Rafael Serrano

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Rafael Serrano Quevedo
Rafael Serrano Quevedo.jpg
Born
Rafael Serrano Quevedo

(1966-08-09) 9 August 1966 (age 55)
Madrid, Spain
NationalitySpanish
OccupationChief Executive Officer of Prime Investors Capital
Known forEntrepreneur
Spouse(s)Marije Visser
ChildrenMaxi (2010) and Maria Mia (2011)
WebsitePrime Investors Capital Website https://www.admiraltyarch.co.uk/

Rafael Serrano Quevedo (born 9 August 1966) is a Spanish entrepreneur.

As the Chief Executive of Prime Investors Capital (PIC),[1][2] Serrano purchased the lease to Admiralty Arch,[3][4][5][6][7] an iconic London landmark building, and led the funding and development of the Bulgari Hotel and Residences in Knightsbridge.

In August 2013, PIC was granted full planning permission by Westminster City Council to restore and convert Admiralty Arch into a 100-room luxury hotel, private residences and private members' club.[8] The restoration of Admiralty Arch remains fully ongoing.

Early life[]

Rafael Serrano Quevedo was born on 9 August 1966 in Madrid, Spain.

During his higher education, he earned a Postgraduate Certificate in Finance and Investment Portfolio from London Business School, a Diploma in Business and Management from Oxford University, and then a Master of Arts with Honours from the University of Madrid’s Faculty of Law.

Career[]

Serrano started his career in 1991 at JP Morgan as an Investment Banker in Capital Markets and International Fund Management. Serrano then spent three years in London before moving to the offices on Wall Street, New York. On his return to the UK in 2002, he became the Managing Director of Focus Investment Group, Europe, an investment management company.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Rafael Serrano, November 2014

In 2009, Serrano became the Founder and CEO of Prime Investors Capital (PIC) Limited, an investment management company focusing on Finance, Private Equity and Property. Prime Investors Capital was responsible for the origination, funding and development of the renowned BVLGARI Hotel and Residences in Knightsbridge, which at the time of its opening in 2012 was the most expensive hotel in London.[9][10][11]

The Right Honourable David Cameron MP and Rafael Serrano, London February 2014
Bulgari Hotel London,

In October 2012, Prime Investors Capital led a UK-based team of 20 British companies to secure a high-profile bid to purchase a 250-year lease of Admiralty Arch from the UK Government, with plans to restore the Grade I listed building and create a hotel that preserves its historic design.[12][13][14][15] Serrano purchased the 250-year lease of Admiralty Arch from the UK Government in October 2012.

Admiralty Arch, driving from Buckingham Palace, in the Mall
Rafael Serrano interviewed on the roof of Admiralty Arch
Admiralty Arch Taxi at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, May 2020

Admiralty Arch is the first major building to be sold by the Government, as part of austerity measures to rationalise their property portfolio and raise funds for the Exchequer.[16][17] Originally designed by Sir Aston Webb and built by John Mowlen & Co in 1912 in memory of Queen Victoria, the building has been the recent home of the Cabinet Office. It was previously the address of the First Sea Lord and high-ranking naval officers.[18]

The development of the Admiralty Arch into a Luxury Hotel, Serviced Residences, and Private Members' Club is prominently featured on the current website of the commercial redevelopment.[19]

In November 2012, Serrano was named in the top 1000 most influential Londoners by the Evening Standard newspaper,[20] and of those ranked within the top 30 property developers alongside the Duke of Westminster and Emir of Qatar. Serrano is also a member of the Investment Property Forum.

In early 2014, Rafael Serrano acted as the initiator and adviser for the sale and completion of the lease for the Kingdom of Spain concerning the Spanish Institute of Cervantes in London.

Throughout his career Serrano has been involved in numerous philanthropic and not-for-profit causes. From 2005 to 2008, Serrano served as Vice-Chairman of the British Red Cross Ball Committee. He continues to support Save the Children, Women for Women International, CRIS Cancer; an independent non-profit organisation dedicated to the promotion and development of research to fight against cancer, and Thames Reach; a London charity helping the homeless and vulnerable. Serrano is also committed to promoting the Arts, donating to young up-and-coming artists and privately to the Tate Gallery. As part of his work to support London's local communities Serrano established a close relationship with the London Taxi Drivers Association,[21][22] and in May 2020 supported their efforts offering taxi services during to local health centres and key workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.[23]

The Instituto Cervantes, Eaton Square, London

Personal life[]

Rafael Serrano is an advisory member of the William Pitt Group of Chatham House, The Royal Institute of International Affairs. He is also a member and supporter of the British Spanish Society in the UK and The Georgian Group. Originally from Madrid, Spain he now lives in London with his wife and two children, Maxi and Maria Mia.

References[]

  1. ^ "Admiralty Arch owner on hunt for assetsl". FT.com. 2013-03-29.
  2. ^ "Serrano on the hunt for £500m of trophy buildings". primeresi.com. 2013-04-02.
  3. ^ "Admiralty Arch to become luxury hotel in £60 million deal". London: telegraph.co.uk. 2012-10-26. Archived from the original on October 27, 2012.
  4. ^ "Admiralty Arch sold to Spanish investor". ft.com. 2012-10-24.
  5. ^ "Rooms with a view of capital grandeur as Admiralty Arch falls to the Spanish". thetimes.co.uk. 2012-10-26.
  6. ^ "Admiralty Arch sold for 60 million pounds". reuters.com. 2012-10-25.
  7. ^ "Admiralty Arch Hotel to become exclusive hotel". standard.co.uk. 2012-10-26.
  8. ^ Admiralty Arch proposal gets go ahead, gov.uk, 20 August 2013
  9. ^ Callanan, Neil (2011-12-16). "Buyers Prize Glitziest London Hotels as $25 Cocktails Flow". bloomberg.com.
  10. ^ "Bulgari to adorn hotel.(UK)". business.highbeam.com. 2011-02-04. Archived from the original on 2014-04-13.
  11. ^ "Bulgari Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement for the new Bulgari Hotel in London". tourismandaviation.com. 2011-02-14.
  12. ^ "Admiralty Arch welcomes Waldorf Astoria". Sleeper. 2017-10-27. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  13. ^ "Admiralty Arch to be made into a luxury hotel". bbc.co.uk. 2012-10-26.
  14. ^ "Admiralty Arch To Become Luxury Hotel". news.sky.com. 2012-10-26.
  15. ^ "Admiralty Arch deal completes". propertyweek.com. 2012-10-25.
  16. ^ Peck, Tom (2012-10-26). "Admiralty Arch to become London's next landmark hotel after sale to Spanish investor". independent.co.uk.
  17. ^ Bloomfield, Ruth (2013-11-14). "London's Pricey Real-Estate". Wsj.com.
  18. ^ http://bbeyondmagazine.com/PDF/serrano.pdf[bare URL]
  19. ^ "Mayfair Life". Admiralty Arch. 2021-12-14. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  20. ^ "London's 1000 most influential people 2012: Deal brokers, Property". www.standard.co.uk. 2013-02-28. Retrieved 2022-01-17.
  21. ^ "Taxi Magazine". Admiralty Arch. 2019-04-05. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  22. ^ "The LTDA is here for you. • LTDA". LTDA. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
  23. ^ "Arch Waldorf Astoria London Launches Free Rides for Healthcare". www.travelmarketreport.com. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
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