Photo credits: Roland Brautigam.
In Monaco, where opulence meets purpose, Roland Brautigam has woven a new thread into the Principality’s philanthropic tapestry. His June 15, 2024, gala for Mercy Ships, hailed by some as the summer’s standout event, raised over €400,000 for the nonprofit’s mission to deliver free surgeries via hospital ships. With African music, acrobats, and poignant storytelling, the evening was a vibrant celebration of compassion in a city synonymous with grandeur.
Brautigam’s path to this achievement reflects a life of perseverance. Born in a small town in Germany’s Eifel region, he moved to Rotterdam at 14, facing hostility as one of the first German families there after World War II. “It was tough,” he says, “but it helped me grow thick skin.” By the late 1980s, he entered the shipping industry, later relocating to Australia for nine years, where he built a shipbroking business and collaborated with figures like former Prime Minister Bob Hawke. In 2008, amid the global financial crisis, he returned to Europe, settling in Monaco in 2009 when the Principality welcomed his young family and new venture, Romas Marine (Monaco) Sarl.
Photo credits: Mercy Ships Monaco Gala Dinner 2024. Photo: Mercy Ships.
Monaco offered Brautigam stability and opportunity. His sons, Joey and Jimmy, thrived at the International School of Monaco, and he views residency as “a reward for hard work, sacrifices, and risks.” His company, specializing in offshore cranes and renewable energy equipment, aligns with his forward-thinking ethos. Yet, his heart lies with Mercy Ships, whose hospital ships—Global Mercy and African Mercy—staffed by volunteers from over 60 nations, deliver hope to underserved regions. In 2020, Brautigam explored a COVID hospital ship for the Netherlands, sparking his partnership with the organization.
Photo credits: Mercy Ships.
The 2024 gala was a masterclass in collaboration. With Margaux Pohosian’s local network and Lili Pahlavan’s organizational expertise, Brautigam crafted an event that stood out. Guests were greeted by an African band in traditional attire, setting an electric tone. Video clips, including Nelson Mandela’s endorsement of Mercy Ships, illuminated the charity’s impact. Auctions, featuring a Marcos Marin Nelson Mandela figure and a Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection voyage, fueled the €400,000 haul.
This event reflects Monaco’s evolving philanthropic landscape, amplified by Niche Media Sarl. Led by Zsolt Szemerszky, the boutique publisher connects global brands like Rolls-Royce with local icons like Hotel de Paris, tapping into a market where one in 52 residents boasts ultra-high-net-worth status. “We blend Monaco’s opulence with cutting-edge marketing,” Szemerszky says, ensuring brands thrive in this exclusive enclave.
Photo credits: Roland Brautigam.
As Brautigam plans a 2025 gala to double capacity, potentially at venues like SBM or Fairmont, his work underscores Monaco’s unique power: a small principality with a global reach, transforming lives through acts of extraordinary generosity.