ULMA Group (ULMA) has appointed Aitor Ayastuy as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with effect from first April 2026, marking a change of leadership at the industrial cooperative. He succeeds Iñaki Gabilondo, who concluded a seventeen-year tenure at the helm of the group. The appointment opens a new chapter for the cooperative amid a period of sustained growth. ULMA has reported a highly diversified business portfolio and a strong international presence, with several businesses positioned among the world leaders in their sectors. During his leadership, Gabilondo strengthened the group's cohesion, consolidated the cooperative model and defined the strategic foundations that now guide ULMA's vision. The President of ULMA, Ibon Calvo, conveyed gratitude for Gabilondo's dedication and leadership and expressed confidence that Ayastuy's drive will prove decisive for future development. Over the coming months Ayastuy will continue to rely on Gabilondo's support to ensure a smooth and effective transition aligned with the group's vision. The planned period of collaboration is intended to guarantee strategic continuity and operational stability at a crucial moment for ULMA's business. The leadership change has been framed as part of a managed succession designed to preserve institutional knowledge. Aitor Ayastuy has been Managing Director of ULMA Construction since 2008 and brings extensive international experience and a deep understanding of the group's diverse operations gained through eighteen years as a member of the Executive Committee. He joined ULMA in 1995 and has worked across Oñati and in international markets. Born in Arrasate aged 57, he holds a degree in Business Studies from the University of the Basque Country (EHU) and an International MBA from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland. His long record of service within the cooperative movement was cited as a key factor in his selection.