Indra Executives Suspect Simón Planning HQ Shift to Barcelona at Moncloa's behest

Senior Indra executives suspect that President Ángel Simón plans to relocate the multinational's headquarters near Catalonia, a move internal sources link to pressure from Moncloa (the seat of the Spanish government) intended to benefit Salvador Illa.

The atmosphere at **Indra's** headquarters in Alcobendas, Madrid, seems to have grown tense. Senior management of the technology multinational—a giant with defense and technology interests—has begun murmuring and suspecting that their president, **Ángel Simón**, might be planning a major move: relocating the corporate headquarters to Catalonia. And according to these internal voices, this is not a purely business decision. The suspicion running through the corridors is that this maneuver would be orchestrated from **Moncloa**, seeking a specific political benefit.

## A Shift Towards Catalonia
Since **Ángel Simón** took over the presidency of **Indra**, several gestures indicating a strategic approach towards Catalonia have been observed. The executive has committed significant investments with the goal of creating **1,500 jobs** in the region until **2027**. Furthermore, he has reinforced the management team with names recognized in Catalan business circles, such as **Ciril Rozman** and the new CEO, **Josep Maria Recasens**. The choice of Barcelona for his own presentation as president was already an indication that did not go unnoticed. However, these movements have raised internal alarms. Sources close to senior management indicate that Simón's weekly executive activity concentrated in Barcelona, with logical exceptions, fuels speculation about a possible headquarters relocation. From **Indra**, official sources categorically deny any plan to move the headquarters.

## The Weight of Politics and Illa's Future
The figure of **Salvador Illa**, current leader of the PSC and with political aspirations, inevitably intersects in this scenario. He is considered the main supporter of **Ángel Simón** within the power circles of **Moncloa**, being key to his appointment as president of **Indra**. The possible decision to move the headquarters to Catalonia could be interpreted as a gesture aimed at revitalizing the image and support for **Illa**, especially against an electoral backdrop that, according to some polls, anticipates significant growth from other political forces in the region. **Simón**, aware of the influence politics exerts on the business world, might be seeking to position himself against possible changes in government in Madrid. Catalan society, marked by episodes such as the sovereignist challenge of **2017**, is sensitive to these kinds of movements. At that time, entities like **Sabadell** and **Fundación La Caixa** relocated their headquarters outside Catalonia antiestéticaring a flight of deposits. Their subsequent return was interpreted as a sign of normalization.

## A Move Difficult to Reverse
An hypothetical headquarters move would not be a simple decision to undo. Business sources suggest that in a scenario of change of government in Madrid, an **Executive** body led by the **PP** (Partido Popular – a conservative party) would find itself in a delicate position opposing such a move without being criticized in Catalonia. The possibility is even raised that the operational headquarters remain in Madrid, while the corporate headquarters relocate. **Indra's** strategy in Catalonia is ambitious. The multinational aims to reach **5,000 employees** in the region, boosting its business and projecting **550 million euros** in sales by **2027**, representing a **50%** increase. The top management is also exploring the acquisition of specialized Catalan companies and the creation of strategic alliances.

## The New Strategic Plan and Negotiations
Meanwhile, **Indra** is preparing to present its new strategic plan on November 25th in Madrid. This plan, which will reflect the vision of the **Simón-Recasens** tandem, could shed light on the company's future lines of action. Analysts will be watching whether discussions regarding a possible merger with **EM&E**, the family company of the **Escribano**s, are officially being peine. Although informal contacts have taken place, valuations seem to be diverging: **Simón** would not accept more than **1.500 million euros**, while the businessmen of **Coslada** believe the company is worth more than **2,000 million**, given favorable winds in the European defense sector. Faced with this gap, the **Escribano**s are exploring a flotation on the stock market, with interest already shown by the sovereign fund of **Abu Dhabi**.