Brilla Group Appoints Luis Antonio Márquez-Heine as Country Manager for México

MÉXICO CITY, México--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Brilla Group, a Miami-based private equity firm focused on the hotel and resort asset class in South Florida, the Caribbean, México and Colombia, announced today it has appointed Luis Antonio Márquez-Heine, former Managing Director of AMEXCAP (Mexican Association of Private Equity), as Country Manager for México. This move is part of the firm’s ongoing effort to further expand its México operations, and demonstrates the firm’s confidence in the Mexican tourism industry.

“This represents a new professional chapter where I can combine my experience in the public sector, finance and private equity with Brilla’s strategy to grow and solidify its position in México while contributing to the tourism growth and development in the country”

Brilla Group currently has an office in Cancún as well as existing investments in Zihuatanejo and the Yucatán Peninsula. “We want to expand our presence in the country. México is on the cusp of a significant economic upturn, and we want to invest in the hospitality industry and capitalize on the advantageous market conditions,” said David Brillembourg, Brilla Group’s Chairman and CEO. “Also, Luis Antonio Márquez-Heine is a visionary leader with an outstanding track-record in the public sector, finance and private equity; he will be a key resource for the expansion of Brilla Group in México,” Mr. Brillembourg added.

During Mr. Márquez-Heine’s nine-year tenure as AMEXCAP’s Managing Director, the Association grew from four funds to over 65 members, 45 of which are private equity funds, with committed capital of eight billion dollars. He was also responsible for directly brokering two government loan programs to support small and medium enterprises (PyMES) for US$ 10 million. Prior to joining AMEXCAP, he worked in the public sector as National Planning Coordinator of the National Culture and Arts Council.

Mr. Márquez-Heine sits on the Board of Directors of Hoteles Misión, a Mexican company with more than 30 resorts in the country, and he is a counsel member of CREDI CAR, subsidiary of the Kamaji Corporation, one of the largest real estate developers in México. He also participates in the investment boards for venture capital projects for the National Council for Science and Technology of México (CONACYT) and the Mexican Development Bank (NAFINSA).

“This represents a new professional chapter where I can combine my experience in the public sector, finance and private equity with Brilla’s strategy to grow and solidify its position in México while contributing to the tourism growth and development in the country,” Mr. Márquez-Heine said.

Mr. Márquez-Heine has been a Professor of Law and Economics at the Universidad Iberoamericana (IBERO). He has a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and a Law degree from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. He completed postgraduate courses in Marketing at the Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores Monterrey.

About Brilla Group

Brilla Group is a Miami-based real estate private equity firm focused exclusively on the hotel and resort asset class in South Florida, the Caribbean, México, and Colombia. Brilla Group specializes in creating tailored investment solutions for institutional investors, high-net-worth individuals and family offices, and currently has US$150 million of assets under management. Brilla Group has closed investments in México, The Bahamas, French West Indies, British West Indies, Miami Beach and Bal Harbour (Florida); Brilla Group has also closed a Colombian-based institutional private equity fund dedicated to the sector in Colombia. To learn more, visit www.brillagroup.com.