Business School since 1982

Strengthen your management skills and understand the food business from end to end

More than 40 years developing professionals across the food value chain

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Business owners and executives from every link in the Food value chain

Madrid: 1 December 2026 – 9 July 2027

8 months · 09:30–18:15 · On campus · Madrid

Food Business Management Program (DEA)

DEA was the first executive education program in Spain specializing in the food value chain. More than four decades later, over 2,000 professionals have studied here. Its defining strength remains the same: bringing business owners and executives from different links in the food value chain into one classroom to develop management skills, share experiences and discover common interests and opportunities for collaboration.

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DEA Participant Profile

One value chain. Different business realities.

A diversity of backgrounds allows primary production, industry, distribution and other food-sector businesses to analyse the sector’s challenges together.

Primary Production, Agriculture and Cooperatives

For those who need a better understanding of how to create and capture value and reach the market in an environment shaped by volatility, technology and new production models.

→ Agriculture and livestock

→ Raw materials and sourcing

→ Smart farming, cooperatives and new technologies

Industry and brands

For executives competing in mature markets who need to differentiate their value proposition and make decisions on branding, pricing, operations, innovation or internationalization.

→ Food or beverage industry

→ Branding and differentiation

→ Innovation and internationalization

Retail and channels

For professionals who need to anticipate the transformation of distribution channels and understand changing consumer needs and relationships within the value chain.

→ Distribution, retail or organized channel

→ Omnichannel strategies

→ Online channels and new digital players

Why choose the DEA Program with us?

Six reasons to choose DEA.

A Complete Business and Sector Perspective

Gain a complete perspective on the company and strengthen the knowledge you need to make decisions across functions. Understand the food value chain as a whole, its participants and the major challenges shaping its future.

Practical Learning and Sound Judgment

A practical, participatory and action-oriented mental workout for executives who want to keep developing without losing touch with their companies. Comparing perspectives with business owners, professors and executives also helps you confirm which decisions and practices are already working well.

Business Relationships and Lasting Impact

Expand your network, share concerns with professionals facing similar challenges and identify new opportunities for collaboration and business. An experience designed to revitalize your career, create value and change how you observe and lead your company.

Methodology

The Case Method.
You learn by doing.

DEA uses an active, practical and participatory methodology based on analysing and debating real business cases. Participants work on current problems similar to those they face every day and compare decisions with business owners, executives and faculty. Technical notes and interactive lectures deepen their understanding of the concepts discussed.

«In the room there are agriculture, industry and distribution. The case discussion is the value chain itself debating with itself.»
Your diagnosis changes when your customer debates it. That is what makes this classroom different.
The only way to understand this classroom is to step inside it.
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Individual study
You analyse the case — real companies, highly current problems — and reach your own conclusions.

You test your views with executives from other links in the value chain, guided by a facilitator.

The professor leads the classroom debate towards a diagnosis. Decisions are made, just as they are in your executive committee.

Technical notes and interactive lectures consolidate the discussion and bring the learning back to your company.

Curriculum

Academic Content

Two goals: lead your company better and understand the entire Food business. First the management, then the challenges that only exist in Food.

The discipline of decision-making, with the numbers in front of you.

  • Executive Decision-Making
  • Quantitative Information for Management
  • Financial Management
  • Operations Management

Unique in Spain

The first specialized executive program for the Food value chain, launched more than 40 years ago. No other program brings every link in the chain together.

Grow and endure.

  • Commercial Management and Strategy
  • Leading People Today: Leadership, Talent and Commitment
  • Governance of Food Businesses
  • Economic Environment

Highly current cases

Real companies facing problems like yours, supported by technical notes and interactive lectures.

The distinctive challenges of the Food business.

  • Competing in the Food value chain: creating and capturing value
  • Manufacturer Brands vs. Private Labels
  • Raw Materials and Volatility
  • New Digital Environment · Omnichannel · Smart Farming
  • Internationalization and Competition from an SME Perspective

Backed by San Telmo's Food area

Ray A. Goldberg (Harvard Business School): “San Telmo is now and will remain in the future the leading institution for agribusiness education in Spain, Europe and the global economy.”

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Who will teach you

Faculty with first-hand management experience.

Cases are led by people who know the value chain from the inside, not just from the literature.

Business Policy
José Antonio Boccherini Bogert
Production, Technology and Operations Management
Marisa Martínez Jiménez
Business Policy
Rocío Reina Paniagua
Control
Dr. Raúl Adrián Ibáñez Trianteno
Socio-Economic Environment
Horacio González-Alemán Sánchez
Commercial Management
Dr. José Luis García del Pueyo
Production, Technology and Operations Management
Dr. Enrique Garrido Martínez
Finance
Emma Berenguer Cárceles
Business Policy
Dr. Juan Luis Manfredi Sánchez
Personal Business Communication
José Miguel Amuedo Dorantes
People Management in Organizations
Juan Paneque Macías
Business Policy
Bartolomé Alarcón Cuenca

Different links in the chain, one shared phrase: "it marks a turning point"

The true measure of the program is who recommends it, and from which seat.
DEA
Zulema Beresaluce
“DEA allowed me to step back from the day-to-day and reflect with greater clarity on our company's challenges. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to keep growing and professionalizing their management.”
Zulema Beresaluce
Managing Director · Aceitunas Cazorla
CLASS OF 2023
The impact

What happens after completing the DEA.

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Cumulative program participants.
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The school community you join when you finish.
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Countries, 3 continents
The food chain is global; so is the network.
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It is time to lead the chain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Complete the form to contact the Program team directly.

Is the program compatible with running a company?

Yes. DEA is designed for business owners and executives who want to develop their management capabilities without stepping away from the day-to-day running of their company.

The program uses the Case Method to work on real situations from the food sector and is designed as a practical, action-oriented format — a genuine «mental gym» for professionals with little time. It also brings together executives from every link in the food value chain, encouraging the exchange of experience and networking.

The Food Business Management Program (DEA) is aimed at business owners and executives in the food value chain who want to strengthen their management skills and broaden their overall view of the business.

Once admission to the program has been confirmed, the participant has 15 days to secure their place by making the corresponding payment.

The total program fee is €11,600.

  • Deposit to secure your place: €1,000.
  • Remaining amount: €10,600, payable before the program begins.

 

Tuition includes all teaching materials, lunches and coffee breaks.

In addition, DEA is recognised as a university-specific degree (Título Propio) by Universidad Villanueva, so employees may apply for Individual Training Leave (PIF), provided they meet the established requirements. The program may also benefit from certain tax advantages for companies and professionals.

DEA Madrid takes place in Madrid between November 2026 and July 2027.

Sessions run approximately from 09:30 to 18:15 and include an Opening Session, program days, a Midpoint Session, a seminar and a Closing Session, according to the academic calendar.