Edward Marquis – The Founder
Edward was born in Edinburgh and spent his early years in Scotland. He graduated in Russian and History from London University and went on to do a post graduate course in Book and Magazine production, and Business Management at the London College of Printing. His first appointment was as Export Manager for India for Penguin Books and he later moved on to become Asia sales manager and set up the Penguin Books office in Hong Kong. During his 6 years at Penguin Edward visited most bookshops and universities between Istanbul and Tokyo.

The allure of travel got into his blood. He started his career in travel in conference, trade fair and event management, later moving into retail and leisure travel. He was one of the pioneers of the luxury villa rental market, initially contracting some of the first villas with pools in Tuscany over 35 years ago. He has worked for luxury villa rental companies in the USA, in the UK and in France, and has been involved in the luxury villa and concierge business in St Tropez for over 40 years.

Cannes Connections combines his experience of trade fairs and conference travel with his experience in luxury property rentals and services.

Edward can be found at edward@marquisconnections.com

Annie Kalogirou – The Cannes Partner
Annie brings warmth, professionalism, and a truly international perspective to the Cannes Connections. With over twenty years of experience in communications, hospitality, and event management, she has built her career around connecting with people and creating memorable experiences.

After earning her MSc in Corporate Communication and Public Relations from Ithaca College in New York, Annie worked as a Communication Manager for several major corporations, where she managed high-profile projects, international events, and substantial budgets. She also gained valuable experience in guest relations within leading luxury hotels, always focusing on excellence in service.

Since moving from Athens to Cannes in 2012, Annie has dedicated her expertise to the world of luxury property rentals and bespoke event organisation. She has planned and delivered private celebrations, intimate gatherings, and high-end corporate events with the same care and creativity she brings to concierge services for prestigious villas. Her clients value her ability to anticipate every detail and bring their vision to life with elegance and ease.

Fluent in English, French, and Greek, Annie combines international savoir-faire with a personal touch, ensuring every project is not only flawlessly executed but also unforgettable.

Annie can be found at annie@cannesconnections.com

Haider Mawji – Chief Finance Officer

L’e Marquis is advised by Haider Mawji. Haider is a tech-focused entrepreneurial CFO with 20 years of experience from Start-Ups to PLCs, with sector experience ranging from Travel and Tourism to Telecoms to Medical Technology.

Following an early career as a Chartered Accountant, Haider ran his own Telecommunications Company from 2002 to 2014,  providing international B2B and B2C telecoms services and growing revenue from £0 to £40m. He and his team launched the first UK MVNO with Three and then with Vodaphone.

More recently as a Fractional CFO with The CFO Centre, Haider has been directly involved in fund raises for a value in excess of £100m. These raises have been via Debt and/or Equity from numerous sources e.g. private placements, banks/institutions, PE/VC, family offices, and high net worths. He has also found savings of over £1m across multiple clients. Additionally, he has upgraded and developed multiple finance functions to make them fit for purpose, including timely and accurate MI and the ability to scale and grow internationally.

Since joining L’e Marquis in May 2022, Haider has professionalised and upgraded the finance function and is helping us to develop a strategic growth plan.

Haider lives in Hertfordshire with his wife, Melanie and their 3 children