Both understated and conceivably media shy, Reynés lead his corporation into growth, with his analytical ‘no frills’ approach and the prospect of a group restructuring. The 48-year-old father of three and widower, who was born on the popular holiday island of Palma de Mallorca, is rapidly gaining momentum in the business world, as he continues to make his mark internationally for his methodical and unassuming approach.

The modest demeanour for which he is known has attracted a large list of admirers, amongst those several high profile Spanish personalities, including president of La             Caixa, Isidro Fainé Casas, Abertis president Salvador Alemany Mas and Gas Natural Group president Salvador Gabarró, to name a few. It appears they incessantly wax lyrical about his versatility, measured approach to business decisions and the way he exhibits humility in all his actions; he in return considers them his mentors.

Commenting himself on his lack of notoriety by escaping excessive media attention, Reynés notes: “Humans are ephemeral. It is not the person who will survive in people’s minds but the company, strategy and project.” He shares several traits with his mentors, amongst those, drive and enthusiasm for globalisation and a long-term strategic vision.

The right profile
Reynés’ graduated in industrial engineering, with a niche in mechanical work, from the Polytechnic University of Catalunya. His enthusiasm for motorcycles or anything with an engine for that matter does not come as a revelation and explains several executive appointments he has held in the past at companies in the automotive and energy sectors.
Although he holds a Masters in Business Administration from the IESE, part of the University of Navarra, and has spent over half a lifetime in offices, away from anything remotely corresponding to an engineers’ world, Reynès exhumes the traits of a mechanical engineer, a condition that reaches beyond the title. It translates into his unswerving approach, the way he speaks, and his ‘no frills’, methodical manner. Everything around him appears orderly, meticulous and organised.

Reynés was propelled onto the European radar when Abertis president Salvador Alemany named him CEO in June 2010 after just a year as CCO with the company, which he joined in May 2009. Prior to this, from July 2007 until his appointment as CCO of Abertis, he served as the General Manager of Criteria Caixa, the investor holding company of La Caixa, Europe’s largest savings bank. Reynés was also General Manager and member of the management committee of Gas Natural where he worked closely with Gabarró, one of his mentors. Numerous key positions throughout his career, nationally and globally, including his role as CEO of cement company Uniland and managerial roles held at Johnson Controls UK, Volkswagen group and Dogi show the vast breadth of his expertise. In addition he has been Director at both, Hispasat, since July 2010, and Eutelsat Communications, since November 2010.

A national representative
Reynés is a key figure amongst those in charge of piloting the new phase of international growth within Abertis. It came as no surprise when the idea of group restructuring emerged at the end of February to see Reynés fully involved in its development. The restructuring proposal entails the grouping of all of the company’s logistics and parking operations into a single, unlisted unit, Saba Infraestructuras, which could then be offered for sale to institutional investors. The plan would mean splitting the company’s five key businesses into two separate companies, with one of them being opened, possibly entirely, to external institutional investors. It is generally believed Abertis feels it may well be in a position to raise more money through specialist real estate firms and infrastructure funds than it would through a listing.

It will soon be near impossible for Reynés to escape media attention as he gets increasingly absorbed in matters of national importance. He recently represented Abertis and all of Spain at the meeting of the Conseil Stratégique de l’Attractivité (CSA), headed by President Sarkozy. The review conducted at the meeting looked at foreign investment in France, public initiatives to promote overseas investment in the country, and potential opportunities to develop future projects. This year a total of 24 companies from 15 countries across Europe, Asia and the US took part in the CSA and Reynés represented his company with pride as the leading Spanish name in terms of investments. The figure contributed by Abertis amounts to a cumulative total just shy of €5bn over the past four years.

Abertis and Reynés most recently made international news when he oversaw the company’s successful completion of its recent sale of a 6.68 percent stake in Italian toll road operator Atlantia for €626m. It becomes evident those around him trust him effortlessly as they know he believes in the accomplishments of Abertis. Reynés’ confidence is contagious and he is assured about the future of the business as he forecasts positive trends for Abertis, pointing out that the country has already seen its worst, and things can only get better. Abertis, it seems to him, is no longer merely a key toll road operator in Spain, it is now a global transportation infrastructure specialist with panache.

Improvement comes from within
In his opinion Abertis is heading for continuous growth this year for several reasons, one of which is traffic increase in jurisdictions outside of Spain where Abertis has major operations. He is certain also about the activities of the group within telecoms, airports and car parks, and feels these too will be growth sectors. Airport traffic is high on the agenda for Reynés, and operations across 29 airports reflect the recovering market, which he feels is an indication of further expansion. Although toll roads remain the company’s largest operation, accounting for 75 percent of its revenues of nearly €3.08bn in 2010, the company also generated revenues of €552m from telecoms, €277m from airports, €154m from car parks and €35m from its logistics parks.

However, it’s not just all business with Reynés, who is an enormous trekking fan with a passion for bicycles. At the weekends he can be seen practicing his sport in the locality of Empordà in Gerona. Yet, it seems this is not enough, he frequently skis, and can be observed hitting the tennis courts when work allows. Regular trekking competitions across Africa have gained him the respect of many as clear indicators for his drive to continually achieve and aim to be the best he can be.

Because Reynès is considered first and foremost an engineer, and makes it clear in his actions and reactions, when he finally landed in the lap of this vast infrastructure empire, it became evident the engineer in him is the perfect candidate to lead Abertis to success.