Alone we can do so little
together we can do so much

Executive Team / Multidisciplinary management team leaders

Gonzalo Banús / Chairman

Gonzalo Banús, Chairman, began his professional career in 1986 alongside his father, who co-founded the Banús Group with his grandfather in 1958. Gonzalo holds a degree in Science and Business Administration.

He succeeded his father in the leadership of the Group, and in 1998 became CEO of a conglomerate of 28 companies in sectors such as Real Estate & Hospitality, Automotive, Agribusiness and Food. Since 2006, Gonzalo underwent a series of personal projects in the insurance, hospitality and food sectors.

He envisioned the opportunity to extend the great project led by his great uncle Jose Banús in Marbella, across the globe focusing on the Middle East, Caribbean, and Mediterranean.

Bernardo Pietranera / Managing Partner

Bernardo Pietranera, Managing Partner, for the last 20 years, Bernardo has developed exclusive Real Estate projects within Banús Group, together with Gonzalo Banús. Licensed in Business Administration. Master in Business Finance & Economics. His professional experience covers also other different industries such as automotive, agribusiness, hospitality and gastronomy; at both national and international level.

Leading financial areas even in multinational companies, mainly holding high-level roles such as CFO or Corporate General Leader, the scope of projects managed by Bernardo goes from New Investments to Core Business, M&A, Value Creation and Restructurings.

(Billy) Guillermo Cañellas Vears / CEO

(Billy) Guillermo Cañellas Vears. CEO, with a background as a professional sailor member of the Spanish National&Olimpic team and Yacht Master Captain. Education skills are in tourism and business management.

Acreditted experience leading worldclass superyacht marinas, international yachting events and waterfront mixed use real estate portfolios with a strong F&B, retail and hospitality component.

Also managed major international yachting events such as the F1 in Yas Marina Abu Dhabi, the Adriatic MYBA Superyacht Show and 2024 Red Sea Week in Sindalah-NEOM.

Jorge Haenelt / Director of Marine Engineering

Jorge Haenelt, Director of Marine Engineering 30 years as director of Marinas (22 in Puerto Banús Marbella)and director of Club de Mar Marbella. Triple European Sailing Champion, Expert Engineer in Marina Management.

Jorge is a Civil Engineer. +10 years in senior management positions in construction companies with positions such as technical director and CEO. Technical advisor for the infrastructure in the ports of southern Spain, including Cádiz port, Rota and Chipiona fishing marinas, Sancti Petri Matina, and the bay of Cádiz.

CEO BACKGROUND

  • Business degrees from Spain and UK
  • Former professional sailor for the Spanish national and pre-Olympic team
  • Yachtmaster Captain
  • 25 years experience

NEOM, Head of Asset Management

Delivering NEOM’s Sindalah first destination; spread over 840,000 sqm featuring 86-berth Superyacht marina with luxury landside real estate.

Overseeing NEOM’s Yachting Ecosystem masterplan across 470 km coastline with plus 7000 berths, 8 marinas, 2 cruise terminals, 2 shipyards and yacht clubs.

YAS Asset Management, General Manager

Firm based on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi with a trophy real estate portfolio. Managed entire group destination portfolio including Yas Marina and 2 more marinas, 2 malls, F&B, retail waterfront. Including F1 event organization and Abu Dhabi overall yachting destination activation in coordination with DCT.

Marina Vela Barcelona, Chief Executive Officer

Notable Barcelona Superyacht marina with 130 berths for yachts up to 100m LOA, 222 boat Dry Stack, Service Center and 40 retail and F&B units. Managed development, pre-opening, business strategy and operations.

Porto Montenegro, Yacht Club Manager

Premier Mediterranean marina village; managed opening and operations of yacht club together with major International Superyacht events such as the MYBA show and yachting destination activation in coordination with Montenegrin government bodies.

Accredited experience driving new Superyacht Marina’s to become a worldwide reference.

Specialized in the activation of new yachting destinations such as Montenegro, UAE or Red Sea NEOM.

Expert in masterplaning and development of luxury real estate mix use projects.

Experience delivering major international Superyacht Events: F1 Abhu Dhabi Yas Marina, MYBA Superyacht Show Porto Montenegro, Red Sea Week Sindalah-NEOM.

360 yachting industry know how including legislation, business development, operations and sales&marketing.