Pau Guardans

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Pau Guardans i Cambó (born October 20, 1965 in Barcelona) is a Spanish entrepreneur, activist and philanthropist who is best known as founder of Único Hotels, a group of luxury boutique hotels inspired by early 20th century travellers (2). Guardans is an active member of the commercial and cultural life of his native city with close ties to local politics. He is president of Barcelona Global (2018–2020), (3) a private think tank dedicated to the promotion of the Catalan capital abroad and attracting international talent and economic activity.

Early life and education

Pau Guardans was born in Barcelona in 1965 to a highly respected family, his father is Ramón Guardans and his mother Helena Cambó daughter of Francesc Cambó y Batlle, founder and leader of the autonomist party Lliga Regionalista (4). Guardans is the twelfth of fourteen children

Pau Guardans is a economist with law studies and a PDG Program in IESE.

Career

Spanish and international business experience

After graduating Guardans gained employment with Arthur Andersen (Audit Division), (5) subsequently working with Grupo Mecalux and Wilson Sporting Goods. In 1998 he was made director general of Acciona (6) the infrastructure investment company. Guardans first foray into the hotel sector was with AC Hotels for which he was their first acting CEO and a shareholder of the group.

At the age of 29 Guardans was named as General Director of Industry by the Ministry of Industry and Energy under Josep Piqué (within the first José María Aznar government), (7 ED) a position which he occupied until 1999. Subsequently he went on to occupy diverse positions of responsibility on Boards of Directors for companies such as Talgo, Grupo Rayet and Quabit Inmobiliaria among others.

The Unico Hotels group

The first of the group's hotels opened in 2004, the Grand Hotel Central in Barcelona, inspired by the city's consolidation as a favourite Mediterranean tourist destination, the emergence of the boutique hotel within the hospitality industry and the integration of fine dining. The original neoclassical office building which was in addition his family home, was refurbished to exacting specifications, the Sky Bar roof terrace quickly became one of the most celebrated night spots of Barcelona.

Guardans' second venture the Hotel Único Madrid continued the theme of refurbishing historical properties to contemporary luxury boutique standards integrating showcase gastronomic restaurants. Accommodated with a former 19th Century palace within the salubrious Salamanca neighbourhood the hotel also accommodates Ramón Freixa Madrid, (8) the flagship restaurant of the two Michelin star Chef. The Principal Madrid opened in 2015, the first 5 star Hotel on the capital city's premier avenue Gran Via. Occupying the upper floors of a Spanish Renaissance style building the hotel quickly became a hotspot on Madrid's social scene. A fourth hotel opened on the island of Majorca in April 2019, Finca Serena(9) is a rural estate integrated within the island`s interior landscape, a luxury resort aimed at environmentally aware travellers.

Guardans is the founder of Único Hotels for which he is the sole shareholder, acting Chairman and CEO. The group's headquarters moved to Barcelona in 2018. (10)

Activism and honorary consul

In addition to his business activities Pau Guardans is on the board of directors of a number of cultural, commercial and NGO entities like Circulo de Economia or Fundaciçon Exit. Guardans acted as Honorary Consul of the Republic of Korea till 2018

He is acting president of Barcelona Global, a position he assumed on July 12th of 2018 replacing Gonzalo Rodés (12). He also serves on and the Executive Committee of the Barcelona Hotel Association.

Pau Guardans

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