“The Wizard of Leisure”
Julio Bruno is a London-based chairman, founder, investor and former public-company CEO with an international track record across travel, media, digital and hospitality.
Described by El País as ‘El mago del ocio’ — ‘The Wizard of Leisure’ — he has built and advised brands and businesses across consumer, hospitality and experience-led sectors.
He is Executive Chairman of Lío Group, the luxury dining-show and nightlife platform with destinations including Ibiza, Mallorca, Mykonos and London. He is also Founder & CEO of BeBeMe, a London wine merchant and hospitality business, and owner of Bottles at Old Spitalfields Market.
Selected board and advisory roles have included Mercato Metropolitano, Pacha Group, GOIKO, CoverWallet, Flyt, Cervantes Theatre and the Central Saint Martins/Birkbeck MBA Advisory Board.
Julio has advised owners, boards and investors including L Catterton, Trilantic Capital and ¡Hola!.
He writes a bi-weekly column for La Nueva España on international affairs, socioeconomics and culture, hosted The Internationalist podcast (2022–2024), and is the author of Passion to Lead (2022).
International executive:
INVESTOR / BOARD MEMBER / ADVISOR:
Honours & Recognition
Julio is the recipient of two Spanish state honours, conferred by His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain: The Officer’s Cross of the Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic (2025) and the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Civil Merit (2019).
He has also been recognised on the HERoes Advocate Executives, EMpower Advocate Executive and OUTstanding LGBT+ lists (2021), and was named Business Leader of the Year – Consumer Media (Campaign Publishing Awards, 2021).
- 'Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic – Officer’s Cross' - 2025
- 'Order of Civil Merit of Spain – Officer’s Cross' - 2019
- 'Business Leader of the Year – Consumer Media' by Campaign UK - 2021
- 'Top 100 OUTstanding LGBT+ Role Model global list' - 2021
- 'HERoes Advocate Executive' - 2021
- 'Top 50 EMpower Advocate Executive' - 2021
