Rafa Barbé

Senior executive with hands-on experience leading restructuring, turnarounds, commercial repositioning, and growth strategies across multiple sectors. My career combines strategy consulting with executive leadership—including Managing Director and interim roles—often in complex, financially pressured situations to stabilize operations, restore performance, and build foundations for growth. Pragmatic, collaborative, and results-driven, I focus on building ownership, setting clear direction, ensuring cross-functional alignment, and driving disciplined execution with an emphasis on transparency and performance.

I partner closely with Boards, CEOs, and investors to strengthen business models, enhance performance, and deliver sustainable growth.

Managing Director at INTERSPORT ESPAÑA (2024-01 – Present)

Initiated the restructuring of a multi-entity retail group and filed for voluntary insolvency proceedings. Negotiated with banks and key suppliers to secure business continuity.

• Restructured multi-entity retail group with 300+ employees, 42 owned and 150+ affiliated stores
• Filed for voluntary insolvency proceedings
• Negotiated with banks and key suppliers (Nike, Adidas, etc.)
• Engaged potential investors to secure business continuity
• Defined and managed comprehensive restructuring plan focused on cash flow enhancement, downsizing, stores closings, profitability recovery, and governance overhaul
• Prepared pre-insolvency and voluntary insolvency proceedings and proposal for creditor's agreement

Director at METYIS (2021-01 – 2022-12)

Directed transformation projects for various clients, including the world's largest airport operator and Spain's top brewing company, focusing on strategic growth and operational excellence.

• Directed transformation projects for world's largest airport operator
• Worked with Spain's top brewing company
• Focused on strategic growth and operational excellence

Independent Consultant & Advisor at Independent Consultant & Advisor (2017-01 – Present)

Advised retail, fashion, and consumer goods companies on strategic initiatives. Supported venture capital and private equity clients in M&A due diligences, build-up and business development.

• Advised retail, fashion, and consumer goods companies on strategic initiatives
• Supported venture capital clients in M&A due diligences
• Supported private equity clients in build-up and business development

Director at ACCENTURE STRATEGY (2008-01 – 2016-12)

Developed the Retail Strategy practice. Partnered with C-level executives of top-tier companies to drive growth strategies, manage turnarounds, commercial repositioning programs, restructuring of operations, and design of efficient route-to-markets.

• Developed the Retail Strategy practice
• Partnered with C-level executives of top-tier companies
• Drove growth strategies
• Managed turnarounds
• Led commercial repositioning programs
• Oversaw restructuring of operations
• Designed efficient route-to-markets

European Director at GEORGE GROUP (Accenture acquisition) (2007-01 – 2008-12)

Contributed to the firm's entry into Europe, forging initial client relationships and setting up the management consulting practice.

• Contributed to firm's entry into Europe
• Forged initial client relationships
• Set up the management consulting practice

Independent Consultant and Freelance at Independent Consultant and Freelance (2005-01 – 2007-12)

Worked for diverse SMEs of different sectors in the preparation of business plans and company valuations for negotiation with potential investors (VC).

• Prepared business plans for diverse SMEs
• Conducted company valuations
• Supported negotiations with potential venture capital investors

Managing Director - Spain at HORVÁTH & PARTNERS / INTER-BEN CONSULTING (2002-01 – 2004-12)

Case Team Leader at THE MONITOR COMPANY (now Monitor Deloitte) (2000-01 – 2002-12)

Manager at KEARNEY (1996-01 – 2000-12)

Regional Sales Manager at LAMIRSA – LABORATORIOS MIRET (1992-01 – 1994-12)

MBA in Business Administration – IESE Business School (1994-01 – 1996-12)

MBA Exchange Program in Business Administration – Columbia Business School (1995-01 – 1995-12)

Postgraduate Diploma in Operations Management – ETSEIB-UPC (1991-01 – 1992-12)

MS in Chemical Engineering – IQS (1986-01 – 1992-12)