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Esther Calatayud Promoted to Chief Operating Officer

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VSI announced the promotion of Esther Calatayud to Chief Operating Officer (COO) effective 6th of October. 

Esther brings more than 20 years of experience in the media and entertainment industry. Since joining VSI in 2018, she has held several senior leadership positions across the business, including leading VSI’s Global Client Operations, Global Technical Services and Media Services teams. More recently, she has played a pivotal role in the rollout of centralised technology and workflow solutions across VSI’s global studio network. 

In her new role as COO, Esther will oversee VSI’s global operations, with a focus on driving greater integration across the Group, enhancing operational efficiency and accelerating the adoption of technology-enabled and AI-powered workflows. 

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“Esther has been a driving force behind VSI’s operational and workflow transformation. She brings a unique combination of hands-on operational expertise, deep industry knowledge and technical vision, making her ideally placed to lead our operations through the next phase of VSI’s growth,” said William Russell, CEO of VSI. “I am delighted to be working alongside Esther as we continue to evolve VSI’s operating model and build a more integrated, technology-enabled global business.” 

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"I’m incredibly pleased to be taking on the role of COO at VSI. After eight years with the company, this feels like both a significant milestone and the beginning of a very exciting new chapter. 

I’ve had the opportunity to work with some truly talented people across VSI and to see the business evolve significantly during my time here. I’m very grateful for the teams I’ve worked with, the relationships we’ve built, and the opportunities given along the way. 

Localisation is changing rapidly. Technology in various forms is creating new opportunities, while our clients’ expectations around quality, speed, flexibility and service continue to evolve. I’m excited about what this means for VSI and about helping shape the next phase of our development. 

I believe we have a unique opportunity to build on VSI’s remarkable history and to evolve as a modern, ambitious, and forward-looking company. 

I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together in the years ahead," said Esther Calatayud, COO of VSI. 

Esther's promotion follows recent recognition from CEO Monthly, which has put her forward for a nomination within its Business Transformation Awards 2026, a new accolade launched this year to celebrate professionals driving change, innovation and vision within their organisations. 

The entire VSI team extends its warmest congratulations to Esther on this well-deserved promotion and looks forward to achieving new milestones under her leadership.