Just a decade ago, residents of northern Tuscany were sad to see that one of Italy’s most significant historic landmarks, Villa Reale di Marlia, was falling into disrepair. Everything changed in 2015 when a famous palace and a park estate were purchased by a private investment fund, Hemma Group. Restoration works commenced and the luxurious baroque park was opened for guided tours and cultural events.
The fund’s founders, Marina and Henriс Groenberg, are successful investors in new technologies and enterprises with a positive social impact. Marina Groenberg also has extensive experience in crisis management — on several occasions she has brought businesses that were on the verge of bankruptcy back to life, restoring their profitability.
Childhood and education
Marina Groenberg’s parents worked as aircraft engineers. They strived to give their daughter a well-rounded education, and Marina graduated from a French school with distinction. Since the age of 3, she has practiced figure skating and learned to play the piano, she has also been passionate about painting and reading.
Marina Groenberg has three university degrees: in mathematics, economics and law. In 1995, at the age of 22, she graduated in Applied Mathematics. Two years later she was awarded a degree in Credit and Finance, and in 2001 she was qualified as a lawyer. She completed her education at London Business School and speaks five languages: English, French, Italian, German and Russian.
Career
Marina Groenberg has built a career in the investment business. She has served as a member of the board of directors and a member of Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee of Polymetal International Plc — a gold, silver and copper mining company. She was also a chairman of the board of directors at Hachette — Atticus Publishing Ltd, and a board member of Kopter Group.
A milestone in Marina Groenberg’s career trajectory was founding Hemma Group investment fund in 2009. She founded the company together with her husband, Henriс Groenberg. Marina is the head of the fund, and her husband is the investment director. The company operates in 5 countries in Europe.
One of the fund’s priorities is to invest in the development of green technologies. The portfolio of the fund includes a German project called NexWafe, which produces innovative photovoltaic wafers for solar panels. The firm has patented a breakthrough zero — waste technology that reduces carbon dioxide emissions during manufacturing by 75% and almost halves the cost of production.
Tallano forms another element of Hemma’s portfolio. It is a French start-up which has developed the TAMIC® system — the system allows for a 90% reduction in the emission of microparticles in the braking systems of cars and trains.
In addition, Marina Groenberg took a lead role in the Swiss Kopter project. This project was created from scratch, dedicated to building a new generation of helicopters. The business has been acquired by the Italian aviation holding Leonardo.
Restoration of Villa Reale di Marlia
The most significant achievement of the Foundation was the acquisition of the 15th century Villa Reale di Marlia, a palace and a park estate. It was once the preferred residence of Napoleon’s sister Elisa Bonaparte Bacocchi. It was subsequently inherited by Charles Ludovic of Bourbon. During the first half of the 20th century, many famous artists, such as Salvador Dalí and Alberto Moravia, sought inspiration in the sumptuous setting of the Villa and its striking gardens.
After the Second World War, the villa slowly began to fall into disrepair. Since 2015, the Hemma Group investment fund has consistently pursued the gradual restoration of the buildings and the park. There are currently four functioning museums on site, and Elisa Bonaparte’s chambers are open to the public. The museum staff conducts educational and informative activities and events. The park also hosts concerts and picnics.
In 2020, the family also bought a restaurant in central Lucca that went bankrupt during the Coronavirus pandemic. It is run by Marina’s husband Henriс, who has a passion for haute cuisine.
Family and hobbies
In 2008, Marina Groenberg married Swedish/Swiss citizen Henriс Groenberg, formerly a successful hedge fund manager. He is passionate about flying, holds aeroplane and helicopter pilot licenses, enjoys golf, and loves cooking.
In 2008 the couple had their first daughter, Amanda, and four years later their youngest daughter, Matilda. The family lives in Switzerland, in the canton of Zurich, but they also spend a lot of time in Tuscany, Italy.
Marina Groenberg enjoys reading and spending her free time with her family. She leads an active lifestyle, practises yoga, figure skating, freeride skiing, swimming, tennis, golf, and gymnastics. Marina Groenberg enjoys haute cuisine and visits Michelin-rated restaurants with her husband when they travel.
