Team - Underwater Gardens International | Providing Ocean Regenerative Solutions

OUR TEAM

A MULTIDISCIPLINARY NETWORK OF PROFESSIONALS AND EXPERTS WITH WIDE INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION, THAT INTEGRATES A SCIENTIFIC AND BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE

MARC GARCÍA-DURÁN HUET
EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT & FOUNDER

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Marc García-Durán is a diver, architect, urban planner, and entrepreneur. He is the founder of Underwater Gardens International (UGI) and the Tenerife Regenerative Park (project declared of strategic and island interest nature by the Cabildo), two groundbreaking initiatives dedicated to marine regeneration, environmental awareness, and sustainable territorial development.

With a visionary mindset, Marc has successfully turned bold ideas into reality, leading transformative projects that blend ecological innovation with regenerative investment.

His career spans work with renowned architecture firms such as EMBT, JAMLET, and ESTEYCO, along with international experience in New York and humanitarian collaboration in India. Marc believes deeply in the power of human connection and cross-sector collaboration to drive systemic change, and credits the committed UGI team as key to the project’s success.

PURIFICACIÓ CANALS
INSTITUTIONAL RELATIONS

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Puri Canals is a highly respected environmental expert with over 20 years of international experience working with both governmental and non-governmental organizations. She has deep expertise in EU environmental policies, international conventions, and marine and coastal conservation, particularly in the Mediterranean and Atlantic regions.

Puri has been instrumental in developing networks for Marine Protected Area (MPA) managers and is recognized for her leadership in biodiversity and environmental governance at multiple levels.

Throughout her career, she has held prominent roles, including President of MedPAN (2009-2024); Regional Councillor for West Europe (2000-2008) and Vice-President (2004-2008) of the IUCN; and President of DEPANA (1994-2010). .

In 2020, she was awarded the Creu de Sant Jordi by the Government of Catalonia for her outstanding contributions to conservation. With a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Barcelona, Puri now supports Underwater Gardens International, drawn by its inclusive and innovative approach to harmonizing human and environmental interests.

SERGIO ROSSI
BIOLOGY & SCIENCE

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Sergio Rossi is a renowned marine ecologist with a PhD from the University of Barcelona and a distinguished career dedicated to ocean conservation. He is best known for pioneering the concept of the Marine Animal Forest, now recognized by the IUCN as the largest biome on Earth.

With over 150 scientific publications, two major Springer-Nature books, and numerous outreach works, Sergio has built a global reputation in marine science. He also teaches at the Università del Salento and the Universidade Federal do Ceará, sharing his expertise with future generations.

Since 2016, Sergio works at Underwater Gardens International (UGI), where he applies his knowledge to a scientifically rigorous and financially sustainable marine regeneration initiative. He values UGI’s interdisciplinary approach and its ability to attract both public and private funding. In 2022 begans the coordination of the Ocean Citizen project (Horizon Europe) from the University of Salento.

ALEX RUIZ-BUSQUETS
STRATEGY

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Alex Ruiz-Busquets is a shareholder and member of the board of directors. In 2018, he joined Underwater Gardens International with the mission of structuring financing and the company to ensure the project’s scalability on an international level while preserving its founding DNA. UGI represented a unique opportunity for Alex to leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

With over 20 years of finance experience, a significant portion of which was spent at BNP Paribas in structured finance activities related to asset finance, Alex has also provided advisory services to family offices and institutional investors independently. He has advised companies involved in technologically innovative projects in the health sector, particularly in pharmacogenetics and cardiology, on capital raising.

Additionally, he has invested in several start-ups, demonstrating his alignment of interests with different project stakeholders. Alex graduated from ESADE Business & Law School in 2001.

SILVIA CARTAÑÁ
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

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Silvia Cartañá holds a bachelor’s degree and an MBA in Finance from ESADE (1997) and brings over 25 years of experience in the financial sector. She began her career in Private Banking at Ahorro Corporación, SVB, advising investors on stock market strategies and mutual funds.

She later transitioned into Corporate Finance, working as a financial analyst for international M&A firms such as Translink and Clairfield, as well as Spanish boutiques. Her expertise spans corporate financial analysis and valuation of both private SMEs and public companies across diverse industries.

Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, Silvia has co-founded start-ups in the leisure, cultural, and edutainment sectors, and has served as CFO for several companies, particularly during their start-up and growth phases. She has led financial structuring, valuation, and M&A processes, most recently in the cybersecurity industry. Passionate about innovation and social responsibility, Silvia also maintains a strong commitment to education through her long-standing collaboration with ESADE, where she became a Professor in 2023, contributing to international Bachelor and MBA programs in finance.

CHRISTOPHE CANLER
RISK & BUSINESS

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Christophe is a seasoned international finance professional with over 30 years of international experience across both private and public sectors as member of the management team, General Manager, independent advisor or board of directors’ member. His expertise spans finance, internal audit, risk management, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and venture capital.

He has held leadership roles at major institutions such as General Electric (GE Capital), the Institut Català de Finances, and Crédit Andorrà Financial Group, where he led key initiatives and transformations and oversaw the implementation of complex financial regulations. Christophe also contributes to the startup ecosystem directly as a business angel, mentor, and board member, or as Administrator of Venture Capital fund management companies particularly in the tech and green sectors.

With advanced degrees in Economic Sciences, an Executive MBA, and specialized training in management & corporate governance (IESE) and Lean Six Sigma, Christophe brings a strategic and interdisciplinary perspective to Underwater Gardens International (UGI) as a board member. He supports UGI with his deep knowledge of business strategy, risk control, and investment, and also shares his expertise as a professor at institutions such as Universitat Carlemany d’Andorra, IESE, EADA, and the University of Barcelona.

SIMONE BRANCHINI
SENIOR PROJECT DEVELOPER

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Simone Branchini is an architect and urban planner with over 20 years of experience, specializing in sustainable architecture, urban planning, and the preservation of historical heritage. After completing his studies at the University of Ferrara, he was awarded a Progetto Leonardo scholarship that brought him to Barcelona, where he joined Marc’s team at GD Arquitectos. This period marked the beginning of a long-standing collaboration that ultimately led to his role as the first co-founding partner of Underwater Gardens International (UGI).

He is currently Senior Project Director at UGI, where he leads the architecture team and develops underwater structures for marine regeneration, integrating science, tourism, art, and technology.

He also works closely with Fernando Senante, acting as his right-hand in managing the entire administrative process for the Island Interest Project in Tenerife—one of the company’s flagship initiatives. His work reflects a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and ocean conservation in an holistic manner.

FERNANDO SENANTE
URBAN PLANNING LAWYER

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Fernando Senante Mascareño held a Law degree from the University of La Laguna and was a lawyer specialized in Urban Planning Law, with over three decades of experience in land use planning, environmental regulation, and tourism development. Since 1983, he advised numerous public administrations across the Canary Islands and co-directed major urban and territorial planning projects for various municipalities.

He served as Managing Director of the Urban Rehabilitation Consortium of Puerto de la Cruz in two terms (2011–2014 and since 2015), leading key processes for the modernization and strategic transformation of the destination.

Fernando passed away in August 2025, leaving behind a profound legacy as a driving force behind the Tenerife initiative. His pivotal role in the processing of the Island Interest Project for Underwater Gardens International and his leadership as Project Director laid the legal and strategic foundations that continue to guide its development. His extensive academic contributions and legal expertise remain an integral part of the project’s DNA, and his impact is deeply felt by all those who had the privilege to work alongside him.

JORDI VAN OOSTENRYCK
SALES, MARKETING & OPERATIONS

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With over 38 years of leadership experience in the leisure, entertainment, tourism, and nautical sectors, this seasoned executive has held key roles at top-tier companies such as PortAventura, Iberostar, Costa Cruises, Disney On Ice, and Fever Originals.

He has served as General Manager, Marketing Director, and CMO, leading strategic planning, digital transformation, and large-scale event production. His achievements include managing shows with over 500,000 attendees annually and launching new business lines that significantly increased revenue.

Holding degrees in Business Administration, Advanced Marketing, and Fashion Styling, he combines strategic insight with creative flair. As a consultant and events director, he has contributed to innovative ventures bridging digital and live experiences. Today, driven by a deep passion for the ocean and climate action, he is actively involved in Underwater Gardens, a pioneering project focused on marine ecosystem regeneration and environmental innovation.

LUIS FALCÓN
TOURISM & LOCATION

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Luis Falcón is an architect and urban planner with extensive experience in strategic planning, territorial analysis, and the transformation of tourist destinations. He is Managing Director of inAtlas, a tech company specialized in big data and location intelligence SaaS solutions.

He has served as the director of the Canary Islands Strategic Tourism Plan, leading the development of strategies for the sustainable and competitive growth of the archipelago as a tourist destination. In his past role as Director of Urban Consulting and Strategic Planning at Intelligent Coast, he has driven processes of conversion and regeneration of tourist destinations, integrating sustainability, digitalization, and territorial competitiveness.

Luis has been actively involved in governance and knowledge development initiatives. He has been a member of the Sectoral Commission on Knowledge and Strategy of the Tourism Board of the Generalitat of Catalonia, as well as the Advisory Council of the Tourism Campus at the University of Girona, contributing to the design of policies and strategies related to tourism and territory.

He holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Planning from the Berlage Institute (TuDelft) in Rotterdam (2001), an Executive program from IESE and ESADE (2023), and a degree in Architecture and Urban Planning from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (1997).

INTERNATIONAL NETWORK OF EXPERTS

UGI depends on a valuable network of international experts that represent different areas of relevant expertise. Their cooperation ensures a standard of excellence that permeates all the projects we develop, especially the Underwater Gardens Park.