Ceemet concluded its 48th General Assembly in Madrid on 15–16 October, hosted by Confemetal, the Spanish association of metal industry employers, with the election of a new leadership team for the 2026–2028 mandate.
Hanna Fager, Chief People Officer at Volvo Cars and Vice Chairwoman of Technology Industries of Sweden, was elected President of Ceemet. With her deep experience in industrial employment, skills and social dialogue, she will represent Ceemet and its member organisations across Europe in the debate on how to make Europe a place where industry can invest, innovate and grow.
She will be supported by two Vice Presidents: José Miguel Guerrero (Confemetal, Spain), outgoing President of Ceemet, and Rosa Wilkinson (Make UK). The General Assembly was also informed that Oliver Zander (Gesamtmetall, Germany) will start on 1st January 2027 as Chairman of the Board. Together, they bring wide geographic representation, strong continuity and complementary expertise to Ceemet’s leadership.
The new leadership team takes office as Ceemet begins preparing its employers’ strategy for the next five years, setting out how the metal, engineering and technology industries can help Europe stay competitive, resilient and attractive.
Members used the General Assembly to discuss the EU’s simplification agenda and the employment files ahead, with two guests from the European Commission.
From Brussels to the factory floor
Antonina Cipollone, Head of Unit for Better Regulation and Simplification at the Commission’s Secretariat-General, presented the Commission’s “simplicity by design” approach and its stress test of the EU legislation. Discussion centred on why companies are not yet feeling the benefits of Commission’s simplification efforts: reforms announced on paper still depend on negotiations with Parliament and Council, and on Member States not adding extra national requirements when implementing EU law. For Ceemet, simplification must be measured by what changes for companies, not by headline figures, and social and employment legislation cannot be left out of it.
The Fair Labour Mobility Package meets the Quality Jobs Act: Why does Brussels add and subtract regulation at the same time?
Francesco Corti, member of the Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu, presented the Fair Labour Mobility Package, including digital A1 certificates, exemptions for business trips and short postings, a single EU interface for posting declarations, and faster recognition of qualifications. Members welcomed the direction of this Package, given the friction companies face every week when sending engineers and technicians across borders, while stressing that real benefits depend on Member States using the common systems. The upcoming Quality Jobs Act was also discussed, with members questioning how potential new obligations on algorithmic management, health and safety, the right to disconnect and subcontracting fit with the EU’s competitiveness, better regulation and simplification goals.
Ceemet warmly thanks Confemetal for hosting the General Assembly in Madrid and for its excellent organisation and hospitality.