Today we interview Ignacio Alonso Bahlsen, Head of Service Centre at Axpo EMEA Services, the service center of the Axpo Group located in Madrid.
- 1.- Could you briefly explain what Axpo does? And what Axpo EMEA Services is?
Axpo is a leading Swiss energy group in Europe, widely recognized for its commitment to sustainability and innovation in renewable energy. The company operates along the entire energy value chain — from green power generation to international trading and the design of advanced energy solutions for businesses and consumers.
Axpo EMEA Services, headquartered in Madrid, acts as the shared services center for the region, providing operational and strategic support to the Group’s teams in Switzerland and other markets. From here, we integrate key functions such as IT, data and cybersecurity, finance, legal, human resources, procurement, and marketing/communications — ensuring agile, high-quality execution fully aligned with Axpo’s global standards.
- 2.- What are the main characteristics of the services you offer from the Madrid Hub?
The services we provide from the Madrid Hub stand out for their full integration with the Group’s global operations. We are not an external provider but a natural extension of Axpo’s teams, sharing the same processes, tools, and quality standards.
This way of working allows us to ensure consistency and efficiency in every project, driving digital transformation, operational excellence, and value creation across all the areas in which we collaborate.
Moreover, Madrid offers us a dynamic and innovative environment that strengthens our ability to attract talent and foster continuous improvement.
- 3.- What goals are you pursuing with your expansion strategy?
Our expansion strategy is driven by a clear vision: to consolidate Axpo EMEA Services as a center of excellence within the Axpo Group. We aim to attract and retain highly qualified talent, foster an innovative work environment, and stay closer to the business to support the Group’s growth in Europe and beyond.
We also seek to generate a positive impact on Madrid’s business ecosystem, contributing to its positioning as a magnet for technology and global service companies.
- 4.- Why did you choose the Madrid Region as one of Axpo’s locations?
Choosing the Madrid Region was a strategic and natural decision. The region combines a strong base of international, multilingual talent with a world-class educational ecosystem — renowned universities and business schools — as well as advanced digital infrastructure and excellent connections with the rest of Europe, particularly with Switzerland.
In addition, we already had an established presence in Spain through Axpo Iberia, which made it easier to set up and accelerate operational integration.
Madrid offers us the perfect balance between quality of life, cost competitiveness, and an open, forward-looking mindset — essential factors for attracting top professionals and developing high value-added operations.
- 5.- What are your expectations for your arrival and growth in the region?
Our goal is to consolidate Madrid as one of the Group’s strategic hubs, progressively expanding the scope and sophistication of the services we offer.
We aspire to become a benchmark in efficiency, innovation, and talent, strengthening our contribution to the local economy by creating qualified jobs and supporting the professional development of our teams.
We are also working to continue improving the experience of our “internal clients,” increasing service quality and supporting the Group’s transformation toward a more agile and digital model.
- 6.- How has your collaboration with Invest In Madrid been, and how has it helped you?
Our collaboration with Invest In Madrid has been highly positive and strategic from the outset. Their support has allowed us to gain in-depth knowledge of the local business ecosystem, identify key partners, and access talent and suppliers in a much more agile way.
Moreover, their institutional backing has been instrumental in increasing our visibility and strengthening our ties with the Madrid Region. This type of public-private collaboration clearly shows how the region actively works to attract and consolidate high value-added investments.
- 7.- How many jobs have you created in Madrid since your opening, and how many do you expect to create in the short and medium term? What profiles are you looking for?
Since the opening of the service center in 2022, we have created more than 200 qualified positions in Madrid, and we continue to grow steadily and strategically in line with the Group’s needs.
In the short and medium term, we plan to keep expanding our workforce, prioritizing profiles in IT, procurement, finance, and human resources, with a strong international focus and language skills as a key requirement.
Madrid has proven to be an ideal environment for attracting highly skilled professionals thanks to its educational level, quality of life, and its growing position as a preferred destination for global service centers.
- 8.- What would you recommend to other foreign investors considering opening their service center in Madrid?
Our recommendation is to commit to a clear strategy from the start: define a solid governance model integrated with headquarters, invest in corporate culture and process automation, and fully leverage the opportunities offered by the local ecosystem — from universities and innovation centers to institutions like Invest In Madrid.
Madrid combines an excellent business environment, advanced infrastructure, and increasingly international talent. The key to success lies in offering an attractive value proposition to professionals, maintaining disciplined execution, and building strong relationships with the economic and institutional environment.
In our case, this combination has been decisive in accelerating our growth and consolidating our hub as a strategic asset for the entire Group.