Begoña Pérez-Villarreal

Begoña Pérez-Villarreal is the current Director of EIT Food South. Begoña has over 30 years of experience in the food industry, and has been with EIT Food since 2016, when they took on the role of Interim Director of Innovation. In this role, they were responsible for developing the first business plan and strategic framework for the Innovation area, as well as leading on strategic portfolio management and preparing and coordinating the thematic innovation project funding calls.

Prior to their current role, they were Business Director at AZTI-Tecnalia's Food Research Division for 30 years, where they were responsible for a wide range of research projects related to food safety, quality, and nutrition. Begoña has also held positions as a Research Associate at the Torry Research Station and an Assistant at Hospital de Basurto.

Begoña Pérez-Villarreal has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the food industry, and their work has helped to shape the field over the past three decades. Begoña is an expert in food safety and quality, and their work has had a positive impact on the lives of many people around the world.

Begoña Pérez-Villarreal has a DEA in Business Management of Food companies from San Telmo Business School, a D.E.S.S. in Microbiologie des Aliments et Hygiène Collective from Université de Lille, Institut Pasteur-Lille (France), and a B.Sc. Honours degree in Farmacia from University of Navarra.

Begoña Pérez-Villarreal reports to Andy Zynga, CEO. They work with Paola Giavedoni - Director, Innovation, Martine van Veelen - Director, EIT Food West, and Maarten van der Kamp - Director, Education.