this prestigious award recognises exceptional achievement by a Spanish company operating in the UK market. It is one of the Chamber’s flagship corporate events, gathering leaders from prominent Spanish and British businesses and institutions.  

With 125 years of experience, FCC is a global leader in transport infrastructure and building projects. Ranked as Spain’s fourth largest construction firm and among the top 28 worldwide, FCC has operated in the UK for more than 25 years, delivering major projects such as the N6 and M50 motorways in Ireland, Grangegorman University, the Mersey Bridge, and the Dublin Airport runway extension. They also played a key role in the London 2012 Olympic Games infrastructure, including the International Broadcast Centre.  

Operating across 24 countries, FCC’s infrastructure division manages a wide range of engineering, concession-based, and industrial projects.  

The award will be presented to Mrs. Esther Alcocer Koplowitz, President of FCC Group, at a reception hosted at the Spanish Ambassador’s Residence on Thursday 25th September.  

Congratulations to FCC for their remarkable success and outstanding leadership in the UK market!

Internships offer an invaluable bridge between academic life and the professional world. They provide hands-on experience and allow emerging professionals to explore potential career paths. At the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the United Kingdom, placements within the Foreign Trade Department present a unique opportunity to engage with the dynamic landscape of international business, contribute meaningfully to the Chamber’s mission of strengthening bilateral trade, and develop both professionally and personally.

Supporting Spanish Companies Entering the UK Market 

At the heart of the Foreign Trade Department’s work lies its mission to support Spanish businesses seeking to enter or expand into the UK market. Whether identifying potential distributors, facilitating commercial meetings, or advising on market entry strategies, the department’s activities are both varied and impactful. 

A key component of this work is the design and execution of Trade Agendas—tailored services that involve researching and identifying potential British partners for Spanish companies and coordinating commercial meetings. Interns take an active role in this process: conducting market research, identifying key contacts, reaching out to prospective companies, and helping to build commercial bridges between Spain and the UK. Trade projects often span a wide range of sectors simultaneously, enhancing organisational and adaptive capabilities, as each case demands a bespoke approach and responsiveness to distinct business contexts. 

Project Highlight: Supporting the Asturex Trade Mission 

One of the recent key initiatives led by the Foreign Trade Department was the Asturex Trade Mission, a major project that brought a group of Asturian companies to the UK. For our interns, contributing to this large-scale initiative offered valuable exposure to a diverse portfolio of businesses across sectors such as food and drink, technology and sportswear. The experience marked a significant learning opportunity, helping to develop essential research and communication skills, while also deepening understanding of Asturias’s export potential. 

More Than Trade Agendas: A Multifaceted Role 

Beyond Trade Agendas, the internship provides a wide-ranging insight into the Chamber’s day-to-day operations. Responsibilities include: 

• Client & Project Meetings: Attending calls and meetings with current and prospective clients, gaining first-hand insight into how the Chamber supports business development. 

• CRM and Member Services: Assisting in the management and enhancement of the Chamber’s CRM system, maintaining Member records, and supporting onboarding and withdrawal processes. 

• Event Support: Collaborating on various initiatives and institutional events, from formal receptions to internal training sessions. 

• Trade Shows and Sector Reports: Attending trade fairs across the UK, compiling reports, identifying key contacts, and helping Spanish companies identify relevant opportunities. 

Adapting, Learning, and Contributing 

A key strength of the internship is its flexibility. Interns are encouraged to take initiative and engage with multiple departments. Whether supporting the drafting of institutional communications, analysing event feedback, or updating the Members’ Directory, there is always an opportunity to take on new challenges. 

Equally valuable is the collaborative work environment, where each team member brings distinct skills and perspectives. The Chamber fosters a supportive culture that values individual contributions while encouraging growth in areas of interest or potential. This allows interns to expand their capabilities beyond core responsibilities. 

A Foundation for the Future 

The internship experience within the Foreign Trade Department provides a rich and practical grounding in international trade and a deeper understanding of Spanish–British business relations. Interns emerge with strengthened professional skills, meaningful insight into bilateral commerce, and a foundation upon which to build future careers. The Chamber’s supportive Team and dynamic environment play a central role in shaping this rewarding experience.

Blog post written by Paolo Zenere

In the digital age, cybersecurity has emerged as a critical domain of geopolitical competition. Global interconnectedness, while driving innovation and economic growth, has also created new vulnerabilities and opportunities for confrontation between states and other actors. For companies operating in the strategic UK-Spanish nexus, understanding this intricate relationship between cybersecurity and geopolitics is critical to protecting their interests and navigating an increasingly complex operating environment.

Blog post written by Chamber Member, Safecomputing

Cyberspace: A Geopolitical Theatre of Operations 

Cyberspace has become a new theatre of operations where traditional power dynamics are replicated and transformed. States, criminal organisations and politically motivated groups use cyber tools to achieve objectives ranging from espionage and influence to disruption and sabotage. This currently opens up a number of scenarios: 

• Cyberwar as Latent Reality: While a declared ‘cyberwar’ in the traditional sense remains a hypothetical scenario, the reality is that politically and state-motivated cyber-attacks are becoming more frequent and sophisticated. These attacks can target critical infrastructure (energy, communications, finance), government institutions and strategic enterprises, with the potential to cause significant damage to national security and economic stability. 
• Cyber Espionage and Economic Competition: Intelligence gathering through cyber means has become a common practice among states. Economic espionage, in particular, represents a significant threat to business competitiveness, as trade secrets, intellectual property and strategic information can be stolen and used to gain unfair advantage. 
• Disinformation and Information Warfare in the Digital Environment: Online platforms have become a battleground for information warfare. State and non-state actors use disinformation and propaganda campaigns to influence public opinion, polarise societies and undermine trust in democratic institutions. Cybersecurity plays a crucial role in detecting and mitigating these information threats. 
• Regulation and Digital Sovereignty: The growing importance of cyberspace has led to a debate on regulation and digital sovereignty. States are exploring ways to protect their national interests in cyberspace, which may result in the fragmentation of the internet, the imposition of tighter controls and the creation of divergent legal frameworks. This has direct implications for companies operating internationally.

Cyber Threats with Geopolitical Implications 

These current cyber threats are not just technical problems; they are often intrinsically linked to geopolitical dynamics. For example: 

• Attacks Attributed to State Actors: Many of the most sophisticated, dangerous and damaging attacks are attributed to state actors or state-sponsored groups. These attacks are often highly targeted, persistent and designed to achieve long-term strategic goals. Attribution, however, remains a complex challenge in cyberspace.
• Ransomware as a National Security Threat: While historically considered a purely criminal threat, ransomware has evolved into a national security concern. Attacks against critical infrastructure can cripple essential services and demand ransoms that potentially fund hostile actors.
• Supply Chain Vulnerabilities and Technology Dependency: Dependence on global technology supply chains creates vulnerabilities that can be exploited by state actors to conduct large-scale espionage or sabotage. Supplier security and supply chain risk management are therefore important geopolitical considerations.
• Polarisation and the Threat to Democracy: Cyber-attacks targeting electoral processes, the dissemination of disinformation and the manipulation of social media represent a direct threat to democratic systems. Protecting the integrity of democratic processes in cyberspace is a key geopolitical priority.

Navigating the Intersection between Cybersecurity and Geopolitics 

For companies operating in the UK-Spanish ecosystem, understanding these dynamics is essential. This involves: 

• Situational awareness: Staying informed about geopolitical trends and emerging cyber threats that may affect their operations and sectors. 

• Geopolitical risk assessment: Incorporating geopolitical considerations into your cybersecurity risk assessments, identifying potential state-sponsored or politically motivated threats. 

• Collaboration and information sharing: Participating in information sharing initiatives and collaborating with other relevant companies and agencies to improve collective awareness and responsiveness to threats. 

• Strengthening cyber resilience: Implementing robust security measures to protect your digital assets and ensure business continuity in the face of potential geopolitically motivated cyber-attacks. This includes adopting security best practices, investing in advanced protection technologies, and developing effective incident response plans. 

• Data sovereignty and compliance considerations: Being aware of data protection regulations and digital sovereignty policies in both the UK and Spain, and adapting your cybersecurity strategies accordingly.

Conclusion: A Strategic Imperative for the Digital Age 

Cybersecurity is no longer an isolated domain; it is intrinsically linked to geopolitics and has profound implications for businesses operating in a digitally interconnected world. Understanding this relationship and taking a proactive approach to cybersecurity is a strategic imperative for organisations seeking to thrive and protect their interests in the complex and dynamic UK-Spanish ecosystem. Cyber resilience, in this context, becomes an essential component of business resilience and economic security in an increasingly digital and geopolitically tense world. 

Against this backdrop, cyber resilience becomes a strategic imperative for any organisation aspiring to sustainability and growth. Safe Computing aligns with this vision, acting as a strategic technology partner to strengthen the security posture of companies and organisations in the UK-Spanish ecosystem. 

We understand that protection goes beyond the mere implementation of technical solutions; it requires a thorough understanding of the evolving threat landscape and a comprehensive strategy that encompasses geopolitical risk assessment, robust preventative measures, sophisticated incident detection and response capabilities, and ongoing risk awareness training. 

Our focus is on enabling our clients to not only defend against current threats but also develop the agility and intelligence to anticipate and mitigate future risks, allowing them to operate confidently and securely in a digitally interconnected and geopolitically challenging world. 

Safe Computing supports organisations to transform cybersecurity from a cost centre to a strategic enabler of their resilience and competitiveness in the global marketplace.

Article written by José Cantalejo, COO & Head of Cybersecurity at Safecomputing

The Spanish Chamber of Commerce was delighted to recently welcome AP Executive Search as a new Patron.

AP Executive Search is more than just a headhunting firm—it is a global community of energy transition professionals. Founded to address inefficiencies in traditional recruitment processes, the company ensures the effective hiring of technical roles in the clean energy sector through a unique methodology and innovative platform.

Could you provide a brief overview of AP Executive Search and its presence in the UK market?

AP Executive Search is a headhunting firm of Spanish origin, with an international team and in-depth expertise in the energy transition sector. We are backed by over three decades of experience in headhunting professionals within the clean energy industry, dating back to 1989. 

Since June 2024, we have been formally operating in the UK. We believe the time is right to take a further step and consolidate a strong and solid presence in the British market. 

As a new Patron of the Chamber, what benefits do you hope to gain from our collaboration?

As new Patrons of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the UK, we aim to build a mutually beneficial relationship that adds value to both the institution and its Members. We seek to support them in the development of their professional teams through our own innovative talent acquisition methodology.

At the same time, from a corporate perspective, we look forward to continuing our growth as a company in such a vibrant market as the UK’s clean energy and decarbonisation sector.

What key values define your company and how are these values integrated into your daily operations and interactions with clients?

The core of our business with clients and candidates is based on closeness and full transparency in communication. This, coupled with a digital platform that integrates and gives you access to a networking space among the main players in the sector, gives us great value when it comes to building solid personal relationships and focusing all our efforts on generating long-term value, always placing people at the centre of everything we do.

How does AP Executive Search differentiate itself from competitors in the UK clean energy headhunting sector, and what specific strategies do you employ to enhance your market position?

At AP Executive Search, we have developed our own recruitment methodology, built upon our own network of professional contacts within the energy transition sector. This network has been cultivated over more than thirty years through trusted relationships, established from our experience on the client side. It enables us to successfully fill the majority of the roles we take on. 

In addition, our team’s extensive industry background and specialised training allow us to gain a deep understanding of the market and our clients’ specific needs, enabling us to conduct technically rigorous and effective candidate interviews. 

What is AP Executive Search’s vision for the future, and what specific strategies or actions are you implementing to achieve it?

We aim to create an exclusive, global community of experts committed to the advancement of energy transition and decarbonisation projects. 

We aspire to build a space where the most accomplished professionals in the sector can connect, collaborate, and grow together through the exchange of knowledge and shared experiences.

Are you the child or grandchild of a Spanish national? If so, you could be eligible to apply for Spanish nationality without the need to live in Spain?

However, keep in mind that the clock is fast ticking since, as from today, there are only 8 months’ left to submit your application.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to secure your Spanish nationality before the deadline arrives!

Blog post written by Dancy Naranjo, Head of Immigration Department at our Member Scornik Gerstein LLP.

The Ley de Memoria Democrática, popularly known as the “Spanish Grandchildren” or “Spanish Ancestors” law, provides for the children and grandchildren of originally Spanish nationals to apply for Spanish nationality. It came into force on 21st October 2022 and was initially available only for 2 years (i.e. until 21st October 2024).

However, the Spanish Government announced its extension for an additional year, warning however that it will not be extended again. This means that those entitled to apply for Spanish nationality under the Spanish Grandchildren, have now until the 21st October 2025 to apply for Spanish nationality under this law.

The process involves making an application before the Spanish Consulate corresponding to the applicant’s place of residence but only if submitted by the 21st of October 2025, when the window period provided by the Spanish Grandchildren law will lapse and the right to apply vanish.

Therefore, it is essential to file applications before the deadline to benefit from this once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire Spanish nationality without residing in Spain and without renouncing to the nationality that the applicant currently holds.

Who is eligible to apply for Spanish nationality under the grandchildren law?

1. Children & grandchildren of a Spanish mother, father or grandparent considered, under Spanish law, originally Spanish.

2. The children of Spaniards whose nationality of origin was recognised by virtue of the right of option in accordance with the Historical Memory Law (Seventh Additional Provision of Law 52/2007 of December 26) or of the present Democratic Memory Law.

3. Spaniards born outside of Spain to Spanish women who lost their Spanish nationality by marrying a foreign citizen before the entry into force of the Spanish Constitution of 1978.

SCORNIK GERSTEIN LLP has successfully assisted many Spanish descendants in their process to reclaim their Spanish nationality under this law. If you would like them to assess – without compromise – your circumstances to confirm whether you can apply, please contact them at your earliest convenience.

We strongly recommend acting as soon as possible since, gathering all the documentation required in accordance with the Grandchildren law, can prove a complex and time-consuming exercise, ending up with the missing of the imposed deadline.