Helena Guardans leads Liceu Foundation while Barça plans third-party arena lease

Helena Guardans, a long-time business leader with experience in advertising and corporate services, will assume the presidency of the Fundació del Gran Teatre del Liceu on Friday, becoming the institution's first female chief. Her nomination was put forward by Salvador Illa, president of the Generalitat and honorary president of the foundation, and will be ratified by the Patronat by consensus. Guardans also serves on the boards of the Fira de Barcelona, Perk, and several cultural foundations.

Meanwhile, FC Barcelona, under president Joan Laporta, has decided to let a private company build and operate the new Palau blaugrana, a venue for basketball, handball, roller hockey and futsal, under a concession lasting between 25 and 30 years. The club will retain ownership of the land and facilities but will transfer most usage rights and revenue streams to the operator, a plan devised with advisers including Goldman Sachs. This structure aims to keep the club’s already high debt, now about 3.000 million euros including a recent 510-million-euro increase, from swelling further as the new Camp Nou project proceeds.