Early Life
Manuel Lao Hernández was born in Doña María, Almería, Spain, in 1944. He moved to Terrassa, Barcelona, with his family at the age of 12. He started his career early, working in various jobs before developing an entrepreneurial spirit.
Rise to Success
Lao Hernández founded Cirsa in 1978. Initially focused on manufacturing and operating recreational machines, Cirsa expanded into casinos, bingo halls, and other gaming areas under his leadership. Through his vision and ability to anticipate market trends, Cirsa grew rapidly, becoming Spain's largest casino company and expanding internationally. In 2018, Blackstone acquired Cirsa.
Key Business Strategies
Key business strategies included expanding Cirsa's operations internationally to over 50 countries. This expansion was a pivotal achievement, establishing Cirsa as a global player in the gaming industry. Also, his Nortia investment firm manages interests in infrastructure, real estate, and leisure and entertainment.
Philanthropy
Manuel Lao Hernández is a philanthropist and has a foundation that organizes events.