Our Team
Manuel Urrutia
CONFIANZ CEO
Deusto University Law Degree and Master’s Degree in Tax Consultancy. Lawyer.
Degree in General Business Management (PDG) from IESE.
He joined CONFIANZ in 1994 as the Offices’ director of taxation, holding said position since 2002. He previously held a position at Arthur Andersen, performing auditing and taxation roles.
Manuel has long standing experience in company occupational, corporate, taxation and accounting assessment and auditing, over a period of more than 30 years constantly in contact with companies, SMEs, large companies and multinationals. He is fully committed to the management of the office’s most important clients, having played a key role in procuring excellent management results.
He is a regular speaker and columnist for highly prestigious forums in relation to business management, and in particular regarding family and multi-family owned business.
He is a professor at Deusto University teaching Fiscal Consultancy, where he teaches Family Business estate planning. He plays a major role in collaborating with the Family-Owned Business Chair of the University of the Basque Country (SARRIKO), acting as speaker in seminars and conferences, particularly with regard to economics, finance and taxation.
He is the independent board member or external consultant of several companies, most of which are family and multifamily-owned businesses.
Inclusion in the last seven Editions of The Best Lawyers in Spain in the practice area of Corporate and M&A Law.
Ibon Arbaizagoitia
PARTNER. CORPORATE DEPARTMENT
Degree in Economics and Business Studies (Financing). University of Sarriko. Degree in General Business Management (PDG) from IESE.
He joined Confianz in 1996 as Accounting and Taxation Assessor. He promoted to Accounting and Taxation Department Manager in 1999. He left the firm in October, 2008 and returned in May 2012 as Consultancy Manager, after being in Clinica Quirón for 2 years as deputy CFO.
He became a partner in January, 2015.
Teresa Urrutia
PARTNER. CORPORATE DEPARTMENT
Degree in Business Management and Administration graduate at the University of the Basque Country. An international MBA at Instituto de Empresa, Madrid. Consultant recognised by the Biscay Provincial Council.
She pursued her professional career with the Non Profit Organisation Infancia Sin Fronteras in Nicaragua for two years, with 200 people under her charge.
She joined Confianz from 2000 until 2002 as an accounting–tax assessor and subsequently returned in 2006 as Consultancy Department Manageress.
She became a partner in January, 2009.
Jesús Baranda
PARTNER. ACCOUNTING-TAX DEPARTMENT
Associate in Administration and Finances.
He joined Confianz in 1995, currently holding the position of Financial Manager.
He became a partner in January, 2015.
Joaquín Moral
PARTNER DIRECTOR
Degree in Business Management and Administration, specialising in Marketing from Deusto University.
He pursued his career as Asset Manager at Morgan Stanley, Crédit Agricole Banca Privada and Nervión Agencia de Valores for the last 10 years.
He joined Confianz in February, 2008 as Sales and Marketing Director.
He became a partner in January, 2015.
Álvaro Mendiola
PARTNER. LEGAL–TAX DEPARTMENT
San Pablo CEU University Law Degree, Madrid.
Master’s Degree in Finance at the University College of Financial Studies, Madrid.
Executive Master in Business Law at the Centro de Estudios Garrigues, Madrid.
He pursued his career in LeQuid J. Dutilh Business Law Firm and in Hipoges Iberia, S.L. between 2012 and 2014.
He joined Confianz in April 2015 as Legal Tax Consultant.
He became a partner in January, 2017.
Inclusion in the last four Editions of The Best Lawyers in Spain in the practice area of Tax Law.
Estibaliz Cortina
PARTNER. LABOUR DEPARTMENT
Social graduate at the University of Oviedo.
She has worked as labour consultant since 1997. She joined Confianz in 1998, pursuing her career in her present role as Labour Department Manageress.
She became a partner in January, 2015.
Susana Ascacibar
PARTNER. LABOUR DEPARTMENT
Social graduate at the University of Oviedo.
Her entire career has focused on social-labour relations, initially in charge of the labour management of various companies in Grupo Asesor Lurra since 1993.
She joined Confianz in 2000 as Labour Consultant, boasting highly successful assessment and management of large companies.
She is currently the officer in charge of Confianz’s social-labour assessment department.
She became a partner in January, 2015.
Javier Bragado
PARTNER. LEGAL-TAX DEPARTMENT
Deusto University Law Degree and Business Legal Assessment Masters Degree at the Centre for Financial Studies.
He joined Confianz in 2001 as Legal-Tax Consultant.
Javier has a long standing experience in company occupational, corporate, taxation and accounting assessment and auditing, over a period of 10 years constantly in contact with companies, SMEs, large companies and multinationals.
He became a partner in January, 2015.
Cristina Ríos
GENERAL MANAGEMENT SECRETARY
Diploma in Office Management from Deusto University.
She has pursued her professional career at Confianz since 1995 as Personal Assistant to General Management.
Estíbaliz Barrio
ACCOUNTING-TAX MANAGER
Degree in Business Management and Administration. Speciality Financial Management from University of Sarriko. Master in Finance. Sarriko University.
She began her professional career in 2001 performing administrative tasks in various companies.
She joined Confianz in november 2006 as Accounting-Tax Supervisor, rising to the position of Supervisor in 2007.
She became Accounting-Tax Manager in January, 2017.
Ainhoa Bengoetxea
ACCOUNTING-TAX MANAGER
Degree in Business Management and Administration from University of the Basque Country. MBA in Management and Business Management ESDEN.
She pursued her professional career as an Acconting-Tax Consultant, Administrative Assistant and Technical Advisor in Trade , in Caja Laboral and in the Basque Government, respectively.
She joined Confianz in 2006 as responsible for one of the three types of current customers, providing customers comprehensive advice of accounting, tax, financial and commercial.
She became Accounting-Tax Manager in January, 2017.
Iñigo Erhardt
PARTNER AT CONFIANZ-TRACTIO RISK CORREDURÍA DE SEGUROS, S.L.
Graduate in Business Sciences and Marketing from the Complutense University of Madrid and from the ESIC Business and Marketing School. Master’s Degree in Life Assurance and Pension Schemes and Master’s Degree in Risk Management from INESE Wilmington Risk & Compliance.
He has pursued his protracted professional career at ERCOS, ALLIANZ, ERBROK and EXPERT EJECUTIVOS, among others.
He joined Confianz-Tractio Risk Correduría de Seguros, S.L. in 2012.
Rafael Real
PARTNER AT CONFIANZ-TRACTIO RISK CORREDURÍA DE SEGUROS, S.L.
Graduate in Law from Spain’s Open University (UNED) and Diploma in Political Sciences (EFSP).
Master’s Degree in Business Management and Administration and Extension Programme from IESE.
Master’s Degree in Risk Management from the Pontifical University of Salamanca and Diploma in Insurance from the UNED.
He began his professional career at the UK multinational Guardian Royal Exchange in London and Madrid, subsequently working for a company in the Corporación de Cajas de Ahorro [Saving Banks Corporation], incorporating in 1998 Real & Asociados, and becoming part of GE in 2003.
He joined Confianz-Tractio Risk Correduría de Seguros, S.L. in 2012.
Rubén Tercero
IT DIRECTOR
Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Management from Deusto University.
He joined Confianz in 2010 as IT Director.
Maria José Arranz
RECEPTION MANAGER
Graduate in Business Sciences specialising in Actuarial studies from the Sarriko Faculty of Economics and Business Studies at the University of the Basque Country.
Diploma in Business Sciences specialising in Commerce from the University College of Business Studies (EUEE) in Bilbao.
She has pursued her professional career at the savings banks BBK and Caja Laboral, and at Fitness First between 2000 and 2009.
She joined Confianz in 2010 as Reception Manager.
Esther San Clemente
MARKETING
Diploma in Business Sciences from the University of the Basque Country.
She has pursued her professional career at Bankinter and Gestoría M.J. Mardaras between 2002 and 2005.
She joined the Marketing Department at Confianz in 2006, and has now become a major player within it.
Ana Arce
MARKETING
Graduate in Musical Pedagogy from the Higher Conservatory of Music in Donostia-San Sebastian.
She has pursued her professional career at Correduría Inmobiliaria Algorta, Atento, Asimag, Mapfre, Grupo Gesa and Xupera between 2003 and 2010.
She joined the Marketing Department at Confianz in 2011, and has now become a major player within it.
Mamen Entrena
ACCOUNTING-TAX SUPERVISOR
Law Degree from Deusto University.
She began her professional career in the field of family business, acquiring knowledge of management, accounting and financial analysis.
She joined Confianz in 2004 as a trainee in the tax accountant department and in 2005, as accounting tax consultant.
She was given a significant portfolio of clients from different sectors, dedicated to accounting and tax advice, commercial, management control, and analysis of economic and financial reports. She attended several courses in financial management for SMEs (Elkargi).
Izaskun Solar
LABOUR CONSULTANT
Social Graduate at the University of the Basque Country in Leioa.
She pursued her professional career in law firms and in Tecnitax as responsible of the labour department
She joined Confianz in 2008 as Labour Consultant.
Rebeca Sánchez
M&A LAWYER
Graduated in Law from the Autónoma University, Madrid.
Graduated in Political Science and Public Administration from the the Autónoma University, Madrid.
She pursued her professional career at De La Orden Abogados, Tomás Ballestero Abogados, Auditel Ingenieria y Servicios, Iuris Corporate y Corporate Counselors as a corporate lawyer between 2010 and 2021.
She was also Deputy Director at Auditel Ingeniería y Servicios y Corporate Counselors between 2016 and 2021.
In July 2021, she joined Confianz as a Business Law specialist.
Ainara Jiménez
ACCOUNTING-TAX SUPERVISOR
Higher Degree in Business Administration and Finance from Centro San Luis (Bilbao).
She joined Confianz Accounting-Tax Department in 2008. Currently she provides customers with recurrent advisory services on accounting, tax, commercial and financial. She also takes part in various teams that develop consulting projects (advice in shareholder meetings, preparation of financial, stategic plans and so on ).
Guillermo Pampín
TAXATION MANAGER
Graduated in Law, Legal-Economic Specialty, from Deusto Universtiy.
Master’s Degree in Business Taxation from Deusto University.
Guillermo is a member of the Bizkaia Law Society.
He pursued his professional career at Bufete Barrilero, Cuatrecasas and Norgestión between 2000 and 2021.
In September 2021, he joined Confianz as the firm’s Taxation Manager.
Juan Acedo
ACCOUNTING-TAX SUPERVISOR
Degree in Business Management and Administration graduate, specialising in financial management at the University of the Basque Country.
Master’s Degree in International Trade and Commerce by the IMF.
He pursued his career in S2G Deloitte as accounting-tax consultant.
He joined Confianz in november 2013 as accounting-tax supervisor, providing our clients a comprehensive service on these matters.
Asun Camacho
LABOUR CONSULTANT
Graduate in Political Sciences, specialising in Industrial Relations, and Graduate in Sociology, both from the Complutense University in Madrid.
Master’s Degree in Human Resources from the Madrid Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Autónoma University in Madrid.
She has pursued her professional career as an HR Technician and Labour Technician at Aegon Seguros, Sire Consulting, Lan Ekintza, Asimag Servicios Empresariales and Tecniconta between 1994 and 2015.
She joined Confianz in 2016 as a Labour Consultant.
Monika Rodríguez
LABOUR CONSULTANT
Social Graduate and Diploma in Human Resources from Universitiy of the Basque Country (Leioa).
She joined Confianz Labour Department in 2012 during one year and after that period she joined Adecco, while studying simultaneously to obtain the qualification of specialist in Staff Recruitment.
She joined Confianz, again, in January 2014 as Labour Assistant.
Paula Alonso
SUPERVISOR OF FISCAL-ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT
Graduate in Law from Deusto University.
Post-graduate course: Diploma in European Studies from Deusto University.
She has pursued her professional career as Fiscal-Accounting Consultant from 2002 to 2017 at Moyua Asesores, S.L., Jesús Martín Abogados, S.L. and Gutierrez Allúe y Asociados, S.L.
She joined Confianz in September 2017 as a Fiscal-Accounting Consultant.
She provides clients with a comprehensive advisory service in accounting, fiscal, commercial and financial matters.
Ignacio Villa
FISCAL-ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN
Graduate in Business Management and Administration and Finances from the University of the Basque Country.
He joined Confianz in September 2105 as a Fiscal-Accounting Technician, providing clients with a comprehensive service in these fields.
Julen Urdangarain
LEGAL TAX-CONSULTANT
Degree in Business Management from the University of the Basque Country.
Master`s Degree in Business Law from Centro de Estudios Garrigues.
Diploma in Business Administration from the University of the Basque Country.
Deusto University Law Degree.
Julen embarked on his professional career at Clifford Chance in 2007 as an intern.
In November 2008 he joined PriceWaterhouseCoopers as a tax consultant, a position he held until August 2013.
He first joined Confianz in January 2014 as Legal Tax-Consultant.
He left the firm in April 2015 to join Francisco Espinosa y Cia, as Legal Tax-Consultant.
Julen returned to Confianz as Legal Tax-Consultant in May, 2022.
He is a professor at the University of the Basque Country, in the Master of Taxation and Tax Consultancy where he teaches the discipline of Corporate Tax.
JON ANDER GIL
ACCOUNTING & TAX ADVISOR
Degree in Law from the Bilbao Campus of the University of Deusto.
Master’s degree in Tax Advisory Services from the Bilbao Campus of the University of Deusto.
Jon Ander worked as an accounting and tax advisor at the law firm Gutierrez Allue y Asociados, S.L. from 2016 to 2018.
He joined Confianz in January 2019 as an Accounting & Tax Advisor.
MARÍA JESÚS MARTÍN
ACCOUNTING & TAX ADVISOR
Degree in economics from the Complutense University of Madrid.
Master’s Degree in Economic & Financial Management from Centro de Estudios Financieros in Madrid.
Master’s Degree in Taxation & Tax Assessment from Centro de Estudios Financieros in Madrid.
Expert’s Diploma in Spanish Taxation from the Institute of Economists [Colegio de Economistas] in Madrid
María Jesús has worked at Asecovi 2000 as Head of Administration and Control, Financial Manager in Organisational Hubs & Administration, at Accenture and as a financial, accounting and tax adviser at Sociedad Matritense de Asesoría Empresarial from 2007 to February 2020.
She joined Confianz in February 2020 as an Accounting & Tax Advisor.
PATRICIA PLANELLA
ACCOUNTING & TAX ADVISOR
Graduated in Economics from Carlos III University, Madrid (2009-2013).
Graduated in Business Administration and Management from UNED University (2013-2016).
Taxation Advanced Course at the Centro de Estudios Financieros-CEF, 2016.
Master’s Degree in Taxation and Tax Consultancy at the Centro de Estudios Financieros-CEF, 2018.
Patricia pursued her degree as an Accounting & Tax Advisor at Afixcal Servicios Empresariales S.L and Audalia Nexia S.L, from 2013 to 2020.
In December 2020, she joined Confianz as an Accounting & Tax Advisor.
Carlos Alba
LABOUR CONSULTANT
Labour Relations from the University of Castilla La Mancha.
Practical Legal Training at the Madrid Professional Association of Employment Consultants, Madrid.
Accounting technician from the CEF (Centro de Estudios Financieros).
He embarked on his professional career as an economic and legal advisor on social-labour fields for different companies and workers since 2007.
From 2015 onwards, he expanded his expertise by representing companies and workers at the Social Courts and leading many proceedings.
In December 2020, he joined Confianz as a Labour Consultant.
JULIA LÓPEZ
LEGAL-FISCAL CONSULTANT
Degree in Law from the Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid.
Degree in International Relations from the Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid.
Master’s Degree for Access to the Legal Profession from Deusto University and the Bar Association of Bizkaia.
Master’s Degree in Business Law from Deusto University and the Comillas Pontifical University, Madrid.
Compliance Officer course form the INEAF Business School and the Antonio de Nebrija University.
She pursued her professional career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the Óscar Guijo de León Law Firm and at Gescobro Collection Services, S.L.U., as an intern between 2017 and 2019.
In 2020, she joined the Department of Commercial Law and Procedural Law at the Law Firm Larraurí & Martí in Bilbao as a Lawyer.
Julia joined the Legal-Fiscal department at Confianz in January 2022.
SANDRA PEÑA
LABOUR CONSULTANT
Graduate in Labour Relations and Human Resources from the University of Burgos.
Sandra has pursued her professional career as a Labour Consultant in a Consultancy-Advisory firm between 2017 and 2022.
She joined Confianz in June 2022 as a Labour Consultant.
ELADIO MORALES
LABOUR CONSULTANT
Law Degree from the University of Granada.
Master in Human Resources Management by ESNA (Escuela Superior de Negocios de Andalucía).
Master’s Degree in Labor Law Management and Consultancy from the University of Granada.
Specialization in labour matters through various courses and seminars.
Eladio has pursued his professional career as Labour Consultant in professional firms as well as in personnel departments of companies since 2008.
He joined Confianz in July 2022 as a Labour Consultant.
ANTHONY SEGURA
M&A ANALYST
Double degree in Business Administration and Law from the Complutense University of Madrid.
Postgraduate degree in Investment Banking and M&A from the Centro de Estudios Financieros (CEF).
Postgraduate degree in Corporate Finance from The London School of Economics (LSE).
Anthony has developed his professional career in the Investment Banking team at Banco Santander in 2019, as an Equity Markets Analyst at UBS in 2020, as an M&A Analyst at CDI Global and Crea Capital Investment Bankers during 2021 and 2022..
In September 2022, he joined Confianz as an M&A Analyst.