Belén Gualda González  is a Spanish civil engineer and public-sector leader from Granada. She became the youngest president of Navantia in 2020 and was named head of SEPI (State Industrial Holdings Company) in 2021. In June 2026 Spain’s National Court charged her in the “Leire Díez” corruption case involving pandemic-era company bailouts. She clarified that she is innocent and has promised to cooperate with investigators.

From Granada Engineering to National Industry Leader

Belén Gualda is from Granada, Andalucía. She studied Civil Engineering at the University of Granada and also spent part of her training at the University of Parma in Italy. Early in her career, she worked on large public building projects for the Junta de Andalucía. She was Secretary General for Environment and Climate from 2015 to 2017, and later she led the regional Public Works Agency. She also has a postgraduate diploma in management and a certificate in workplace safety. Her colleagues say that Gualda has always been very focused on technical management and organising logistics. She became known as an effective coordinator of large public projects, especially those involving transport, water, or environmental programs.

In late 2020, Gualda moved into Spain’s state industrial sector. The holding company SEPI, which manages many important firms chose her to lead Navantia, the government-owned naval shipbuilder. At just 46, she became Navantia’s youngest president ever and began working to improve the company’s situation. By early 2021, the national government promoted her again. In March 2021, Treasury Minister María Jesús Montero appointed Gualda as President of SEPI. As SEPI chief, Gualda manages a large group of companies (including Telefónica, Red Eléctrica, Correos, and RTVE). In that role, she has led multi-billion-euro rescue funds for companies affected by the pandemic, including some controversial support for airlines and industrial groups.

Her friends describe Gualda as very practical and sensitive. In fact, El País notes that after more than five years with SEPI, Gualda has not given any interviews. Instead, she focuses on internal planning. She is also known for supporting green policies. During her time in Andalusia, she helped promote cooperation between public and private sectors on climate change, and at Navantia, she backed eco-friendly ship design projects. Her CV includes work on EU-funded environmental and water projects from her ten years in public service. Colleagues say her engineering background leads to a careful, cautious style – unlike that of more political leaders in big state companies.

Under Scrutiny: The Leire Díez Case

In mid-2026 Gualda became the focus of a major investigation. Spain’s Central Criminal Court officially charged her in the so-called “Caso Leire Díez,” an inquiry into alleged contract-fixing and problems with pandemic rescue efforts. UCO investigators, Spain’s Guardia Civil anti-corruption unit, searched SEPI offices and questioned many executives. She has consistently said that she is innocent. SEPI issued public statements stating that all aid programs complied with the law. As of June 2026, the investigation is still ongoing.