INFO - The Sharing Economy: opportunity or threat? by French Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain

T H E

M A G A Z I N E

F O R

A N G L O - F R E N C H

B U S I N E S S

FRENCH CHAMBER OF GREAT BRITAIN www.frenchchamber.co.uk

MAY / JUNE 2016

THE SHARING ECONOMY: opportunity or threat?

IN THIS ISSUE: Paul Khan, President of Airbus Group UK about Brexit 5 minutes with Alistair Gordon, CEO of Keolis UK The EU must face up to the refugee crisis – Leigh Daynes, Doctors of the World What is the sharing economy? Alex Stephany explains the phenomenon A hotelier’s story: Sylvain Ercoli, GM of Bulgari Hotel & Residences, on 36 years in luxury hotels

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EDITORIAL

Estelle Brachlianoff President, French Chamber of Great Britain Senior Executive Vice President of Veolia UK & Ireland

t barely seems possible, but we are already moving towards the half way point of the year and the Chamber is gearing up for two of its most important events – namely the Annual General Meeting and our Annual Gala Dinner. I hope to see you at our AGM on 6 June, which will be a privileged occasion to hear and review the

activities and achievements of the Chamber of the past year with the added bonus of being able to network with a wide range of fellow members against an amazing backdrop of the London skyline. Just over a week later, our flagship event, the Annual Gala Dinner on 14 June is a celebration of what the Chamber does best. We will have the honour of being addressed by Jacques Attali, who is not only one of France’s leading polymaths, writers and political advisors, but also recognised as one of the top 100 global thinkers in the world. He will speak to us in his capacity as President of Positive Planet, and the evening’s fundraising efforts will go towards this worthy cause. Emmanuel Macron, French Economy Minister, and Axelle Lemaire, Minister of State for the Digital Sector, were both in London on 14 April to launch the French Tech Hub London, an initiative led by entrepreneurs, backed by the French government and supported locally by the Chamber alonside five other steering members: The French Embassy, Business France, French Connect, French Digital and Frog Valley. London is the first European capital to be designated a French Tech Hub as part of the French Tech programme which aims to build bridges between major innovation hubs and facilitate the international growth of French start-ups. This issue of INFO considers the phenomenon that is the sharing economy, which has developed rapidly in the past few years to become a sector worth $15 billion globally today, and is projected to be generating $335 billion by 2025. Through a series of articles, some written by founders of sharing economy start-ups, we look at what it is, how it came about and its evolution through different sectors, as well as how it is funded and regulated. And while it is an alternative economic model, that may seem the antithesis of traditional business, we learn that big business is buying into it and through it, gaining new insights into customers and markets. I look forward to seeing you soon. I

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HERMÈS BY NATURE

I s s u e 2 24 / M a y - J u n e 2 0 16

CONTENTS

THE SHARING ECONOMY

66 57

43 COMME NT

Paul Kahn, President of Airbus Group UK on why Airbus supports a vote to stay

BUSINE S S WOR LD

8 10 11 12 14 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 25

5 minutes with... Alistair Gordon, CEO, Keolis UK Airbus Defence and Space gets MOD order Capgemini opens new facility in Wales Veolia gets cleaning and recycling contracts EDF Energy gets Royal honour for training Hinkley Point C workforce Reports and research: BearingPoint, London Stock Exchange Group, CBRE Charity news: Handicap International launches Every Step Counts Doctors of the World: The refugee crisis unfolding on European shores Start-up stories: Mozoo Launch of French Tech Hub London SME news Start-up profile: The Dentist Gallery Success Story: Maison Corthay

E DUC ATION

26 News briefs 2 8 FOCUS

The sharing economy: opportunity or threat? 30 31 32 34 35 36 38 39 40 41 42 43

What is the sharing economy? The pillars of the sharing economy Figuring out the sharing economy and its potential How London became the capital of the European sharing economy Differences between the French and UK markets The rise of the ‘Micro-entrepreneur’ Funding the sharing economy Case study: How a Dragons’ Den rejection led to a Seedrs windfall Case study: How raising £3.5m via crowdfunding helped us Going mainstream: UKShareCo Is trust the new self-regulation? Case study: Trust in me - the use of reviews and insurance at Storemates

44 Sharing economy: legal questions 45 Can the sharing economy be a green solution? 46 The sharing economy meets big business 47 How can established organisations play to win? 48 How platform-based capitalism is disrupting big businesses Case study: AccorHotels buys onefinestay 49 Case study: The Food Assembly - building human interactions around food 50 Realising the potential of a disruptive sharing economy LIFE S T YLE

52 54 56 57 58 59 61

Costume Central: the Royal Opera House’s new facility Exhibitions and events Books Travelogue: Darwin’s Secret in Galapagos A hotelier’s story: Sylvain Ercoli Eat, Drink, Stay - briefs Cheese & Wine Press

62 CHAMBE R HAPPE NINGS

63 64 66 67 68

Chamber shorties New members Economic Update: How do schools and universities prepare students to meet future business needs? M2M Cocktail & Exhibition: Making connections and discoveries Say cheese... and wine Pcubed Rugby League Varsity Match

FORUMS & CLUBS

69 Challenges and opportunities in the luxury hotel industry 70 How to generate higher growth Start-up & SME Club 71 HR management for a CFO - challenges, best practice and offshoring 72 The year ahead from an employment law perspective 73 The view from the Green Investment Bank 74 Is your business ‘climate change ready’? Tips for start-ups and SMEs from the Climate Change Forum Forthcoming Forums & Clubs 75 Forthcoming Events

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french chamber of great britain www.frenchchamber.co.uk

may / june 2016

the sharing economy: opportunity or threat?

Managing Director: Florence Gomez Editor: Keri Fuller Head of Corporate Communications: Marielle Fraize Graphic design & cover artwork: Katherine Millet Advertising & Sales: Suzanne Lycett Publications Assistant: Aurore Largerie INFO is published every 2 months Printed by: CPI Colour Contributors: Eric Charriaux, Rob Coleridge, Simon Constance, Leigh Daynes, Fiona Disegni, Anthony Eskinazi, Geraldine Fabre, Helen Goulden, Thibault Lavergne, Antoinin Léonard, Sam Mellor, Laurence Mulliez, Tom Mills, Thomas Nutt, Sam Parton, Shaff Prabatani, Gary Richards, Ben Rogers, Melanie Stancliffe, Alex Stephany, Robert Vaughan, Caroline Yarrow Distribution: French Chamber members, Franco-British decision makers, Business Class lounges of Eurostar, Eurotunnel and Air France in London, Paris and Manchester Editorial and Publishing Office: French Chamber of Great Britain Lincoln House, 300 High Holborn London WC1V 7JH Tel: (020) 7092 6600; Fax: (020) 7092 6601 www.frenchchamber.co.uk

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- may / june 2016 - 5

YOUR ESSENTIAL DAILY READ Our award-winning journalists keep you informed on all the latest industry news, ensuring you make the best possible business decisions.

COMMENT

PAUL KAHN

President of Airbus Group UK In February, Chief Executives of 36 major British companies including easyJet, BAE Systems and Shell, signed a letter in support of the UK remaining inside the European Union. But recently Airbus went one step further, by sending a letter to its 15,000 staff warning of the consequences of a vote to leave. Paul Kahn, President of Airbus Group UK, and a Director of the Chamber’s Board, tells INFO why they took this step

If the UK exits the EU, there are likely to be significant changes to the regulatory and economic environment with subsequent impacts on our competitiveness

Airbus has taken the unusual step of writing to its employees to set out its support for the UK staying in the

and increased prosperity in the UK. The free movement of goods and people facilitated by

EU. Why did you consider such an intervention necessary?

the EU has allowed companies, such as Airbus, to operate

As a responsible employer, the UK leadership of Airbus

competitively and successfully in Britain, both employing

Group believed that it was reasonable for us to explain to our

directly and supporting through the supply chain tens of

colleagues why we think it is important for the UK to stay in

thousands of UK jobs.

the EU, to ensure that they cast their vote from an informed perspective, based on the facts. The UK’s continued ability to attract investment, which

Although you have said Airbus will continue to make aircraft parts in the UK whatever the result of the

the future prosperity of our British operations rely on, is

referendum, what are your main concerns about how

dependent on UK’s ability to compete globally. As a Group, we

future business will be adversely affected if the UK leaves

do not believe that leaving will increase the competitiveness of

the EU?

our British operations.

If the UK exits the EU, there are likely to be significant changes to the regulatory and economic environment with subsequent

Can you explain what Airbus’s position is on the UK’s

impacts on our competitiveness. Though Airbus Group

membership of the EU, and how it benefits your business

remains fully committed to its operations in the UK and to its

in the UK?

employees here, we certainly hope the UK will choose to retain

The success of Airbus Group’s operations in the UK depends

its EU membership which helps to ensure the continued long-

on European industrial organisation and integration. EU

term success of Airbus Group’s European industrial model. I

membership has benefitted the British economy, created jobs

Interview by KF

Members wishing to contribute to this column should contact Keri Fuller at kfuller@ccfgb.co.uk

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5 minutes with...

ALISTAIR GORDON

Chief Executive Officer, Keolis UK

Keolis is marking 20 years in the UK this year, having been

Whenever rail fares go up, there are renewed calls for re-

on the scene since rail privatisation in 1996. What have

nationalisation of Britain’s railways. What is your take on

been the company’s milestones in that period?

that? What do you see as the benefits of a privatised rail

We’ve established ourselves as part of one of the country’s

network?

busiest rail operating companies and the growth we’ve

I believe privatisation works, and has worked for the UK

enjoyed since 1996 has provided many very significant

railways. It’s brought a raft of safety and service improvements

milestones. In our business these have mainly centred on

to the UK network, not to mention significant investment.

winning franchises. One of the key milestones since I became

Competition drives value and improves performance and

CEO in 2010 was our first win as a majority shareholder for the

the UK’s privatised rail network has been an unprecedented

operations and maintenance contract for Nottingham Trams

success, leading to record passenger growth since the start of

in 2011. Since then, the network has marked its highest levels

the current franchising process in 1996.

of customer satisfaction and last year saw the opening of two new extension lines.

Its success is measured by the year-on-year growth in passenger numbers, even through the recent recession. I

Equally, winning the iconic Docklands Light Railway

know that the expertise the UK rail industry has developed

concession in 2014 was another important milestone as it

over the past 20 years is now in demand all over the world.

has provided an opportunity to work in collaboration with

Clearly, there are improvements that can be made and

Transport for London in the capital. In the same year we were

we still have some big issues in the industry to resolve, but it’s

also successful in securing the largest ever rail franchise,

important not to forget the success we’ve also managed to

known as Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern (TSGN).

achieve.

This was achieved as part of our long-term Govia partnership. Through this joint venture, our operations now provide more

You wrote in The Transport Times recently that ‘the UK is

than one in every three rail journeys in the UK.

on the cusp of a revolution in integrated transport’. What will this revolution be and how will it change the transport

Which train lines do you operate, what do the operations

landscape in the UK?

entail and how do you work with joint venture partners?

We know that businesses and local authorities in the regions

Our heavy rail networks handle somewhere in the region

are demanding greater transport integration – casting an

of 500 million passenger journeys in the UK every year. To

admiring eye at the success of Transport for London. Creating

achieve this staggering number we operate some of the UK’s

better connectivity is a no-brainer in terms of economic

busiest heavy rail franchises, which includes; TSGN, London

growth and a key step in achieving that is ensuring that

Midland and Southeastern, with the addition of the UK’s first

different transport modes are integrated.

high speed railway, HS1, in Kent. Clearly, running all of these

It’s fair to say 2015 was the year of devolution, with new

operations on a day-to-day basis requires committed and

transport powers forming a key part of the devolution deals

skilled staff at every level. We believe we have some of the

secured by Greater Manchester and the Sheffield City Region.

best qualified people in the industry to deliver our services.

Possible new powers for local authorities over buses were

With our partners we share expertise and experience across

eye-catching features of both of those deals and a new Bus Bill

a wide range of disciplines, but always with the ultimate goal

is on the legislative agenda for 2016, which looks likely to bring

of ensuring that we are focused on delivering the best service

some form of regulation back to that market.

possible for our customers. 8 - info - may / june 2016

Better integration will enable the introduction of smart

5 M I N U T E S W I T H . . . A L I S TA I R G O R D O N

... our operations now provide more than one in every three rail journeys in the UK

Oyster-style ticketing across transport modes and will also

With the EU referendum just around the corner, do

provide the foundations for the Midlands and North to exploit

you have a view on how a Brexit vote would affect your

the benefits offered by HS2.

business?

Keolis obviously has experience from our French heritage

We’re an international business and so we are used to working

of seeing the benefits of transport integration in cities such

under a wide variety of different models globally. Ultimately we

as Lyon, Bordeaux and Lille. These are cities where we are

are committed long-term to the UK rail market, whether the

contracted to manage and operate all modes of public

country is in the EU or not.

transport on behalf of the local passenger transport authority. Have you always worked in the rail industry, and what What are the biggest challenges in the UK rail sector and

was your route to becoming CEO of Keolis?

how do you think they can be overcome?

I graduated in Mathematics from University College London

The answer to this is simply the lack of capacity across the

and went on to become a transport consultant. In 1995, I

national network. The popularity of rail travel means that

moved to the transport consultancy, Steer Davies Gleave

many of the services are now crowded to over-capacity. The

and was involved in the early stages of rail privatisation – a

Victorian rail network we currently have is at breaking point

truly fascinating period in my working life. I then worked at

and is becoming more and more fragile as demand outstrips

Eurostar for seven years in a range of roles including finance,

supply.

branding, commercial and finally as Strategy Director. In 2004,

Network Rail is working on a project to meet some of

I joined Keolis UK as a Project Director leading the bids for

the future capacity issues of the national network. The work

Southeastern, London Rail and Southern franchises and with

on what is commonly known as the Digital Railway is well

this experience and background was appointed CEO in 2010.

under way. It aims to maximise the capacity of our existing infrastructure by replacing traditional track-side signalling with

What does Keolis get from being a member of the French

digital, in-cab signalling. Simply, this will allow trains to run

Chamber?

more closely together and safely on the existing tracks and

It provides an opportunity for us to engage with other

thus provide the opportunity to have more trains running. We

businesses and clearly this results in excellent networking

already have tried and tested technology that is being adopted

opportunities. Also, the Chamber hosts some very interesting

by railways across Europe and Asia and it has already made

and stimulating events, which provide insight into the

an impact closer to home on the Victoria line of the London

challenges of a variety of business sectors. I

Underground. The digital signalling on the line has managed

Interview by KF

to increase the number of trains per hour by more than 20% over the past few years. What plans do you have for bidding for or further investing in new franchises here? We are currently bidding in another partnership for

K E O L I S U K : FAC T S A N D F I G U R E S

• In the UK since 1996

Manchester’s tram network, Metrolink. In the next few months

• UK employees: 13,000

we will start the bidding process for the West Midlands

• UK turnover: £1.1 billion

franchise (London Midland), where we are currently the incumbent (through the Govia partnership). Obviously we’re very ambitious for future transport franchises and we continue to investigate opportunities in areas outside of rail. The UK transport market is one of the most vibrant and exciting in the world and Keolis intends to play its part in

• Global employees: 56,000 • Global turnover: £5 billion • Proportion of turnover generated in the UK: approx. 20%

ensuring its continued development across all modes.

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- may / june 2016 - 9

BUSINESS WORLD - COMPANY NEWS Compiled by Marielle Fraize

Airbus Defence and Space gets MOD order for two Zephyr 8s communications

links,

for

long

periods without landing. The latest generation Zephyr 8 has a wingspan of 25m, is 30% lighter and can carry 50% more batteries

than

its

predecessor,

the 22.5m wingspan Zephyr 7. This enables the Zephyr 8 to carry heavier payloads for its surveillance and communications roles. It is designed to fly continuously for over a month before landing, being refurbished, and flying again. Airbus Defence and Space has won an order from the UK

As well as for military purposes, Zephyrs can be used for

Ministry of Defence (MOD) for the manufacture and operation

humanitarian missions, precision farming, environmental

of two solar-powered Zephyr 8 high-altitude pseudo-satellite

and security monitoring, and to provide internet coverage to

(HAPS) craft.

regions of poor or zero connectivity. The first Zephyr 8 is under

Flying slowly at some 20,000m above weather systems,

construction at Airbus Defence and Space’s Farnborough facility

the ultra-lightweight Zephyr 8 is uniquely capable of providing

in the UK and is due to fly in mid-2017. I

persistent surveillance over land or sea, and hosting

www.airbusgroup.com/int/en

London Stock Exchange and Deutsche Boerse agree merger The London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) and Deutsche Boerse have reached agreement on the terms for a ‘merger of equals’, which will create one of the largest exchange companies in the world with a combined value of about £21bn. The merger will be implemented via the establishment of a new holding company, UK TopCo, incorporated in the UK. The Combined Group will maintain its headquarters in London and Frankfurt, with an efficient distribution of central corporate functions in both locations. On completion, Xavier Rolet will step down from his role as CEO of LSEG and become an adviser to the new Chairman, Donald Brydon, and Deputy Chairman, Joachim Faber, to assist with a successful transition. Carsten Kengeter will become Chief Executive. It is currently expected that the merger will be completed by the end of 2016 or during Q1 2017. Xavier Rolet, CEO of London Stock Exchange Group plc said: ‘We are creating an industry-defining combination which will be a leading global market infrastructure business, very

10 - info - may / june 2016

well positioned to create new benefits and efficiencies for our customers and increase value for our shareholders. Our highly complementary businesses will accelerate growth. Our shareholders will also benefit from substantial cost and revenue synergies. The Combined Group will continue to be fully committed to the real economy, by supporting companies, including the 23 million SMEs across Europe that drive economic growth and job creation. We will create a European leader in global markets infrastructure.’ LSEG and DBAG have established a Referendum Committee to consider the ramifications of any vote for the UK to leave the EU on the Combined Group. They believe that the merger is well positioned to serve global customers irrespective of the outcome of the vote, although it might well affect the volume or nature of the business carried out by the Combined Group. Accordingly, the outcome of the Referendum is not a condition of the merger. I www.lseg.com

BUSINE S S WOR LD - COMPANY NE WS

Capgemini opens new facility in Wales and secures HMRC contract Capgemini has opened a new state-of-the-art, application

Management Board at Capgemini. ‘This agreement will see

delivery centre in Treforest, South Wales. The facility, which

Capgemini applying its deep expertise in digital transformation

represents a further £17.1 million investment in South Wales,

as well as application development, management and quality

will see 100 highly skilled jobs created over the next three

assurance to support HMRC in realising its ambitious digital

years, including 40 apprenticeships.

vision.’ I www.uk.capgemini.com

John Duncanson, UK Head of Local and Devolved Government at Capgemini, commented: ‘This is one of Capgemini’s most advanced delivery centres and its success depends on the availability of a highly-skilled workforce. Thanks to the ongoing investment from the Welsh Government, we believe that South Wales is fast becoming one of the UK’s best regions to source high-level IT and technical expertise.’ Capgemini has also entered an agreement with the UK’s HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on the phased transition of the Aspire contract. Under this agreement Capgemini will continue as a strategic supplier to HMRC notably in Application Development and Management services through to June 2020 in support of HMRC’s ambition of being one of the world’s most digitally advanced tax authorities. ‘Capgemini’s ambition has always been to remain a significant partner to HMRC post-2017,’ commented Salil Parekh, Member of the Group

Left: John Duncanson, UK Head of Local and Devolved Government at Capgemini, and The First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones

SPIE wins Scottish Power Energy Networks, SSEPD and Gatwick Airport contracts SPIE, a European leader in multi-technical

a dual three-year framework with Scottish

a portfolio that also includes Scottish

services, has been awarded an £80

and Southern Energy Power Distribution

Power Energy Networks, Electricity North

million, four-year contract with Scottish

(SSEPD) for the construction, dismantling

West and Northern Ireland Electricity.

Power Energy Networks to deliver a

and maintenance of overhead lines up to

Yet another contract awarded to

range of overhead line services across

33kV along with the provision of critical

SPIE is the design and installation of a

Scotland, with the added potential to

emergency cover.

new gas infrastructure system in the

extend the partnership for a further four years. The company has also been awarded

This SSEPD award establishes SPIE

South Terminal at Gatwick Airport. The

as the largest provider of distribution

£1 million contract will be managed by

overhead line services in the UK with

Gatwick Airport. I www.spieuk.com

PwC acquires Rickards Media Services PwC has acquired Rickards Media Services (Rickards), one

benefits to Rickards clients by aligning PwC’s media and audit

of the UK’s foremost media auditing firms. The London-

credentials with Rickards’ 35 years of deep sector knowledge

based company, which is the market leader in auditing media

and contacts.

trading deals in the UK and Republic of Ireland, employs eight

The move follows several other acquisitions including

staff. They will now become part of the PwC team based in

cyber security company Praxism, customer, digital and

London. David Rickard, the founder of Rickards will advise

technology services solutions provider Outbox and European

PwC in a consulting capacity. The arrangement will bring

consultancy Mokum. I www.pwc.co.uk

info

- may / june 2016 - 11

BUSINE S S WOR LD - COMPANY NE WS

JCDecaux launches MyLondon and gets Royal Borough contract People living and working in London

visit London to either work or shop

Kensington and Chelsea is a significant

differ from the rest of Britain when

but don’t necessarily live within the

win. Securing these additional premium

it comes to media behaviour and

traditional boundaries.

locations including Brompton Road,

opinions, which is why JCDecaux has

JCDecaux has also been awarded

Kensington High Street and King’s Road

launched a dedicated London panel

the Bus Shelter advertising contract

strengthens our London advertising

to help advertisers and agencies gain

for the Royal Borough of Kensington

portfolio and will enable advertisers to

valuable insight into the distinct London

and Chelsea. The contract, previously

reach audiences in some of the most

audience.

held by Clear Channel, includes the

affluent retail and tourist destinations

provision,

in London, with 40% of the retailers in

The new panel, run by ResearchBods, allows

clients

ask

installation,

maintenance

opted-in

and advertising operations for 80 new

the area classified as “Premium”.’ I

respondents questions via a website or

Bus Shelters including 16 sites already

www.jcdecaux.co.uk

the dedicated app and receive feedback

approved for 84” digital

within hours. JCDecaux can geo-fence

screens.

an area so that only respondents fitting

Jean-François Decaux,

specific demographics in a particular

Chairman of the Executive

location receive the survey questions.

Board

ResearchBods add-on app ‘Kamino’

JCDecaux, said: ‘Further

also allows insights into respondents’

movements and their app and mobile

of the TfL Bus Shelter

web behaviour.

concession

MyLondon covers both the central

and

the

Co-CEO

recent in

award London,

this 15 year contract for

33 boroughs and ‘Greater Greater

Bus

London’, encompassing people who

in the Royal Borough of

Shelter

advertising

Veolia set to clean up St Albans and recycle in Hampshire St Albans City and District Council has awarded an eight-year

revamped IT system will enhance customer service.

contract for recycling, waste and street cleansing to Veolia.

Estelle Brachlianoff, Senior Executive Vice-President, Veolia

Working in partnership with the Council, Veolia is targeting an

UK and Ireland said: ‘This new contract further increases our

increase in the recycling rate from last year’s 52.3% to 60% after

presence in Hertfordshire and will deliver cost savings to the

two years. The £40 million contract will see the introduction of

Council as well as environmental benefits. By introducing

weekly rather than fortnightly collections of food waste which

the increased frequency food waste service, using the latest

will be transformed into garden compost. Fuel conservation

technology and working closely with residents, we are well

will be improved by state-of-the-art in-cab technology and a

placed to achieve the new recycling targets and replenish more precious resources.’ Veolia has also been awarded the Household Waste Recycling Centre contract by Hampshire County Council. Worth over £70 million, the contract will enhance recycling through Hampshire County Council’s and Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils’ HWRC sites and help towards achieving a circular economy. With a focus on sustainability this partnership will also help the County Council meet its savings targets in light of reduced Government funding. Under the new 14-year, nine-month contract, Veolia will manage the 250,000 tonnes of materials arising each year, and will help the councils to reduce costs with a service that is flexible and can respond to future changes. I www.veolia.co.uk

12 - info - may / june 2016

BUSINE S S WOR LD - COMPANY NE WS

Alstom’s award-winning energy recovery substation used in London Underground Alstom and London Underground have won accolades

the traction energy generated during braking, which is usually

this year from both Railway Industry Awards and Transport

lost, is recovered. As London Underground’s tunnels are small,

Times for Hesop, Alstom’s advanced reversible power-supply

most of the heat produced by the trains stays in the tunnel

substation. It has been in commercial service at the Cloudesley

and surroundings. Hesop therefore reduces tunnel heating

Road station for a year to serve the London Underground’s

by removing the heat source, allowing cooling equipment to

Victoria Line. Designed to deliver the best energy efficiency,

be further optimised and precluding huge investments for

Hesop also reduces infrastructure investment, limits CO2

additional equipment, such as ventilation shafts.

network.

tramway T1 line. Upcoming implementations include Milan

emissions and decreases the temperature within the metro

Hesop benefits from four years of experience on the Paris

Hesop works by converting and transferring any unused

tramway and metro, Riyadh metro, Sydney tramway and

power, generated by the trains during braking, to the medium

Panama metro. 109 Hesop substations have been sold by

voltage loop for re-use within the network. More than 99% of

Alstom so far. I www.alstom.com/uk

A new structural glazing system from Glassolutions has been specified for Hiscox’s landmark office in York, part of the insurance company’s £19 million investment to create its largest office outside London. The VS-1 mullion-only system from Glassolutions eliminates the need for horizontal framing members, enabling clean viewing lines on the curved atrium screen which forms a key feature of the four-storey building. UK-based Glassolutions, part of the international Saint-Gobain Group, supplied and installed the curtain walling structure for main contractor BAM Construction as part of a £1.8 million contract. Meanwhile, Saint-Gobain has obtained The Hiscox building ‘Top Employer Global 2016’ certification. It is one of eight companies worldwide to receive this label delivered by Top Employers Institute, an independent body that studies corporate human resources practices. Saint-Gobain stands out, in particular, for paying close attention to talent management and skills development. Another decisive factor was its corporate culture, rooted in strong values that form the basis of its Corporate Social Responsibility policy. I www.saint-gobain.com/en

Safran groups companies under a single brand Safran has decided to place all of its companies under a single banner and brand name – Safran – to bolster its position as a global industrial leader and accelerate its international growth. The Safran logo therefore becomes the sole emblem representing all Group companies. I www.safran-group.com

info

- may / june 2016 - 13

Make Architects

Saint-Gobain’s Glassolutions for new office in York

BUSINE S S WOR LD - COMPANY NE WS

Airbus launches new cabin brand Airbus has launched its new cabin brand ‘Airspace by Airbus’. Representing the best of Airbus’ cabin innovation and design, Airspace will offer a sophisticated, flexible canvas as a back-drop to enhance the airlines’ own brands. Airbus is also launching the new cabin for the forthcoming A330neo airliner, which is inspired by the cabin of its Widebody sibling, the new A350 XWB in service.

I www.airbusgroup.com/int/en

easyJet: new route to Paris from London Southend easyJet has started a new route from London Southend Airport to Paris. The route is easyJet’s 15th from London Southend, voted the Best Airport in Britain by Which? magazine three years running. The airline is expected to carry 50,000 passengers a year to the French capital, with flights operating four times weekly, all year round. I www.easyjet.com/en

EDF Energy: Royal honour for training Hinkley Point C workforce A college which is taking a lead role in

Bridgwater

College

Somerset,

The

centre

has

around

500

EDF Energy’s efforts to create a new

which trains young people to work on

engineering apprenticeships and is one

workforce for the nuclear energy industry

projects like Hinkley Point C, has been

of the main training providers for young

has been honoured by The Queen.

awarded The Queen’s Anniversary Prize

people who want to work in the nuclear

for Higher and Further Education. The

energy industry. It has ultra-modern

prizes are awarded every two years for

labs and workshops, and offers courses

work which demonstrates ‘excellence,

which have been designed in close

innovation and impact’.

collaboration with industry.

Staff and governors travelled to

Meanwhile, EDF Energy CEO, Vincent de

Buckingham Palace on 26 February to

Rivaz, has told MPs that Hinkley Point

receive the prize from Prince Charles

C will be going ahead. He made his

and the Duchess of Cornwall.

comments during a hearing of the Energy

EDF Energy has invested £3 million

and Climate Change Select Committee

in the college’s groundbreaking Energy

on 23 March. I

Skills Centre, which was opened in 2011.

www.edfenergy.com

EY and Deloitte named BIS social mobility champions EY and Deloitte are among 11 companies to achieve Social Mobility Business Compact Champion status, announced by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills. The Government standard recognises employers who are leading the way in opening up the world of work to young people from all backgrounds, setting an example to others, and helping to increase the pace of change to improve social mobility. To achieve champion status, employers must meet a set of criteria, including: demonstrating how they are supporting their local communities and schools, providing opportunities for all young people to get a foot on the jobs ladder, and recruiting openly and fairly. Skills Minister Nick Boles said: ‘The Social Mobility Champions have risen to the challenge set by government and shown genuine commitment to bring about positive change. They have gone beyond just volunteering in schools or changing the way they advertise jobs; they have made social mobility a core part of their corporate strategy. I hope this will inspire other businesses to follow suit.’ I www.ey.com 14 - info - may / june 2016

www2.deloitte.com/uk/en

BUSINE S S WOR LD - COMPANY NE WS

Groupe Renault UK crowned franchise of the year Groupe Renault UK, consisting of both Renault and Dacia dealerships, was crowned Franchise of the Year at the annual Automotive Management Awards, having been voted for by dealers across the country. The Franchise of the Year award seeks to recognise the brand that has fulfilled on promises made by the manufacturer partner to dealers. Stephen Briers, Editor-in-chief of AM Magazine, said: ‘The Renault franchise has been on a rollercoaster ride in recent years but is now firmly in the ascendance, with outstanding models and a real partnership approach to its franchised dealers. In the past it took assertive action to shore up its network, but now that same assertive stance is winning over both customers and dealers.’ Ken Ramirez, formerly Managing Director of Groupe Renault UK (now Senior Vice-President, Sales & Marketing in Europe), said: ‘We’re honoured and delighted to receive such an important recognition and highly prestigious award. Being awarded Franchise of the Year by AM Magazine reflects the strong collaboration and commitment by our franchise partners to deliver the sustainable profitable growth ambition in our MidTerm Plan.’ I www.renault.co.uk

UN recognises Deloitte UK CEO with gender equality award At the United Nations 2016 Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) event, ‘Business Partners for Gender Equality: Multipliers for Development’, David Sproul, Senior Partner and Chief Executive, Deloitte UK, received an award for his demonstrated commitment to and implementation of policies that advance and empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community. The award included recognition of Deloitte’s use of concrete data to drive ‘a cross-cutting gender equality strategy

David Sproul receiving the award from Joseph Keefe, Co-chair of the WEPs Leadership Group

throughout business operations’. David Sproul said: ‘I am honoured by this recognition of the work we have done at Deloitte to make gender equality a business priority. The imperative for greater gender equality is clear for all businesses, not just morally but commercially. For Deloitte it’s critical to how we run our business, retain talented individuals and best serve our clients. Equally, we know it is something our clients care about too.’ I www2.deloitte.com/uk/en

Call for nominations for International SOS first Global Duty of Care Awards The International SOS Foundation has launched the first annual Global Duty of Care Awards to recognise organisations and individuals who have made a significant contribution to protecting their staff as they travel and work overseas. The International SOS Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation with the goal of improving the safety, security, health and welfare of people working abroad or on remote assignments through the study, understanding and mitigation of potential risks.

Laurent Fourier, Director of the International SOS Foundation, said: ‘A considerable amount of effort is involved across departments to support travelling staff. The goal of the awards is to recognise those involved in creating and implementing the programmes that mitigate travel, health and security risks to workers when they are abroad. We want to shine a light on best practices to raise standards in Duty of Care.’ The global call for submissions is now open to all organisations, institutions and non-governmental organisations.

The Awards will be presented in the following categories: Innovation, Thought Leadership, Resilient Care, Communication, Partnership. One winner will be chosen and presented an award for each of the five categories. Winners will be announced at the awards gala dinner on 16 June 2016 in Hong Kong. The judging panel includes internationally recognised leaders in fields related to Duty of Care. I www.internationalsos.com

info

- may / june 2016 - 15

ÂŠPhoto credits: Pascal le DoarĂŠ and COSEA photo libraries

CONSTRUCTING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE At VINCI Construction Grands Projets, we engineer digital solutions that help us and our Clients in the conception and construction of our major projects. On SEA Tours-Bordeaux high speed rail line (302 km and 38 km of connecting track), we developed a bespoke information system allowing sharing of processes and data between all partners (80 design offices, 5 sub-consortiums, 3,500 employees) that offers the most reliable performance. We introduced an Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) and a Geographical Information System (GIS) whose 3D interface fostered collaboration with clients and stakeholders. This real Asset Information Management (AIM) is being transferred to the dedicated company for the maintenance of the project over 45 years.

In the UK, we are currently placing our BIM expertise at the core of infrastructure projects such as Tideway East and the M4 Corridor around Newport, with the aim of providing enhanced collaboration and efficiency. By EXCELLENCE, we mean designing and building quicker, safer and at best value. www.vinci-construction-projects.com/british-isles

BUSINE S S WOR LD - R E PORT S & R E SE ARCH

This is a selection of research papers and reports on a variety of topics produced by Chamber member companies

BearingPoint Businesses need to adapt decision-making to the digital age BearingPoint study on decision-making in the digital age sheds light on why traditional business structures are struggling to keep pace with start-ups. The convergence of the physical and digital worlds requires an alternative response. Analysis of data from a survey of 300 senior executives in France, Germany, the UK and Nordic countries reveals that management teams have recognised that profound organisational changes are required to make faster, smarter and better-informed decisions. The paper shows traditional firms are marked by overly complex structures, systems and processes that hinder effective, dynamic decision-making. Some of the key findings: • 49% of respondents believe that new market entrants and more agile, digitally sophisticated companies are a significant threat • Immediately available digital information is 2.3 times more likely to result in a good decision-making process • When customers were directly involved in the decision process, it was 2.5 times more likely to lead to a good decision • Involving all staff levels is 2.2 times more likely to result in a good decision. I Rewiring the corporate brain – December 2015 Available at: https://www.bearingpointinstitute.com/en/rewiring-corporate-brain Copyright: BearingPoint Institute

London Stock Exchange Group 1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain is an annual celebration of some of the fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. As well as identifying 1,000 companies, the annual report examines in detail the opportunities and challenges facing SMEs and looks at the sectors and trends that will shape the future of the UK economy. The report shows more high-growth firms coming from outside London, with 8% fewer companies coming from London compared with last year. There are 25% more companies represented from Wales and Northern Ireland this year, and in terms of revenue, Scottish companies are the fastest growing, enjoying over 80% annual revenue growth. I 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain – 2016 Available at: http://www.lseg.com/resources/1000-companies-inspire-britain/2016-report

CBRE Physical store expansion remains key to retailer’s strategies despite growth in online sales Growing online sales will not deter retailer’s physical store expansion plans in 2016, reports CBRE in its seventh edition of ‘How Active Are Retailers Globally?’, a study of over 150 major international brands based in Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The survey findings show that 83% of brands suggest their physical store expansion plans will not be affected by the growth in e-commerce in 2016, although this is likely to vary from market to market and only 22% of the brands are concerned about stiff competition from online retailing. Core Western Europe is at the top of retailer’s expansion targets, Germany proving most popular with 35% of retailers looking to expand there, France, 33% and the UK, 29%. I How Active Are Retailers Globally? – February 2016 Available at: http://www.cbre.com/research-and-reports Copyright: CBRE 2016 info - march info - may//april june 2016

- 17

BUSINE S S WOR LD - CHAR IT Y NE WS

British Red Cross and Aviva join forces to help vulnerable communities respond to disasters Photographer Few, Rob (IFRC)

more resilient when the next disaster strikes. Aviva, which has more than 29,000 employees in 16 markets across the UK, Europe, Canada and Asia, aims to share with the Red Cross its expertise in risk management and raise funds over the next three years. Aviva Group General Counsel and Company Secretary, Kirsty Cooper said, ‘This partnership is very much in keeping with our values of “care more” and “create legacy”. We are there when disaster strikes and Aviva and the Red Cross are both committed to helping people prepare for and cope with emergencies. Together, we will help communities become more resilient, safer and Disaster preparedness, Fiji, 2009

stronger in times of uncertainty and crisis.’ As a member of the Disaster Relief Alliance, Aviva will help fund investment in four key areas of Red

The British Red Cross and Aviva, the international insurance

Cross work globally and in the UK: preparedness, response,

group, have launched a three-year partnership to help

recovery and innovation. Aviva also supports the charity’s free

communities around the world prepare for and respond

emergency app, which provides real time alerts and advice if

to disasters. Together, the organisations will aim to ensure

there is a risk of severe weather or other emergencies. I

communities are better informed, prepared, and therefore

www.aviva.com

Handicap International launches Every Step Counts – will you take a step too? ©Lucas Veuve/Handicap International

Physical rehabilitation is the vital first step towards regaining independence, giving disabled people the opportunity to be self-sufficient and lead independent lives – no longer invisible or forgotten in their community. Together, let’s ensure that disabled people are not left behind! Handicap International’s Every Step Counts appeal aims to raise essential funds to help disabled people walk again by supporting sustainable rehabilitation care in countries that need it most. All donations made between 18 April and 18 July will be doubled by the UK government, helping twice as many injured and disabled people like Nirmala. Nirmala, 8, lost her leg in the Nepal earthquake. A year on, she’s not only learnt to walk again but also how

To order your fundraising pack, email:

to laugh. And we’ve been with her every step of the way. Many

supportercare@hi-uk.org

more amputees desperately need our help.

You can make a real difference by providing a disabled

So please, take a step today.

person with a wheelchair, or giving physiotherapy sessions to

To donate, visit www.everystepcounts.org.uk or call

help an amputee walk again. Every step you take, and every

0870 774 3737. Or why not get your colleagues involved and

pound you raise, counts! I

organise a fundraising event at work?

www.handicap-international.org.uk

18 - info - may / june 2016

BUSINE S S WOR LD - DOC TOR S OF THE WOR LD

The refugee crisis is unfolding on European shores, while EU leaders look away Antonis Repanas

Jenny Matthews

Leigh Daynes, Executive Director, Doctors of the World UK, part of the Médecins du Monde network

L to R: Makeshift measures to keep dry; tents in Calais; family being deported back to Greece from the FYRM

entirely on aid workers.

hen you’re fleeing conflict and war, a distant shoreline can easily become a symbol of safety which is worth risking

Doctors of the World UK Programme Coordinator Claire

life and limb for. Over recent months, thousands of men, women

Lubert, who returned from a visit to Athens last month, spoke to

and children have embarked on perilous journeys, cramming

refugees who had been camping at the port for over 30 days.

into flimsy dinghies in order to cross the Mediterranean Sea.

‘There are so many children living in small tents with no

But having arrived in Europe, they have then been forced to

showers,’ she told me. ‘A lot of them are getting skin infections

endure squalid conditions in sprawling camps, while many have

and respiratory problems. These people are at the mercy of

experienced violence at the hands of the police. Despite their

something beyond their control. Their vulnerability struck me—

hopes of finding a better future, thousands of vulnerable people

they can’t go back and they can’t go forward.’

are being left homeless and hungry on Europe’s shores.

Thousands of refugees and migrants are faced with similar

These people are at the mercy of something beyond their control. Their vulnerability struck me—they can’t go back and they can’t go forward EU leaders have signed the deal which aims to return

conditions in Calais, where demolitions have been under way

refugees in Greece to Turkey, but urgent questions remain over

for over a month. Drastic changes are needed to meet the

its legality. The deal won’t stop the flow of people fleeing war,

needs of people surviving there, but bulldozers are not the

nor make the thousands already stranded in Europe disappear.

answer. Dismantling the camp is causing more chaos and

While EU leaders ignore the reality, the needs on the ground are

trauma. Our medics in Calais and nearby Dunkirk are providing

growing ever greater.

mental healthcare for severely traumatised refugees, including

Médecins du Monde is on the frontline of the refugee crisis,

art therapy and psychosocial activities for women. It is sad

providing essential medical care to those in need. Recently

that people who’ve fled violence have had to endure another

we set up a clinic in Idomeni, where thousands have been left

expulsion.

stranded since the border between Greece and the Former

The only way to ensure refugees aren’t forced to live in

Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYRM) was closed at the

places like Calais, Dunkirk or Idomeni is to provide safe and legal

beginning of last month.

passage for those seeking sanctuary. EU leaders cannot afford

Our volunteers assisted a woman who was forced to give

to turn a blind eye any longer. The most vulnerable should never

birth in filthy conditions while other families have been forced to

have to rely solely on the help of aid organisations like Doctors

sleep outside in freezing temperatures. In Piraeus port, Athens,

of the World, right on the doorsteps of Europe. I

our doctors are now running a mobile clinic to provide basic healthcare for the close to 5,000 men, women and children living in warehouses, tents and even under trucks. Without

the right documents, many are ineligible for relocation and in

www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk

To support Doctors of the World:

the absence of any visible government support are dependent

info

- may / june 2016 - 19

Start-up stories

MOZOO Jules Minvielle Co-founder & CEO Paris, London, San Francisco, Hong Kong. Mozoo Group, the French mobile marketing company recently awarded the Pass French Tech, is conquering new markets with no limit to its technological and geographical ambitions

ozoo provides different services to media agencies

more money than in France. In France, we’ve already got a good

such as WPP, Publicis and Havas, as well as direct

share of the market, but trying to increase it is more difficult

advertisers. It operates two entities: Surikate and

than getting a small share of the UK market,’ says Jules.

Numbate. Surikate delivers performance campaigns, charging

One advantage is Mozoo’s capacity to adapt quickly to both

clients for leads, which can be, for example, App installations, visits

clients’ needs and changes the market undergoes. ‘When I

or subscriptions to online services, whereas Numbate delivers

started thinking about my company, Android did not exist, the

premium branding campaigns, creating rich media

App store was new, ad blockers were not even talked

units – advertising using advanced technology featuring videos or audio – to encourage the user to interact with the ad, with the aim of increasing brand awareness. It all started when Jules Minvielle, Founder and CEO, and a recent business school graduate at the time, was struck by the potential of smartphones. His first idea was to specialise in application promotion by delivering App Store search optimisation

about and video on mobile was ridiculous. Now

Moving across the Channel meant access to a much bigger market and more international campaigns

much like SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) but for smartphone apps. His start-up, Mozoo, launched in Paris in 2010, quickly

we are talking about 5G and virtual reality. This industry is fast growing and fast moving,’ says Jules. Agile too, Mozoo has already changed business models multiple times to adapt to the industry. Replicating Mozoo’s French success in the UK was no easy task, and for the first 18 months, the company lost money. But Jules’ hands-on approach made all the difference. ‘Personal involvement of a co-founder is key to a

company’s success,’ he says. ‘When you open an office and move from one to 50 employees in two years, you need to

grew to become the leader of the French mobile advertising

be there. I’m always in the open space with the team because

market. In late 2013, Jules launched the UK subsidiary, now

this is where you understand what happens in the field, and

growing much faster than its Parisian headquarters, with 55

can quickly adapt the offers in terms of pricing or data from one

employees in London compared to 30 in Paris. ‘In just two

county to another.’

years, we’ve moved from a company that was doing 90% of its

Mozoo has just opened two new offices in San Francisco

revenue in France to a company that is doing 60% of its revenue

and Hong Kong. Jules knows the risks of entering the US market

outside of France,’ says Jules.

where a lot of companies have failed but believes it is worth the

Moving across the Channel meant access to a much bigger

fight. Working in different time zones also gives the company

market and more international campaigns. As there is much

round-the-clock coverage, and thus a head start to deliver

more money invested in marketing in the UK market, and more

products to clients faster.

competitors, especially Americans, the UK market is tough

With its US subsidiary, Mozoo aims to gain competitive

but also nine times bigger than the French mobile advertising

intelligence, because the US mobile advertising market is more

market, and more profitable. Moreover, as international media

advanced technologically. The Mozoo London team has already

agencies and advertisers’ European offices are often based

done some business there, creating $1m of revenue in 2015.

in London, being in the UK facilitates access to international

With clients and suppliers already in both the US and Hong

campaigns. ‘Even with a small share of the market, we can make

Kong, Jules’ strategy is to rely on his team: people who already

20 - info - may / june 2016

BUSINE S S WOR LD - S TART- UP S TOR IE S

know the local markets working with people from the company

of its own, for example, ads that disappear after the user has

to keep Mozoo’s DNA.

touched the screen five times and has not engaged with them.

When asked about the challenges ahead for the industry,

Recently Mozoo received the prestigious ‘Pass French Tech’,

Jules points out that the use of software to buy digital advertising

given to fast-growing French start-ups. Jules explains that it is

called ‘programmatic’ has brought disintermediation to the

important in terms of recognition, awareness for clients and

advertising industry, which renders a single agency’s buying

partners, and also financing, giving the company easier access to

power irrelevant.

Bpifrance, the French public investment bank. For a start-up that

Ad blockers are another challenge to the advertising industry,

has set its sights on going global, this is just the ticket! I AL

but Jules says that they have so far had a surprisingly low impact on mobile. Nonetheless he is taking the threat seriously and is involved in fighting the issue. He urges the need to think of new formats that are less intrusive. Mozoo has developed several

Employees worldwide: 100 Funds raised so far: €700,000

French ministers launch French Tech Hub London

mmanuel Macron, French Minister of the Economy and

Axelle Lemaire, Minister of State for the Digital Sector, inaugurated French Tech Hub London at a launch event in the presence of Ed Vaizey, British Minister of State for Cultural and the Digital Economy on 14 April. The event, which was introduced by HE Ms Sylvie Bermann, French Ambassador to the UK, at the home of Balderton Capital, was attended by over 250 guests. The French Tech Hub programme consists of a worldwide network of tech entrepreneurs, investors and executives, with the purpose of the

Start-up founders engaged in a panel discussion at the launch of French Tech Hub London in the presence of ministers and the French Ambassador

London Hub being to build a bridge for start-ups between the British capital and France.

country is changing. You’re part of this transformation.

London is the first European capital to be labelled a

You’re part of this economic and cultural revolution. As

French Tech Hub amongst 11 other global capitals,

ambassadors, through this hub, you have to strengthen

including Tokyo and New York. The initiative is backed

the link with France, to share your ideas, to develop your

by the French government and supported locally by the

business, and to share opportunities on both sides of

French Chamber alonside five other steering members:

the Channel.’

The French Embassy, Business France, French Connect, French Digital and Frog Valley. France is home to vibrant tech hubs and talent, and imbued with a strong entrepreneurial culture. The

Axelle Lemaire also addressed the audience and praised the substantial investments in French start-ups in 2015 – seven companies raised over €25 million each. The evening also featured flagship start-up founders

French Tech movement is led by entrepreneurs and

and CEOs, with a panel discussion and Q&A on

backed by the French government to support France’s

international growth. Ning Li, CEO and co-founder, of

new generation of start-ups.

Made.com and Jules Minvielle, CEO and Co-founder of

Emmanuel Macron told the audience, many of whom are the talent leading this revolution: ‘The

Mozoo, both members of the Chamber, were among the speakers. I AL

london.lafrenchtech.com

info

- may / june 2016 - 21

BUSINE S S WOR LD - SME NE WS

Mossessian Architecture gets planning approval for Google office at King’s Cross Planning permission has been granted for Building S2, one of a pair of Mossessian Architecture-designed offices for the next part of the King’s Cross Masterplan. Google will occupy the 10 storeys of flexible office space above the ground floor. Inset balconies provide access to external space at all office levels and a large roof terrace is provided at level 11, with views across Lewis Cubitt Park and Granary Square, structured planting, integrated seating and informal grassed areas. Joe Borrett, EMEA Director of Real Estate & Construction at Google said, ‘This achievement further cements Google’s expansion in King’s Cross and that Google sees King’s Cross as its future home for Google

sites in Europe and to be at the heart of the railway hub that

London.’

connects Britain to France and beyond. We see it as a project

Michel Mossesian commented: ‘We are thrilled to be

to bring two global world class players into one building:

working on one of the most important urban regeneration

London and Google’. I www.mossessian.com

Numberly acquires Kiwapp

Merci Maman opens in Paris

Numberly, a pioneer in data driven marketing, has acquired

Following the great success of Merci

Kiwapp, the leader in retail marketing solutions, to reinforce

Maman hand-engraved jewellery in

its in-store marketing expertise.

the UK, the company has decided to

With Kiwapp, Numberly can now easily develop, deploy

export its brand throughout Europe

and manage a large range of services to enhance customer

starting with France, where a new

experience and increase in-store turnover.

Paris workshop opened on 1 March.

The next milestone within this strategy is to empower

The ambition of founders Beatrice

staff working in store. Kiwapp’s solutions can be linked to

and Arnaud de Montille is to develop

CRM, ERP, product databases, websites, reach media, social

both French and Belgium markets by

media, etc., and provide everything staff need such as

reducing delivery time and continuing to offer innovative

training tools, client purchase history and recommendations,

products inspired by both French and English fashion

loyalty programme subscriptions, turnover and targets. I

trends. I www.mercimamanboutique.com

www.numberly.com

New CEO for Brittany Ferries Brittany Ferries has appointed Christophe Mathieu as its new chief executive. Mathieu succeeds Martine Jourdren, who had been CEO since 2009, and with the company since 1973, the year of Brittany Ferries’ first crossing from Roscoff, in Brittany to Plymouth. Mathieu’s appointment comes as the company enjoys a surge in passenger and freight volumes. In the year from 1 October 2014 to 30 September 2015, passenger numbers grew by 5.5% to 2,567,298. Freight volumes rose 21% to 186,385 units in the same period. Turnover grew by €56m or 12% to €467.7m. I www.brittany-ferries.co.uk Christophe Matthieu

Everience partners with IT services provider ITEC Everience, a European leader in digital services, has extended its activities in the UK by signing a strategic partnership with IT services provider ITEC. ‘Everience has recently won Requests for Proposals with customers and strategic businesses based in the UK, mainly in the financial market sector. Our goal is to pursue our development in the UK by establishing a subsidiary in the London area, and by developing cross businesses with our British partner ITEC,’ said Hervé Chopitel, International Development Director. I www.everience.com

22 - info - may / june 2016

Jérôme Sebah:

THE DENTIST GALLERY Combining his profession of dentistry with his passion for contemporary art, Jérôme Sebah has created something unique, which harnesses visual art’s calming and healing powers for the benefit of his patients - big and small

unky is not a word you would

former estate agent office in Victoria into

Swedish author and illustrator Nina Wisnia.

normally use for a dentist surgery,

the dental surgery of his dreams, not an

Never has tooth decay been so charmingly

but it certainly describes Jérôme

easy task with all the plumbing, suction

explained! So passionate is Jérôme about

Sebah’s. On the waiting room’s strangely

pumps, compressors and x-ray equipment

getting his message across to kids that

calming cement-grey walls, works of bright,

that had to be accommodated. He

he visits local schools for free to speak to

graphic swirls from Berlin graffiti artist KEF

commissioned different artists to decorate

children about looking after their teeth and

hang next to the mysterious holographic

the

designed

diet. ‘My childhood friends told me they

pin-pricked images of Dijon Ali Hierlehy,

dental chairs resembling steampunk sea

remember my mum doing the same 30

while atop a variety of retro cabinets is

creatures, sprayed in metallic car paint,

years ago, and I realised what an impact it

arranged an intriguing collection of antique

that were specially made in Korea. A

had had,’ he says.

bottles, tooth powder pots and other

relaxation room was installed for patients

Jérôme’s practice is growing; he is

dental memorabilia. It’s at once alluring and

to chill out before or after major surgery,

currently recruiting another technician and

distracting and that is the whole point, he

complete

nurse, and has room for more permanent

explains. ‘I read a study about the effect of visual art on cancer patients, and how it helped to alleviate fear ahead of treatment, reduce pain and aid recovery, and I thought, why not try it in dentistry?’ The Dentist Gallery is only nine months old, but for Jérôme it has been a much longer odyssey. He moved to the UK 10 years ago in a bid to make his own way in the

treatment

with

rooms

and

chromotherapy

panel

I read a study... about the effect of visual art on cancer patients, and how it helped to alleviate fear, reduce pain and aid recovery, and thought, why not try it in dentistry?

staff. For now he is supported by specialist associates who come in one or two days a week, including an orthodontist and a cosmetic dentist from Paris. Jérôme has developed a number of contracts with local businesses for staff plans, and has put in place a unique membership plan, which, for a monthly fee, gives patients a preventative programme of examinations throughout

world – with both his parents being dentists

from Mycoocoon, and a hypnotherapist if

the year and discounts on treatments.

it would have been too easy to end up

required. A massage therapist can also be

Longer term, he is thinking of opening a

taking over either of their practices in Paris.

called upon to perform reflexology before

second practice with the same concept in

Jérôme worked in various dental practices

or even during surgery. ‘What I am most

London.

around London, but found that his creative

happy about,’ he says, ‘is that I don’t have

And when he is not donning his dentist

ideas about making the dental experience

to explain the concept to my patients. They

whites, Jérôme is busy curating the art for

different for his patients did not always go

understand straight away.’

his Dentist Gallery. Photographic artists

down well. He got himself fired for painting

Jérôme believes that all these elements

will feature in the new exhibition he is

murals on the walls of his treatment room

make a dental visit positive – even enjoyable

planning to launch with the Chamber’s

(although rehired soon after as patients

– for his patients, many of whose fears are

‘Rendez-vous Chez’ event there on 2 June.

kept asking for him), but it made him realise

rooted in bad childhood experiences. For

After that, he will change the exhibition

that having his own practice would be the

that reason, he has gone to great lengths

every six months. ‘That way’, he says,

only way to really implement his vision.

to make his practice child-friendly. Children

‘people will always have something new to

While holding down his day job, Jérôme

have a special treatment room festooned

spent a year finding and transforming a

with animated tooth-themed drawings by

look forward to when they come for their six-monthly check ups!’ I KF info

- may / june 2016 - 23

BUSINE S S WOR LD - SME NE WS

JIN launches its first biannual Digital Trust Index JIN, the digital influence agency with offices in London, Paris and Hamburg, has launched its first biannual Digital Trust Index. The study, produced in association with the PRCA (Public Relations Consultants Association) analyses trust levels across the French and British web for various products and services, such as e-shopping, networking and dating. The findings indicate that British web users have expressed a lukewarm level of trust for the Internet, with a score of 54 out of 100. In France, that trust index is even lower, with the study revealing a score of 48 out of 100. Eliott Maidenberg, MD of Jin UK, commented: ‘UK economic growth is closely tied to our digital activity which accounted for a reported £180 billion in 2015. To sustain this growth, it is essential to be able to understand and evaluate the confidence of digital users.’ I www.jin.sc

Eliott Maidenberg

Simplement Londres launches its new service, SimplementZEN French relocation agency Simplement Londres is offering a new in-house Concierge Service, SimplementZEN, in response to growing demand from its clients for continued support on a practical and daily basis after their move to London. SimplementZEN provides help and support in various fields, from managing the relationship with the client’s landlord, providing access to

trusted professional tradesmen and recommending London-based French-speaking service providers, to organising doctors’ appointments, baby sitters or cleaners. Besides the traditional home and school searches, the addition of SimplementZEN enables Simplement Londres to offer a complete settling-in service to their clients. I www.simplementlondres.com

The Food Assembly launches new iPhone app The Food Assembly (UK), the French-founded start-up that enables communities to buy food directly from local farmers and producers, has just launched a new iPhone App enabling people to find fresh food from the palm of their hand. The new App builds on The Food Assembly’s mission to build a social, local, food economy as an alternative to the not-sosuper supermarkets. Users can join their local Food Assembly and search for local producers on the online market, making local shopping quick and simple. I www.foodassembly.com

Chappuis Halder & Co takes part in webinar on France and UK fintech Chappuis Halder & Co, the global consulting firm dedicated to financial services, has recently taken part in a webinar on France and UK fintech markets where Stéphane Eyraud, CEO was a speaker. Organised by UK Trade & Investment, this webinar was a unique opportunity to present both markets in terms of context, challenges, attractiveness and future trends. The UK is one of the top fintech leaders in the world, but the French fintech ecosystem also has great potential, supported by growing investments and its culture of innovation. I www.chappuishalder.com

Brann Translations adds new languages In addition to French and English, Brann Translations now translates in Spanish, Russian, Italian, Dutch and German. The translation company also offers language training programmes as a new service. I www.branntranslations.com

24 - info - may / june 2016

Success story

MAISON

CORTHAY An early interest in leather led Pierre Corthay to take up a shoemaking apprenticeship and hone his skills at John Lobb and Berluti before he set up his own maison

hoemaking is an ancient craft, often passed down through families, but Pierre Corthay’s love of working with leather came not from his parents, who are actors, but an aunt.

‘She was a sculptor and used leather in her art pieces, Pierre explains. ‘With her, I started to make small leather goods when I was nine years old’. Later, aged 17, he joined a kind of family – the ‘Compagnons du Devoir’, a French medieval guild of craftsmen with a multi-year training programme that takes France’s most talented apprentices to learn their trade, moving from city to city every year. Pierre’s first job was at John Lobb, a British brand that is now part of the Hermès Group, where he spent two years perfecting the techniques of luxury shoe making, and then he joined Berluti to replace a senior craftsman who was retiring. Both experiences had a lasting influence. ‘At John Lobb I learned

Pierre Corthay

the very high quality of production and a very high standard in

such as colour, lining, piping and heel height. These shoes are

classic shoes, at Berluti it was much more creative,’ Pierre says.

made in a manufacture in the west of France, while the Paris

Both were also notably men’s shoemakers, and this became

workshop focuses on bespoke footwear.

Pierre’s specialism – ‘they are complex and mysterious things,’ he muses.

In 2004, Maison Corthay took its first step outside of Paris, setting up a shop in Tokyo. Pierre chose this market because of

All the while, Pierre nurtured a dream of having his own

the Japanese sensibility for fashion and craftsmanship, ‘It was

business, and in 1990, this became a reality when he grasped

obvious that it should be the first country were we started our

an opportunity to take over the atelier of a longstanding Parisian

development,’ he says. It would be another seven years before

shoemaker on Rue Volney, close to Place Vendôme. Maison

Maison Corthay opened its second overseas shop, this time

Corthay was born. His first contract quickly followed: providing

closer to home in London, and it has since gone on to open

Lanvin with shoes for its made-to-order service. Through word of

shops in Hong Kong and Dubai. A small leather goods collection

mouth, the young company began establishing its reputation for

was also introduced last year.

high quality bespoke shoes that were a bit out of the ordinary with

Custom-made shoes continue to be at the heart of Maison

their refreshing use of colours, materials, shapes and techniques,

Corthay, which has four shoemakers devoted to this. It is a very

with often slightly daring designs. ‘Colour is very important to me,’

special process, involving direct interaction between the client

says Pierre, who presides over the art direction of the Maison. ‘It

and the craftsman for measuring, fitting and delivery over a

gives emotion to the product.’

period of at least six months. Obviously this limits the number of

Maison Corthay’s uniqueness caught the eye of Suzy Menkes,

shoes that can be produced, but that is, after all, the essence of

the Herald Tribune’s fashion editor, and it was her article in 1995

bespoke, and Maison Corthay will always eschew the ubiquitous.

that really launched the company onto the world stage, with the

Pierre Corthay is the only men’s shoemaker to be recognised

Sultan of Brunei ordering 150 pairs of bespoke shoes on the back

as a Maitre d’Art in France. ‘For me it was a great distinction,’

of it. A collaboration with Dior Haute Couture followed soon after.

he says, ‘Primarily because it was given to me by the Ministry

As its popularity increased and its customers got younger,

of Culture, which means our work is now recognised as part of

Pierre decided that it would be a natural step to introduce

the culture of our country.’ With the company growing, public

something that was more affordable than bespoke. His first

relations consume an increasing amount of Pierre’s time, but

ready-to-wear collection was launched in 2001 and continues to

he still leads design, ensuring Maison’s Corthay’s uniqueness

be a great success with the development of Atelier and Number

remains, along with its quality and integrity. ‘I don’t make fashion,’ he says. ‘My goal is to create enduring products for life.’ I KF

1 lines that allow a certain level of personalisation for elements

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- may / june 2016 - 25

E DUC ATION - NE WS

New Sciences Po one-year Master’s programmes for young professionals Sciences Po has launched five new intensive programmes designed for young professionals and graduates with some solid work experience who want to take their career to the next level. The programmes will start in September 2016, and applications are now open. Each programme is taught in English on the Paris campus and combines a multidisciplinary core curriculum in the social sciences with specialised and more professionally oriented courses. These programmes include the Master in Public Affairs (with specialisations in Culture, Digital & New Technology, Economics & Public Policy, Energy & Sustainability, Management of Public Affairs, Social Policy, and Health), the Master in Advanced Global Studies (with specialisations in International Security, International

Public

Management,

International

Economic Policy, Development Practice, Human Rights & Humanitarian Action, Environmental Policy, and International Energy), the Master in Financial Regulation and Risk Management, the Master in Corporate Strategy, and the Master in Private Banking and Wealth Management. I www.sciencespo.fr

EM Normandie opens a new digital specialisation ‘Start-up Business and Digital Development’ As a follow-up to its pioneer breakthroughs into the digital world, with such innovative moves as the ‘La SmartEcole®’ scheme or the introduction of coding courses in its Grande Ecole Programme, EM Normandie is now launching a new specialised option: Start-up Business and Digital Development. Open as a final year (M2) Grande Ecole Programme option and also as an MS accredited by the French ‘Conférence des Grandes Ecoles’, this programme aims at training future entrepreneurial executives and intrapreneurs, by combining thorough knowledge of business, marketing and sales practices, with specialised skills in technical management, referencing, community management or growth hacking. EM Normandie offers a total of 16 specialised options in the final year of the Grande Ecole Programme, with 6 taught in English: Cross-Cultural Marketing and Negotiation, International Business, International Events Management, International Logistics and Port Management, Supply Chain Management and Digital Business Strategy (in partnership with Grenoble Ecole de Management). Some of these options also offer a co-operative track. I www.ecole-management-normandie.fr

26 - info - may / june 2016

E DUC ATION - NE WS

EDHEC Business School to host ‘Women Leading Business’ panel discussion in London An impressive line-up of featured panelists will be speaking

measures and increased numbers of women in leadership

at EDHEC’s ‘Women Leading Business’ panel discussion

positions, but our recruiters regularly tell us that they continue

for recruiters and talent managers on 16 June 2016, at the

to struggle to attract, retain and promote women within their

London Campus. Presented by EDHEC Business School,

organisations, even as they roll out costly and comprehensive

in collaboration with leading management consultancy

gender diversity initiatives,’ said Cassandra Pittman, who

recruitment firm, Mindbench, the discussion will explore

leads International Corporate Relations for EDHEC in the UK.

topics related to attracting, retaining and promoting women

‘Knowledge sharing is critical for everyone’s success in this

in finance and professional services. The attendees will also

area. That is why we are thrilled to bring together industry

have the opportunity to network during a pre-conference

leaders across finance and consulting for an open and honest

drinks reception.

dialogue about what is and is not working – and why.’ I

Among the scheduled speakers are Louisa Woods, Head

www.careers-events.edhec.com/event/london

of Diversity and Inclusion at Nomura, Terence Perrin, Head of Recruitment at BNP Paribas, Frédérique Deau-Blanchet, EDHEC alumna and Managing Director at Accenture UK, and Manuelle Malot, Director of EDHEC’s NewGen Talent Centre. The discussion will be moderated by Mindbench Founder and Managing Director, Richard Stewart. ‘EDHEC’s research on Diversity and Open Leadership has identified a clear link between improved financial

ESCP Europe launches New Master in Agribusiness Management The agriculture sector is changing rapidly, and recent advances in technology have led farmers to seek ways to diversify their businesses and find efficient uses for rural land. To navigate the complexity of policy, diversification, technology and market structures in an increasingly globalised industry, there is a demand for management education to provide the right skills and knowledge. To meet this demand, ESCP Europe Business School is launching a new 18-month Master in Agribusiness Management this September starting in London, followed by Paris and including a special seminar at the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies in Crete. As well as learning about agriculture and food policy, students will gain in-depth problem solving skills in financial and risk management, the management of cooperatives, agriculture analytics, marketing and accounting. At the end of the programme, they will be ready to work in the management of agriculture, natural resources, international development, energy and the environment, at domestic and international levels. ESCP Europe’s UK Director, Professor Simon Mercado said, ‘We are really excited to launch this new programme in a sector that is growing strongly, and also becoming more sophisticated. The course design capitalises on our strengths and adds a new area of expertise to our London campus, which already offers specialisms in Energy Management and Creativity Marketing.’ I www.escpeurope.eu

info

- may / june 2016 - 27

THE SHARING ECONOMY: opportunity or threat?

28 - info - may / june 2016

focus nce a fringe activity for the daring, the sharing

trying to pin down something that is so new and still evolving,

economy has, in recent years, started drifting

and this is still a work in progress.

into the mainstream. If you have ever dabbled in selling unwanted goods on eBay, rented

When a sector of the economy begins to create significant value – $15 billion globally according to PwC’s

someone’s house through Airbnb, or taken an Uber cab,

estimates – governments sit up and take note. Many are still

you have participated in the sharing economy, and with the

grappling with the implications and playing catch up with

profusion of platforms and companies that have sprung up,

legislation. The UK has quite an accommodating approach,

enabling people to rent, hire or buy human and physical

even bringing in tax breaks in the latest Budget, but there is

resources from each other, you are likely to do so more

still much ground to cover in terms of regulation, taxation

and more.

and zoning, let alone issues of data privacy, fairness and

Sharing resources and assets is not a new phenomenon – bed-and-breakfasts, time shares and car

employment. For many traditional businesses, the P2P economy

pools have been around for a long time. But what is new, is

is becoming a discomforting encroachment into their B2C

that technology has facilitated mass access to spare assets

territory. Hospitality, transport and finance are all feeling

and capacity on an unprecedented scale, reduced transaction

the heat. But some companies are embracing it – whether

costs, enabled online billing, and just made it so much easier

by buying into it, investing in it, or even adopting sharing

to match up owners and renters. We are witnessing a whole

platforms in their own business models. What is attractive

new socio-economic ecosystem being built.

for them is the trust imbued in the model, and the access

Crucially, it all needs a significant level of trust and

to authentic knowledge about their customers which has

transparency to function. This is another unique characteristic

cost and decision-making implications for both products and

of the peer-to-peer marketplace, which seems to come more

processes.

easily for a generation that has grown up with the Internet

This is an economic model that is in a state of

and social media networks. In that sense, it is something of

evolution – how it will shape up and mature is yet to be seen,

a cultural and social movement. But the sharing economy

but as Helen Goulden of the Innovation Lab at Nesta observes,

is much more than that. It is a marketplace, albeit highly

while the ‘sharing economy’ term may fall away over time, what

nuanced, and as such has to be legitimate. The difficulty lies in

it represents is here to stay. I KF

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- may / june 2016 - 29

What is the sharing economy? Alex Stephany, the author of The Business of Sharing, the leading guide to the sharing economy, explains the phenomenon

he sharing economy is nothing less than an alternative

So why now?

economic model that is now challenging the dominant

Many of these sharing behaviours are old-fashioned – my Dad

one of the 20th century. It’s what happens when instead

grew up in Wimbledon and would see many locals renting out

of staying at a Hilton hotel we book a room at Rachel’s home.

their driveway during the Tennis Championship long before

It’s what happens when we buy clothes through peer-to-peer

JustPark made the concept mainstream. But a perfect alignment

websites like Poshmark before assuming

of factors is making the timing right for sharing

we need something new. It’s what happens

businesses.

when we look to finance our business or

The first macro trend fuelling these

study from a community of individuals

businesses is the Internet itself: its increasing

before filling in a form at HSBC.

ubiquity with the falling cost of smartphones

The sharing economy refers to the new

and ever increasing broadband speeds. The

economy being built on the sharing, renting

Internet powers online marketplaces that unlike

or exchange of assets and capital between

the physical marketplaces of old have no limit

people in online communities. As the

to the number of buyers and sellers, making

platforms that facilitate this sharing grow,

matching up supply and demand far easier. The second driver has been the rampant

so many old-fashioned businesses find

growth of social media that has brought

themselves at risk of disruption. Transport and accommodation have

unimagined levels of trust and transparency

been the sectors that the sharing economy

between strangers who can be thousands of

has changed most. Uber and Lyft empower

miles away. If I rent out my car to someone on

individuals to work as freelance taxi drivers,

Turo, I can know more about the person I’m

flexibly choosing their own schedules (and

handing my car keys to than my own neighbour.

foregoing some of the security and benefits

And that trust is the grease that keeps these

of a full-time job in the process). BlaBlaCar is allowing drivers to open up their cars and sell seats on long-distance routes. And in accommodation, Airbnb, the $25 billion poster child of the sharing economy is upending how tens of millions of people travel – by replacing hotels – and generating a second income for some 2 million hosts. A plethora of other sectors from insurance and finance to logistics are being opened up for the sharing treatment. In the coming years, the sharing economy will emerge as a B2B phenomenon too – through services like Cohealo which allows hospitals to rent out shared hospital hardware to each other, monetising them when they would otherwise be gathering dust.

[It is] the new economy being built on the sharing, renting or exchange of assets and capital between people in online communities. As the platforms grow, so many old-fashioned businesses find themselves at risk of disruption

often peer-to-peer marketplaces turning. Thirdly, in a rapidly urbanising and ever more populous world there is an ever greater imperative to share what we have: there simply isn’t the money, especially for younger generations, to own one of everything. In The Business of Sharing I explore the implications of a world where we will have all our fundamental needs met by other people rather than businesses for the first time in centuries. What are the dangers and risks, and what regulation is needed to mitigate them? How does sharing assets – and paying each other – change society and the human psyche? And what are the opportunities for you as a customer of these new businesses? Or indeed as an entrepreneur? I

Alex Stephany is a board advisor at JustPark, a parking app backed by Index Ventures and BMW and a business he ran as CEO and helped scale from a team of two to 40 and over 1 million users

30 - info - may / june 2016

FOCUS - THE SHAR ING ECONOMY

The pillars of the sharing economy Thomas Nutt, UK Country Manager of The Food Assembly, sets out the essential elements of sharing economy business models

ave you ever resold that unwanted Christmas gift or swapped your old stuff in an online marketplace? Perhaps you’ve used a shared bike scheme or borrowed a shared car for the weekend? In the last few years, the ‘sharing’, ‘peer-to-peer,’ ‘collaborative’ economy has quickly reshaped how we live and work.

It’s also forced traditional businesses to recreate themselves: BMW now invests in car-sharing; B&Q rents tools now instead of

selling them, and so on. All these disruptive models use technology to connect people to make better use of the goods and services at their disposal. While they may differ in scale, they nonetheless share underlying principles at the core. Let’s have a look at what’s under the hood:

CRITICAL MASS

THINGS THAT JUST SIT THERE

Many of these models rely on vast

TRUST The sharing economy has come

networks of people and goods. They

Think about it for a moment: most

on so quickly and powerfully in the

need to gain enough momentum and

cars sit idle on average 23 hours

last few years. But this isn’t just a

traction to become self sustaining; in

per day, spare bedrooms are rarely

technological

other words, there must be enough

used, cocktail dresses collect dust in

been a cultural one. Technology is,

choice, enough goods for consumers

wardrobes, and even dogs are left

in a way, promoting regression and

to feel satisfied. Sharing economy

alone a lot of the time.

reinventing old forms of trust.

models will only be successful if

In the UK, 80% of the products

Convenience and cost-savings are

users are satisfied by the choice and

we own are used less than once a

certainly important drivers of the

the convenience available

month. This idle time is wasted value

sharing economy but what really

But do you know what? Every single

in which the sharing economy can

keeps this economy spinning – and

person who joins, creates value for

take advantage.

growing – is trust.

another person, even if that wasn’t

The internet is a great platform for

Some joke that it was Airbnb and

the intention: this is what’s called

sharing this excess capacity and

Couchsurfer that finally got people

the network effect. Most platforms

allocate these resources elsewhere.

to trust each other. Jokes aside, we

look like silly and empty ideas when

Rent your room out on Airbnb.com,

are now entrusting total strangers

they don’t have users. The more

share garden growing space on

and hopping into their cars, letting

people there are on the network, the

landshare.net, share your dog on

strangers into our homes, dropping

greater the benefit and the higher

borrowmydoggy.com.

off our dogs, and eating food in their

the chances are of everyone getting

breakthrough;

it’s

dining rooms.

a better deal.

What’s next? Moving forward, we need to make access better than ownership. Too many people still own a car in London. In five to ten years it would be great to see owning a car perceived as a terrible thing, to see consumerism redefined; for people to own less goods and build more trust in our communities. Thanks to technology and the sharing economy, I’m hoping the idea of ownership will start to become limited and old fashioned. Access will hopefully become the norm and ownership the burden. This ultimately maximises use and expands the lifespan of individual items and reduces waste, a step in the right direction! I

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- may / june 2016 - 31

Figuring out the

SHARING ECONOMY and its potential

Research by Robert Vaughan at PwC, into the sharing economy assesses its impact on traditional businesses so far and its potential future growth Introducing the ‘Sharing S-curve’ We know from looking at the development path of sectors in the economy that many exhibit an ‘S-curve’ pattern. Initial low and volatile volumes make way for a breakthrough company to accelerate growth before a market saturates. At this point, old sectors mature and decline – replaced by the next overlapping innovation. Sharing leaving the rental sector in the shade We believe traditional rental industries are being disrupted by the sharing economy as established industries mature and are displaced by a new ‘Sharing S-curve’. We compared the revenue potential in five new ‘sharing economy’ sectors (peer-to-peer finance, online staffing, peer-to-peer accommodation, car sharing and music & video streaming) with the potential in five traditional ‘rental’ sectors (equipment rental, B&B and hostels, car rental, book rental and DVD rental). We used the resulting S-curve and model as a base for our expectations of the future growth for each sector.

The sharing economy life-cycle Niche

Breakthrough

Normalised

Decline or rebirth

Mature

Book rental

Car rental

DVD rental

B&B and hostels Equipment rental

Peer-to-peer lending and crowdfunding

Peer-to-peer Online accommodation staffing

Car sharing

Music and video streaming

S-curve based on industry reports, company revenue data and subject-matter expertise

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Source: PwC analysis

FOCUS - THE SHAR ING ECONOMY

...by 2025, sharing economy sectors could generate over $335 billion of global revenues, rivalling the size of those they are disrupting Where will the growth be? In 2014, we estimated that the five main sharing economy sectors generated $15 billion in global revenues, making up just 5% of total revenue generated by the 10 sectors we looked at. However, by 2025, these same five sharing economy sectors could generate over half of overall sales in the ten sectors – a potential revenue opportunity worth $335bn. We estimate the UK’s slice of the pie could be worth around $15 billion (or £9 billion) in 2025. Over that period, sharing economy sectors are likely to grow much quicker than the rate of traditional rental sectors. The least developed sectors today, such as P2P finance and online staffing, could grow the quickest of all. Fulfilling the potential However, for the sharing economy companies to realise their potential, they will need to overcome significant barriers. We think that two hurdles stand out: first, major regulatory and fiscal issues need to be resolved; and second, in scaling up, sharing companies face challenges in maintaining their uniqueness and authenticity. I

Sharing economy sector and traditional rental sector projected revenue growth Normalised

Sharing economy sector

$15bn

Peer-to-peer lending and crowdfunding

2013

$240bn

Traditional rental sector

Equipment rental

Sharing economy and traditional rental sector growth Peer-to-peer lending and crowdfunding

+63%

Online staffing

+37% +31%

B&B and hostels

Online staffing

Book rental Peer-to-peer accommodation

$335bn

2025

Peer-to-peer accommodation

+23%

Revenue CAGR

+2% 2013–2025

$335bn

Sharing economy sectors

+17%

Car rental

Car sharing

Music and video streaming

Traditional rental sectors

+5%

DVD rental Music and video streaming

Car sharing

Sharing economy sectors

Equipment rental

Traditional rental sectors

+4%

Source: PwC analysis

+3%

–5%

DVD rental

+2%

Car rental

B&B and hostels

Book rental Source: PwC analysis

Note: Due to a lack of long-term historic data, we’ve used a number of assumptions to develop our projections, which are therefore subject to considerable uncertainties. We recommend looking at a range of scenarios and viewing the overall total figures as more reliable than individual industry results. Access our methodology at http://www.pwc.co.uk/issues/megatrends/assets/how-did-we-develop-our-sharing-economy-revenue-projections-a-detailed-methodology.pdf

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SHARING CENTRAL:

How London became the capital of the European sharing economy

Sam Mellor, PR & Marketing Manager at JustPark, explains why the peer-to-peer economy has gained so much traction in London

THE SHARING ECONOMY HAS CONQUERED LONDON

good sharing services spread primarily by word of mouth, which happens far quicker in big cities – look at how Uber has expanded at such a phenomenal rate.

There are over 25,000 Uber drivers on the city’s roads – with

Price is also a crucial factor. Goods, services and space are

similar numbers of properties being rented through Airbnb and

all priced at a premium in a city like London with consumers

parking spaces being advertised on JustPark. Recent research

paying vastly inflated rates. Disruptive sharing economy start-

conducted by JustPark shows that the UK capital is home to one

ups that offer things at a much lower cost are immediately

in 12 of the world’s sharing economy companies, making it the

very competitive. Reduced price is a key factor behind their

sector’s third largest creative hub after San Francisco and New

widespread adoption and it’s hard for traditional businesses to

York. The UK as a whole has produced 10% of today’s sharing

contend with.

economy platforms – more than France, Germany and Spain

But perhaps the biggest force driving the UK’s sharing

combined. Britain is leading the rest of Europe in this exciting

economy success is the pragmatic approach taken by this

emerging sector, with London firmly at the forefront of the

country’s government – which has delivered legislation that

digital sharing revolution.

encourages and fosters growth in the sector, rather than

SO WHAT MAKES LONDON SUCH A SHARING ECONOMY HOTSPOT?

placing regulatory restrictions on the companies and individuals involved. The most recent example was the Budget. George Osborne announced the world’s first tax breaks for digital sharers, a total of £2,000 per year: one for ‘property’ income

As a metropolis of over 8 million people, London benefits from

(e.g. Airbnb, JustPark) and one for ‘trading’ income (e.g. eBay,

a high proliferation rate of sharing economy services, which

Etsy). From April 2017, UK micro-entrepreneurs will keep more

is accelerated in dense urban environments. The majority of

of what they earn through online sharing platforms – a huge

platforms leverage the potential of concentrated populations,

step forward which positions London as a world leader in the

where they can tap into high levels of supply and demand

space. In 2014, CEOs and founders of a number of companies

within close proximity.

were invited to a round table at Downing Street to discuss how

On the supply side, they can access the relative abundance

policymakers could help break down barriers and support the

of resources that cities have to offer – whether that’s property,

sharing economy. The discussions initiated here yielded some

storage space, driveways, cars or labour. On the demand side,

important pro-sharing economy legislation – the Deregulation

Britain is leading the way in adapting to the age of the internet marketplace. The government is pro-actively accommodating and nurturing the sharing economy – the opposite stance to many administrations across the globe

34 - info - may / june 2016

FOCUS - THE SHAR ING ECONOMY

Bill, allowing Londoners to rent out their homes for less than 90

the establishment of a sharing economy trade body SEUK.

days, which previously required special planning permission.

Britain is leading the way in adapting to the age of the internet

The UK government also commissioned an independent

marketplace. The government is pro-actively accommodating

review of the sharing economy, conducted by LoveHomeSwap

and nurturing the sharing economy – the opposite stance to

CEO Debbie Wosskow. The report made a number of

many administrations across the globe. A pragmatic approach

recommendations on how we can promote growth and establish

to legislation is the best way forward for the sector and the UK

Britain as a global centre for the sector. Already, we’ve seen a

has taken the initiative on this, placing London at the centre of

number of positive developments as a result of this, including

the European sharing economy. I

I NEED

YOU HAVE

Sharing Economy UK (SEUK) is a nationwide trade body representing the UK’s most influential sharing economy businesses, along with game-changing start-ups, across a spectrum of sectors. SEUK works closely with the government, representing the sharing economy community, and lobbying for changes to protect consumers and sharing economy businesses. SEUK was launched in March 2015 following a government-commissioned independent review, entitled ‘Unlocking the UK’s Sharing Economy’, and written by Debbie Wosskow, Founder and CEO of Love Home Swap, who became the Founding Chair of SEUK. www.sharingeconomyuk.com

Differences between the French and UK markets

rance has been a leading place for nurturing sharing economy companies that are expanding globally today, BlaBlaCar, being one example among many. Even non-French entrepreneurs have started sharing economy businesses in France such as Robin Chase, an American entrepreneur who founded Buzzcar there. France’s attractiveness for such business models probably lies in its consumers. There is a huge difference in the way French and UK consumers have adapted to the collaborative economy: the British (Londoners in particular) tend to go for convenience whereas the French prize the social experience of sharing and will put up with less convenience in return. French people also tend to trust strangers more than people do in the UK, as evidenced by the difficulties faced by the ride sharing company, BlaBlaCar, when it first settled in the UK. However from an entre-preneur’s point of view, London is probably a favourable place to start a sharing economy

business. I Antonin Léonard, co-founder of OuiShare, a French think and do-tank about the sharing economy

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THE RISE OF THE ‘MICRO-ENTREPRENEUR’ Ben Rogers, Co-Founder of Storemates.co.uk explains how technology and trust has enabled a new type of entrepreneur, making money from existing assets

eople have always found ways of making a few extra

salaries and cover holidays, daily bills, or luxury extras. Savvy

pounds within their community. Anyone who has woken

micro-entrepreneurs even have the option of going part time

up on a Saturday morning to the sound of scales being

in their day jobs, allowing them to spend more time pursuing

badly played over and over again in a piano lesson, will know

other interests. As people start to see the rental value of the

that the idea of small-scale home ‘jobbing’ is not new. People

spaces and things they own, then the idea of sharing assets with

have long been helping each other out with jobs that they do

strangers becomes very attractive financially. As the editor of

not do themselves, or have the skills or time to do in exchange

EcoThriftyLiving.com and Storemates regular user, Zoe, says: ‘My

for cash or another service.

husband and I have been looking at ways to save and make money – Storemates is one of these. We rent out a third of our

So what is different today?

garage space to a local lady, who uses the space to store archive paperwork. We’re now making £65 a month out of space that

As the term ‘micro-entrepreneur’ suggests, technology has allowed people to take this idea to a whole new digital level,

was previously full of junk – how thrifty!’ Earning a bit of extra money tasking around your day job

connecting peer-to-peer services for cash in ways

is one thing, but what about making it

that would not have been possible when

your sole income? At Storemates, we

relying on word of mouth or community

teamed up with a range of other sharing

notice boards. The internet allows us

economy services to see what you could

to selectively include ourselves within

actually earn by renting out the items you

a much larger ‘circle of associates’,

may own already in your home. For the

strangers we can trust who share our

purposes of this exercise we assumed

tastes, interests and experiences.

a large house with spare rooms (empty

Today we exchange comments about

nesters?), a garage and driveway, and

neighbourhood activities on forums,

a car that you can use to carry things

browse profiles of potential life partners

on journeys. We calculated you could

on our mobile, and often book holiday

earn a very healthy £40,000 a year. With

accommodation with strangers online, all things that were alien to the previous generation. Trust in strangers, through reviews and verification has

the Chancellor taking the innovative step to offer tax-free earnings for people using the sharing economy to earn an income from home in the Budget

evolved as quickly as the fibre optic technology connecting us

in March, maybe it’s time we all became micro-entrepreneurs.

together at all times of the day and night.

Storemates is convinced that once consumers catch on there will be no turning back, and is crowdfunding with seedrs.com to

Why not tap this circle of associates for work?

expand and meet potential huge future demand. I

There are a range of new sites through which people can offer their skills to others in their community who need flatpack furniture assembled, dogs walked, piano or language lessons, or even the car washed. What will the poor Boy Scouts do now? The smart ones are probably listing themselves on Task Rabbit and Youpijob as we speak. Thanks to services like Airbnb and Wimdu, people are now able to rent their homes to other people and make a reasonable income doing so. Got a driveway or a loft? Driveways and loft storage space can be rented out on Justpark.com and Storemates.co.uk. If not enough to cover a salary, these services allow their members to supplement their

36 - info - may / june 2016

With the Chancellor taking the innovative step to offer tax free earnings for people using the sharing economy to earn an income from home in the Budget in March, maybe it’s time we all became micro-entrepreneurs

SOURCE: W W W.STOREMATES.CO.UK

FOCUS - THE SHAR ING ECONOMY

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Funding the SHARING ECONOMY Tom Mills, Senior Investment Associate at Seedrs recounts how the funding landscape has changed for start-ups in general and sharing economy platforms in particular

he growth of the sharing economy over the past few

end of the spectrum are equity-based platforms like Seedrs,

years has been accompanied by a corresponding rise

which was the first crowdfunding business in the world to

in funding that has been directed into companies within

receive regulatory approval from the FCA, give investors access

the space. This is testament to both the success of the sector

to shares in the company in return for investment. This allows

and the increasing recognition from investors, government and

the company to devote the investment to growth without the

larger incumbents. In fact, Innovate UK, an innovation agency run by the UK government, recently launched a funding competition to encourage innovation in the sharing economy,1 whilst peer-topeer car parking business JustPark received investment from the car manufacturer BMW, leading venture capital firm Index Ventures, and also through crowdfunding. Stateside, Airbnb raised investment in excess of $2.3 billion at a most recent valuation of $25.5 billion, making it the third most valuable privately held tech startup.2 Globally, the total funding into the sharing economy has

Investors should ensure that there are investor protections in place on the platform, are recommended to build a diverse growth investment portfolio, to lessen risk, and lastly only allocate what they can afford to lose, as many early stage businesses will fail

reportedly increased from $600 million in 2010 to $6 billion in 2014 and continues to show no sign of slowing down.3 The

obligation of a fixed-term repayment, instead investors receive

options available for start-ups who are looking for capital have

a return when the company pays out dividends or exits through

become increasingly more diversified, and high risk, fast growth

either a sale or IPO. The investor often benefits from EIS or SEIS

start-ups are no longer solely within the grasp of angel investors

tax relief, which is an added appeal to early stage investment.

and venture capitalists.

Finally, debt-based crowdfunding allows lenders to invest small

Crowdfunding is one sector of alternative finance that has experienced significant growth over the past few years.

amounts as part of a larger loan, where the borrower pays back a fixed interest and has a set repayment date.

Crowdfunding covers a range of different business models,

Most crowdfunding platforms have succeeded by providing

which appeal to entrepreneurs and investors for a variety

a new or more efficient method for businesses and individuals to

of different reasons, therefore it is important to highlight the

raise funds, whilst also opening up access to these opportunities

difference between them. At a top level it can be split based

for investors or contributors who otherwise would not be able

on what is being offered in return for the funding: reward,

to take advantage of them. Seedrs, one of the UK’s top equity

donation, equity or debt. The goals of the individual business

crowdfunding platforms, recently announced that over £100

or project at a given time will broadly determine which of these

million has been invested on the platform with over 330 deals

routes is most suitable and, whilst it’s unusual for businesses to

funded since the company launched in 2012. It has since

use more than one different type of model at any one time, it

become the top seed-stage investor in the UK, but has also

is not unusual for entrepreneurs to trial a number of models in

funded well-known brands such as Tossed, which raised £1.3

their company’s lifecycle.

million from 661 retail investors.

Reward-based crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter,

Over the past few years, an increasing number of businesses

where a tangible reward is offered in return for an individual

in the sharing economy have looked to equity crowdfunding

contribution, are typically most suited to businesses that want

during their early stages as a method of generating funding.

to test the market appeal of a beta product amongst a group of

There are a number of benefits of equity crowdfunding

enthusiasts, the end consumer. Donation-based platforms cater

which are particularly valuable for businesses that are part

for any individuals looking to fundraise for a charity. At the other

of the sharing economy. These include marketing, feedback,

38 - info - may / june 2016

FOCUS - THE SHAR ING ECONOMY

brand ambassadors and business advisors. In addition, many

way towards achieving this.

businesses within the sharing economy are well suited to

However, there are a few tips for both entrepreneurs looking

running an equity crowdfunding campaign because they often

to raise capital through equity crowdfunding, and investors

have large existing networks of customers or followers already

looking to inject capital into start-ups this way. Entrepreneurs

to whom they are able to market the campaign immediately. In

should check that the platform has a full end-to-end service,

fact, more and more businesses choose equity crowdfunding

which includes handling and processing of funds, admin, tax

as a marketing exercise, with a view that the benefit of

relief forms, and professional grade shareholder agreements.

endorsement from the crowd exceeds that of a traditional angel

Investors should ensure that there are investor protections

investor or VC. Consequently, the marketing, social media and

in place on the platform, are recommended to build a diverse

PR strategies are key to success for any equity-crowdfunding

growth investment portfolio, to lessen risk, and lastly only

campaign. Undoubtedly, an existing network of enthusiastic

allocate what they can afford to lose, as many early stage

followers or customers who will invest or contribute goes a long

businesses will fail. I

1. www.gov.uk/government/publications/funding-competition-digital-innovation-in-the-sharing-economy 2. www.wired.com/2015/12/airbnb-confirms-1-5-billion-funding-round-now-valued-at-25-5-billion/ 3. www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/ch/Documents/consumer-business/ch-cb-shared-economy-share-and-make-money.pdf

The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS)

is a government scheme that seeks to encourage investments into unlisted companies. It is designed to help smaller and higher-risk companies raise finance by offering tax relief on new shares in those companies that qualify. It provides a range of tax reliefs for investors investing in small companies. People can invest up to £1M in a tax year and receive 30% tax relief.

The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS), also a government scheme, complements the Enterprise Investment Scheme. It aims at encouraging investors to finance start-ups, which are higher-risk, by offering them tax reliefs. Investors can obtain tax relief of 50% on investments up to £100,000. The maximum amount to be raised through SEIS for each company is £150,000. SEIS mirrors EIS as it is intended that companies will use EIS after a first investment through SEIS.

CASE STUDY:

How a Dragons’ Den rejection led to a Seedrs windfall

hen we were invited on

much more traction at that stage, we

as it gave us access to the end

Dragons’ Den in 2012 with

discovered Seedrs, one of the UK’s

consumer and in doing so became a

our new business concept of sharing

top equity crowdfunding platforms,

marketing opportunity. The process

loft space for storage (Storemates.

which facilitates start-ups from seed

included hosting investor evenings

co.uk), we knew it would be a great

to growth stage by promoting their

and meeting investors on a face-to-

opportunity to promote our idea to an

business to a wide pool of investors

face basis for advice and feedback.

audience of 9 million people, despite

with capital.

We have developed a particularly

how nerve wracking it would be. We

Storemates has since raised two

good relationship with one investor

accepted and appeared on the BBC2

successful rounds of funding and is

who has joined our board as Special

flagship programme. We weren’t

in the midst of raising a third. We

Advisor.

successful.

found the experience beneficial in

But the process of preparing

Crowdfunding is a positive way to

many ways, so much more than

reach a wide audience to raise funds,

our pitch and support documents

just financing the business. Being

but more importantly, it is also a great

highlighted the need to inject some

supported by the ‘crowd’, through

way to surround yourself with a group

cash into our start-up to create our

an investment of £50 or £50,000,

of interested, supportive consumers

first fully functioning website and test

gave us access to a diverse group

who have a vested interest in the

some early marketing channels.

of individuals with a whole range of

future success of your business. I

experiences to offer. It surpassed

Shaff Prabatani, Co-founder,

the benefit of angel or VC capital

Storemates.co.uk

After a couple of meetings with angel investors who were looking for

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CASE STUDY - JUSTPARK:

How raising £3.5m via crowdfunding has helped us in more ways than one

March

JustPark

up over 50% of investors, pledging

record-breaking

anything from as little as £10 – to

equity crowdfunding round on

angel investors, from whom the

Crowdcube, raising £3.5m from

biggest investment was £500,000.

over 2,700 investors - the highest

All are now stakeholders in the

amount allowed under EU law,

business, and want it to succeed so

and the most ever raised through

they can share in that success. The

equity crowdfunding in UK start-

majority are therefore JustPark

up history.

evangelists – spreading the word

closed

2015,

More and more start-ups and

within their social networks, both

SMEs are turning to crowdfunding to

raise

online and offline.

Crowdcube,

Leveraging the potential of

one of the UK’s largest equity

impassioned users of your product

crowdfunding platforms, recently

is very valuable. We had faith

surpassed the £150m raised mark

that we would reach our initial

- having fuelled the growth of over

crowdfunding target of £1 million,

350 businesses with investments

because we had previously emailed

from over 250,000 individuals.

a section of our customers to

Equity-based crowdfunding now

ask them whether they would

represents over 15% of all seed-

invest if the opportunity arose

and venture-stage equity capital

– and received an overwhelmingly

in the UK today – driving a large

positive response. Since closing

proportion of our small business

the round, our community of users

growth.

and investors has also played an

how

capital.

has

crowdfunding

instrumental role in carrying us

given JustPark a boost, asides from

to victory in Sir Richard Branson’s

the obvious injection of capital?

‘VOOM’ competition - voting for us

Tapping into the power of the crowd not only yields financial

every step of the way. I

benefits, but social ones too. We now have nearly 3,000 brand

Anthony Eskinazi,

ambassadors: ranging from our own customers – who made

Founder & CEO, JustPark

Left: Anthony Eskinazi Above: Anthony as the Pitch to Rich 2015 ‘Growth’ winner

40 - info - may / june 2016

FOCUS - THE SHAR ING ECONOMY

Going mainstream: UKShareCo Sam Parton, Chair of UKShareCo and founder of OpenPlay.co.uk shares why they set up a forum for start-ups in the sharing economy

K Share Co was set up in 2014 in order to provide a voice

company (Airbnb for cars), I’ve worked first hand in the sharing

and forum for start-ups within the sharing economy.

economy for the last six years. I launched OpenPlay in February

It was started by a core group of four businesses

2013 in order to make it easier for community venues to share

(OpenPlay, Sooqini, Rentmyitems and GoCarShare) who found

their assets such as schools, parks, halls and leisure centres. From

that the barriers to launching start-ups in the sharing economy

this position, I’ve been able to see people come and go whether

space were incredibly high. Trust and consumer education

that is car sharing, borrowing items or outsourcing tasks.

were, and still are, huge hurdles to overcome, so the idea was

One of the main points of note is that the sharing economy

that having a collective voice

business

would help everyone outand

currently work in every industry

also share learnings along the

or vertical. For instance, no

way.

one has yet cracked peer-

model

doesn’t

The goal was always to

to-peer car rental or the

have the UKShareCo as a

proverbial ‘sharing a power

relatively informal body for

drill’ with a neighbour. I believe

founders

together

that this boils down to the

and share their experiences,

current hassle factor and lack

growing pains and contacts.

of monetary value in such a

It was and still is open to

transaction, which needs to be

any business involved in the

a certain level or it is just too

sharing economy and discards

much bother or risk.

get

politics, fees or access levels. It

Will this change over time?

really embodies exactly what

Personally, I’m fairly sceptical,

the sharing economy is all

but then no one really saw

about, which is, of course, sharing. In this case, it is knowledge.

Airbnb coming and it is now perfectly normal to stay in an Airbnb

It doesn’t have any particular ties with government, probably

or welcome an Airbnb guest. Likewise with Uber, whilst not

because most of the businesses within it aren’t at such a scale

sharing economy per se, it has achieved phenomenal growth

where the government feels it needs to meddle.

since inception and shaken up an entire industry. So I’d say that

The sharing economy business model doesn’t currently work in every industry or vertical It has now grown organically to a list of 36 different startups, having seen several come and go, some take off and some

some sharing economy businesses will work providing the ease factor and value of the transaction are high enough.

stagnate. For start-ups more than anything it is therapy and

As for UKShareCo, well it is as open as ever to new and

most have found it fairly rewarding, particularly in the early days

existing businesses within the sharing economy. No politics,

of starting out when the going is incredibly tough.

no hierarchy, just a much needed forum to share the trials and

As Chairman of the group and part of the launch team for WhipCar.com, the world’s first neighbour-to-neighbour rental

tribulations of growing a sharing economy business. Email hi@ openplay.co.uk if you want to get involved. I

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FOCUS - THE SHAR ING ECONOMY

Is TRUST the new self-regulation ? Geraldine Fabre, solicitor at Russell-Cooke LLP*, considers some of the legal implications of the deployment of trust as a ‘shared value’ when operating peer-to peer platforms

s the UK embraces the sharing economy with the aim

more data (possibly of a privacy-sensitive nature) is being

of increasing competition, offering new products and

generated for a small number of providers.

experiences for consumers and tapping into a potentially

huge revenue growth, other countries are more careful in

Data: The word is my oyster

their assessment of the benefits. These they balance with unfair wages, privacy issues and unfair competition between

Like the guilds in the Middle Ages, there is a risk that these

traditional industry and newcomers, which in itself could cause

networks could create monopolies at society’s expense.

issues in terms of consumer choice and protection.

Historically, our natural response to promote choice to

Put not your trust in money, but…

consumers, work ethics as well as safety in transactions has always been through governmental intervention.

The new way of doing business through technology and peer-to-peer exchange is touching more and more people’s lives. Alongside the technology for exchanging goods and services, greater trust is developing between strangers. The use of trust in trade is not new. In the Middle Ages, ‘credit’ gave traders a certain degree of confidence in the financial status of those with whom they were dealing. What makes ‘trust’ more sensitive in our digital era is the scale and nature of its use by people looking to make money from their assets and skills. Sharing platforms provide ‘credit’ ratings through reviews which are regulated by none other than users or platforms themselves – a community which in medieval time could have looked a little like a guild. So, is ‘rating’ the new form of ‘credit’ and should we be so naïve to accept at face value, as passengers entering a car for example, that our driver has the required qualifications, is insured for the ride and has no other intentions?

However, it is not that simple with the digital economy. The application of regulations conceived for traditional businesses

There is obviously a difference between trust and honesty.

do not address the nature (sometimes anonymous or even

It is well known that our fear of retaliation or having to give an

decentralised) of the technology and could reduce innovation

explanation for a bad review, often means that ratings cannot

that the sharing economy facilitates between a group of people

completely be trusted. At the other end of the spectrum, as

that goes beyond the immediate circle of family and friends.

our livelihoods depend more and more on these platforms,

How do you regulate a commercial service that is provided on

things could become problematic. Workers could lose business

a personal and non-professional level without being unfair on

because of a couple of bad or average reviews. Platforms may

the traditional economy or creating barriers to entry to the new

dismiss someone based on bad scorings. Workers may not be

one?

able to move to another platform. Procedures to prevent unfair

The sharing economy is craving for legitimacy. It needs to be

dismissal or to address poor performance, as well as other levels

perceived as having objective rules capable of being enforced

of care and protection of workers or users that are available in

by all to be able to continue its contribution to our global

traditional workplace or business environments are not always

economy. I

in place or sufficient in the digital world. Whether as users or workers, the sharing of our personal data is often the invisible price we pay when using these

* On 1 June 2016, Geraldine will join the corporate team of City law firm

platforms. As more people participate in networks of sharing,

Sherrards Solicitors as a Partner and to lead their French-speaking group

42 - info - may / june 2016

CASE STUDY:

Trust in me:

the use of reviews and insurance at Storemates W

hen we developed the idea of Storemates nearly 5

caused damage to the things being stored, or a leak from the

years ago, the world was very different. Airbnb was a

box that damages the ceiling decoration. We approached

curious version of ownersdirect that not many people had

several insurance brokers to see if they could create an

heard of and you would find it very difficult to find a parking

insurance product for us. It was such an alien concept to

space near Wembley Stadium that wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a large overpriced

them, as so many new ideas are, that they simply could not

concrete eyesore.

offer cover that would provide a cost effective product for us as a fledgling business or our users who, to date, have had no

To encourage people to share their space with strangers

issues or need to make a claim. But we felt it was important

as our service does, we had to think about measures we

to offer something that would reassure someone seeking to

could offer to provide them a sense of security, a sense of

use our community alternative over the costly, ugly storage

community even. This fell into two areas.

warehouse next to the motorway. So we hired a team of lawyers to draw up a policy and created our own Storemates

The first thing we did, like many online services, was

Protection Guarantee, covering both storage owner and user

to integrate user reviews. Of course this is a great option

up to ÂŁ10,000. This has been well received by our customers

when you grow and have people who have used your service

and certainly gives them peace of mind when arranging a

enough to leave reviews for each other. But being a start-

booking.

up and an original idea, there were no reviews for our listed storage spaces. So we discovered and partnered with eRated. There was talk at the time by many people, including the famous figurehead of sharing Rachel Botsman, that your online reputation was increasingly becoming as important as your physical real world one. What eRated provides is a way of pooling this reputation from your many accounts online to offer a snapshot of just how trustworthy you are.

People now trust strangers like never before and this is one of the reasons why the sharing economy is fast becoming the next Industrial Revolution

So our users can now link their account through eRated to their reviews on Amazon, eBay and Airbnb, giving people a

Five years on and the world is very different, with people

reassuring view that although this person may be new to

sharing everything via online services from holiday homes to

Storemates, they have a whole history of online transactions

hair dryers, boutique dresses to babysitting. People now trust

with other strangers who had nothing but good things to say

strangers like never before and this is one of the reasons why

about them.

the Sharing Economy is fast becoming the next Industrial Revolution. I

The second thing we wanted to do was offer some form of protection in the eventuality that there could be a problem

Ben Rogers,

with people sharing each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s space, such as a flood that

Director, Storemates.co.uk

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FOCUS - THE SHAR ING ECONOMY

Sharing Economy: LEGAL QUESTIONS Does the sharing economy raise any data privacy issues?

businesses, data protection concerns can also be extended to

The rise of the sharing economy raises a number of potential

example, admitted in February of last year that it had suffered

issues regarding data privacy due to the nature of the

a data breach whereby the names and licence plates of around

technological platforms that these businesses rely on. Users

50,000 drivers were accidentally disclosed.

are required to share a certain amount of personal data and it

those providing the services as well as the end users. Uber, for

with sufficient infrastructure and proper procedures in place

What about employment rights in sharing economy businesses?

to adequately process and store this data. Sharing economy

There have been several challenges in the US regarding

businesses will usually be considered ‘data controllers’ which

employment rights as they relate to sharing economy

means that they are obliged to comply with the relevant

businesses. Employment law issues are less likely to concern

provisions of the Data Protection Act. These requirements

those parts of the sharing economy involved with the sharing

are of course not limited to the sharing economy and many

of items or resources, but they are particularly relevant when

businesses need to be careful in dealing with information such

it comes to sharing services. This is because businesses can

as the name, credit card details or addresses of its customers.

attempt to claim that individuals providing services to the end

They do however mean that for businesses in the sharing

users of the business are not in fact employees in order to

economy there is formality and administration required.

avoid the extensive statutory protection that comes with such a

is therefore crucial that they have security and service providers

Certain sharing economy models have a particularly heavy

status and that can be particularly onerous for businesses.

reliance on obtaining additional information from users such

As far as we can tell there have been no reported cases in

as their geo-location (crucial to ride-sharing businesses for

the UK but it appears that the GMB Union is asserting in the UK

instance, or those offering its users access to spaces or

tribunal that Uber drivers should be classified as employees,

services in their immediate vicinity) or links to a user’s social

not workers. If successful, they would have greater employment

media presence. An example of latter are businesses such

rights such as unfair dismissal, minimum notice periods, sick

as Airbnb or Couchsurfing which rely on an individual’s social

pay (workers already have the protection of the Working Time

media presence as a means of authenticating the user and

Regulations and the National Living Wage). This case is ongoing,

encouraging the trust that is crucial to their models. This means

but if such sharing economy workers are employees, then their

that they are processing the person’s data, before any contract

employers will also face additional direct costs in the shape of

exists, and any data breach could potentially have dramatic

Employer’s National Insurance Contributions. I

results, for instance revealing the location of readily identifiable individuals. Due to the peer-to-peer nature of sharing economy

Melanie Stancliffe, Employment Partner, Irwin Mitchell LLP

Sharing economy businesses will usually be considered ‘data controllers’ which means that they are obliged to comply with the relevant provisions of the Data Protection Act 44 - info - may / june 2016

Can the sharing economy be a green solution ? Rob Coleridge, Associate at Irwin Mitchell, considers how sharing economy principles applied to food waste could be one solution to a larger problem, whether through public pressure or the right legislation

he sharing economy is inherently a ‘green’ concept.

occurs further up the supply chain or at consumer level, the

Allocating underused resources more efficiently reduces

latter of which represents 46.7% of the total.

the environmental cost of producing them anew, and

technology itself can reduce the environmental footprint of

What else could be done?

production. However, what could the sharing economy do

Experience suggests the sharing economy is more likely to

actively to pursue ecological goals?

become embedded into our society through the pressure of

Food waste initiatives One area that could benefit is that of food waste, which has a huge impact on the environment. According to the Waste and

public perception rather than forcing regulatory compliance. In the modern market, consumers are more likely to buy goods from a business which has a greater ethical standing. The signs of change in this respect are good, and new

Resources Action Programme (WRAP), food waste accounts for

businesses are emerging specifically for the purpose of

7% of all global greenhouse emissions.

redistributing surplus food at a discount to consumers. For

In February, French legislators unanimously adopted one

example, in France, a website called ‘zero-gachis.com’ (or

possible solution to this problem in the form of an amendment to a larger law which seeks to place part of the burden of reducing food waste on supermarkets. French supermarkets of 400m2 or more will need to sign donation contracts with charities or food banks by February 2017 or face penalties worth around £2,900. Its passing has sparked calls for other countries to follow suit and in the UK, a bill containing similar

...the sharing economy is more likely to become embedded in society through the pressure of public perception rather than forcing regulatory compliance

provisions was introduced to the House of Commons in September 2015.

‘zero waste’) has been established for consumers to share information about the local availability of reduced goods close to their ‘sell by’ dates. In this sense, the concepts that underpin the sharing economy are successfully being applied to tackle the issue of food waste. However, more could be done to increase pressure on retailers, and regulation has an important role to play in supporting public perception and demands. For example, food labelling requirements for ‘use by’ or ‘best before’ dates could be developed so as to clarify their meaning and accuracy. From a financial perspective, given that household food waste is inherently linked to consumer buying patterns, supermarkets should be financially encouraged (by way of tax incentives, for example) to adopt a marketing strategy that minimises (or effectively recycles) household food waste. Further, the EU could relax the unnecessarily strict regulations regarding

While this legislation is well intended, many doubt that such a measure is the answer. Firstly, the charity sector has expressed worries about the logistical implications – this law

certain types of fruit and vegetables, which lead to the waste of perfectly edible food for aesthetic reasons. Ultimately, whether retailers adopt more transparent

would shift the cost of processing foodstuffs onto already

and environmentally friendly food waste plans as a result of

underfunded and overworked charities which would struggle

increased public perception or legislative pressure, the sharing

to process and store perishables in particular. Secondly, there

economy has the potential to benefit everyone; retailers would

is a question as to whether this law is an effective solution

be ‘greener’ than ever before, enhancing their public image,

to the problem – the retail sector only accounts for 2.6% of

and we would cut down on waste as a society. The potential

food waste (according to WRAP) so it may not be helpful to

for major real change really is there, but it needs to be backed

concentrate on targeting supermarkets. Most food waste

by the right legislation. I

info

- may / june 2016 - 45

FOCUS - THE SHAR ING ECONOMY

The sharing economy meets big business Fiona Disegni, Founder and CEO of Rentez-Vous.com, a fashion rental marketplace, shares her insights gleaned from direct experience of working with big organisations

or a long time, the sharing economy was the antinomy of

Start-ups are the perfect gateways

traditional organisations. By removing the hassle of old-

Innovation is increasingly becoming a key department in traditional

school processes, this model was seen with one objective:

structures, but change is difficult to implement due to standardised

breaking the rules.

and dated processes. Start-ups can be a real fast track to facilitate

The sharing economy is not only a profitable business

their transformation. Flexible and agile, they can kick off new

model; it is also the perfect gateway for traditional companies to

processes in a quick and effective way, saving considerable time

structure themselves around a dynamic innovative mindset and

and money to these businesses.

the ideal opportunity to build not only for their customers but also with them.

Wrong name, wrong approach We can’t deny it: inherently, traditional businesses can’t recognise themselves in a model called ‘sharing economy’. Individual profit is at the core of the way they conceive success and ‘sharing’ is logically the first thing to avoid. How can sharing be profitable for an individual business? The truth is that the sharing economy is not about sharing. It is about optimising resources but also creating a new perimeter of interaction. Indeed, rather than ‘sharing’, the biggest asset of the sharing economy is ‘trust’. Generated by customers’ interaction, it creates an indestructible positive feeling around the organisation itself – something that traditional businesses can’t buy or acquire.

Traditional businesses also have essential dimensions to

And if ‘sharing’ is not seen as profitable for traditional businesses,

bring to sharing economy start-ups. With volume and frequency

‘trust’ definitely is. You just need to look at the amounts spent in

being key success factors for peer-to-peer businesses, resources

customer service each year.

and scalable processes are necessary assets for them to grow.

The best opportunity to be at the core of change

Benefiting from pre-approved practices and international networks can considerably accelerate their development.

The beauty of the sharing economy is that it never imposes trust:

We have already seen some successful partnerships: SNCF

it just creates the best environment for it. It structures and favours

invested in French start-up Ouicar to tap into the market of peer-

the dialogue between customers through the use of technology:

to-peer car sharing and BMW co-launched a unique parking-

customers rating systems, qualitative feedback, Facebook logins

finder app for their Mini drivers in collaboration with British

and the friends you have in common with other people, for

start-up JustPark. At Rentez-Vous, we also know that the change

example. The authenticity that emerges is invaluable and there

is real: seeing the benefit we can bring to its fashion clients as

can’t be a better advertising channel for traditional businesses to

a new advertising channel, Publicis has been hosting us in their

acquire new customers.

accelerator Trampery Drugstore in London.

Beyond advertising, data and insights are other key benefits.

To stay in the loop, traditional businesses must switch from

Through dialogue and direct feedbacks, the model gives access to

a product to a service perspective. They can no longer deny the

critical information to better reach product-market fit and generate

collective power of their customers and the fact that they can’t be

massive competitive advantages.

bypassed in the process. They need to position themselves within

This on-going access to knowledge positions companies in a

an ecosystem to maintain their leading position but they should

perpetual positive auto-reassessment, encouraging them to listen

consider it as the best opportunity to adopt an iterative approach

to the customers on a daily basis and evolve their offer accordingly.

and reach the right product-market fit.

This is called ‘iteration’. The sharing economy model can also have a massive impact on the value chain optimisation. By simplifying processes and involving the customer, it can avoid massive costs to traditional businesses and give them control of some unexpected areas such as the product end of life. 46 - info - may / june 2016

The sharing economy is the starting point of a new modelling of the customer relationship but has also an impact on the product and process definition. Now watch out for the next revolution: Co-Creation. I

How can ESTABLISHED ORGANISATIONS play to win?

eatures of the sharing economy are now being seen in

Develop a mitigation strategy

most sectors, but only a few are likely to see a breakthrough

What options can threatened organisations consider to mitigate

business model emerge as a serious competitor.

against disruption? They could acquire a new entrant, partner with them, invest in them, or develop differentiating products to

Spot the disruptors early

continue to attract buyers.

Industries with long-standing consumption models are ripe

Or companies can develop their own sharing economy

for disruption, such as the energy industry. As energy supply

concepts – using a tried and tested approach from one industry

becomes more distributed, customers could start to share

in another – for example, developing ‘access’ options alongside

excess electricity with their neighbours. Organisations should

traditional sales channels, or taking a C-to-C concept into a

start looking for the potential for disruption in their sector

B-to-C or B-to-B environment.

now. Some in the music, television – and, more recently, the hotel sector – didn’t identify the challenge quickly enough, and

Bring the sharing economy inside your organisation

their shareholder value dropped as a result. In contrast, the

How can businesses benefit from the sharing concept? Most

automobile industry spotted the trend early and got ahead

organisations have spare capacity in some form: manufacturing

of it: most car manufacturers now run their own car-sharing

facilities operate at an average of 20% below capacity, and in

schemes; and others have made strategic investments in new

most offices, around half the desks are unused at any one point

entrants.

in the day. Developing B2B sharing agreements allow these assets to be used more efficiently.

Beware of consumers becoming competitors

Similarly, intangible assets, intellectual property and brand

Where are threats likely to come from? Organisations should

assets – which have previously been closed or proprietary – can

assess whether their customers might see opportunities to

be shared easily through technology. More flexible operating

club together to form a peer-to-peer (P2P) network to rival their

models are emerging, changing workers’ expectations and

service.

encouraging innovation in the process.

These are most likely to emerge where the asset is widely

Sharing economy platforms can be used to help companies

distributed among the population, involves high fixed costs but

make more of these assets, reduce costs and potentially develop

often goes under-used. Peer networks have already developed

new revenue streams. I

in several sectors – but this could spread to others with similar characteristics.

Robert Vaughan, Manager, PwC

OuiShare Fest: looking at the flip side of the sharing economy

s France is a leading sharing economy environment, it is also where the debate is hotting up. Think tank OuiShare aims to provide a better understanding of what

the sharing economy means for the future. However, it has evolved from being very supportive of all kind of new initiatives to being more cautious about the disruption that comes along with it. There are, for example, concerns about job insecurity and the increase in independent workers without access to the whole French welfare package. ‘Uberisation’, a synonym of the sharing economy, has come to be a term that emphasises the issues the sharing economy brings. In order to open the debate on these issues, the think tank is organising OuiShare Fest 2016 from 18 to 21 May in Paris with the theme ‘After the Gold Rush. Let’s explore the edges’.’ Co-founder Antonin Leonard explains that the emergence of all of these platforms was similar to a Gold Rush. ‘A lot of money has been invested in these platforms. Some have succeeded but we are still measuring how profitable they really are. A lot of platforms are still struggling and others are growing but slower,’ he says. I

info

- may / june 2016 - 47

How PLATFORM-BASED CAPITALISM is disrupting traditional businesses

he common characteristic of all the companies that come under the umbrella term ‘sharing economy’ is that they are platforms, and most of them organise work by using people as independent contractors or service providers. Antonin Léonard of OuiShare calls it ‘platform-based capitalism’. ‘Everything that can become a platform will become a platform,’ he says. OuiShare

informs and advises traditional businesses on how much their industry is going to be disrupted by platform-based models and how they can create their own platform or invest or acquire such a platform. According to Antonin, it is quite a challenge for traditional companies to collaborate with start-ups because they have different cultures and mindsets. He explains that four solutions lie ahead of traditional businesses struggling with today’s disruptive economy:

• Creating their own start-up • Partnering with a start-up • Investing in a start-up • Both investing in and partnering with a start-up

Three industries facing the most disruption with the emergence of sharing economy business models Tourism/hospitality

Mobility/transportation

Insurance and banking

CASE STUDY:

AccorHotels buys onefinestay

he traditional hospitality industry

Paris, Rome and New York. It will

with our recent investments, we are

has been disrupted by sharing

operate as an independent business

accelerating the transformation of

economy start-ups from Airbnb to

unit of Accor with Co-founder Greg

our business model to capture the

HomeAway, but in one example of

Marsh remaining as Chief Executive.

value creation linked to the rise of

a large hotel group addressing the

Explaining why AccorHotels had

private rentals and also strengthening

threat, AccorHotels has acquired

taken this step, Chairman & CEO

our presence in the luxury market

onefinestay, a high-end hospitality

Sébastien Bazin said: ‘onefinestay

with a complementary offer.’

pioneer specialising in luxury serviced

has successfully captured a sweet

home

worldwide

spot: a combination of needs that

investment as an ‘invitation for us to

gateways. AccorHotels paid €148m

neither traditional hotels nor new

write the next chapter in our story’,

(£117m) for the six-year old company

actors of the sharing economy can

citing

and has made a further commitment

meet. With the acquisition of this

expertise,

of €64m (£50m) to help the company

exceptional brand, unique operating

and financial support in helping

scale internationally in more than 40

model and outstanding management

onefinestay

new markets over the next five years.

team, AccorHotels is developing as

recognised byword for exceptional

onefinestay

the worldwide leader of the Serviced

experiences, extraordinary service,

Homes

and handmade hospitality.’ I

rental

key

already

offers

2,600

properties in cities such as London,

48 - info - may / june 2016

market.

Today,

together

Greg

the

Marsh

value as

described

well

‘become

the

AccorHotels’ as

practical

globally

CASE STUDY:

The Food Assembly: building human interactions around food

he Food Assembly is a network of communities that brings people together to buy fresh food directly from local farmers and producers.

It is a community-led marketplace: Food Assembly customers order food online from local producers and farmers before picking the food up at a weekly collection, known as a Food Assembly, managed by an Assembly Host. We’re not only about building technology, we’re in the business of building human interactions around food. If anything our technology encourages as much regression, as it does progression. The paradox is that these old-school, traditional human relationships (for example, farmers’ markets) are actually enabled by technology. People don’t join just for low prices and convenient home delivery; while those are nice to have, people join us for good, healthy local food, meeting their neighbours and local farmers. It’s a bold mission: to disrupt the corporate food chain and help farmers and food producers compete more fairly with the massive distribution apparatus of the big supermarkets. The only way to do this is through the power of people and if we can create thousands of these small communities, then we have a shot at disrupting the current faceless food system. I

Thomas Nutt, UK Country Manager, The Food Assembly

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- may / june 2016 - 49

FOCUS - THE SHAR ING ECONOMY

Realising the potential of a disruptive sharing economy Helen Goulden, Executive Director of the Innovation Lab at Nesta, the UK’s innovation foundation, considers the overall impact of the sharing economy now and in the future s human beings, we all probably want for pretty much the

We increasingly see how enterprises like Good Gym, Casserole

same things. We need food and drink, light, shelter, safety,

Club, Shared Lives and GoodSAM use the principles that sit

a mode of transport. We need clothes, furniture, tools and

underneath the sharing economy and are applying them to

technologies. We want freedom and resources to explore the

deliver or augment public services. They also achieve social impact,

things we’re really interested in. We want meaningful work, money,

delivering meals on wheels or reducing loneliness or supporting

a sense of purpose. These things, these needs are a constant.

the emergency services.

But the way we access and get hold of the things we need, the

There is no doubt that the sharing economy presents much

way we earn and borrow money, and who we interact with to meet

potential; not simply the ability for people to make and save money

those needs and desires is being completely reconfigured through

but also for traditional businesses to make more efficient use of

the rise of new digital platforms – new, online platforms and

their resources and through a renaissance of rental business

marketplaces that allow us to co-ordinate and share resources,

models, drive the development of more durable, sustainable

labour, money and knowledge in entirely new ways.

products.

We’ve already seen this reconfiguration and disruption in the music industry, in publishing, in television, in film – wherever there has been a possibility to revolutionise business through a digital medium, we have done so. And now digital’s hand is reaching out more and more into the real, physical world, reshaping it in interesting – and sometimes controversial – ways. The disruptive power of the sharing economy means that a

... the sharing economy is not without its detractors and there are some significant issues it poses when looking at the longer term

technology company like Airbnb, which provides places to stay all over the world, can be valued at over $25 billion, but owns no hotels, no inventory at all.

But the sharing economy is not without its detractors and there are some significant issues it poses when looking at the

It also means that we no longer need to go to banks to borrow

longer term. Cities and countries across the world are working

money. Nesta’s recent study on the alternative finance market

out how to think about regulation, taxation and zoning for sharing

– which includes peer-to-peer lending – showed a growth rate of

economy platforms; and how they impact on incumbent industries,

84% on last year; with £3.2 billion worth of loans, investments and

particularly in relation to short-term accommodation and transport.

donations made through platforms like Funding Circle.

The issue of an increasing contingent labour market is probably

The sharing economy is changing the way people work, with

the most profound potential impact; and there is a rising number

5 million people in the UK now using online marketplaces to sell

of class actions against some digital marketplaces that look and

their time on platforms like TaskRabbit, Upwork, Clickworker. 88%

act like employers, without the same employer obligations to their

of these workers cite their desire to work flexibly and at varied

‘workforce’.

locations as being the prime reason for working via these platforms, and for a quarter of those it is their main source of income.

We’re in a fluid and changing environment. The extent to which the sharing economy can continue to be largely self-regulating, the

As such, we’re seeing sharing economy businesses emerge

continuation of peer-to-peer as a dominant model within it, the

in almost every sector and industry; from farming to healthcare,

extent to which a mature sharing economy will be dominated by

the renting of high value goods like handbags and boats, logistics,

a handful of global platforms backed by Silicon Valley VCs are all

and transport, not to mention the rise of a whole basket of local

things open for debate.

platforms that allow people and households to share things with their neighbours. 50 - info - may / june 2016

One thing is certain, the term ‘sharing economy’ will fall away over time, but what it represents is here to stay. I

WWW.INSTITUT-FRANCAIS.ORG.UK

LIFESTYLE - ROYAL OPER A HOUSE

COSTUME CENTRAL: THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE’S NEW FACILITY

For a world-leading opera and ballet house that puts on

Alex says. ‘They are heritage items not only because of the

over 500 performances a year, costumes are much more

people who wore them, but also because they are themselves

than just tools of the trade. They are an integral part of

remarkable objects, some of which exemplify particular

the creative and artistic expression of each production, and

costume-making techniques and others because they are just

like the artists’ performances themselves, hours of design, skill

glorious designs.’ Students will also have the possibility for work

and execution go into each and every one. At the Royal Opera

experience placements with the Royal Opera House costume

House, the largely hidden industry

teams to get hands-on experience

around the creation, storage and

working on production costumes.

maintenance of these costumes has been given a prominent place at the heart of High House Production Park, where its production workshop is also based, in Thurrock, on the Thames Estuary. The Bob and Tamar Manoukian Costume Centre is the most recent addition to the park, built adjacent to the imposing workshop where the theatre’s grand sets are made, and opened last October. ‘The idea was to bring together the historic costume collection, over 6,000 individual items, together with musical instruments and pieces of furniture dating back to

The idea was to bring together the historic costume collection, over 6,000 individual items, together with musical instruments and pieces of furniture dating back to the 18th century [...] with the production wardrobe from The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet repertory, about 20,000 costumes

the 18th century which were housed

Having

purpose-designed

costume centre also means that storage conditions can be climatically controlled. Previously stored in a warehouse,

the

costumes

were

susceptible to ambient moisture, which rusted zips and advanced deterioration. ‘Often when a costume would come to Covent Garden for a revival, zips would have to be replaced, along with other restitching and repairs, which was inherently inefficient,’ Alex comments. Now they can be more efficiently managed and preserved, prolonging their working life and allowing more recycling. Obviously there are environmental

in an expensive and remote facility in

benefits

too,

not

mention

Dover, with the production wardrobe from The Royal Opera and

transport cost savings, in not having to send lorries back and

The Royal Ballet repertory, about 20,000 costumes, which were

forth from Wales.

stored in Aberdare, Wales,’ explains Alex Beard, Chief Executive

This future-proofing mindset goes hand-in-hand with

of the ROH. ‘Along with those two elements, we wanted to have

the overarching skills development theme at High House

space for a new workshop for a ROH costume team to make

Production Park, of which the Costume Centre is a constituent

more costumes in-house, and to introduce a facility for a new

part. It is soon to be joined by the first National College for the

BA (Hons) degree in Costume Construction, which has been

Creative Industries, funding for which was announced recently

by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, with work

validated by the University of the Arts London, to train the next

starting in early 2017. And further down the line, the last bit

generation of costume makers’. The training the students will

of land at HHPP has been earmarked for the ROH archives so

receive on this course will equip them with the skills needed not

that the entire ROH collection may be housed in one location.

only to work in theatre but also film, TV and fashion.

This will allow researchers to access archival material alongside

For the costume construction students, being in such close

the costumes themselves. ‘This journey, which started in 2005,

proximity to the Historic Collection will be both enriching and

will be completed in 2020 and will house our workshops, our

instructive for their studies. ‘It represents the grand heritage

heritage alongside small-scale artists who work with us, as a

of theatrical performance – things like Tosca’s dress worn by

facility for making and learning that is unrivalled anywhere in

Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland’s gown or Margot Fonteyn’s tutus,’

the world,’ Alex concluded. I KF Right: A costume on display outside the workroom at the Bob and Tamar Manoukian Costume Centre

52 - info - may / june 2016

info

- may / june 2016 - 53 Nicholas Hare Architects ÂŠ Alan Williams Photography

LIFE S T YLE - E XHIBITION S AND E VE NT S

Compiled by Aurore Largerie

G U I L D H A L L A RT GA L L ERY, LO N D O N Visscher Redrawn: 1616-2016

Robin Reynolds (1952– ), Visscher Redrawn, 2016, pen and ink on paper

London Metropolitan Archives

Visscher’s 1616 engraving is one of the most iconic images of medieval London; a low-rise cityscape dominated by the spires and steeples of its churches. 400 years on, artist Robin Reynolds has recreated the 6.6ft panorama to depict the brilliant architecture of today’s metropolis. Published in the year of Shakespeare’s death, Visscher’s engraving is one of the few visual records of London before much of it was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. To commemorate the landmark anniversaries of 350 years since the Fire and 400 years since Shakespeare’s death, the two artworks are displayed side-by-side. In recognition of Shakespeare400, Reynolds’ drawing includes references to the Bard’s work. I Until 20 November / Open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and from 12pm to 4pm on Sundays / Free admission

Claes Jansz Visscher (1587–1652), Panorama of London, 1616, engraving

VI C TO RI A A N D A L B ERT M USEU M , LO N D O N

Costume design The Phantom of the Opera 1986

Part of the 40th anniversary of the Olivier Awards, ‘Curtain Up’ is an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum that explores the extraordinary story of the world’s two greatest theatrical cities, London’s West End and New York’s Broadway. Curtain Up showcases material from multi-award-winning productions such as The Phantom of the Opera, A Chorus Line and Wolf Hall and highlights outstanding theatre practitioners. The exhibition invites you to glimpse behind the scenes and immerse yourself in the world of artistic collaboration to discover how all aspects of a production come together in great theatre. Highlights include costumes from The Producers, Romeo and Juliet, worn by Rudolf Nureyev and The Audience, worn by Dame Helen Mirren, award statuettes, set models, scripts, photographs and film from past productions such as Carousel, Arcadia, and Sunday In The Park With George. I Until 31 August / Open daily from 10am to 5:30pm, until 9:30pm on Fridays / Free admission courtesy of Manchester Art Gallery Bridgeman Images

With the permission of the Maria Bjornson Archive

Curtain Up: Celebrating 40 years of Theatre in London and New York

T H E B RI T I SH L I B R A RY, LO N D O N Shakespeare in Ten Acts Imagine how audiences reacted to ground-breaking moments like the first stage appearance by a female actor in 1660 and the first British performance of Othello by a black actor in 1825. Experience the glamour of Vivien Leigh’s Lady Macbeth costume, the surprising circus prop from Peter Brook’s radical 1970s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the stunning detail of the Globe’s award-winning costumes from Twelfth Night starring Mark Rylance. Shakespeare in Ten Acts tells a journey of 400 years of history – from the first productions of Hamlet and The Tempest – to understanding how Shakespeare’s plays have been transformed for new generations of theatre-goers. The landmark exhibition showcases over 200 unique and rare items such as the only surviving play-script in Shakespeare’s hand, an authentic Shakespeare signature, the earliest printed edition of Hamlet from 1603 and Shakespeare’s First Folio. I Until 6 September / Open Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri 9:30am to 6pm, Tue 9:30am to 8pm, Sat 9:30am to 5pm, Sun 11am to 5pm / Full price £12 54 - info - may / june 2016

James Northcote: Othello the Moor of Venice, 1826

LIFE S T YLE - E XHIBITION S

SO M ERSE T H O USE, LO N D O N Photo London

Bowie and Kate Moss, 2005 by Ellen von Unwerth CAMERA&WORK, Berlin

Photo London brings together 80 of the world’s leading galleries in a major international photography Fair. Photo London was created to give London an international photography event befitting the city’s status as global cultural capital. In addition to the main Fair of 80 of the world’s leading galleries, tickets to Photo London include access to major publishers, book signings, special installations and entry to three major exhibitions: • Don McCullin: Photo London Master of Photography 2016 The first of these exhibitions will honour the work of legendary war photographer, Don McCullin, recently named as the Photo London Master of Photography 2016. Visitors to Photo London will have a rare opportunity to hear Don McCullin speak in a public conversation at Somerset House with Tate Photography Curator, Simon Baker. • Craigie Horsfield, from the collection of the Wilson Centre for Photography • Sergei Chilikov: Photoprovocation, from the Multimedia Art Museum, Moscow I 19 May to 22 May / Day tickets £25, concessions £20, Weekend Pass £36

Call to Faith no.2, 2013 by Carmon Mitrotta Bildhalle, Zürich

T H E FREN CH I NS T I T U T E, LO N D O N Jonathan Coe meets Maylis de Kerangal Two of France and the UK’s favourite writers will meet for an exceptional FrancoBritish conversation: Maylis de Kerangal and Jonathan Coe. Together, they will discuss the twists and turns of writing ultra-contemporary fiction and depicting the society they live in. Maylis de Kerangal‘s books Birth of a Bridge and Mend the Living have been published in the UK this year by MacLehose Press; the first won the Prix Médicis in 2010 and the second is longlisted for the Man Booker International Prize. Jonathan Coe has recently published his eleventh book Number 11 – a brilliant satire of contemporary Britain – and The Very Private Life of Mister Sim, based on his novel The Terrible Privacy of Maxwell Sim, has been released in France. I Friday 20 May, 7pm / £12, concession £10 / in English. Followed by a book signing

Isabelle Huppert Season As Isabelle Huppert hits the stage of the Barbican Centre in Phaedra(s) (9-18 June), the Institut français is dedicating a retrospective to one of the greatest French actresses throughout May and June. From The Lace-Maker (La Dentellière), which revealed her tremendous talent in 1977, to her landmark performance in Madame Bovary and The Piano Teacher, which earned her the Best Actress Award at the 2001 Cannes Festival, Isabelle Huppert has

had an amazing, eclectic and prolific career. A muse to Claude Chabrol and Michael Haneke, she has inspired the most talented and demanding directors, among them Jean-Luc Godard, Maurice Pialat and Andrzej Wajda. On the big screen or on stage, in France or abroad, the great Isabelle keeps surprising us, and there is no doubt the best is yet to come. I 1 May to 12 June, at Ciné Lumière / £6 to £10

info

- may / june 2016 - 55

LIFE S T YLE - BOOK S THESE BOOKS, RECENTLY PUBLISHED IN ENGLISH, WERE SELECTED BY THE FRENCH INSTITUTE

THE CREW

DIARY OF A BODY

by Joseph

Kessel Published by Pushkin Press Translated by André Naffis-Sahely Original title: L’équipage

Illustrated by Daniel

Pennac Press Translated by Alyson Waters Original title: Journal d’un corps Published by Maclehose

The crew of a French reconnaissance plane during the First World

From a particularly humiliating accident at scout camp, to the

War consisted of just two men: a pilot and an observer. Two such

final stages of terminal illness, Daniel Pennac’s warm, witty and

men are Jean Herbillon and Claude Maury. Herbillon’s dreams

heart-breaking novel shows the rise and fall of an ordinary man,

of glory as an air ace have been dashed after only a few months

told through his observations of his own body. It is with damp

at the front; Maury suffers from a broken heart – his only hope

eyes (not to mention underpants) that our narrator begins his

is that his exploits as a pilot will win back his lost love. Together

diary, seeking through it to come to terms with the demoralising

the two form one of the best crews in the air, fighting in the first

quirks of his fleshy confines. Through the joys and horrors of

aerial conflict in history – one in which a combatant can count

puberty to the triumphs of adolescence, we grow to love him

his life expectancy in weeks. The pressure of war forges a strong

through every growth, leak and wound, as he finds himself

bond between the two flyers, but can it survive the discovery

developing muscles, falling in love, and then leaving school to

that they are both in love with the same woman? Joseph Kessel’s

join the French Resistance. Yet, as ever, this is only half the story.

first literary success, and based on the author’s experience, is a

As years pass and hairs grey, everything he took for granted

staggering tale of courage, brotherhood and loss. I

begins to turn against him. This is a hugely original story of the most relatable of unlikely love stories: a human, and the body that defines him. I

LADIVINE by Marie

NDiaye

THE LIFE OF ELVES

Published by Maclehose

Press Translated by Jordan Stump Original title: Ladivine

by Muriel

Barbery Books Translated by Alison Anderson Original title: La vie des elfes Published by Gallic

Clarisse Rivière refuses to admit to her husband Richard and to her daughter Ladivine that her mother is a poor, black housekeeper. Instead, she pretends to be an orphan, visiting

The villagers had never seen anything like it: dense white

her mother in secret and telling no-one of her real identity as

curtains of snow that instantly transformed the landscape. Not

Malinka, daughter of Ladivine Sylla. In time, her lies turn against

in autumn, not here in Burgundy. And on the same night a baby

her. Richard leaves Clarisse. Clarisse is devastated, but finds

was discovered, dark-eyed little Maria, who would transform

solace in a new man, Freddy Moliger, who is let into the secret

all their lives. Hundreds of miles away in the mountains of

about her mother. But Ladivine, her daughter, is convinced that

Abruzzo, another foundling, Clara, astonishes everyone with her

her mother’s new lover can bring only chaos and pain. When

extraordinary talent for piano playing. But her gifts go far beyond

she is proved right, in the most tragic circumstances, the only

simple musicianship. As a time of great danger looms, though

comfort the family can turn to requires a leap of faith. Centred

the girls know nothing of each other, it is the bond that unites

around three generations of women, whose seemingly cursed

them and others like them, which will ultimately offer the only

lineage is defined by the weight of origins, the pain of alienation

chance for good to prevail in the world. This highly anticipated

and the legacy of shame, Ladivine is a bewildering story of

new novel distances itself from The Elegance of the Hedgehog, the

secrets, lies, guilt and forgiveness by one of Europe’s most

bestselling novel that made Muriel Barbery a worldwide literary

unique literary voices. I

phenomenon. I

56 - info - may / june 2016

This column brings inspiring travel and destination stories from our members in the industry. This time, Exclusif Voyages lets us into...

By EXCLUSIF VOYAGES

DARWIN’S SECRET IN

GALAPAGOS

iscovered by chance in 1535, the Galapagos Islands inspired the British naturalist Charles Darwin for his theory of evolution. Yet it seems that

time has stopped on this isolated archipelago. Off the shore of Ecuador, about 40 volcanic islands float on the Pacific Ocean. Almost deserted, the Galapagos boast a national park and a marine reserve, unique in the word and listed on the UNESCO Word Heritage List. Formerly the haunt of pirates and buccaneers, the islands haven’t lost their sense of mystery, which is enhanced by a spectacular ecosystem where more than 400 endemic species can be found. The Galapagos Islands are protected by strict legislation based on guidelines set by the Charles Darwin Foundation, so each visit is conditioned by specific authorisation in order to limit the flow of people. The Galapagos are a joy from island to island. But to discover them, one has to forget about luxury and embrace rustic charm. Here you find nature in all its glory – it is the place where gigantic turtles, marine iguanas, sea lions, albatross, blue-footed boobies, humpback whales and dolphins gather peacefully. And this extraordinary experience is true luxury. The island of Santa Cruz offers a contrasting variety of natural sites with the white sand of Tortuga Bay on one side, and lava tunnels as high as 2 or 3 metres on the other. San Cristobal is invaded by sea lions whose path we have to cross on the harbour. In the 18th century, whalers used to drop their letters in a small post office at Floreana, and to this day, visitors drop off their letters and pick up a stranger’s one to send when they reach the mainland... like sending a message in a bottle. Isabela, the main island, is the most beautiful. Five active volcanoes rule over its biodiversity and more than half of the Galapagos fauna can be found here. To this compendium of islands is added four tiny, unoccupied strips of land, which require special permits to visit: Santa Fe, South Plazas, North Seymour and Bartolome – some wild and untouched spaces where giant cactus, steep cliffs, surprising geology and hundreds of unique birds can be found! The right season to travel to Galapagos is from June to September. I E: info@exclusifvoyages.co.uk

T: +44 (0) 7931 099 269

W: www.exclusifvoyages.co.uk

info

- may / june 2016 - 57

LIFE S T YLE - PROFILE

SYLVAIN ERCOLI GENERAL MA NA G E R BULGARI HOT E L & R E SIDE N C E S From night auditor in Nancy to General Manager of Bulgari Hotel & Residences, Sylvain Ercoli has had a fast-paced and varied career in the luxury hotel industry, with a fair few builds and refurbishments along the way

hotelier was the last thing Sylvain Ercoli imagined he would become, although his mother had other ideas. When he returned to his hometown Nancy after a two-year stint in the Special Forces on Reunion Island, it was she who persuaded him to apply for a night auditor job at a local hotel, believing it would be a good way in to a career she believed he was cut out for. Knowing

nothing about the role, Sylvain blagged his way through the interview and on the basis of his charm and attitude, the manager gave him a chance, telling him that if he worked hard he would go far. And far and fast he did go. Within six months he was reception manager, and five years later, aged 27, he was the Manager of the Ritz in Paris, going on, after seven years, to become General Manager of Hotel George V. Sylvain puts his swift and successful career rise down to a combination of hard work and mentorship. ‘A few people have been extremely inspirational for me,’ he says, singling out in particular Frank Klein, the President of the Ritz, who sent him to the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University in New York, and gave him the opportunity to manage the hotel at a very young age, and Sol Kerzner, the South African hotel, casino and entertainment operator of the One and Only group whom he worked for in Mauritius: ‘He gave me the universal recipe for successful resort management – great product, great people, great food and great entertainment.’ Over his 36 years in the business of running luxury hotels in France, Mauritius and London, Sylvain has honed his skills as a hotelier down to a fine art. ‘This business is all based on people,’ he says. ‘It is all about how you lead them, invest in them, nurture their talent and interact with them.’ But in order to provide the best service, the basics have to be in place, and Sylvain has often been there from the very beginning, ensuring that they are – managing new hotel openings, overseeing renovations and pioneering rebrands. ‘I have spent most of my career building or refurbishing hotels,’ Sylvain jokes, but he has proved he has a knack for it, which he attributes, in part, to his father, a builder, who got Sylvain to help him on building sites when he was young. ‘At the time I told my dad it was useless to me, as I had no intention of being a builder, but now I thank him every day for what he taught me about looking at plans and paying attention to detail.’ After four years in Mauritius at Le Touessrok, Ile aux Cerfs and the One and Only Hôtel Saint-Géran Golf Club and Casino, Sylvain returned to France to take over the management of the Byblos in Saint-Tropez, and simultaneously, the Byblos in Courchevel. ‘It was a difficult juggling act, but fun,’ he recalls. Then the Taittinger family, who owned numerous iconic hotels in France, asked him to refurbish and run Hotel Martinez in Cannes and at the same time rebuild the Hotel and Casino Palais de la Méditerranée, an art deco legend in Nice, of which only the façade remained. It was also for a refurbishment that Sylvain first came to London in 2006, as General Manager of Claridge’s. Unfortunately before that got under way, he had to return to France for family reasons. Back in France, Sylvain initially ran Hôtel de Crillon for the Starwood Group, before being lured

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away to take on another challenging project – overseeing and delivering the successful refurbishment and reopening of the Royal Monceau Raffles Hotel. But the acme of Sylvain’s hotel construction experience has been the building and running of Bulgari Hotel & Residences in London – the first new build of its type in London for 40 years. Although Sylvain did not want to leave Paris, ‘the product seduced me so much, I could not resist,’ he admits. Opening a new hotel in a mature market – ‘one of the most complicated and competitive in the world’ – was a challenge he was up for, and has met. Since opening in 2012, the Bulgari Hotel & Residences, an 85-suite hotel catering to the very top end of the market, has outperformed its competitors, and within 18 months, 70% of its guests were repeat clients – an indication that it is getting it right. ‘If you have a great product and great people, it can’t fail,’ Sylvain says modestly, but his innate sense of what his guests will need or want, not only today, but tomorrow, and implementing the vision, is probably the real secret to his success. I KF

At the time I told my dad it was useless to me, as I had no intention of being a builder, but now I thank him every day for what he taught me about looking at plans and paying attention to detail

The Balcon welcomes its new Chef Matt Greenwood

he restaurant at Sofitel St James, The Balcon, recently welcomed a new Chef, Matt Greenwood. His extensive experience of cooking for different cultures is evident in the menu he has designed which reflects his love of fusion cooking and his ability to preserve elements of traditional French cuisine. The menu reflects the Chef’s strong focus on local produce with dishes such as Elwy Valley lamb sirloin, broad beans and wild garlic pesto and ingredients such as English asparagus, fresh peas, sorrel, brown shrimp and lashings of mint bring a touch of spring. A set menu continues to be on offer for lunch and dinner with a choice of two or three courses, whilst a mouth-watering six course tasting menu has been introduced in the evening. I www.thebalconlondon.com

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LIFE S T YLE - E AT, DR INK , S TAY

Club Gascon - Voyage en Champagne

t a special dinner held at Club Gascon, Pascal Aussignac partnered with Eric Trichard – one of Perrier-Jouët’s Master Wine Makers who flew in from Epernay for the occasion – to produce a four-course, four-wine menu celebrating Perrier-Jouët Champagne and French cuisine. The final dish ‘Red Hot Chili Berries’ incorporated an edible design of the Emile Gallé signature anemone bottle design to accompany the Blason Rosé. Fellow Chamber member representative of Pernod Ricard, Thomas Quinn, co-hosted the event, making the introductory speeches. Gascon Connections stocks all of the wines across its venues and will continue to work with Pernod Ricard and Perrier-Jouët extensively in 2016/2017 with the exciting redevelopments of both Club & Cellar Gascon; scheduled for completion by February 2016. I KF

Goût de France celebrated across the UK on 21 March

he French Embassy celebrated Goût de France with a

members, including Renault, Pernod Ricard, Michelin and La

dinner at the Ambassador’s Residence on 21 March. Guests

Belle Assiette.

included Prince Michael of Kent, Work and Pensions Secretary

The Goût de France/Good France project was first

Stephen Crabb, Culture Secretary John Whittingdale, Minister

organised in 2015 on the initiative of Alain Ducasse and the

for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General Matt Hancock,

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Development, taking

Labour MP Tristram Hunt, Arsène Wenger, David Ginola, The

inspiration from Auguste Escoffier’s Dîners d’Epicure in 1912.

Times editor John Witherow, the Financial Times editor Lionel

I www.ambafrance-uk.org

Barber and journalist Rachel Johnson. Their host, the French Ambassador to the UK, HE Ms Sylvie Bermann told them: ‘More than 1,700 Chefs on five continents, from New York to Tokyo [...] are taking part in Goût de France. At this very moment, in the UK, 25 Chefs, from local bistros to fine dining establishments, are serving special French gourmet menus.’ Guests were served a four-course French dinner cooked by Michelin-starred guest Chefs Pascal Aussignac (of Club Gascon) and Eric Chavot, and the French Embassy’s Chef Gilles Quillot. The event was supported by several Chamber

Orée boulangerie opens in Fulham

rench businessman Laurent d’Orey opened the doors to Orée’s first UK-based French style boulangerie and kitchen on Fulham Road, London, in March. Bringing a taste of the boulangeries and patisseries of rural France to West London,

60 - info - may / june 2016

Orée offers freshly baked viennoiserie, artisan bread and fine patisserie, alongside a selection of breakfast dishes, salads and coffees, to eat in, or takeaway. The patisserie counter includes French classics and more traditional British options. Orée also caters for those looking for healthier alternatives, with a range of gluten-free breads. Boasting an in-house, glass-fronted 2.5 tonne deck oven and open boulangerie kitchen, all of Orée’s bread is kneaded and baked daily on site. Inspired by all corners of the globe, Orée serves 12 different types of bread, including; Rye, Sourdough, Buckwheat, Nordic and Japanese. I www.oree.co.uk

LIFE S T YLE - CHE E SE & WINE PR E S S

CHAOU RCE by La Cave à Fromage ‘When I was young, there were 11 of us at the table, and we ate a 3-litre milk cheese every day. In winter, we made milk soup, very economical. In summer, we used 20 litres of milk a day, and put the milk tanks in the well to keep them cool. Sometimes, we would let cheese dry for a change.’ This account of life in the French countryside some 80 years ago reflects what traditional farmhouse cheeses were, and still are: simple, seasonal, practical and economical. Chaource is a soft, creamy, earthy cheese made with cow milk and only matured for 3 to 4 weeks for quick consumption. It was named after a small market town in the south-east part of the Champagne region, where the cheese was sold at the local fair. Cows have been grazing for centuries on these rich pastures, producing generous milk in large quantities, helping peasants to pay their tax in cheese among other agricultural products. Chaource remains a generous cheese. I by Eric Charriaux E: eric@cheese.biz T: +44 (0)845 108 8222 W: www.la-cave.co.uk

TO BUY YOUR CHEESE, VISIT LA CAVE A FROMAGE SHOPS 24-25 Cromwell Place, 148-150 Portobello Road, Kensington, London SW7 2LD Notting Hill, London W11 2DZ

34-35 Western Road, Hove, Brighton BN3 1AF

YOU R I D E AL WI N E WITH CHAOU RCE by Wine Story Chaource is renowned for its creaminess, freshness and saltiness, and to complement the distinctive characteristics of this fabulous cheese, I recommend a dry Jurançon such as the zingy cuvee Estela from the Domaine de Montesquiou with its lemony palate or the rich Muscadet de Sèvre & Maine sur Lie from the Domaine du Yolais in the Loire Valley. The cheese’s saltiness is vaguely reminiscent of Fines de Claires oysters from Marennes-Oleron! A good red match for the cheese would be the light bodied style of the Ad Libitum from the Domaine La Grange in TouraineAmboise (a biodynamic blend of Gamay, Cot and Cabernet Franc grapes) or the dry style of the Mondeuse from Château de La Mar (the Grand Cru of the appellation Marestel in Savoie). The more adventurous might consider trying a cheese from the Champagne region with a Champagne. My bubbly choice would be the ripe and fruity Champagne Rose Premier Cru from Olivier Coulon & Fils, a blend of Pinot Noir from Coteaux Champenois. I by Thibault Lavergne TO ORDER MICHELIN-STYLE WINES TO DRINK AT HOME, CONTACT: E: thibault@winestory.co.uk T: +44 (0)7921 770 691 W: www.winestory.co.uk

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s we move from Spring towards

the new General Manager there, speak

School of Economics & Political Science

Summer, things are hotting up

about the challenges and opportunities

to discuss how schools and universities

in the luxury hotel industry today.

are preparing students to meet future

at the Chamber with a great line up of events and activities for our members, as

We have just had another successful

well as our ongoing services and process

Member to Member Cocktail & Exhibition

In the lead up to the apex of our

of digitalisation.

with well over 200 participants networking

calendar year, which is the Annual Gala

business needs.

On the membership side, we have

and exchanging around 23 exhibitors.

Dinner on 14 June with Jacques Attali,

welcomed one new Patron member:

Over the 17 years it has been held, this

President of Positive Planet as guest

American

Business

format has never waned in popularity,

speaker, we have a wide variety of events

Travel; seven new Corporate members

although it has become more high tech

planned, of which I would like to highlight

and 15 new Active members.

with its own app, courtesy of Powervote,

the Breakfast with Michael Borrell, Senior

Our Forums and Clubs have been

and now the Member-to-Member offers,

Vice President Europe & Central Asia,

very active, holding numerous sessions

previously published in a booklet, are to

Total on 18 May, and our AGM, to which

on topics ranging from how start-ups

go digital too. Prior to that, in March, we

all members are invited free of charge,

can generate higher growth to what HR

had an extremely interesting Economic

on 6 June. This is a great opportunity to

departments should prepare for in 2016

Update, which took a different tack by

review the Chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2015 activities and

from a legal perspective. Our Luxury

inviting Peter Todd, Dean of HEC, and

get a feel for what is in store this year, so

Club enjoyed an exceptional breakfast at

Susan Liautaud, Vice Chair of Council

we hope to see many members there. I

Claridgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s where they heard Paul Jackson,

and Court of Governors of the London

Express

62 - info - may / june 2016

Global

CHAMBE R HAPPE NINGS - SHORTIE S

Hats off to... KEN RAMIREZ has recently been appointed Senior Vice-President, Sales and Marketing for 34 countries in the Europe ‘G9’ region and becomes a member of the Renault Management Committee. Paul Flanagan will replace him as Managing Director of Renault UK. Ken will continue to serve as an Advisory Councillor of the French Chamber of Great Britain. Born in Puerto Rico, Ken Ramirez has a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and has more than 24 years of experience in the automotive industry. He joined the Renault-Nissan Alliance in 2002, holding various leadership roles at Nissan, and has been Managing Director of Renault UK since February 2013. He is a Board member on the UK Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Executive. www.renault.co.uk

Log on for some enticing member-to-member offers

he Member-to-Member Offers are going digital, with about

at luxury beauty retailer Nuxe. There are also discounts on

50 handpicked, exclusive discounts and freebies that should

luxury hotels, translation services, accountancy, PR campaigns,

appeal to everyone. The online platform makes the offers much

digital audit, printing, website building, marketing, recruitment,

easier to access than the booklet, while the French Chamber’s

money transfers, language courses, real estate agencies and

team has been busy finding some lovely offerings. Gourmets and

interior designers, as well as free consultations (up to two

bons vivants can take advantage of discounts of up to 25% from

hours) with lawyers and free business incorporation and advice

fellow members such as Vranken Pommery, Pierre Hermé, La

for start-ups. In other words, it’s a gold mine of savings not to

Cave à Fromage, Bulgari Hotel, Club Gascon and Belmond le

be overlooked. I

Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons – amongst many others – or benefit from a non-joining fee offer at exclusive private member’s club Home House. Those in search of gifts, or thinking of treat

The Member-to-Member Offers can be found under

themselves, can get 20% off Parrot products (maker of drones

Membership/Already a Member/M2M special offers on

but also of some of the most sought-after speakers in the market),

www.frenchchamber.co.uk, but look out for the dedicated

15% off personalised jewellery at Merci Maman or mini-freebies

section on the new website, launching soon.

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS ON THE FRENCH AND BRITISH IN BUSINESS

“Fascinating bilingual guide... full of shrewd insights into both sides’ codes.” - T he F inancial T imes

£6

Meetings may not start until the most senior person arrives.

Meetings start on time.

A meeting is a debate.

A meeting is a process.

Latecomers enter, shake hands with everyone present, and then sit down. “Non c’est impossible” – often means “start convincing me”. • • •

Latecomers slip in quietly, apologise and sit in the nearest available seat. “No, I’m afraid that it really is impossible” usually means just that. Non-negotiable. • • •

CHAMBE R HAPPE NINGS - NE W ME MBE R S

1 PATRON MEMBER AMERICAN EXPRESS GLOBAL BUSINESS TRAVEL

Represented by Jason Geall , AVP & General Manager UK www.amexglobalbusinesstravel.com/uk

American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) enables corporations and empowers business travellers with insights, connections and exceptional customer service on a global scale. Through technology and information, GBT provides leading travel solutions, integrated consulting services, proprietary research, and end-to-end meetings and events capabilities. These innovative offerings enable clients to optimise the return on their travel and meetings investments. GBT has operations and network partners in nearly 140 countries worldwide with approximately 12,000 employees. GBT ranked first among corporate travel providers in the 2015 Corporate Travel 100 (‘CT100’), an annual listing compiled by Business Travel News which ranks companies with the largest volume of US air bookings.

7 CORPORATE MEMBERS

HOME HOUSE Private members’ Club

CARAT CAPITAL

Represented by Andrew Richardson,

Wealth management for

Managing Director

French expatriates

www.homehouse.co.uk

Represented by Sandrine Genet, Managing Director

The private member’s club where opulence, splendour and fun are

www.caratcapital.fr

spread in equal measure across seven bars, two restaurants, six lounges,

Carat Capital is a French company based in Paris. Carat

23 bedrooms and a beautiful garden in three perfectly appointed,

Capital has been operating in wealth management for

adjoined Georgian townhouses on Portman Square in Marylebone. A

the past 10 years. Their clients are families, managers

limited number of memberships are available annually, with Chamber

and self-employed professionals with financial, fiscal,

members given automatic approval and priority on the waiting list.

real estate and estate planning needs. Their clients evolve in an increasingly international context and Carat Capital specialises in international issues. The company offers services in England for French expatriates.

ECONOCOM Europe’s largest independent provider of digital finance Represented by Chris Labrey, Managing Director

MYCOOCOON Innovative concept based on colour wellness Represented by Valérie Corcias and Dominique Kelly, Co-founders and CEOs www.mycoocoon.com mycoocoon is an innovative concept of wellbeing through colour light immersion. It has been developed by an award-winning team of creatives, scientists and developers. mycoocoon is aimed at luxury hotels and spas, corporates and individuals.

UK & Ireland www.econocom.co.uk Econocom is Europe’s largest independent provider

POSITIVE PLANET

of digital finance and associated services. With

Non profit foundation

over 9,000 employees in 19 countries and 40 years’

Represented by Xavier Bertrand, CEO

experience, Econocom has the expertise to design

www.positiveplanet.ngo

bespoke and tax-efficient finance solutions to help

The mission of Positive Planet is to help men and women to create

businesses match the cost of digital investment with

the conditions for a better life for future generations across the

the business benefit. The company is the finance

world. Positive Planet organises its actions and mobilises its experts

partner to notable companies, including the BBC,

worldwide around the following objective: improving people’s access

Capita and the London Organising Committee for the

to education, health, food security, housing, drinking water, sanitation,

Olympic and Paralympic Games.

clean energy, and the financing of entrepreneurial projects.

64 - info - may / june 2016

CHAMBE R HAPPE NINGS - NE W ME MBE R S

THE HURLINGHAM CLUB

TIFFANY & CO.

Events, hospitality and venue space

World-renowned premier jeweller

Represented by Alessandra Porta,

Represented by Barratt West, Vice President,

Sales/Business Development Manager

Managing Director, UK & Ireland

www.hurlinghamclub.org.uk

www.tiffany.co.uk

Set in 42 acres of lavish grounds overlooking the River

For 179 years, Tiffany & Co. has built an international reputation

Thames, The Hurlingham Club is a green oasis of International

as a premier jeweller, known for its exquisite diamonds.

renown. It retains its quintessentially English traditions and

Founded in New York City in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany, the

heritage, while providing modern venue facilities and services.

legendary company prides itself on offering creative jewellery

With its dazzling glass dome and interconnecting rooms that

designs, superior craftsmanship and excellent customer

create 1,500m2 of internal space, the venue is a truly beautiful

service. Most importantly, Tiffany is associated with being the

backdrop for hosting any event including world-class events,

jeweller of romance and sentiment, helping people celebrate

corporate workshops and glamorous red carpet parties.

the special moments in their lives.

15 ACTIVE MEMBERS Académie du service - Training & consultancy in marketing

La Performance Généreuse – Rhéatis - Team building &

services & management

leadership through music

www.academieduservice.com

www.team-building-musique.com

Represented by Claire Bonniol, Managing Director/Partner

Represented by Guy Perier, Conductor and Coach

Azot App Ltd - Performance analysis tool for mobile apps

Laboratoires Expanscience - Dermo cosmetic activity

azot.io

- Mustela

Represented by Sébastien Seblin, CEO

www.expanscience.com Represented by Capucine Montserret, Export Area Manager

Brebners - Chartered accountants and business advisers www.brebners.com

Laplace - Wine distribution

Represented by Ashok Sonah, Partner

www.laplace-vins.com Represented by Marc de Ribains, UK Director

AZuccarini - Lifestyle design and project management www.azuccarini.com

Leyton UK Limited - Consultancy firm

Represented by Anna Zuccarini, Director

www.leyton.com/web/uk Represented by François Gouilliard, Founder

Blancpain - Swatch Group UK - World’s oldest watchmaking brand since 1735

London Languages - In-company business language

www.blancpain.com

training

Represented by Cécile Nwanze, Marketing Manager

www.londonlanguages.com Represented by Caroline Jacquard, Marketing &

Comptoir Green Ltd - Online retail French organic beauty

Communication Consultant

products - www.comptoirgreen.com Represented by Flore Moulin, Director

Maison Pregevole 1968 - Expatriation consulting www.maisonpregevole1968.com

Easy Rental Services - Property management in short let

Represented by Sylvie Pregevole, Manager & Founder

www.easy-rental-services.com Represented by Delphine Siard, Associate Director

The Rembrandt Hotel Ltd - Hotel with conference facilities www.sarova-rembrandthotel.com

FrenchConnect London - Private club for French digital

Represented by Yovhanna Billard, Sales Executive

leaders frenchconnectlondon.com Represented by Albin Serviant, Co-Founder

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ECONOMIC UPDATE -

4 March

HOW DO SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES PREPARE STUDENTS TO MEET FUTURE BUSINESS NEEDS?