Josep has a degree in economics and business studies with an outstanding merit distinction awarded by the University of Barcelona. He also holds a PhD with an outstanding cum laude distinction in the same subjects and a second degree in law, both gained at the same university. He has been lecturing in economic theory since 1984 and worked as an economist in the research department of La Caixa bank from 1984 to 1985.

During the time he was in public office in Spain Josep was Minister of Industry and Energy (1996-2000), Government Spokesperson (1998-2000), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2000-2002) and Minister of Science and Technology (2002-2003). He has also been a member of parliament in Spain .

In the private sector he was chairman and CEO of Ercros Group from 1992 to 1996, chairman of VUELING from 2007 to 2013, director of AIRBUS GROUP from 2011 to 2014, vice-chairman and CEO of OHL Group from 2013 to 2016 and independent director on the board of AENA from 2017 to January 2019, among other posts he has held in his career. Currently, Josep is the chairman of ITP AERO, an independent director on the board of SEAT, S.A. and also sits on the boards of ABENGOA, S.A, AMADEUS, ATRYS and ALANTRA as an independent director.

In a civil society role, Josep is a member of the board of trustees of several foundations and associations. He is the president of the Spanish-Japanese Forum and Foundation, the Spanish-Korean Chamber of Commerce, the Asociación para la Búsqueda de la Excelencia (APD), CITpax (Toledo International Center for Peace) and the Iberian-American Business Foundation. He has been vice-president of the Círculo de Empresarios business forum and president of the Círculo de Economía economics forum in Spain