Advisory Board

Grandson of Sotirios Bulgari, founder of the luxury brand Bulgari. In 1995, the company was listed on the Italian Stock Exchange. Between 1997 and 2003, its revenues grew by 150%. In 1998, Bulgari launched a line of leather accessories and eyewear. Under his leadership, the brand became recognized globally as a luxury name. At the start of 2001, Bulgari partnered with the luxury division of Marriott International, which manages the Ritz-Carlton Hotel company, to create a new luxury brand, Bulgari Hotels & Resorts.

Bulgari opened its first hotel in Milan in 2004 and another in London in 2012. In 2017, it began producing cosmetics. On March 7, 2011, the LVMH group announced it had acquired a 51% stake in the Bulgari group and planned to proceed with a public acquisition offer. LVMH’s stake ultimately rose to 98.09% by September of that same year. In February 2012, the Bulgari family sold additional shares to LVMH for €236.7 million. LVMH, with a total investment of €3.7 billion, increased advertising investments and established a purchasing centre for all the group’s jewellery brands.

In 2012, Bulgari had 180 company-owned stores worldwide, and also regained the rights to use the brand that had been granted to franchisees. Bulgari has four children and resides in Rome. He collects vintage cars, primarily American brands, both in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and in Rome. His 21-acre property in Allentown houses 125 cars across seven warehouses. He keeps 85 cars in Rome, which he sends to Allentown when they need repairs. His favourite brand is Buick, and he has many models from 1940 and 1941, coincidentally, the year he was born.

After graduating with honors and a gold medal in Business Administration from Bocconi University, he held executive roles on the Boards of Directors at Rottapharm SpA.

He led the most significant acquisition by an Italian group in the pharmaceutical field (Madaus Pharma) and is currently Vice President of GreenTech Energy Systems AS (an energy company focused on renewables), a Board member of Nuove Partecipazioni SpA (Pirelli Group), and a Director of Pirelli & C. SpA and Marco Polo International.

He is now President of FIDIM, the Rovati family holding company, and a founding partner of Armonia SGR, a private equity firm. In 2024, he published several books on the financial management of multinational groups and collaborates in teaching at major Italian universities.

Alonso Aznar, oversees operations in South American and Middle East as Managing Director at Consello, US Advisory and Investment Platform, working with the most senior leaders in the world on the wide range of corporates issues that impact their businesses every day. Prior to joining Consello, he was the CEO for Iberia and Latin America at Afiniti, a leader in applied artificial intelligence, where he established regional operating companies, managed teams and P&L.

Aznar has collaborated with major firms in telecommunications, banking, insurance, retail, travel & hospitality, and healthcare to enhance profitability through technology. In 2015, he founded Zala Capital, an investment and advisory firm specializing in hospitality, real estate, F&B, telecommunications, and technology, managing today a portfolio of more than 20 investments.

Earlier in his career, Alonso was an investment professional at Rhône Group, a leading global private equity firm investing in businesses with pan-European and trans-Atlantic presence, with $12+ billion of AUM, based in London and New York. He was previously with the investment banking division of Citigroup in London.

Banu Vargı is the Chairperson of MV Holding, a prominent family-owned conglomerate in Turkiye founded by Murat Vargı, a renowned entrepreneur and co-founder of Turkcell, Turkiye’s leading mobile operator. MV Holding focuses on global asset management and invests in sectors such as hospitality & wellness, student accommodation, renewable energy, and innovative technologies.

Throughout her career, she has held various leadership roles across diverse sectors within the group where she has been serving as the Chairperson since 2018. Banu holds a degree in International Relations from Koç University (1998) and further studied BA, Finance and Accounting at NYU. Additionally, she plays an active role in “Mind Your Waste Foundation” established by the Vargi family and supports various philanthropic initiatives, particularly focused on education and art.

Cecilia is an Operator, Investor, and Advisor with extensive experience spanning multiple sectors, including technology, healthcare, consumer and luxury. She currently serves as a Director at SAES Getters SPA, Alto Partners SGR, and GBH – her family office, where she oversees a diverse portfolio of private investments. In addition, Cecilia is an advisor to high-growth companies such as Penguin AI, a U.S.-based AI healthcare software company, and Kujten, a sustainable cashmere apparel brand.

Cecilia holds a degree in Business & Finance from Cass Business School, a Master’s in Management from London Business School, an MBA from INSEAD, and an Executive Program in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Cecilia has been named among Aspen Institute’s Friends, a David Rockefeller Fellow, a Young Leader ExCo Committee Member, and a Forbes 30 Under 30.

Her professional journey began at McKinsey & Co., where she consulted for leading organizations across diverse industries globally. She later expanded her expertise in finance, working in Private Equity with L Catterton and in Hedge Funds at Attestor Capital, before transitioning into the luxury sector with Christian Dior.

Cecilia’s entrepreneurial spirit flourished during her eight years at Afiniti, a U.S.-based unicorn specializing in big data analytics and artificial intelligence. There, she created and led regional operating companies, managing multiple countries and industry verticals, ultimately becoming co-Head for the U.S. and later Global Head of Healthcare & Head of International.

Before transitioning to her current full-time role as an investor and advisor, Cecilia served as Chief Innovation Officer at Zhero, a leading global player focused on energy transition.

From 2011 to 2024, she served as President of the Palace of Versailles. She is a French political journalist and spent most of her career at “Le Point”, where she also held the position of editor.

In 2007, she was appointed as an advisor to the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, and in 2008 oversaw the “political center” at the Élysée Palace. In 2012, she was also awarded the title of Knight of the Legion of Honor.

Fawaz Farooqui is a public sector entrepreneur and innovator who led multiple transformations and established several entities and companies. He dedicated his career to improving the quality of life in Saudi Arabia and creating unforgettable experiences that are inspired by the culture and people of Saudi.

He served as the Chief Advisor to the Saudi Minister of Culture and sat on the board of several organizations such as Saudia Airlines, Cruise Saudi Corporation, AlUla Development Company and the Saudi Sports for All Federation. In addition, he is the Managing Director of Cruise Saudi, which he led to launch the cruise industry in Saudi and promote the Red Sea to global cruise lines.

Gloria Guevara served as Mexico’s Minister of Tourism from 2010 to 2012 and as chief special advisor to the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia since 2021 to 2024. She was President and CEO of WTTC (World Travel and Tourism Council) organization that represents the global private sector from 2017 to 2021, which made her the voice of the private sector during the most difficult crisis COVID 19.

She is an experienced executive with 35 years in Travel and Tourism in various roles in public and private sector across North America, Europe Latin America, the Middle East, Asia and Africa and worked in global corporations such as NCR and Sabre Holdings, including CEO of Sabre Mexico. She was part of the board of HSBC Mex, PLAYA and other important private organizations.

Currently she is an independent director of Amex GDBT and Visit Saudi boards, in addition to Advisory board of Arsenale. She is a member of Global agenda for WEF and advisory member of Commission Unidos contra la Trata, advocating against human trafficking and the exploitation of children.

Jean Moueix is a French entrepreneur, investor and art collector. He is the Chairman and co- owner of the family holding VIDELOT. As Chairman, he is also General Manager of 2 subsidies of the group:
– Duclot, one of the most important Wine merchant in Bordeaux;
– Petrus, the inconic vineyard in Pomerol.
Jean Moueix is also the main shareholder of several companies, in the prospect of diversifying the activies of Videlot:
– Les Bienheureux: wine and spirits company, co-founded in 2015.
– Experimental Group: hospitality group based in Paris, London, New York, Ibiza,
Menorca, Venise, Verbier and Biarritz.
– K2 Collections: luxury hospitality group based in the Alps in Courchevel and Val d’Isère.
– Bonneval: spring of natural mineral water in Savoie, distributed in France and in the USA.
Jean Moueix is driven by a French culture of excellence and sustainability. Respect of the environment and the land we work on is at the core of his values.

Jérôme de Castries, Secretary of the Advisory Board and Arsenale Board Director, is a technology and healthcare executive and investor. He is currently the Executive Vice President of Revenue at Afiniti, a pioneer in artificial intelligence for customer experience. Earlier in his career he worked at Google and Morgan Stanley.

De Castries holds a Master’s degree from MIT and HEC Paris. He sits on the Fundraising Board of the HEC Paris Foundation and on the Board of the Association pour l’Aide aux Jeunes Infirmes.

Julie Bishop is a former Australian politician (1998-2019) who served as Minister for Foreign Affairs (2013 -2018) and was Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party (2007-2018), the first woman to hold both positions. She has also served as Minister for Education and Minister for Women.

In 2021 Mattel honored her groundbreaking career with a Julie Bishop Barbie doll. She is the Chancellor of the Australian National University and a member of the Global advisory board of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Manfredi Lefebvre D’Ovidio has been a visionary leader in the tourism and cruise industries for decades. With his longstanding expertise, Lefebvre has played a pivotal role in shaping the luxury cruise sector. In the 1990s, his father founded Silversea Cruises.

Under his leadership from 2001, the company expanded, growing to a fleet of 12 cruise ships, redefining the concept of luxury cruising. In 2018, the majority stake in the company was sold to Royal Caribbean.

He currently serves as the Executive Chairman of A&K Travel Group and also holds the position of Executive Chairman of Heritage Group.

Pierre Yovanovitch founded his design practice in 2001 following a career in fashion with Pierre Cardin. His signature “Made in France” style blends a mastery of space, light, and materials with exceptional craftsmanship. An avid proponent of contemporary art and early 20th-century design, Yovanovitch curates and commissions works to co-exist alongside his own design elements.

With offices and galleries in Paris and NYC, his work spans globally across residential, hospitality, and set design. In 2021, he launched Pierre Yovanovitch Mobilier, a furniture brand that combines refined elegance with superior craftsmanship and sustainable sourcing.

Mr. Vikram Oberoi is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of EIH Limited, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group. Mr. Oberoi is the son of late Mr. P.R.S. Oberoi and grandson of late Rai Bahadur M.S. Oberoi, the founder of The Oberoi Group.

Mr. Vikram Oberoi has a degree in Economics from Pepperdine University in California. After his graduation, Mr. Oberoi gained work experience as a stockbroker at ANZ McCaughan in Australia. Thereafter, he returned to India to join The Oberoi Group’s management team.

As Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Oberoi is actively involved in the management and operations of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and Trident Hotels in India. The “Oberoi” brand has come to represent fine luxury hotels which offer efficient and personalised service.

Mr. Oberoi has held various management positions within The Oberoi Group in India. He was actively involved in the re-engineering of systems and processes of the company, working closely with the consulting firm McKinsey & Company. In 1997, as General Manager of The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur, India, Mr. Oberoi set new standards of excellence in personalised service. He led a young and committed team, winning international accolades and recognition for The Oberoi Group.

William Heinecke, the founder and Chairman of Minor International, began his journey before turning 18 and has since become a leading force in global hospitality and dining.

Minor International operates two main sectors: hotels and restaurants. Its hotel arm, Minor Hotels, proudly owns and manages over 550 properties, including renowned brands like Anantara and NH Hotels in 56 countries.

In the restaurant sector, Minor ranks among Asia’s largest, with 2,600+ outlets across 24 countries, featuring popular names like The Pizza Company, The Coffee Club, Benihana, Dairy Queen and Burger King. In 2017, Minor added iconic UK restaurants by acquiring The Wolseley Group.