Christian Fillet, Chair, European Social Network

Christian is Deputy Director of the City of Bruges (Belgium). He is also responsible for all social services and 9 local public welfare associations in Bruges covering services for children, disabled people, elderly, and youth. He also sits on the Board of EXELLO, the Flemish association of city directors. Christian has been working in social services in Brussels and Flanders since 1986, soon after graduating in law. Outside work, Christian loves jogging along the seafront where he lives.

José Luis Martinez-Almeida, Lord Mayor of the City of Madrid

Born in Madrid in 1975. He earned his Law degree from Comillas Pontifical University (ICAI-ICADE) and has served as a State Lawyer since 2001. He has practiced law in Gerona, Toledo, and Madrid. His career as a State Lawyer is extensive, particularly in the Social Courts and in the Contentious-Administrative Chamber.

In 2007, he was appointed Director General for Historic Heritage of the Community of Madrid and served until 2011. Between 2011 and 2013, he held the position of Secretary of the Government Council of the Community of Madrid.

From September 2013 to April 2014, he was the Secretary-General of the Board of SEPI Desarrollo Empresarial (SEPIDES). During this period, he also took on the role of Director of Legal Advisory. 

In April 2014, by agreement of the Council of Ministers, he was appointed Director of the Legal-Institutional Division of the Independent Authority for Spanish Fiscal Responsibility.
Following the Municipal and Regional Elections of 2015, he took office as a councillor for the Partido Popular in the Madrid City Council. On April 28, 2017, he was elected Spokesperson for the Partido Popular in the Madrid City Council.

In the municipal elections on May 26, 2019, he was elected Mayor of Madrid, with his investiture taking place on June 15. On January 22, 2023, once again, he was nominated by the Partido Popular as a candidate for the Mayorship of Madrid, and on May 28, he secured re-election with an absolute majority. 
 

Rosa Martinez, Deputy Minister and State Secretary for Social Rights of the Spanish Government

Rosa Martínez Rodríguez is a politician, political scientist, social activist and Spanish historian, current secretary of the State of Social Developments since 2023. She is also one of the four coordinators of Sumar and its secretariat of Ecosocial Transformation.

She was the coordinator of the parliamentary group Elkarrekin Podemos in the Vasco Parliament between 2019 and 2020, and was elected by the Vizcaya in the Congress of the Parliaments during the XI and XII legislature, representing Equo as independent of the candidacy of Podemos and within the Podemos United coalition, respectively.

After leaving politics in 2020, she returned to politics in 2023 as Deputy Minister and State Secretary for Social Rights of the Spanish Government.

Lord John Bird, Founder and Editor in Chief of The Big Issue, United Kindom

In September 1991, John Bird along with Gordon Roddick of The Body Shop launched The Big Issue. The inspiration for the magazine came from Street News, a newspaper sold by homeless people in New York. The Big Issue campaigns on behalf of homeless and socially excluded people. It is not part of any other media group, has no party-political allegiance and guards its independence fiercely. The magazine is a combination of hard-hitting current affairs journalism and critical, incisive writing about the world of arts and entertainment. Its high standard of reporting has won the magazine a brace of high-profile media awards.

In June 1995, John Bird was awarded the MBE for ‘services to homeless people’ and in 2006 he received the prestigious Beacon Fellowship Prize for his energy and originality in raising awareness of homelessness and his support of homeless communities worldwide. John Bird was nominated for life peerage by the House of Lords Appointments Commission in October 2015 to become a non-party-political peer.

Read more about Lord Bird’s life and the Big Issue here.

Alfonso Lara Montero, CEO, European Social Network

Alfonso is the Chief Executive Officer of the European Social Network where he oversees the Network’s management and strategic direction, leads the programme of activities co-financed by the European Commission, and the annual editions of the European Social Services Conference and the European Social Services Awards. He has over 15 years of experience in public policy formulation and evaluation, has authored and co-authored several publications, and is a regular contributor to academic journals, newspapers, and specialist social services magazines. Before joining ESN in 2010, Alfonso worked in project management and consultancy in public policy evaluation.

He holds an MA in modern languages from the University of Granada, an MA in European Governance from the College of Europe, an MSc in Public Policy from University College London, and a Masters in Executive Management of International Associations at Solvay Brussels School for Economics and Management. Alfonso advises public administrations on social services quality evaluation and teaches on social services innovation and transformation at the Universities of Barcelona, The Basque Country, and the School of Public Administration in Galicia in Spain.

Jane Dudman, Freelance Journalist and Event Chair, United Kingdom

Jane Dudman is a freelance journalist, event chair & consultant. She is the former public leadership editor of the Guardian, where she worked for 14 years until December 2020. Jane is a senior commentator on UK and global public services, with expertise in central and local government and social housing. She is an experienced chair of UK and global events.

Katarina Ivanković Knežević, Director for Social Rights and Inclusion, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs, and Inclusion, European Commission

Since September 2018 Katarina Ivanković Knežević is a Director for Social Rights and Inclusion in the Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion. Her area of activity is modernisation of social protection systems and wider social policies fostering social and labour market inclusion, through the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and other relevant social policies of the European Union.

She is leading a work on disability and inclusion and is also DG EMPL Equality Coordinator. Before joining the European Commission, she was a State Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and the Pension System of the Republic of Croatia, in which she was responsible for the management and implementation of the European Social Fund and other EU instruments aiming at human resources development. For the last 20 years her professional interests are human rights and gender equality, social and employment policies.

Ornella Guglielmino, Regional Director, Directorate for Social Inclusion, Lazio Region, Italy

Ornella is a lawyer, who graduated with honours in Trade Union, Labor, and Social Security Law from Sapienza University of Rome. She began her career in Public Administration as a legal and legislative expert. In 2005, she became a Regional Manager, working in education, training, employment, and social inclusion. She became the first woman appointed as Extraordinary Commissioner of Laziodisu (the Regional Agency for the Right to University Education); she has served since 2019 as Regional Director for Social Inclusion.

She is developing Lazio’s first Integrated Social Services System, centred on personalised pathways and designed to make the most of the opportunities offered by the local territory and community while ensuring the effective and efficient use of resources. She has launched experimental projects to introduce AI and new technologies in social services, including the development of complex and structured territorial social networks that provide integrated responses to diverse needs, while fostering shared responsibility for collective well-being.

Social Services Delivery Innovation Award

Presented by Javier Arias, Sustainability and Social Managing Director, SERVEO

Javier Arias de Luxán is Sustainability & Social Managing Director at Serveo, a position from which he drives the company's sustainability strategy, ESG commitments, and Serveo's Social Services Division. 

He has over 35 years of experience in the services sector, much of which was at the Sacyr Group, where he held senior management positions for over twenty years, including Director of People at Sacyr Services and CEO of Sacyr Facilities. He previously developed his professional career at companies such as Dragados, Vallehermoso, and Eptisa, always involved in people management, organization, and corporate services. 

His experience combines leadership, strategic vision, and a firm commitment to sustainable development and the creation of social value.  

Digital Transformation and Technology in Social Services Award 

Presented by Valentina Ion, Global Lead Social Services & Public Finance, Microsoft, Romania 

Valentina leads the Microsoft sales and industry solutions strategy, supporting Social Services and Public Finance organizations embark on the digital transformation journey and AI adoption for good. 

With more than 25 years’ experience in ICT and Business Transformation, Valentina is passionate about business re-engineering and technology innovation for a better economy and society. Valentina is energised by people and is a strong believer that women are a cohesion and growth factor in every industry and organisation. 

Public Sector Collaboration in Social Services Award

Presented by José Fernández, Councillor of Social Policies, Family and Equality, City of Madrid

José Fernández, a law graduate and career civil servant, has dedicated his life to public service in the Madrid's City Council, consolidating a career marked by his leadership in municipal management. Throughout his career he has held key positions, such as City Council Legal Officer, District Manager and Manager of the Activities Agency. This experience has given him a comprehensive understanding of public administration and an outstanding ability to lead high-impact projects that have improved the quality of life of the people of Madrid.

Since 2019, José Fernández has been a councillor of Madrid's City Council, where he has spearheaded strategic initiatives that have contributed significantly to the development and revitalisation of the city. Currently, since 2023, as delegate of the Area of Social Policies, Family and Equality, his focus is on the implementation of inclusive policies that prioritise the welfare of families and the most vulnerable groups in Madrid, with the aim of building a more equitable and supportive city.

Among his most outstanding achievements is his work with Volunteers for Madrid, a programme that has mobilised thousands of citizens in community projects, consolidating an active network committed to social cohesion. With this programme, Madrid is consolidating a more participatory, supportive and united city.

A strong advocate of culture as an essential tool for social integration and personal development, José Fernández is convinced that “culture makes us free”. His passion for cinema, reading, painting and the performing arts has led him to continuously promote access to cultural activities as a fundamental right for all. With his extensive experience in public management, José Fernández continues his work focused on promoting a Madrid that is more inclusive, equitable and committed to the well-being of all its neighbours.
 

Strengthening Communities and Social Inclusion Award  

Presented by Elena Sampedro Vacas, Chief Executive Officer, ASISPA 

Elena Sampedro Vacas is a key figure in the management and leadership of third-sector organizations in Spain, with a consolidated professional career spanning more than 35 years in the social and healthcare and long-term care sectors.

Since the end of 2018, she has held the position of Director General of ASISPA, one of the leading organizations providing care for the elderly and vulnerable groups. Her rise to the top leadership of the organization, which she already knew intimately, followed her tenure as Deputy Director General of ASISPA between 2015 and 2018.

Sampedro's career demonstrates a long-term commitment to the social sector. Her involvement with ASISPA spans various leadership and management roles, including coordinating the Home Care Service, directing the Residential Care Service for the Elderly, and directing the Homeless Services, demonstrating a comprehensive vision for managing complex social services.

Research for Social Services 

Presented by Philippe Morin, Chief Executive Officer, Clariane, Spain 

Philippe Morin has over 25 years of experience as an executive leader. He has worked in several countries across Europe, North America, and Latin America. He has significant expertise in business transitions, including the transformation of local companies into international ones, as well as the restructuring of facilities.

Philippe Morin has been working at Clariane since 2018. Among his achievements are the unification of Korian France, the implementation of a culture of employee satisfaction, and the integration of various companies, centers, and services into Clariane. Philippe also led the first phase of Clariane Group’s integration in Spain in 2018. Since 2023, he has held the position of CEO at Clariane Spain.

Thanks to his extensive experience in finance and project management, he has developed an excellent results-oriented mindset.

Disability and Accessibility in Social Services Award  

Presented by Robin Miller, Professor of Collaborative Learning in Health & Social Care, University of Birmingham  

Professor Robin Miller, University of Birmingham, is an applied academic with an international reputation in relation to collaboration, leadership, and implementation in health and social care. Current research interests include strengths-based approaches, co-production with people and communities, and professional leadership in social work. He is the social care lead within the West Midlands Applied Research Collaboration, Senior Fellow of the NIHR School for Social Care Research, UK Demonstrator lead for the IMPACT (IMProving Adult Care Together) Centre and an Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Integrated Care. Robin is one of the founding members of the ESN Social Services Research Group and led the winning project in the European Social Service Award category for Research & Evaluation 2024.

Public-Private Partnership in Social Services Award  

Presented by Cristina Afan de Ribera, Head of Public Affairs, Edenred Spain 

Cristina Afán de Ribera is a senior professional in Public Policy and Government Affairs, with nearly twenty years of experience building bridges between institutions, businesses, and society through effective public-private collaboration. Her career has been defined by a deep commitment to fostering partnerships that align corporate strategy with public purpose, driving innovation, inclusion, and sustainable development.

As Head of Public Affairs at Edenred Spain, Cristina leads institutional engagement and policy advocacy, representing the company before government authorities, trade unions, business associations and National institutions. Her work focuses on creating frameworks that enable private initiatives to contribute to public goals, particularly in areas such as fiscal innovation, employment, and social welfare.

Previously, Cristina served as an adviser in the Cabinet of the President of the Spanish Government, where she contributed to policy coordination in industrial, environmental, and digital transformation. Earlier, she was Head of International Relations at the Spanish Public Employment Service (SEPE) and Director General of the Spanish Recycling Association (REPACAR) for over a decade, representing more than one hundred environmental service companies and leading sector-wide advocacy at national and European levels.

Cristina has served on the Boards of the Spanish Confederation of Employers' Organizations (CEOE) and the Spanish Association for Standardization (AENOR). She was Vice-President of the European Recovered Paper Association (ERPA) and a Promoter of the European Recycling Industries Confederation (EuRIC). A member of the Spanish Association of Institutional Relations Professionals (APRI), and recognized among Spain’s Top 100 Women Leaders, she continues to champion the role of public policy as a catalyst for cooperation between public authorities and private organizations that share social values and a commitment to long-term community benefit.

Children, Families, and Youth Support Award  

Presented by Sarah Carlick, Founder, MeSafe, United Kingdom 

Dr Sarah Carlick started her professional career as a social worker and then as a probation officer, gaining experience in the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. Her experience builds on a rigorous academic background. Sarah is the Director and founder of two companies, a Safeguarding Training and Consultancy company for over 20 years as well as MeSafe that supports organisations developing a strategic approach to Digital Safeguarding that promotes co-design with children and young people.

She also currently Chairs the Digital Safeguarding Special Interest Group on behalf of the Association of Child Protection Professionals (UK). Is a visiting university lecturer and associate researcher.

Ageing and Long-Term Care Excellence Award  

Presented by Trinidad Martin-Orozco Santiago, General Director, Santander 

Trinidad has extensive experience in banking and insurance, with over 20 years at Banco Santander in various management positions. She is currently the CEO of Santander MAPFRE Hipoteca Inversa.

Leadership in Social Services Award  

Presented by Emiliana Vicente González, President, General Council of Social Work, Spain 

Emiliana Vicente González, a social worker and feminist, has been President of the General Council since December 2018. She holds a degree in Social Work, a Master's degree in Social Intervention and Knowledge Societies, and is an expert in Evaluation, Programming, and Monitoring of Social Integration Policies. She is an expert in Social Services Management, Development Cooperation, Gender, and Public Policy Evaluation. She has over 33 years of experience in the development of the Public Social Services System.

From 2007 to 2011, she was General Director of Social Services and Cooperation for the Alcorcón City Council (Madrid). She is a staunch defender of public policies, the necessary connection between academia and professional practice, as well as ethics, dialogue, and consensus.