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Rafael Catalá Polo is a Spanish politician and an official of the state's highest civil administration body. He was Minister of Public Works (2016) and Minister of Justice (2014-2018), and a member of Congress for the Popular Party (PP) for three terms, until he left his seat in June 2019.
In his lectures, Rafael Catalá analyzes the models of organization and management in various sectors such as health, justice, public transport or infrastructure, providing precise x-rays of the political situation and public services.
During his time as Minister of Justice, he contributed to the professionalization and strengthening of the sector, designing reforms within the framework of new technologies and the management of the public service of justice, promoting the development of electronic communication systems and reforming organizational models.
Previously, he held the Secretariat of State for Infrastructure, Transport and Housing (2011-2014), where he contributed to the development of civil works and the internationalization of this sector, promoting listed companies for investment in the real estate market (SOCIMIS). Rafael Catalá was also Secretary of State for Justice (2002-2004), and Undersecretary of Finance (2000-2002), where he carried out economic management and auditing tasks. He has been general director of personnel and services of the Ministry of Education and Culture and general director of the Public Service, developing in his different positions of the administration processes of innovation and modernization.
In his extensive career in the public sector - dedicating more than 30 years to the Administration - he has placed special emphasis on the health sector and its management models, with responsibilities in the area of people and human resources management (1988-1992). He was managing director of the Ramón y Cajal Hospital (2004-2005), deputy general director of Human Resources Management and director of Labor Relations and Administration and Services in AENA (1992-1996).
In the private sector, he has contributed to the consolidation of corporate governance as General Secretary and Secretary of the Board of Directors of Codere S.A. (2005-2011), work that he has recently resumed, offering advice on regulatory matters. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors of Belagua; senior advisor at the public affairs consulting firm KREAB and at the law firm Herbert Smith Freehills. He also collaborates as a Trustee of the Legálitas Foundation and the Atlético de Madrid Foundation, contributing in the latter to the development of social programs through the promotion of sports values.
Throughout his various professional stages, Rafael Catalá has worked to promote collaboration with Latin America, through, among other initiatives, projects to train leaders.
In teaching, Rafael Catalá has been director of the EMPA "Executive Master in Public Administration" of ESADE (2004-2012), associate professor of European Policy at Universidad Carlos III (2005-2008) and member of the Social Council of Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia. (UNED). Rafael Catalá has a degree in Law from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
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