Joan Laporta is set to officially usher in his new presidential term at Barcelona following the formal reshaping of the club’s board of directors, with a refreshed leadership structure now being put in place for the next five years.
According to SPORT, via Ferran Correas, the Catalan giants will first convene a decisive board meeting that marks the beginning of Laporta’s renewed mandate, with a mix of continuity and fresh appointments defining the new era at Camp Nou.
As part of the transition, the current interim board will step down, completing their temporary stewardship of the club after overseeing operations during the electoral phase that led to Laporta’s re-election.
Those stepping aside include Rafa Yuste, Josep Cubells, Alfons Castro, Josep Ignasi Macia, Sisco Pujol, Joan Sole, and Angel Riudalbas. However, their exit is largely procedural, as all seven are expected to be immediately reinstated under Laporta’s new administration.
In line with club statutes, these appointments will still require ratification at the first Assembly of Delegate Members under the new presidency, where broader strategic and institutional matters affecting Barcelona’s future will also be addressed.
Alongside this continuity, several members from Laporta’s previous governing group will remain in place, ensuring stability within the executive structure. Figures such as Elena Fort, Antonio Escudero, Ferran Olive, Xavier Barbany, Xavier Puig, Josep Maria Albert, Miquel Camps, Aureli Mas, and Joan Soler will continue their involvement in key areas of club operations.
The most notable changes come through the introduction of five new directors, all previously presented during Laporta’s election campaign, signalling a clear intent to refresh the leadership while maintaining experienced core figures.
The new arrivals include Carme Hortala, Carles Ayats, Xavier Barniol, Jaume Santiveri, and Jaume Nicolas, each bringing distinct professional backgrounds from finance, property, hospitality, and business management.
Hortala stands out as a particularly influential addition, given her current role as president of Barcelona’s Economic Commission. She is expected to play a central role in strengthening the club’s financial planning, with economist Oriol Amat set to take over her previous commission duties.
Carles Ayats, a familiar name in Barcelona political circles and a former associate of Jaume Ferrer’s 2010 presidential bid, also joins the board, bringing with him significant experience in property development and financial oversight.
Meanwhile, Barniol’s leadership of Berga Resort, Santiveri’s experience in real estate and hospitality, and Nicolas’ background in the automotive sector through the Nima Group all add further commercial depth to the new structure.
In parallel with the board restructuring, Laporta will also redistribute senior responsibilities across the leadership team. Rafa Yuste retains his influential role as First Vice President, continuing to oversee sporting matters, while Elena Fort and Antonio Escudero also remain in vice-presidential positions.
Two additional vice presidencies have now been created, with Joan Soler taking charge of marketing operations and Ferran Olive appointed as Vice President for economic affairs, underlining Barcelona’s renewed focus on both commercial growth and financial stability.
Overall, the reshuffle signals a carefully balanced approach from Joan Laporta, blending continuity with strategic reinforcements as Barcelona prepare for the next stage of their long-term rebuilding project.
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