Fernando Barnuevo
Fernando Barnuevo is Managing Partner and Founder of Big Blue Holding. The company was founded in 2014 and invests in real estate projects in Spain-USA. He is also a Senior Advisor to Perella Weinberg Partners, a leading US independent investment bank.
With 30 years in financial services, his main focus has been on investment banking. He has held several senior leadership positions at JPMorgan (1985-2004), including President of Leadership JPMorgan Chase. He served on the firm’s Global Financial Institutions Management Committee and the European Equity Management team.
Fernando was part of the original team that created Integrated Finance Limited (IFL) and served as Managing Director (2004-2009). It was founded by senior executives from JPMorgan and Robert Merton (Economic Sciences Nobel Laureate).
He joined RHJI Fund as Senior Partner in 2009. They acquire Kleinwort Benson Bank with the goal to restructure and reposition one of the oldest banking franchises in England.
He currently serves as Chairman of the IE Fund and President of IE Global Alumni. He is also part of Caixa’s Private Bank Advisory Board.
“Be you and love yourself, and then join the journey with others as ONE.”
Q&A WITH FERNANDO
Define your experience at IE in one word.
Revolutionaries
The best part of my IE experience is being the President of IE Global Alumni. This is what defines me the most and is something I work for. Being in these roles allows us to constantly rethink what is established and make gradual and constant changes for the greater good (business, social, environmental).
What were some of the main challenges that you encountered on your way? How did your master program and IE help you through these challenges?
I have worked mostly in the US and am of the first “Spanish expatriates” in Wall Street. When I graduated in 1985, Spain was tasting democracy, and few venture abroad, it was nothing like today. We had no computers; the fight was individual, and you felt like a revolutionary in many ways. The word entrepreneur didn’t exist. The MIDE gave us the courage to be different; to risk, to be bold, to be you, to lose fear, to compete with the best, to not fear failure, to dream, to fight.
What was your experience in the program?
We were defining the program as we were going through it, we were building the curriculum, and we even wrote our own cases. We were artisans. I loved it!
What was your favorite memory from your time at IE?
It’s having the privilege leading and creating the different boards (Chairman of the US Fund, IE Global Alumni). It’s really working with the people that are shaping the school, risking their dreams and assets to build what we have today, creating and defining strategies. As the Alumni President, it is important for me to be an example to others. I look at this as if I’m an old/new ambassador; being able to transmit the values of the artisan way from when we started into the highly developed and sophisticated school that it has become. I love the journey; the destination is less important to me. It will be constantly shaped by the reflection of all our team efforts. Only the team matters.
If someone was considering going to IE, what would you tell them?
It’s a place that will force you to get to know yourself better. It will help you to get to know who you are, why you fight, what you dream. And then will magically change the “you” for US. IE tells you to be you and don’t be anyone different. “Be you and love yourself, and then join the journey with others as ONE.”
What is one thing you wished you knew, when you were a student? What advice would you give to students who are about to begin the program?
The difficult times are the best times of life.
Tell us about the IE alumni community and the impact they have had in your life and/or career. Why do you think it’s important to engage with the IE alumni community?
Well, the strength is in numbers, in variety, in diversity, and in teamwork. Creativity and courage do not work well alone.
As one of the first contributors towards the Illuminated Bricks campaign, how does it feel? What made you decided to give this gift?
Simply put, I believe.
In your opinion, why is it important to give back?
It is the only way to deserve what you have. You only have what you give. The is the core.
As President of the Alumni Association, what message would you like to give to the alumni community and future generations of alumni on the importance of Giving Back? How do you inspire others to give back?
Gloria and I started to give back in 2000. I believe in the journey lead by the founders of IE, and so many anonymous people that gave it all. They created it against all odds, believed in it when few did, fought for it when few new the sacrifice it was, nurtured it when it was wounded, grew it when it was the right time but risky, and then “gave” it to us. How can one not be grateful? IE is now our responsibility. Let’s enjoy it, accept the challenge, help shape it, and pay it forward.
Giving is not just money. It is time, ideas, support… It shows conviction in the team effort to improve the world, society, and the environment. Yes, it means to fight for what you believe in a humble, courageous, persistent way. There are people that have given their life for others, their dreams, their wealth, their youth! Look at history and inspire yourself in the beautiful fight of so many, to give us what we have today… otherwise, this doesn’t work. Enjoy the journey of giving, it is an amazing feeling that grows with time. But let’s never forget that many give anonymously what they might value most. A VERY special thank you to those!!