Iñigo de la Serna

Iñigo de la Serna

Former Minister of Public Works of Spain & Global Pioneer in Smart City Innovation

Core Intelligence Domain: Urban Innovation & Infrastructure
Location: Madrid, Spain | Languages: Spanish, English
Representation: Represented globally by PSpeakers Global Intelligence

Iñigo de la Serna is a distinguished civil engineer, corporate advisor, and former Spanish Minister of Public Works, widely recognised for his transformative leadership in urban innovation, large-scale infrastructure, and digital governance. Standing at the intersection of public policy and corporate strategy, he brings unmatched expertise in navigating complex, multi-billion-euro infrastructural portfolios. During his tenure as Minister of Public Works and Transport (2016–2018), he managed Spain’s strategic transport grids, accelerating the modernisation of the country’s high-speed rail, aviation, and maritime networks while championing sustainable development frameworks across the European Union.

Before his ministerial appointment, de la Serna achieved global prominence during his highly acclaimed tenure as Mayor of Santander (2007–2016). Under his visionary leadership, he turned the municipality into a living laboratory for the Internet of Things (IoT), successfully transitioning Santander into one of the world’s premier ‘Smart Cities’. By deploying thousands of sensors to optimise public services—from waste management and energy efficiency to intelligent traffic flow—he fundamentally redefined the relationship between citizens, urban infrastructure, and digital technology. His success led him to be elected President of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) and President of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR).

Today, Iñigo de la Serna leverages his extensive institutional knowledge in the private sector. As a senior advisor, executive search partner, and board director for leading multinational corporations in technology, engineering, and sustainability, he provides strategic foresight on public-private partnerships (PPPs) and digital transformation. He routinely guides C-suite executives and government leaders in executing ESG-compliant infrastructure megaprojects, bridging the gap between corporate innovation and public sector regulatory landscapes.

Core Speaking Themes

• The Future of Smart Cities: Strategic frameworks for integrating IoT, artificial intelligence, and big data to build resilient, sustainable, and citizen-centric urban ecosystems.
• Mastering Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Proven methodologies for aligning corporate capital investment with ambitious public sector infrastructure and sustainability goals.
• Sustainable Urban Mobility: Navigating the macro-economic transition to zero-emission transport systems, electrifying mobility, and modernising national transit grids.
• Digital Transformation in Government: How public administrations and institutions can leverage next-generation technology to drive efficiency, transparency, and economic growth.
• Strategic Leadership in Times of Change: High-level lessons in crisis management, complex negotiations, and policy execution from the upper echelons of European government.

Key Takeaways

• Proven Infrastructural Expertise: Actionable, strategic insights from a former European Minister who successfully directed and optimised multi-billion-euro national transport budgets.
• Pioneer of the Smart City Movement: Direct, operational knowledge from the architect behind Santander’s globally recognised smart city transformation, offering a blueprint for urban innovation.
• Bridging Public & Private Sectors: A deep, practical understanding of how multinational corporations and governments can successfully collaborate to deliver high-yield mega-projects.
• ESG & Sustainability Foresight: Forward-looking frameworks for integrating green technologies and rigorous sustainability standards into both urban planning and corporate operations.