EDITION www.heditionmagazine.com
Issue 7
IN THIS ISSUE
MAYOR OF LONDON BORIS JOHNSON
PROTECTING YOUR SOCIAL FOOTPRINT How simple is it to erase your profile?
CREATING AN ONLINE EMPIRE We interview the founders of SecretSales.com
SHOWCASING THE AUDI R8 Where style meets performance
TOM AIKENS Harrods Chef of the Season
I N V E S T M E N T | N E W S | C U LT U R E | L U X U RY | L I F E S T Y L E
S tyle.E levated. The original ‘Grand Hotel’ has been delighting her guests since 1865. She exudes a timeless elegance, blending a sense of the past with the style of today. She is a legendary hostess that captivates your senses with her engaging finesse that bears the hallmarks of a rich heritage that spans three centuries. She will conjure memories that will be talked of for time to come.
Discover The Langham, London: langhamlondon.com 1c Portland Place, Regent Street, London, W1B 1JA T 44 (0) 20 7965 0191
Welcome to EDITION
H
ow the last 6 months have passed. Ever wondered where H Edition comes from and how it all began? It all started when our parent company, Hamble Group Global, wanted to branch out from the usual monotony of newsletters that most people delete from their inbox. So we decided that a magazine was definitely much more fun and universal.
For the last 15 years I have worked in the digital arena, as with most things in life the wheel always turns a full 360 degrees. When H Edition was first launched via app and online back in March many said print was extinct, now those same individuals are insistent that print is back. We have decided to listen to our subscribers and have launched in print. As a team we are terribly excited about where our future is heading. Read the full story on pages 6 and 7. We are thrilled to welcome Robert Barnes, CEO of Turquoise, and the trading arm of the London Stock Exchange. Robert explains more on Demystifying Dark Pools on pages 10 and 11. I was fortunate enough to be introduced to Sir Timothy Ackroyd. Sir Timothy is one of the founders of Tusk Trust of whom the Duke of Cambridge is patron. Sir Timothy writes for us exclusively on page 12. His article will make you sit up and think. I for one found it incredibly powerful. A huge subject at this time is security via the internet. We bring you the run down on how easy or complicated it is to minimise your social footprint on various platforms. Turn to page 29 for more information. We have also had a huge demand on things to do, and places to go in London, so Rebecca Cowing brings you all the newest and brightest things available building up to Christmas in our new monthly supplement dedicated to London and life in our beautiful city. Having been born, bred and educated in London I am incredibly proud to have one of our favourite public figures, Mayor Boris Johnson, on our front cover. Boris is an icon of fun mixed with seriousness, he is real and we can all relate to him and his views. Will he run for office in 2015? Well it’s a question many of us are asking. We have some spectacular pieces in this month’s issue, I do hope you enjoy reading them as much as we did preparing them. Please feel free to tweet me @HEditionMag. Until then Dina Aletra, Editor
Hamble Group is published monthly and offers advertisers an exclusive audience of affluent readers. Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure that content in the magazine is accurate Hamble Group cannot accept and hereby disclaim any liability to loss or damage caused by errors resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. All rights are reserved no duplication of this magazine can be used without prior permission from Hamble Group Ltd. All information is correct at time of press. Views expressed are not necessarily those of Hamble Group.
The Team Editor: Publishing Assistant: Features Writer: Freelance Writer: Intern: Design: Digital Director:
Dina Aletra dina.aletra@hamblemediacomms.com Rebecca Cowing Haydn Squibb Fiona Maclean Vittoria Fattori Typetechnique Glenn Norman
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CONTENTS ISSUE 7
21
RegulaRs
9 10 17
The MarkeT MoMenT by Professor Carlo Pelanda
digital
27
eraSing The PaST
28
The fuTure of cyBer SecuriTy
30
SociaL ShuTdoWn
London STock exchange Dark Pools demystified by Robert Barnes, CEO, Turquoise
defLaTion in The eurozone by Dr. Domenico Lombardi
Business
34 42
52
6 8
Who oWnS h ediTion Magazine Introduction to the Hamble Group Global
The BenefiTS and riSkS of rage by Professor Joshua
by Dave King, CEO, Digitalis Reputation
How easy or difficult is it to remove yourself from social platforms?
luxuRy
41
The eSSenTiaL TiMePiece
42
aziMuT yachTS
46
audi r8
by Will Sutton
19
The LaWS of The gcc
21
Mayor BoriS JohnSon
24
Learning To Think
tRavel
by Michael Connolly, Headmaster of Cranmore School, Surrey
48
The BeauTy of oMan
52
BuSineSS TraveL
32
by Mike Rainey, Partner, King and Spalding
by Peter Kellner President of YouGov
aLMa de cuBa At the bottom of every cup is a great story
editoRs ChoiCe
12
Sir TiMoThy ackroyd One of the founders of Tusk Trust
34
The SecreTS ouT
57
haPPy Box London
Interview with Nish and Sach Kukadia founders of secretsales.com
We interview founder Ali Nester-Smith on building her luxury brand
Introducing the Azimut Grande 95RPH
Where style meets performance
Spellbound In the Sultanate
Featuring Beijing, Nicosia, Sydney, Toronto
h edition london
60
London Living
71
inTervieW WiTh ToM aikenS
74
PLan your chriSTMaS in London
entRepReneuRs
71
The new EU ruling on the right to be forgotten
all the best things to do and see in London by Rebecca Cowing
Harrods Chef of the Season talks to us about his career and the future
Who owns H Edition? Let us introduce you to the
Hamble Group Global
H
ave you ever wondered where H Edition magazine comes from and how it all began? It all started when our umbrella company, Hamble Group Global, decided to move away from the monotonous email newsletters that most people immediately delete and to create something that was interesting and dynamic, something that people would want to read. We decided that a magazine was more interesting than an email and H Edition Magazine was born.
this year. Hamble Group are rapidly becoming a global empire with detailed local knowledge which merges a vast range of skills and expertise under a coordinated streamlined umbrella.
Hamble Group offer a one-stop-shop of unparalleled wealth management and corporate services and provide a diverse range of expertise for high net worth individuals, their We are incredibly fortunate to work closely respective families and businesses, with leading CEOs, Company Directors, corporations, Professors and famous brands institutional investors and professional advisors. They work in Fund Management, The original email newsletter was full of Property, Law, Tax and Business Advice, company information, but we decided to flip Corporate Strategy, Immigration, Strategic this format on its head and ask our clients Development, Marine and Aviation to get involved and contribute to our new Services, Real Estate and, most recently, magazine. It has since gone from strength Public Relations, Digital Media and to strength and we are proud to have world Publishing. renowned Professors, CEOs and Company Directors sharing their thoughts and Hamble prides themselves on working with experience on topical issues in every issue. excellent strategists, innovative minds and creative leaders. Each client is treated as a Each edition has increased in size and bespoke with a totally personal service and now incorporates some of the world’s an aim to efficiently meet individual needs leading brands. It’s all so informative that and preferred working methods. this month you will see our new addition dedicated to London! We thought you While Hamble Group are an all-round should know a little more about Hamble for a diverse portfolio of services, every Group… individual, business and institution they advise is different: the menu of skills they Hamble Group has experienced immense use is different every time. Adaptable, changes over the last decade; in 2013 alone they doubled in stature and flexible and efficient, with an unrivalled highly anticipated the new opportunities understanding of the way their clients work; they were due to encounter during they tailor their service to meet your needs.
“
6
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Their goal is to make your life easier. The services they have added to the group reflect the needs they have seen in their clients, so they were brought them together under the Hamble Group banner. It’s convenient, coordinated and complementary. Hamble Group’s various expertise are designed to dovetail together, creating bespoke wealth protection services for clients around the world. You may pick one or two specialisms you need, or you may pick ten: the benefit of working with Hamble is the bespoke strategy they practice. They have an unparalleled understanding of your business, giving them the knowledge and space to identify opportunities and synergies to exploit on your behalf. Having your entire portfolio in one place also means a quicker, more efficient service, which makes it highly costeffective too. And while Hamble Group are building a multi-service, technically advanced network, the like to keep a traditional approach to the way in which they work. Hamble Group is built on long-term relationships and achieving your goals, so they understand the value of a face-to-face chat. You’ll have a single point of contact with your client manager, who’ll make www.hamblegroup.com
sure your service from them is compatible, streamlined and efficient. Hamble Group is broken down into five main areas, which, though interlinked, offer discreet services. The Wealth Management department takes care of wealth protection for families and individuals; the Financial and Fund Management department looks after raising finance and securitisation; Corporate Services covers a wealth of legal, financial, accounting, tax and VAT services, alongside immigration, marine and aviation and fine art. Hamble Real Estate oversee a property arm that now includes design and architecture, construction, property management, conveyancing and a full legal service, while the Digital and Marketing teams cover online and offline PR, branding, websites, apps and marketing strategies. Everything Hamble Group do is geared towards utilising your assets efficiently, retaining them securely and exploiting them to their full potential, whether you’re a sole www.hamblegroup.com
trader starting out, or the heir to a large corporation. The team at Hamble Group are committed, confidential, efficient and experienced, diligent and diverse. Based in more than 15 countries around the world, they truly are a multi-national, multi-lingual and multi-service. The Hamble Group team has been picked from those at the top of their profession: experienced, innovative, well respected and well connected. They employ more than 250 specialists for their offices across the UK and Europe, in North America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. They run on the firm believe that their people are their greatest strength. They work with commitment, belief and a dash of panache, adding colour and creativity to the corporate landscape.
Hamble Group offer skills that are multi-jurisdictional, innovative and seamless. They have advised governments, multi-nationals and entrepreneurs, families, charities and professional advisors. The Hamble Group will continue to innovative, grow and develop with their aim to create something that is relevant, forward-thinking and uniquely useful for those that we serve. As they grow and adapt, Hamble Group will continue to reflect the needs of their clients, and the changing, global world in which we live in. www.hamblegroup.com 7
THE BENEFITS AND
RISK OF
RAGE I t is easy to become angry, everyone is capable of it. It is incredibly difficult, however, to express one’s anger at the right time, about the right things, towards the right people, for the right end, and in the right way. This concept, expressed two million years ago by the Greek philosopher Aristotle, is relevant to this day. Today, the power of media has enabled individuals to write angry and spiteful comments without having to deal with the reality of face-to-face interactions. Rather than confronting this reality, this new form of communication has created a generation of fearful individuals that choose to become angry over confronting their reality. It is a never-ending story.
On the other hand, channelled rage can be used strategically and in a controlled manner; particularly in places where conflict is physiological and ever present, such as in business, politics, and social interaction. Here, channelled rage can end up being the greatest strength. Some scholars maintain that a certain level of rage can help an individual attain one’s set targets, which in time will make the individual healthier and more satisfied. The main difficulty is for the individual to have the self-control to then manage his or her anger. This way, the individual’s venting has meaning and is not just self-indulgent.
For example, a manager can express rage at work and this outburst could be useful if the individual uses it to realistically try and solve the underlying problems. This way, the individual’s actions are not solely carried out to abuse one’s employees, but they are a demonstration of competence and leadership. As rage is so frequently present in our daily lives, the gathering and containment of an individual’s rage increases long-term tension and stress related side effects. The use of strategic and controlled anger, therefore, can be therapeutic. However, once again an individual’s rage must not be abused and individuals would be wise to follow Aristotle’s teachings. The great Greek philosopher also highlights the necessity of anger and the belief that without its contribution it is impossible to face any battle. The important thing, however, is not to confuse anger with hatred and to remember that life is not necessarily a constant battle. One final reflection: in 1681 John Dryden wrote, “Beware of the fury of a patient man. For those who are able to control their anger and use it properly by following Aristotle’s belief in living a patient life, will be a sure winner and a friend to hold on to and be respected”.
Words by Professor Joshua 8
www.hamblegroup.com
The Importance of the Eurozone D
ue to a lack of growth that could last for years, the Eurozone may be the most problematic area in the global market. China’s economy is unlikely to grow much in the foreseeable future (although the risk of economic implosion seems lower than previously forecasted) and the remaining other major emerging national economies are not showing signs that they can join America in its “mission� of driving global demand toward new highs. For example, whilst Sub-Saharan Africa looks promising (if Ebola can be contained and defeated), it is unlikely to be able to balance the low growth in other regions. Therefore the global market needs a rapid recovery of the Eurozone because it is the only region with the structural potential to drive global demand and act with America. However, recently the Obama Administration failed to convince Berlin to pass from a deflationary configuration of its internal market to a reflationary one. France and Italy are, and will continue to be, slow in changing the fiscal and labour market norms that restrict the growth potential of their internal markets. Therefore the nations forming two-thirds of the Eurozone GDP will continue to stagnate for at least the next three to five years. The financial liquidity injected by the European Central Bank (ECB) into the system is not increasing consumption or investments because the financial markets
are not confident that the economy will improve. This sort of monetary stimuli does not work in the Eurozone as it does in America because the fiscal model of its major nations is not growth-friendly. The European Union is preparing a plan of public works and investment of about 450 billion by 2020, however, the effect of a similar plan in 1930s America shows that this type of stimuli will not be enough to create prolonged growth if it is not combined with other expansive actions. Unfortunately, these actions are not part of the agenda yet. It seems long-term global stagnation, as predicted by Larry Summers, is not a realistic forecast: either the global market will grow again or it will fall into a megacrisis. The relative de-evaluation of the Euro will help the Eurozone a little but there is a resulting cost for other regions. Therefore the scenario more likely to occur is not that of stagnation but of global destabilization. The diverging policies of the US Federal Reserve and the ECB in the next three years combined with the lack of coordination among the world Central Banks might actually increase the probability of the worst case scenario. The Eurozone is the factor discriminating between the two scenarios. Therefore more pressure needs to be put on Eurozone leaders to better understand what is at stake.
Professor Carlo Pelanda is Director of the PH.D. Programme in Geopolitical Economy, Marconi University, Rome, and Member of the Academic and Policy Board of the Oxford Institute for Economic Policy (OXONIA), Oxford.
www.carlopelanda.com
By Professor Carlo Pelanda www.hamblegroup.com
9
Dark pools demystified Words by Robert Barnes, CEO, Turquoise the European trading venue, part of London Stock Exchange Group
D
emographics are driving the investing landscape. Of all of the people who have lived to be 65 years old in the history of the world, more than half are alive today1. This is of particular importance when one considers 65 to be a benchmark age for retirement – including in Europe. The European Commission estimates that there are currently four working persons for every one that is retired but predict this number will be closer to 2:1 by 20502. As the number of pensioners increase, public pension pots funded by governments alone cannot meet the growing liabilities. The result is greater reliance on the private sector and financial markets for provision of pensions.
benefit from potential price improvement which means better investment performance. Like any tool, it is important to understand how it works to get the best result.
In the first example, we pay 102 × 1,000 shares = 102,000. In the second example, we pay 100 × 700 shares = 70,000 plus 102 × 300 shares = 30,600 for a total of 100,600.
How a dark pool works – in numbers
The effective price in the second example is 100,600 divided by 1,000 shares = 100.6 average price paid.
With increasing dependence on private pension schemes, long term investment performance is a priority. Contributing significantly to long term performance is the average investment price since that entry value compounds over many years.
Dark pools, an increasingly used buzz word, are where dark orders reside. Dark orders, pre-trade, do not show their price and size to the market. This is hardly novel. The traditional matching by brokers of buy and sell orders on the way to the market is an example of accessing ‘dark’ liquidity.
Trading on stock markets evolved from human beings interacting on a physical floor to today’s electronic order books. While many people understand the concept of ‘lit’ order books that show price and size of firm orders available to trade, an increasing number of investors are learning how to access order books with complementary trading mechanisms called ‘dark pools’.
What is a dark pool and who runs them? Today, the term ‘dark pool’ refers to an electronic order book where the price and size of an order is not displayed pre-trade. Brokers and regulated markets run dark pools. Investors that use dark pools can 10
On a traditional stock exchange, prices and order sizes are displayed prior to a trade. For example, Stock A might show a bid price of 98 for 5,000 shares and an offer 4,000 shares at a price of 102. If we want to buy 1,000 shares, we can tell our broker to lift the offer and pay 102 × 1,000 shares. The insight is that we have to pay a higher price, 102, for immediacy to complete our order.
Consider this second example of a broker that receives an order to buy 1,000 shares from one customer (us) and a sale of 700 shares from another customer. One logical action is to match the buyer (us) and seller for 700 shares at a fair midpoint price halfway between 98 and 102, that is 100, and work the balance of our purchase of 300 shares in the market by lifting the offer and paying 102. Just before the broker matches these 700 shares, that broker is a human ‘dark pool’ because the price of 100 and size of 700 shares are not displayed to the market before the trade. After the trade, a public print shows a trade of 700 shares at a price of 100.
In the second example, we achieve price improvement since we have purchased our 1,000 shares at only 100.6 instead of 102. We benefit in the second example because we achieved the opportunity to meet a seller of 700 shares at the midpoint price. In more recent years, this process of brokers matching of buyers and sellers in the ‘dark’ on the way to the ‘lit’ market has become automated. Today, these automated dark pools are operated either privately by the brokers themselves or by regulated public markets like Turquoise, the European multilateral trading facility majority owned by London Stock Exchange Group. Brokers have discretion whether to allow orders by certain participants or particular characteristics to enter their private internal dark pools. Regulated markets, like Turquoise, must offer non-discriminatory open access to any investment firm that meet public membership criteria. Electronic order books are described as ‘lit’ or ‘dark’. Lit order books display price and size of bids and offers on screen so that orders are visible prior to execution. A well functioning lit order book offers the benefit of certainty of trade. The challenge is potential market impact. Dark order books aim to mitigate potential market impact by allowing orders to reside www.hamblegroup.com
in an order book where the price and size of an order is not displayed until after the trade. Users of a dark book, therefore, have no certainty – pre-trade – that another order is in the dark book. The benefit, however, is the ability to place orders without revealing one’s intention, pretrade. Furthermore, an investor can peg the non-displayed price of the order in the dark book to follow the mid-point of the bid and offer displayed on the reference lit Exchange. After a trade – lit or dark – the price and size of the completed order is published. This is important as it adds to transparency for all investors because post-trade transparency is pre-trade transparency for the next trade.
Why were dark pools created and what are the benefits? Dark pools have evolved to facilitate trading of large orders by institutional investors who do not wish to impact the market with their activity. Dark pools play a significant role for large financial institutions including pension funds and therefore for private www.hamblegroup.com
investors who ultimately own these funds. If understood and properly used, dark pool tools ultimately can enhance investment performance. Dark pools complement lit order books as an extra knob on the dial that allows traders to get their business done when the market is uncertain. Furthermore, while lit order books conform to an agreed regime on tick sizes (the increments by which prices rise and fall), dark pools can match at midpoint. This means a participant can place orders inside the tick and midway between the best bid and best offer price available on the primary exchange. If one is compounding investment returns over a long time, a better average investment level is positive. Dark pools offer potential price improvement. This means a pension fund asset manager matching even a portion of trades in a dark pool like Turquoise Midpoint, will have more competitive investment returns than only trading on lit order books. For more information on dark pool trading and Turquoise please visit: http://www.lseg.com/talking-turquoise
NOTES 1 Prime Time, Marc Freedman, Public Affairs Books, 1999 2 The Demographic Future of Europe, European Commission, 2008
11
| EDITOR’S CHOICE
Damn us all for the crucified rejection of evolution W ORDS By SiR T imO T hy A ck R O y D
I
find the recent spate of beheadings’ and general barbarity perpetrated by man leave me cold. i’m finally immune to mans’ gross and rank actions. Man’s inhumanity to man will continue as long as day follows night. i wonder to myself at my de sensitised state and know this is a deep and horrible sense in me. The ghastly patronising assumption that we are the premier species is as absurd as it is wrong and to cast one’s eye around the Globe we see acts of unspeakable indifference and pain. One reason for starting the charity TUSK TRUST in 1989 was in response at the time to an escalation to the poaching of ivory. 25 years’ on we are again in the midst of crisis for Elephant and Rhino. So the carousel of our inhumanity continues. As a child i felt naturally an immense privilege to share our world with so many extraordinary species and through all that happens i thank God will never lose my love. it would be an omission if i did not praise the extraordinary courageous people throughout Africa who are doing everything they can to turn the tsunami of the crisis and it would be narrow not to mention the many successes Tusk has achieved throughout the years’. Last year were the inaugural Tusk Conservation Awards presented by our Patron Prince William,these reminded me of the reason for all the support Tusk has: namely to stand four square behind those brave men and women who have given their lives to secure a future for all the creatures threatened with extinction. i salute them. As a child i felt naturally an immense priviledge to share our World with a myriad of species and know through all the darkness nothing can break my deep love. The redemption too that lies amongst the charred remains of so many dogs‘ lies in the response from so many HUMAn BEinGS in raising over a million pounds to help. We shall nEVER STOP our fight to redress the balance. i leave you with a poem i wrote in 2007 titled Evolution. www.tusk.org
Sir Timothy Ackroyd was one of the founding trustees of Tusk Trust in 1990. 12
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Evolution devolution, dissolution, constitution, revolution Prostitution, institution, absolution, retribution Evaprorated, dissipated, antiquated, underatted Overrated! Going going gone! The auctioneers hammer slams down the gavel As our piss poor lives we try to unravel nO RESERVE. The Mammon that is capitalism reveals its face What am i bid for the human race? Literacy, numeracy, philosophy, decency Stupidity, vulgarity, obscentiy, CELEBRiTY. The noise in the room achieves crescendo Bidding for ethos hurled through the window As the arch of the caber climbs in the toss. The fallout free fall eternal bathos Of peace. Tranquillity of quiet reflection damn us all for the rejection Of EVOLUTiOn.
Sir Timothy Ackroyd
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13
Investing in the future of Africa Tusk, one of the world’s leading African
only to deliver protection for all endangered
conservation charities, has been supporting
species, but alleviate poverty and promote
the protection of wildlife, development of
education.
community-led
conservation
initiatives
Tusk’s holistic approach to conservation
and environmental education across the
recognises that the future of Africa’s natural
continent since 1990.
heritage and resources depends on the
www.tusk.org
TUSK TRUST
4 Cheapside House, High Street, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 4AA, UK T +44 1747 831 005 E info@tusk.org UK Registered Charity No: 803118
TUSK USA
Under the Royal Patronage of HRH The
need to improve education, security and
525 East 89th Street, New York, NY 10128, USA T +1 212 602 1588 E infousa@tusk.org
Duke of Cambridge and with an affiliated
healthcare and provide sustainable economic
Tusk USA Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. EIN 30-0190986
trust in the US, the charity’s portfolio of 52
opportunities for many poor communities
projects in 17 countries is designed not
living alongside wildlife.
Protecting Wildlife Supporting Communities Promoting Education
F
www.tusk.org www.facebook.com/tusktrust
T
@TUSKTRUST
W
ROYAL PATRON HRH The Duke of Cambridge, KG KT
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15
16
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Deflation in the Eurozone: Still Waiting for a Bolder Response from the European Central Bank By Dr Domenico Lombardi
T
he latest data confirm that stagnating activity has extended to the core of the Eurozone while heightened deflation risks add to an uncertain recovery. How big are those risks? Mario Draghi, the President of the European Central Bank (ECB), has indicated that deflation entails a self-fulfilling fall in prices across a very large category of goods and a very significant number of countries. Currently, six countries in the Eurozone – a third of its members – are experiencing deflation and 14 of the 18 have experienced disinflation during 2014. In other words, the risk of deflation in the Eurozone is widespread and downward price pressures are not confined to countries that are ‘in need of price adjustments’.
It is true that much of the fluctuation in the inflation rate over the past six years – both the highs and the lows – can be attributed to fluctuation in prices of food and energy. However, when we exclude these goods, the inflation rate is still at 0.9 percent, that is, well below the ECB’s target of “close to but less than 2 percent”. Furthermore, there is evidence of significant downward price pressures across a large category of items as more than a third of Eurozone economies are experiencing deflation in half of the categories that make up the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices. It therefore appears that prices are falling across a large category of goods and across a significant number of countries, satisfying two of three requirements for Mario Draghi’s own definition of deflation. As for the third requirement, this would be satisfied if it became embedded in medium to longer term inflation expectations and began to guide price and wage setting. As it turns out, inflation expectations over the medium term are now consistently below the 2 per cent threshold. www.hamblegroup.com
In light of these risks, the ECB has been more proactive in introducing expansionary measures over the past four months. Recent decisions include Targeted LongerTerm Refinancing Operations (T-LTROs), rate reductions to their effective zero-lower bound, an asset-backed securities (ABS) purchase program, a third round of the covered bond purchase program (CBPP), and suspending sterilization of liquidity injected under the Securities Markets Program. The ECB has been successful with using supplementary LTROs to fuel liquidity into the financial system early on during the crisis. Its more recent targeted approach is meant to encourage financial institutions to lend specifically to the nonfinancial private sector – excluding real estate. The first allotment of targeted LTROs in mid-September disappointed markets when only €82.6 billion was allocated to 255 institutions. In comparison, for instance, the first three-year LTROs conducted in December 2011 allotted €489.2 billion to 523 institutions. The second allotment of targeted LTROs is due in December and is expected to be larger than the first because the release of the ECB’s comprehensive assessment and the launch of the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) in early November are expected to ease uncertainty. The third round of covered bond purchases (covered bonds are similar to ABS but they remain on the issuer’s balance sheet) and the ABS purchase program are supposed to continue to provide liquidity to, and stimulate activity in, the covered bond and ABS markets which are important sources of funding for banks in the Eurozone. The cumulative size of the first two rounds of the CBPs was €100 billion and we can expect purchases of a similar magnitude for the third round. As it has been pointed out, ABS purchases may not have a large impact because the size of the ABS market in the Eurozone is
relatively small and the ECB already holds most of these securities as collateral. The purpose of this program, however, is not to engage in large-scale asset purchases like we saw in the U.S., rather to stimulate activity in ABS markets with the aim to create a self-sustaining and stable source of funding for banks. Indeed, over the past few years, the size of the ABS market has decreased dramatically: the total amount of outstanding ABSs issued in the Eurozone decreased by €573.8 to €1.5 trillion billion since the fourth quarter of 2009. One of the aims with the ECB’s new policy package is to increase the size of the central bank’s balance sheet back to its 2012 levels. The balance sheet peaked at 250% of its 2007 levels in 2012 and has gradually fallen to 165%. This is nowhere near as large as the expansion of the US Federal Reserve or Bank of England’s balance sheets that have grown upwards of 400% of their 2007 levels. In order to regain its peak, the ECB’s balance sheet will need to pack on an additional €1 trillion. One step the Governing Council has taken to reach this level is to stop sterilizing asset purchases under its credit easing programs. Expanding the balance sheet by this magnitude may be a challenge, however, because repayments of 3-year LTROs as well as maturation of previous credit easing programs will decrease the size of the balance sheet by over half a trillion euros next year. The new targeted measures aimed at stimulating credit creation and incentivizing banks to lend to private enterprises and consumers are certainly important. Yet, they may stop short of boosting confidence and reducing uncertainty throughout the Eurozone – factors that are equally important for stimulating lending and domestic demand. The next weeks could become a turning point for the ECB which may be forced into full-fledged quantitative easing. www.domenicolombardi.org
17
The Laws of The
Gulf Cooperation Council Countries By Mike Rainey, Partner of King & Spalding, and Sara Carmody, Associate, Dubai
T
he members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The GCC is a political and economic union that was established on 25 May 1981. In recent decades the GCC countries have become more involved in the global market place. In addition to the more usual involvement, being investment of oil revenues outside of the GCC, there has been a marked increase in activity within the GCC involving the global market place. Examples include the establishment of world class airlines (e.g. Emirates), the building of infrastructure utilizing international construction firms (e.g. roads, railways, power plants, ports), real estate development utilizing international developers (e.g. King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh) and the raising of finance by GCC countries and businesses in the international markets (e.g. Dubai World). It is the activity inside the GCC countries involving the global market place which has put a spot light on the legal framework of the GCC (e.g. the default by Dubai World in 2009). The GCC countries do not have a single legal framework. The State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar and the UAE have a combination of a Civil Law legal system, based on the Egyptian Civil law as derived from the French Civil law and shari’ah. The Kingdom of Bahrain has a mixed legal system based on English common law and shari’ah while the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a shari’ah legal system. A common grumble from those outside the GCC wishing to enter into business arrangements with partners in the GCC is that the laws of the GCC are uncertain. This is partly due to the laws themselves (which seek to deal with complicated matters in very brief statutes) and shari’ah (the principles of Islamic shari’ah are not a codified set of rules that one can point to with certainty in all situations). www.hamblegroup.com
GCC countries have sought to deal with those criticisms in order to promote business with the goal of growing their economies (no business likes uncertainty, having a robust legal system is an important pillar in building a strong economy). The setting up of freezones is one way GCC countries have tried to improve legal certainty. At present the State of Qatar has the Qatar Financial Centre and the Emirate of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates has the Dubai International Financial Centre. Freezones offer a completely distinct legal environment. For example the Dubai International Finance Centre has adopted a legislative system consistent with English common law supplemented by statutes for particular areas of law (such as insolvency and company law) which closely follow the equivalent English statutes. Entities which are incorporated within a freezone are not generally permitted to operate outside the freezone and if they do they are required to comply with the laws outside of the freezone. Another example of a GCC country looking to improve legal certainty is the passing of the mortgage laws by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The mortgage laws are intended to make it more attractive for financial institutions to provide financing for real estate development and acquisition by creating a system for financiers to register security and enforce that security should a customer default. Most business people will tell you that legal certainty is an important part of any business transaction. A robust legal system gives parties confidence that if things do go wrong they will be protected or at least be dealt with in a fair and just way. It is therefore not surprising that as GCC countries have become more active in the global market place, in particular where they are looking to grow their economies at home, they have looked at ways to improve their legal systems, the freezones and the Saudi mortgage laws being just two examples. www.kslaw.com 19
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www.hamblegroup.com
MAYOR OF LONDON
BORIS JOHNSON B
oris Johnson has been Mayor of London since 2008, when he received the largest personal mandate in British political history.
Few Londoners have entirely English descent, and Boris is no exception. Born in New York in 1964, he describes himself as a ‘one man melting-pot’, with French, Turkish, Russian and German ancestry. Boris went to primary school in Camden and was subsequently educated at the European School in Brussels, Ashdown House and then at Eton College in Berkshire, where he went on a scholarship. He later read Classics at Balliol College, Oxford as a Brackenbury scholar. During his time at Oxford University he served as president of the Oxford Union. Upon graduation he lasted a week as a management consultant before becoming a trainee reporter for The Times. After a short spell as a writer for the Wolverhampton Express and Star, he joined The Daily Telegraph in 1987 as leader and feature writer. From 1989 to 1994 he was the Telegraph’s European Community correspondent and from 1994 to 1999 he served as assistant editor. His association with The Spectator magazine began as political columnist in 1994. In 1999 he became editor of the Spectator, a post he held for six years before stepping down in December 2005. He has won several awards for journalism, both as editor and columnist. Besides his work as a journalist, Boris has published several books, including ‘Friends, Voters and Countrymen’, an autobiographical account of his experience of the 2001 election campaign, a novel, ‘Seventy-Two Virgins’. He has also produced a TV series on Roman History from his book of the same name, ‘The Dream of Rome’. In 2011 he published ‘Johnson’s Life of London’, a celebration of some of the people who gave London its vibrancy and character, from Roman times to the present day.
www.hamblegroup.com
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In 2001 Boris was elected as the Conservative MP for Henley on Thames, replacing Michael Heseltine. He held shadow government posts as Vice Chairman, Shadow Minister for the Arts and Shadow Minister of Higher Education.
In his first term he introduced a hugely popular cycle hire scheme and a new replacement for the ‘Routemaster’, the cleanest and greenest diesel hybrid in the world. He also oversaw the building of a record number of new affordable homes.
In July 2007, Boris announced he would seek the nomination for Conservative candidate for Mayor of London. He was duly selected as the candidate in an all London open primary that autumn, before being elected Mayor in May 2008, defeating Labour incumbent Ken Livingstone. Boris resigned as MP for Henley shortly after the 2008 election. He was re-elected for a second four year term as Mayor in May 2012.
Boris has made jobs and growth his key focus during his second term, prioritising house building, investment in road and rail infrastructure, and support for financial services and the tech sector, as well as championing low and stable tax rates and the construction of a new multi runway hub airport to the east of London.
Under his tenure crime in London has fallen 11%, the capital has seen record investment in transport and the city staged what are widely acknowledged to be the most successful Olympic and Paralympic Games ever.
As well as being a passionate cyclist, Boris enjoys painting, and playing tennis. He and his wife Marina have four children and live in north London. Source www.london.gov.uk
COULD BORIS BE THE ONE? If Boris Johnson is to be a real vote-winner on the national stage, he will have to show that he has the judgement to lead Britain through troubled times. Nobody could have been surprised by Boris Johnson’s announcement that he intends to stand for parliament next year. We all knew he would, just as we all know that he wants to lead the Conservative Party and become Prime Minister.
in which we name only the parties; secondly, naming the current main party leaders; thirdly, naming Boris instead of Cameron:
The issue is not his ambition, which is both proper and wholly transparent, but whether he is actually the vote-winner he claims to be. YouGov surveys for the Sunday Times and Sun on Sunday suggest a more nuanced picture than either he or his detractors might wish. The case for saying Boris is a vote-winner is simply stated. He has twice been elected as a Conservative mayor of a Labour city. Two years ago, he defeated Ken Livingstone even though, on the same day, the same voters handed Labour a comfortable victory in the elections to London’s assembly. Boris is one of those rare politicians who fires the enthusiasm of voters across the political spectrum and, perhaps more importantly, voters who have no strong partisan loyalty. Given that the Conservative party is still a tainted brand, led by people who are widely seen as out of touch, Boris is able to shrug off his own Eton / Oxford / Bullingdon Club past and come across as a star with the common touch. No wonder that, in the past, YouGov polls have shown the Tories doing much better if Boris replaced David Cameron as party leader. However, our latest data suggest that things aren’t that simple. From time to time, YouGov asks people how they would vote in three different ways – first, our normal voting intention question, 22
Secondly, and more relevant to this blog, is the Boris effect. It seems to have almost disappeared. Last year and the year before, Labour’s lead declined sharply when voting intention was asked, if Boris replaced Cameron as Tory leader. But in our latest poll, it makes only a tiny difference. London’s Mayor does not seem to be quite the crowd-puller that he used to be. Two things stand out from these figures. The first is that Labour’s lead is slightly, but consistently, lower when the names of the three main party leaders are included in the voting intention question. This probably reflects Ed Miliband’s poor personal ratings. Some people who say they back Labour have second thoughts when reminded that they would be voting for a Miliband-led government. www.hamblegroup.com
This may have little to do with him; one explanation is that Cameron’s personal standing has recovered to some extent, along with Britain’s recovery. Perhaps the ‘Boris effect’ in past polls has been more an ‘anti-Cameron’ effect, and this has diminished. Even so, disappointment may beckon for anyone who expects electoral riches to fall into the lap of the Conservatives simply by anointing Boris as party leader when Cameron steps down. To explore the Boris factor in more detail, we tested six traits, asking whether they applied to Cameron, Johnson and two other possible contenders to succeed Cameron as party leader: Theresa May and Michael Gove.
To some extent, an incumbent Prime Minister is always likely to have an advantage on these ‘hard’ qualities, for he has plenty of opportunities to decide big national policies, negotiate with foreign leaders and send British troops into action. Boris’s big decisions as Mayor of London, such as rearranging the congestion charge zone and giving us ‘Boris bikes’, do not belong to the same league. True, Boris has weighed into big arguments about immigration. Europe and the future of Heathrow, but has had no power to implement his ideas.The good news for Boris is that he beats both May and Gove on all six (albeit very narrowly on whether he would be good in a crisis, when he leads May by a single point.) The less good news is that, while he leaves Cameron far behind on the ‘soft’ qualities of being interesting, genuine and in touch, and holds a small lead on being seen as honest, he lags the Prime Minister on the two ‘hard’ qualities of being up to the job of governing Britain, and being good in a crisis. Given his undoubted charisma and his way with words, he has the potential to be a big vote winner for the Tories. But, and it is in important but, voters who regard humour and a cavalier style as an asset in a city mayor with few real powers might seek different qualities in a national leader. Last week, in an interview with the Sunday Times, he talked about how his six years as Mayor had given him the administrative experience that would stand him in good stead in national politics. He has a point. But if he is to be a real vote-winner for his party on the national stage, he needs more. He needs to get serious: to show that he has the gravitas and judgement to steer Britain through the troubled waters that the country is likely to face for some years to come. Words by Peter Kellner, President of YouGov
BORIS FACTS The eldest of six children, his siblings include the writer and journalist Rachel Johnson, Leo Johnson, a partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers specialising in Sustainability, and Jo Johnson, Tory MP for Orpington. Boris isn’t really called Boris at all; his real first name is Alexander, and to his family he is still known as ‘Al’. www.hamblegroup.com
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Learningto
THINK
Michael Connolly Headmaster of Cranmore School reflects upon the importance of Philosophy in the curriculum and why he has made it a compulsory subject for the last 20 years.
P
erhaps there is no more important question in education than deciding what children ought to be taught in schools? Of course, this question has been around for a long time and has been debated not only by educationalists but notably by politicians and, understandably, parents too. In modern times there is a consensus that it was the former Prime Minister, James Callaghan, who set the ball rolling in his Ruskin College speech in 1976:
If one can discern any trend in education it is preference for greater breadth via AS Levels or the International Baccalaureate. In addition, there has been a gradual shift towards the importance of acquiring analytical skills as opposed to rote learning of ‘stuff’. Yes, Michael Gove and others might feel that key dates in history or
suspect that pupils might harbour thoughts that it is going to be a dull, tedious course with lots of writing so my first lesson always begins with the famous scene from The Matrix1 – Neo has to choose between a blue or red pill. Bang – we are up and running and we quickly realise it is going to be about whether we can know if anything is true or real. Thereafter, we cover two key strands in the course:
The goals of our education, from nursery school “ through to adult education, are clear enough.
Firstly a study of the major philosophers from the Pre-Socratics right through to Wittgenstein and Sartre. We examine their key ideas and consider why they are still being studied today and secondly we tackle real philosophical problems. Some are traditional e.g. Freewill versus Determinism or how can an immaterial mind interact with a physical body? Young children can really engage with these sorts of questions and it does help them to critically evaluate ideas, concepts and propositions.
They are to equip children to the best of their ability for a lively, constructive, place in society, and also to fit them to do a job of work
Some will argue that we have been in a state of turmoil ever since without any distinct period of stability. What seems to be important will always reflect a particular period with its prevailing attitudes and beliefs. A hundred years ago one could not reasonably claim to be an educated person without a sound grasp of Classics, at least Latin and preferably some Greek. We know that it took decades before Science managed to squeeze its way into the Common Entrance curriculum and, quite rightly, it is now taught in many of our schools as three distinct disciplines by appropriate specialist teachers. More recently it might seem from some media headlines that our children are doomed in the future job market unless they become whizz kids at computer programming or can converse in passable Mandarin. 24
”
famous poems should be committed to memory. However, surely we are really in the business of helping children how to think and to be able to think about thinking! I teach a non-examinable course in Philosophy to Year 8 children which I believe enriches their appreciation of all other subjects which are part of a balanced curriculum for Common Entrance (or its popular alternatives). The story of Philosophy runs through the entire history of Western Civilization and we are seriously lacking if we fail to give prep school pupils an insight to its fundamental importance. I should make clear that I do mean Philosophy as opposed to Critical Thinking and other modern spin-offs. So where does one start? Well, I rather
One can easily weave numerous topics from other disciplines into the Philosophy session which conveys a powerful message that it is alright to study things outside a prescribed syllabus. What does this look like in practice? Here are a few suggestions with its corresponding branch of philosophy: www.hamblegroup.com
Logic: One might use Venn diagrams and consider Russell’s paradox about sets. Aesthetics: Have a debate about Banksy’s work – art or graffiti? Is Mozart really better than the latest boy band? Metaphysics: What caused the ‘big bang’? Epistemology: can we prove that there really is a god? Ethics: Is it ever acceptable to tell a lie? It is clear to me that prep school pupils derive enormous benefits from this type of programme, not least that for most questions the answer is not in the back of the book! They can certainly enhance their skills in devising a coherent argument and are more able to critically evaluate the views of their peers. In turn, this will boost their self-confidence and, given that many leading senior schools place great store on the entrance interview, this must surely help their chances with that hurdle too. www.hamblegroup.com
As for parents, there is certainly a lot they can do if they wish to stimulate an interest in Philosophy in their children. There are numerous resources which are ideal for anyone who has no particular expertise in the subject. Quite a few of these explore philosophical issues through stories which are supported by questions to open up a dialogue between a parent and child. For example, Thinking Stories to Wake up Your Mind (Mike Fleetham) is an excellent introduction for younger children. It also has helpful hints for parents on how to use these narratives as well as offering suggestions on crosscurricular topics for teachers. For older children I would recommend Philosophy for Kids – 40 Fun Questions that help you wonder about everything! (David A. White). This book, which is designed for private study, provides a tremendous overview of famous philosophers and each analysis is supported by structured questions. Of course, there are many other books2 which
are equally good in drawing out a child’s interest and developing their innate abilities through philosophical themes. It is said that the late Dr John Rae, formerly Head of Westminster School, had a wry grin when prospective pupils cited ‘news and current affairs’ as a favourite pastime. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if today’s pupils could genuinely claim that Philosophy was their real passion? Michael was appointed as to Cranmore in 2006 having enjoyed twelve successful years as Headmaster at his previous school. He began his teaching career in Surrey which has included being Head of Physics and running a boarding house in a senior school. Michael previously worked for British Aerospace as a lecturer to the Royal Saudi Air Force. He is a very experienced school inspector and serves on the board of several educational bodies at both national and local level. www.cranmoreprep.co.uk 25
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| DIGITAL
Erasing the past The new EU ruling on “the right to be forgotten”
M
any of us are familiar with the warning about not putting anything on an email that we would not put on a postcard. But how many of us really know how much information the internet holds about us? Who among us is entirely comfortable knowing that clients, business associates and journalists are that one easy click away from discovering an online presence that you’d much rather had faded from view? It is now common practise for employers to search the social media accounts of potential employees, and the appalling trend in ‘revenge postings’, has added another frisson of fear to those who worry about their digital footprint. Recent legislation should have helped ease those fears. The ‘right to be forgotten’ has been backed by the European Courts, after a two year campaign. So what is it? The right to be forgotten focuses on an individual requesting that information is deleted that could be used to trace them by a third party, and the ‘right to silence’ on events that were happening, but are no longer happening. Individuals can request that videos, information or photographs be deleted from certain internet sites so that search engines are unable to find them. As a result, Google, which handles around 90 per cent of searches in Europe, has had to review around 100,000 applications to date, requesting the removal of ‘inadequate, irrelevant or no longer relevant’ links to information and articles about an individual from its search engine. Early cases around the ‘right to be forgotten’ include that of Mario Costeja Gonzalez, who in May 2014, was found to be justified by the European Court of Justice in asking that Google links to a digital version of an issue of La Vanguardia newspaper be removed. www.hamblegroup.com
The links directed readers to an article about the foreclosure of his home, and he had subsequently cleared the debt. Google was unwilling and took the case to the Spanish Audiencia Nacional (National High Court), who referred it upwards to the European Court of Justice. The court ruled in Gonzalez’ favour, saying that Google, as a ‘data controller’, was required to comply with EU privacy laws, which then led it to begin a compliance process. The compliance process began on 30 May 2014 and Google very shortly had 12,000 requests from individuals wanting data removed. By July 18 2014 Google had received over 90,000 requests under the right to be forgotten and accepted over half of them. For each request, Google is required to weigh, on a case-by-case basis, an individual’s right to be forgotten with the public’s right to know. Google is alleged now to be rejecting between 10-15% of applications, which may then be evaluated by the justice court, via Europe’s information commissioners. Unsurprisingly the ruling has sparked a debate about data privacy and the democracy of the internet. Wikipedia, for example, immediately began listing the Wikipedia items that had been removed from search engine results. The online encyclopaedia’s co-founder, Jimmy Wales, described the EU’s ruling as “deeply immoral”, and warned that the ruling would result in an internet riddled with what he termed “memory holes”. The ‘right to be forgotten’ has raised interesting debates about the human capacity for forgiveness – if a paedophile has served his term in prison for his crime, should information about his case still be available online? If a bad credit rating is rectified and expunged from the records,
what is the point of that ‘fresh start’ if those records are a simple Google search away? Where does public safety stop, and privacy start? To what extent is the ‘right to be forgotten’ a restriction of freedom of speech? The process of the data removal itself has not been without controversy. Google was criticised for letting publishers know that a link to their website had been removed, which, critics said, would inflame curiosity about who had made the request and may even inadvertently draw even greater publicity to the information than the link itself would have done. This is known as ‘the Streisand effect’, named after the entertainer Barbara Streisand whose efforts to remove pictures of her Malibu home from the internet resulted in 420,000 people visiting the page, when, at the time she had filed the complaint, the page had only been visited six times. Google responding by saying that informing publishers when their links were removed was common procedure to ensure transparency, and reminded its critics that owners of any websites that are removed from its searches, for reasons such as copyright infringements, are notified of the removal. It is also important to remember that the information itself will remain online – only the links to it from a search engine will be removed. As more of us record our lives online, whether wisely or unwisely, the ‘right to be forgotten’ will become more and more relevant. Google intends hosting live-streamed European consultations on the ‘right to be forgotten’ involving representatives from government, academia and the media and technology industry. Our ‘right to be forgotten’ does not look as if it will, itself, ever be forgotten. Words by Lucy Freeman 27
| DIGITAL
The Future of
A
CYBER SECURITY from individual consumers; sophisticated, individual attacks, though, targeted institutions directly and their often newly online networks with a view to a single, more considerable theft. While nobody blames the bank which is robbed at gunpoint, fear of reputational damage meant that these threats for a long while went unreported; but in the background banks’ systems have seen considerable investment and a budget ledger line for cyber loss is commonplace.
s the Summer season becomes a distant memory it will be some time again before we all cancel the milk, decide which lights to leave on and ask a neighbour to pop-by and make the place look occupied. Precautions like these have become second-nature to us all; things we do to protect ourselves from theft and other physical risks. But it’s taking us a while to grasp the analogous risks in this new, virtual world where we all now spend so much time. We – and the companies who hold our data, pay our salaries and look after our money – are all exposed to new risks which are changing on an almost daily basis. Why is the media suddenly talking about these “cyber” threats and what do they mean to individuals and companies? The intelligence and defence services are now quoted as protecting “land, sea, air AND cyber; but not in that order of priority”, the US and UK governments are issuing advice to corporations and individuals in the context of a prospective cyber attack and the media’s coverage of cyber financial crime has ensured that everyone knows that there’s something they should be worried about. My concern is that most don’t understand what it is they should be 28
worrying about. One thing is for sure: by the time the current threat is understood it will no longer be the status quo. Let’s take a look first at what’s happened to date.
Cyber yesterday Five to ten years ago, banks and other financial institutions had to wake up quickly to the volume of theft being achieved over the Internet. Simple, but mass, attacks were typically “phishing” exercises designed to acquire payment details
More recently, regulation in the financial sector means data and financial loss must be reported so the media vacuum has been filled with much noise about these phishing attacks, data breaches and financial theft over the Internet. Recent coverage of the huge data breaches at Adobe and eBay certainly made the headlines and raised consumer awareness. There are some big areas being overlooked though: still in the shadows lurks the extent of the enhanced threat to the individual’s physical security as a result of online activity, the threat to nonfinancial information and the vulnerabilities in most sectors and major organisations to a bespoke, dedicated cyber attack designed to acquire specific information. The man on the street has woken up to the need to use and protect more www.hamblegroup.com
sophisticated passwords; not to click on the link in those strange emails purporting to be from a beautiful admirer and even to the threat facing major organisations trying to protect his and many others’ data. What he doesn’t realise is that the media vacuum in fact persists because the threat continues to advance and the knowledge gap continues. What he hasn’t yet woken up to is that his travel movements might be tracked by his own, his friends’ and his family’s social media usage, that when his son clicked on the link which he himself was wise enough to avoid his computer was compromised anyway, that now every keystroke he makes is tracked and logged, that his own webcam is being used to monitor him and his family or that his company’s draft patent application has been accessed via his machine without anyone being any the wiser. I believe we will slowly become as aware of our virtual surroundings as we are sensitive to our physical surroundings. We won’t just cancel the milk but will also be increasingly mindful of the data trail we leave on social media about our holiday plans and travel arrangements. No one walks down a dark alley in a strange town without thinking twice; we will become more mindful of the unknown alley online and how we behave to protect ourselves. We locked the doors when leaving home and activated alarms; similarly we will come to realise that open wireless and other connections on our devices enhance vulnerability and that we must continue to adopt the newest forms of hardware and software protection (no point locking the front door if the bathroom window is open). And the threat will continue to develop at a pace too. The result? Changes in the way we operate in social media, continual increased investment from consumer and
www.hamblegroup.com
business, and the exponential growth of a new sector; all fuelled by fear – and often of the unknown. Misperceptions in a nascent market are to be expected – and are not a new phenomena to me having advised firms through the growth from nascence to ubiquity in the Internet (95 – 2000), search engine marketing (00 – 05) and more recently online reputation management. But the potential fallout from misunderstanding in this new emerging area – which I am convinced will dwarf all technology waves on which I have ridden – could be catastrophic to organisations, governments and, ultimately, the way we now run our day-to-day lives. The challenges to business are greater still. Here’s the metaphor: I recently rented a holiday cottage on an island in Scotland and found it really endearing that there were no locks on the windows, that the key to the back door was under the mat and there wasn’t an infrared sensor in sight. The week prior I had been in an Embassy building in London where biometric entry, heat sensors and armed police at the door made a more daunting impact. In both cases an investment in security has been made which probably matches and exceeds the anticipated threat. In both cases there is someone with the capability to breach the security if the reward justifies the investment. The more we invest in realworld security the harder – and more costly – it is for someone to harm us or steal from us, but we could all go further. The problem in cyber is that the CEO can’t even see the locks, letalone the snipers on the roof whom he’s paying and even under expert counsel he doesn’t always understand what he’s been told or whether it’s working. More importantly, he can’t see his attacker – who won’t even leave a
broken window to confirm he was there. And who is this anonymous attacker? Motivations in recent attacks have been multiple: the mischievous schoolboy hacker out to prove a point sometimes the least dangerous; the hacktivist on a mission against the institution more worrying but (sometimes State-sponsored) corporate espionage being increasingly the big look out. Data within an organisation often drives the fundamentals of its valuation and we should worry about the increasing volume of reported incidents. Doubtless we should worry more about the increasing volume of unreported and as yet undiscovered incidents. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the data mining initiatives of certain foreign governments through cyber espionage is not only a series of specific, targeted, hacks but an “always-on” permanent appetite to acquire information from western commerce. There is no doubt that the volume of people employed to do this is huge and growing, possibly dwarfing the number engaged in our traditional, domestic defence capability. So what’s the answer? Well by the time we have the answer to yesterday’s vulnerability a new one will have emerged. There is an increasing volume of people capable of mischief and increasing solutions to the problems they create. We must all invest sufficiently to understand the threat as it is to us and to mitigate its probability and potential impact. That investment will increase consistently and even with snipers on the roof we’ll still feel ever so slightly uncomfortable as we learn more. Dave King is CEO of Digitalis Reputation is an online reputation management company serving major corporations and high-profile individuals with unique, proprietary software. www.digitalisreputation.co.uk
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| SOCIAL MEDIA
SOCIAL
SHUTDOWN Creating a profile on a social network only takes a moment, but it is far more difficult to delete. Why? for the giants of the web our information is a valuable commodity…
D
eleting your profile, as is well known by those who have tried to do it, can be very difficult. When it goes well, a single click on the “delete account” key should be enough. However it’s more than likely, that this key is very well hidden in the site settings and you will be asked a series of questions before you can delete your account. Sometimes, what should be very straightforward, it is made even more difficult and to confirm your decision you might have to phone or write an e-mail to the support department (as with Amazon and for Apple iTunes). It could be even worse with certain sites (like Wikipedia or Pinterest) where, for one reason or another, deleting your account (and related personal data) completely becomes, in fact, impossible.
Why our profiles are so valuable Companies that provide internet services, in particular those who manage social networks, usually derive their profits through the sale of targeted advertisements. Their success here depends on the amount of data they have available and the consequent ability to analyze user habits, interests of their friends, etc. Therefore when we decide to erase them, they seek to hinder us. We have picked a few platforms that you may come across in your day-to-day working life and looked in depth at how to delete yourself from them. 30
AMAZON:
Complicated First of all, a warning: if you decide to close your Amazon account, remember to save all the books you have on Kindle to your computer. This is because when your profile and digital library are empty the first time your device synchronizes with amazon it will lose all content. However, you can load them back onto your kindle via a USB cable from your computer. To unsubscribe there is still some way to go. Head over to the ‘Help-Menu’: under ‘Manage my account’ click on ‘Change settings’. You will eventually arrive at ‘delete the account’, but it’s not over yet, you now have to make a request – via email, chat or phone – and must provide for safety reasons, the number of the last order you placed and the date. Your cancellation will usually be confirmed within 24 hours.
GOOGLE: Easy
When it comes to privacy and personal data Google does not enjoy a good reputation among the people of the internet, and yet to say goodbye them is quite simple. All you need to do is click on your “icon” at the top right, then ‘Account’, and finally on the last item, ‘Close account and delete all services’. Once you have deleted your Google account, it will even erase your links to other Google products, such as YouTube, Gmail and BlogSpot. You will need confirm on the next screen that you are 100% sure you wish to delete your account.
FACEBOOK: Challenging
The king of social networking offers its member’s two possibilities of escape; disable or delete the account. It goes without saying that if your aim is to erase your social network tracks, the option to choose is the latter, because with the first option you would elements that you have published such as messages, post and photos comments will be left visible. How do you delete the profile in a more permanent way? Instead of hunting the ‘delete’ option through the various menus (assuming it really exists somewhere!) it’s worth writing directly ‘delete account’ in the Service Center and following their links and instructions: in a couple of clicks, it’s all done. Well, almost, because for the following days, if you try to log in, the account reactivates and you have to start the procedure again. The same can also happen if you use an external application that you had connected to your Facebook account.
TWITTER: Easy
“Are you sure you don’t want to re-think? Was it something we said? Please, let us know.” Clearly Twitter feels sorry for people who delete the account. However, they do nothing to hide the way out. This way out, incidentally, is taken by opening ‘Settings’ (the gear icon) and clicking ‘Deactivate My Account’ at the bottom of the page. If you want, before you click ‘Ok, fine’ you can send an archive of all of your tweets to www.hamblegroup.com
your email address. After few minutes, the account will not be visible anymore – but you are able to re-activate it within 30 days if you change your mind.
SKYPE:
Challenging Until last year it was impossible to close a skype account. Now, thanks to the intervention of the Ombudsman for privacy, conditions have improved, although it remains a fairly cumbersome procedure. First of all, if the main objective is to make yourself invisible when others search for you, you have to delete all the data entered in your Profile. Because your personal details cannot be left blank, you can use the trick of filling each personal data box with a few letters. You can change the email address in the same way. To remove your profile picture, you have to open the program and select Edit Profile Picture in the menu. Mission accomplished? Not yet. If you want to make the last step toward skype oblivion – removing your name from the list – you need to send a message to Support and within two weeks you will be deleted. Be careful though, because even after all the rigmarole, your name will continue to be among the people who had you as a contact.
WIKIPEDIA: Impossible
To consult the famous free encyclopedia there is no need to register. Only those who also want to contribute to the creation www.hamblegroup.com
of content have to create an account. What if one day you decide to delete it? Here comes the problem: once created, a ‘user account’ cannot currently be deleted because this could cause malfunctions to the site. Therefore the most efficient way to vanish is to stop writing contributions and request a change of user name from the ‘bureaucrats’ – the group of volunteers appointed by the community to manage some technical aspects of Wikipedia. In this way, in subsequent research, traces of your old profile won’t remain. You can also ask to remove or disable access to the pages you have created. However, this may not be the solution, because in certain situations – for example in the case of the authors of numerous interventions or for those pages that are inside large projects – the Wikimedia Foundation reserves the right not to delete the information or to reactivate deleted data at any time.
LINKEDIN: Demanding
Are you thinking of deleting your LinkedIn profile? It is simple, but the problem is that even after closing the account you will continue to receive invitations from other members who wish to add you to their network. If you want to avoid being bombarded by these messages, which can be frequent and annoying, you will need to write an email to Support and ask them to add your address to the list of blocked emails. Once deleted your profile will be not be visible to
other LinkedIn users with immediate effect and to search engines like Google and Yahoo within a few weeks. To close your account: Select ‘Privacy & Settings’ by placing your mouse cursor over the photo, on the top left corner. Then click at the bottom on ‘Account’ then the link to close your account is located on the right side of the screen. Before giving the final confirmation, by typing your password one last time, you will be asked the reason for your decision.
INSTAGRAM Easy
As we’ve shown, with most social media accounts after you close your account you can always retrace your steps and ask to reactivate it. The social networks that offer this possibility argue that it is precisely for this purpose that, even for profiles that are closed, that they must retain a copy of the materials (pictures, videos, personal information) previously uploaded. However, with Instagram this is not an option! Your personal data is really deleted. To remove yourself requires very little time; after logging, click on your Profile Picture, and scroll through the menu to ‘Edit Profile’. Here you can completely remove your profile, user name, e-mail address and personal info, but if you click directly on ‘I want to delete the account’ all images will be deleted too. Word by Dina Aletra
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| BUSINESS
AlmA de CubA ––––– At the bottom of every cup is a great story… –––––
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usinessman and former Tory Treasury minister, Phillip Oppenheim, discovered Cuban coffee more than a decade ago after trekking in the Sierra Maestra mountains in Cuba’s glorious deep-south and came across a farmer – one of Cuba’s campesinos – on horse back. The campesino invited him into his wooden house, thatched with palm fronds, and his wife offered Phillip a cup of coffee – made from his own beans, with milk fresh from the cow. “It was the best coffee I had ever tasted,” says Phillip – “smooth, strong and totally fresh!” That got him thinking about Cuba’s coffee. Phillip knew the island well through his involvement with Cubana, the famous London Cuban bar-restaurant which introduced Mojitos to the UK in the 1990s. He already imported rum and raw organic sugar from Cuba for Mojitos and knew who to talk to. It still took a lot of time. Cuba was opening up only slowly. But he discovered that the island had, until the 1950s, been the world’s biggest coffee exporter producing some of the finest coffee beans money could buy. The crop had been introduced to Cuba by French planters fleeing from Haiti in the 1790s. 32
Cuba’s mountains, with tall native trees and Caribbean breezes, complemented by deep, loamy soils, were perfect for high quality coffees which prefer shade, altitude and proximity to the sea for the ‘cherries’ to develop their complex flavours slowly. This was coffee worth working for. The plantations had declined since the ‘50s, but the potential of a large coffee growing mountain range just 70 miles across the Caribbean from Jamaica’s celebrated Blue Mountains was obvious. It took seven years of meetings in faceless Havana ministries and countless long drives to the mountains before Philip began to get what he wanted. Phillip had by then teamed up with Peter de Bruyne, who runs the Blue Mountain Coffee distribution in Europe and his partner Gonzalo Solis, a celebrated Costa Rican coffee farmer who is legendary among discerning Asian coffee aficionados for his superb collection of high grown varieties. Peter and Gonzalo were also fascinated by Cuban coffee and were introduced to Phillip by the Cuban Embassy in London, whose commercial attaché had befriended them. Added to the mix was David Mathew, an old university friend of Phillip and emerging markets specialist who had worked in China during the early days. David raised
the finance and at the end of 2013, Alma de Cuba coffee was launched, initially as an online e-commerce brand. This was the very first time an overseas company had invested directly into the previously closed Cuban agricultural sector. The deal permits Alma de Cuba to provide technical support to help finance material assistance for small Cuban farmers and the associated raw coffee processing plants located in the coffee growing mountains between Santiago de Cuba and Baracoa (in the Island’s far south-east – not far from Jamaica’s well-known Blue Mountains). In return, Alma de Cuba has obtained a supply of the very best quality gourmet Cuban coffee – which is very limited in availability. Alma de Cuba batch roasts and packs this the UK for freshness and ships globally via its e-commerce website. Says Phillip Oppenheim, managing director of Alma de Cuba: “We needed to secure an increasing supply of really special coffee beans and this deal with the Cubans allows them to re-develop what was once – and still remains – a superb coffee growing industry. We get these very rare coffee beans and the Cuban farmers get what they need to grow more. The deal involves Alma de Cuba investing some $4m over four years. This will help to fund new equipment for the de-pulping www.hamblegroup.com
plants, which take the outer ‘cherry’ from the green coffee beans, as well as providing micro-plants which farmers in the higher altitudes will use to process their own coffee cherries, allowing them to keep more value and reducing transport costs. The investment will also go towards new testing laboratories, improved logistics and even veterinary support for the mules which provide a lot of the transport capacity in the high mountains where the best coffee is grown and where there are no paved roads. Alma de Cuba will obtain a steadily increasing supply of top quality Cuban coffee for sale globally. It will also develop micro-regional coffees to sell under the Alma de Cuba brand and as green beans to coffee roaster. Although Alma de Cuba will be developing a trade in Cuban green coffee beans, its main strategy lies in developing its e-commerce platform for direct sale to consumers as well as a wholesale facility for selected flagship retailers including Le Grande Epicerie, Paris for its gourmet roast coffee gift tin, along with high-end hotels, coffee shops and restaurants. www.almacuba.com
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The
SECRET’S out
Nish and Sach Kukadia co-founded SecretSales.com when they spotted the opportunity to recreate the Boxing Day sales rush online every day for eager UK customers
S
ecretSsales.com boasts brands such as Victoria Beckham, McQueen, Rigby & Peller, Patrick Cox and Samsonite. In 2014 they sold a £20,000 Franck Muller watch, a sale Sach says he could “never have imagined”.
What was the inspiration that drove you to launch Secretsales.com? SK: Our family is entrepreneurial and both our parents continue to run their own businesses, so we’ve always been taught about the merits of starting a company from an early age. NK: Sach and I have quite different skill sets – he’s great with negotiating with brands whereas I like working with technology and marketing. We saw an opportunity to disrupt quite an unimaginative industry – the management of excess inventory, a normal problem for all brands of every type – whilst delivering a super engaging online sales experience to the people of the UK.
Share your secret weapons – what business apps, tools or mottos help you run your business/life efficient? SK: I use Evernote to organise my notes and carry two phones. I travel with my iPad and use the CityMapper app to get my meetings on time. Words I live by: hire passionate people – skills can be taught however passion can’t! NK: Since day one of the business I’ve written everything down – all my meeting notes, appointments and tasks – in notebooks. I find writing things down on paper helps me stay focused, although pen www.hamblegroup.com
and paper is a little obsolete for a digital business!
How do you ensure your business stays relevant and competitive?
Words I live by: today I am smarter than yesterday, but less smart than I’ll be tomorrow. Always stay humble, always keep learning.
SK: Our competitive edge comes down to the quality of people we employ, our confidence in giving them the professional freedom to push their boundaries. We expect every employee, irrespective of the department they’re in or the level they operate at, to bring fresh ideas to the discussion table.
What has been your greatest challenge or best learning experience so far? SK: We came close to running out of cash once and that taught us a lot about tight financial control. We were forced to make some tough decisions and interrogate our business model. By stripping out the unnecessary parts we’ve created a more efficient business with better margins than our competitors and that is why today we’ve outpaced them.
Secretsales.com is growing at a rapid speed. What’s your vision for the future? SK: The plan is to make SecretSales.com an international brand and we have lots of people from foreign countries regularly asking us when we’ll start to ship abroad. Hopefully we’ll be making that happen by the end of 2014. SK: We want to be a mobile-first business, which means we need to keep investing in our technology platform and design to make sure our customers have an outstanding shopping experience from their mobile phones and tablets, which already account for a colossal 55% of all our sales.
NK: We assess tremendous amounts of data at SecretSales.com to understand consumer purchasing habits. Innovation & team work is imperative to help us shape the way we build new, exciting features on our site. Our Insights & Analytics Department and our Product and Technology teams work continuously on this.
Which business leaders/companies do you admire? Why? NK: I admire Rory Sutherland, the Chairman of Ogilvy, the WPP advertising agency he has a brilliant sense of humour and an inspiring view of the world around him. I love his presentations on the TED talk’s website. SK: Whilst he has a reputation for being a fierce businessman, I really admire Sir Philip Green. He’s a shrewd negotiator and has all the traits of an exceptional retailer. Plus his best friend is Kate Moss!
What has been your biggest business accomplishment to date? SK: Sometimes, when we have one of those extra super-charged days, I like to look around the office for a moment and watch the talented people we have working 35
at SecretSales.com, each making intelligent decisions and driving the business forward. I’d say one of our biggest accomplishments is having built a company that attracts and retains those types of people. They inspire us daily. NK: Launching our first TV advert was a special moment, because it put us on the map as a serious company. We’ll always remember that day!
How has social media impacted your business and which platforms do you use? SK: Having a presence on social media is becoming increasingly important. Firstly, customers expect you to be visible – not necessarily conversational – at some level on social media. Apart from building trust it also serves as an immediate customer touch-point: a user can click on the Facebook or Twitter app on their smartphone and within the space of a few seconds they can start a dialogue with you and your brand. Search engines like Google are taking social media relevance into account when ranking your website against search terms, so if you want to feature highly for certain key terms you need to think about how you’re communicating socially in places like Google Plus. Lastly, the way you respond to customers is a huge reflection on your brand, so essentially it’s a PR tool as well. NK: Our first social media manager joined SecretSales.com earlier this year and he’s been responsible for making our content a lot more cohesive. It’s not a great brand experience to just throw out lots of competitions and extra discount codes, so www.hamblegroup.com
we’re focusing on creating content that is likeable and shareable, which we expect to drive awareness. We’re also working with a number of innovative tools that help us talk to people who ‘look like’ our best customers on social media, but who may not yet be signed up to our site.
How do you define success? SK: For both of us we don’t yet see ourselves as successful because we’re only just scratching the surface of the potential of SecretSales.com. We want to be the number one online sales destination, which is becoming a reality in the UK, but we still have lots more brands to partner with and the next stage will be taking SecretSales. com international.
What key piece of advice would you give to a young entrepreneur? SK: don’t be afraid of getting your hands dirty – part of the excitement of starting a business venture is learning new skills and challenging yourself. The more you understand about every aspect of your venture, the better you can run it. NK: there is no better opportunity to start your business than today. Stop procrastinating and start making it happen!
What is your predicted turnover for 2014? SK: We’ll expect to do £40M of gross sales (value of orders taken on the site) in 2014.
What’s the best way for our readers to connect with you? NK: Your readers can sign up to our website on www.secretsales.com if they
want to know more about our sales. If they want to contact either Sach or myself, we’re both on Linkedin.
SecretSales.com is now part of the London Stock Exchange ELITE programme, how did this journey begin for you? NK: We have close connections with the London Technology scene and we have some decent recognition with some high-profile investors and entrepreneurs. I guess word got around to the guys behind the programme that we were growing at a rapid rate (70% growth in 2013) and we were at a size that starts becoming interesting for the capital markets. We are honoured to have been selected and the programme itself is excellent with lots of honest exchanges between management teams and great support from Imperial Business School, who co-run ELITE with the LSE.
Finally we would love to know, which sale has excited you the most? SK: Seeing a fantastic brand like Michael Kors generate immense sales on SecretSales.com is hugely energising, my personal favourite sales have been Tag Heuer watches and Oliver Sweeney shoes, because I love watches and shoes! NK: I’m making some home improvements, so I’m keeping a close eye on our homeware sales – we have some designer shelves from Decortie coming up soon. I also love our vintage wine sales but I need to be faster because they tend to sell out quite quickly! www.secretsales.com 37
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150 FRETTE years of
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hange Capital Partners is to take over Italian luxury linens maker Frette in a move to revive the 150-year-old company that supplied the Titanic and the Orient Express.
As part of the deal, the private equity firm, founded by former Marks and Spencer chairman Luc Vandevelde, is to inject an undisclosed amount of cash into the company in a capital increase, according to a person with direct knowledge of the transaction. Change Capital will also buy existing shares from Frette’s private equity owner, JH Partners, which will keep a minority stake in the business. The transaction, led by Roger Holmes, a former chief executive of Marks and Spencer, values the bed linens maker at less than its annual sales of about €90m. It includes an earn-out, promising JH Partners a further payment based on the company’s achieving certain financial goals linked to its future performance. “It’s a very well-known brand that needs cash,” the person said. The deal is further evidence of private equity groups’ interest in Italian luxury brands. Blackstone bought a 20 per cent stake in Versace this year after a competitive bidding process run by the controlling Versace family. London-based Trilantic bought a stake in Bologna-based Elisabetta Franchi last year.
Frette’s new controlling shareholder will aim to repeat the successful turnround of Jil Sander. Change Capital sold the German fashion brand to Japanese apparel maker Onward Holdings in 2008, after returning it to profit. Mr Vandevelde’s private equity firm reaped more than three times its initial investment two years after buying the company from Prada. Frette, which is based in Milan, was co-founded in Grenoble in1860 by Edmond Frette, the son of a fabric dyer who later established the business in Tuscany. The company grew to become a supplier of fine bed linens to European aristocratic families and to the Vatican, according to JH Partners’ website. It now supplies hotels and yachts and has stores of its own. Frette remained family-owned until 1999, when it was purchased by Fin.part, the Italian fashion group that also owned Italian luxury fashion designer Cerruti. In 2004, Fin.part sold Frette to San Francisco-based JH Partners, which specialises in consumer brands. JH Partners also owned underwear and beachwear designer La Perla. Change Capital plans to start a strategic review of Frette in September, which is likely to include changes in the managerial ranks and a refocus on high-end luxury. The private equity group intends to redefine the stores and the design of the collections. www.frette.com
Words by Anne-Sylvaine Chassany www.hamblegroup.com
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BASELWORLD.COM
A unique window to the universe of watches and jewellery where all key players showcase trendsetting creations and innovations. Seize this opportunity to experience passion, precision and perfection.
M AR CH 19 – 26 , 2015
The essential
A
TIMEPIECE
timepiece, much like art, grows with age – both in design and financial worth. In fact, a timepiece is a piece of art. The first question to ask is: what differentiates a timepiece from a watch? Simple really, in that a timepiece is exactly that; a ‘piece’, an investment, whereas a watch is merely a purchase. Timepieces and watches (although, both should never appear in the same sentence) differ in terms of first impressions. A timepiece immediately harks back to the addition of a man’s wardrobe, whereas a watch can be male, female, even unisex. Daily, one might see the same digital watch adorned by the young trendy media specialist male, but also spotted on the dainty woman sat opposite with hair back combed, her heels higher than the sun. Now you would be lucky to spot someone on the morning commute wearing a Rolex Paul Newman Daytona, let alone a female wearing such a watch. This all might sound incredibly sexist, but it’s not, not one bit; a large proportion of timepieces are decades old, crafted 40, 50, 60 years ago in the days when such luxuries were only a man’s delight. I digress; this is purely the difference in terms of immediate impressions. Under the face, a watch is powered by a battery and a mechanism pre-made in a factory that will last about as long as daddy long-legs on an open window sill. The watch is merely a fashion accessory that can be bought on a shop corner for as little as 99p. Cheap materials like rubber, plastic and synthetics are the main constituents. There is little satisfaction in wearing a watch – it might tell the time (albeit unreliably), it might have bright colours and it might be water resistant to 5 meters, but that’s it. No one will ever stop someone in the street to admire their watch because it is a nice colour or has a flowery strap. A timepiece, however, draws worldwide attention; the names Patek Philippe, Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger-LeCoultre spring to mind immediately – all of whom are responsible for some of the greatest timepieces in history. Can you name any brands of an internationally renowned watch?! Once a year the Swiss city of Basel plays host to Basel World – the most important trade show in the industry, featuring over 2,100 exhibitors all from the watch and jewellery trade. The hype this year
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was the release of certain enigmatic pieces like the Patek Philippe 5711/A with a crystal white face ($26,700) and the Bulgari Papillon Voyager (limited to only 99 pieces). Both are brand new, both will last forever, both will continue to grow in financial worth and both will attract attention from the discerning enthusiast as well as anyone with an appreciation for design. All that said, both are indeed the very definition of a timepiece. Now, I should point out that there was a distinct (or not) lack of excitement and coverage for any new watches being released. Yes, timepieces are expensive – but they don’t have to cost you $5m (although, if one is willing to invest such money on a single timepiece, it won’t be hard to do); a simple timepiece can be picked up for as little as $750 (there are plenty of Swiss made movements out there that sit behind the face of ‘entrylevel’ pieces which will last for decades and remain a timepiece). This is not to say all watches are cheap; on the contrary, there are watches out there with a price tag of $50,000 – an incredulously expensive fashion statement, needless to say. The customer will be paying for the brand name, perhaps even the size of the watch (just to enhance the statement being made), but it won’t last for generations; the battery will likely need to be replaced soon! The hours of work that are put into creating and manufacturing a timepiece, on the other hand, is astonishing – one person might lend 50 hours just to make a single tourbillon! You are investing in the time taken, the growing heritage, and the craftsmanship in a timepiece. A watch? Well, it will be factory made, faulty and will only last as long as the fashion dictates. Buy a watch for the summer, buy a watch for winter, in fact you can buy a watch for the Olympics, but buying a timepiece will be forever. Patek Philippe, regarded as one of the best names in the industry, have coined the infamous tagline: “You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely take care of it for the next generation”. With this in mind, it is true and fair to say that a timepiece will become your best friend and most treasured possession, never losing its reliability; a watch, on the other hand, will continue to display ‘31’ the day after a 30-day month. Words by Will Sutton
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Azimut
Azimut Yachts introduces Azimut Grande 95RPH – Raised Pilothouse. The new high-end model for the utmost in privacy and comfort
A new, surprising debut for the Azimut Yachts’ high-end Grande Collection: elegant exterior lines and personality-filled design combine with cutting edge technology for an exquisite Italian style that celebrates the collection’s distinguished heritage.
I
t is absolute perfection in design, engineering and comes with the Italian stamp of quality. When technological rigor meets artistic creativity, something really exciting, harmonious and timeless emerges. In this case, the sheer excellence of the final product is the result of extensive experience acquired over 30 years in the business, producing more than 400 boats, each one featuring its own individual style and ability to be customized. Each Azimut Grande is unique; and onboard the 28-metre Azimut Grande 95RPH, every detail has been considered to improve function while keeping the style intact. The uniqueness of this exclusive cruising experience begins with new features introduced by Stefano Righini, responsible for the concept design and exterior lines. The point of departure is the separation of the pilothouse from the main deck through the creation of a half deck. This move increases the space dedicated to the boat owner and guests, maximizing their privacy in relation to the crew. In fact, RPH stands for Raised Pilot-House. All this is accomplished without weighing down the exterior lines and continuing to honor that elegant quality that the Azimut Grande Collection is known for. The raised pilothouse provides more space at the main deck interior both in the generously sized saloon and especially in the owner’s cabin; the latter is located to the bow and enjoys panoramic views with full-height windows along the sides. Moving from the cockpit to the saloon, you find an expansive sophisticated space, seamlessly connected to the exterior. 42
The floor-to-ceiling double windows offer the comfort of being able to look out across the horizon for a feeling of total freedom. The relaxation areas and dining areas each comfortably seat 10. The flooring in the living spaces is carpet and part gray oak parquet with wenge joints.The saloon has a 55” TV hidden in the ceiling and equipped with a tilt mechanism. The interiors are designed by Studio Salvagni Architetti. They feature an eclectic and contemporary style with every detail produced by master Tuscan craftsmen in precious and exclusive materials. The light that filters through the full-height wood Venetian blinds sculpts the ceiling and door shapes in mahogany, leather, and grey oak. The doors at the main entrance and crew mess are embellished with transparent glass insert screens with silk fabric to give a sense of lightness. In between the screens, the bow bulkhead is clad with raw silk. Much of the furnishing is custom, including the dining table with an organic gold leaf covered form suspended above and the storage units that maximize views to the exterior. The kitchen includes a mahogany dinette with storage column. Mièle appliances come as standard. There are LEDs with dimmers and mahogany Venetian blinds throughout the interiors. An elegant and unusual feature is the painted aluminum stair that connects the decks. It is an impressive sculptural element; the steps are backlit honey-colored onyx with leather finish and elegant mahogany handrail. On the lower deck, the lobby recalls www.hamblegroup.com
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the clean lines and soft forms of the saloon and features a lightdark contrast of materials. The layout includes 4 VIP cabins with private baths (as well as an additional day head). Together with the owner suite it sleeps 10. The four-member crew has three cabins and two baths to the bow, with independent access to the kitchen located on the main deck.The cabins also pick up on the theme of forms bathed in light and sophisticated materials. Examples are the headboards with horizontally ribbed leather and an alluring contrast of polished mahogany, raw silk, and teak. The curve of the mahogany nightstands and eggshell finish, wardrobes, and bed transform this space into an almost tactile experience, one that is completely welcoming and relaxing. The magic of the night knows no bounds in the owner suite, starting with its size: a good 34 m2. This exceptional dimension means the owner can enjoy the comforts of a dressing room with countless storage compartments: two full-height wardrobes, a central bureau, as well as built-in furnishings. The suite is located on the main deck and enjoys an unparalleled view thanks to the picture windows that fill the cabin with daylight. Also flooded with light is the sunken bathroom towards the bow at full beam. The shower is clad in teak, while the finishes, including the floor are in tumbled marble with mahogany inserts. The WC area is closed off and separate.All the double beds are equipped with pistons to fold away, and the TVs can be stowed away behind mirrors.The same mood is continued in the bathrooms with curved forms, enriched with contrasting marble and teak statuary. Another special feature of the new Azimut Grande is definitely the exterior spaces. To start with, at nearly 65 m2, the flybridge is incredibly spacious and “best in class�. The boat has a roomy 44
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exterior dinette designed to encourage socializing among the guests, corner bar, Jacuzzi, and a comfortable sun pad complete with modular seating that enables many different configuration. The fly can be reached by two stairways, an external one from the cockpit and one which communicates directly with the pilot house amidships, between the piloting station and guest relaxation area. To the stern there is a garage with pivoting platform and davit for a Willliams Dieseljet 445 with automatic inflation system to house a four-meter tender or Jet Ski. The yachtowner can choose to outfit the area aft of the garage as full on beach area. There is another socializing area to the bow: a spacious living area with built-in teak table and manual bimini top. The engine room has two MTU 16V2000 M84 motors which, when combined with the planning hull ( whose design has been developed in collaboration with engineer Pierluigi Ausonio from Studio P.l.a.n.a.) with skeg, provides for significantly improved directional stability, enabling maximum speeds of 26.5 knots and cruising speeds of 20 knots. The 12,000-litre fuel tank and 2,000litre water tank ensure great range, even for long crossings. For Azimut Grande owners, the journey aboard their own masterpiece begins with the special services devoted exclusively to them: exceptional facilities and a dedicated and receptive team are at the ready to provide assistance. The Grande 95 RPH is the Grande collection’s first model since being incorporated into Azimut Yachts, which now has five collections: Atlantis, Magellano, Flybridge, S and – especially – Grande. www.azimutyachts.com
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| LUXURY CARS
AUDI R8 T
he Audi R8 is a mid-engine, 2-seater sports car, which uses Audi’s famous Quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. It was introduced by the German automaker in 2006 and it has since grown, ever so rapidly, into an iconic sports car lusted after by many. The car was exclusively designed, developed, and manufactured by Audi’s high performance private subsidiary company, Quattro GmbH, and is based on the Lamborghini Gallardo platform. The car is built in a newly renovated factory at Audi’s ‘aluminium site’ at Neckarsulm in Germany. The Audi R8, the original Audi Le Mans Quattro concept car, debuted at the 2003 International Geneva Motor Show, and 2003 Frankfurt International Motor Show. The R8 development program 46
began in 2004 where Frank Lamberty’s design was approved and frozen for production. In 2005, Audi announced that the name of the successful 24 Hours of Le Mans winning R8 Le Mans Prototype race car would also be used for their new road car in 2007. Production body prototypes began field testing in January 2006. The R8 road car was officially launched at the Paris Auto Show on 30 September 2006 where there was some confusion over the name as many expected the R8 Le Mans Prototype rather than the new road car! 6-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx (who never drove for Audi) described the R8 as “The best handling road car today”. There has been over 15 variants of the R8 to cover all needs and market requests including the China Edition, LMS Ultra, www.hamblegroup.com
www.audi.co.uk the Grand-AM and most recently the LMX – the world’s first production car with laser high beams that increase range and safety. The most popular R8 line-up comprises of three different engine variants: the V8, the V10 and the V10 plus.
199 mph and goes from 0–100 km/h in 3.6 seconds. The car also features some visual changes including red brake calliper covers and GT badges replacing the V10 ones. The vehicle was unveiled in Wörthersee Tour 2010 in Orange.
The fabric top of the convertible opens and closes electronically in 19 seconds, even when driving at speeds of up to 31mph! The alloys wheels measure either 18 or 19 inches depending on the engine. The brake system, as expected on a car of this calibre, is impressively powerful.
The R8 GT Spyder was another limited production vehicle that combines the improvements in R8 GT with a convertible body. The vehicle was unveiled in 2011 at Le Mans.
The all-electric Audi e-tron is a version of the R8 Coupé with a slightly smaller body, and the concept car was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, followed by 2009 LA Auto Show in an outstanding orange colour, and at the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans. The R8 GT was to be a limited production of 333 units worldwide. This rare version of R8 Coupé 5.2 FSI Quattro has a top speed of www.hamblegroup.com
The LMX edition, the latest to be announced at the 24 hours of Le Mans, has caused a whirl amongst car fans, not only due to the laser high beams, but the exclusive Ara Blue body colour and the Fine Nappa leather upholstery with Sepang Blue diamond pattern. The Audi R8 is one of the most widely sought after 2-seater sports cars on the road at the moment and with the attention to detail, constant upgrades and sheer beauty, you can see why. Words by Haydn Squibb 47
The Beauty of Oman S P E L L B O U N D I N T H E S U LTA N AT E B Y F I O N A M A C L E A N
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he Sultanate of Oman, bordered to the North by Saudi Arabia and UAE and to the South by Yemen, is the third largest country in the Arabian Peninsula. A little larger than the UK, Oman has a population of just over four million people. Stunning, unspoilt landscapes include deserts, fjords and mountains ascending up to 9,800 feet where the climate can become cold enough for occasional snow, while the tropical South, Salalah, is famous for growing coconuts and bananas. Until the accession of Sandhurst educated Sultan Quboos Bin Said in 1970 the country was largely undeveloped. Without a road infrastructure, schools or universities and with relatively limited oil production, Oman was ignored by the West. Travelling there to find out more I’m apprehensive. Arab states are not always the easiest place for a single woman even if, as in Oman, women can drive and vote. This is a country which places a high value on courtesy though. While Western dress is acceptable in most places, both men and women are advised to follow a conservative dress code. It’s illegal to drive a dirty car. And, being rude in public may get you into trouble with the ROP (Royal Omani Police). The Capital, Muscat, is immaculate, thanks partly to twice daily street cleaners and partly it appears, to the culture. Omani 48
people smile a lot and seem innately friendly. From the moment you board award winning Oman Air, you’ll understand. My driver tells me how much life has changed. He remembers from when there were no schools in any of the villages, then when classes were held under the shade of the date trees. And, he explains the heavy traffic in Muscat on Sunday, the first day of the week. When the Sultan first took power he granted each Omani family land for a home both in Muscat and in their villages. Many Omanis commute, spending weekends in their villages and travelling into Muscat to work during the week. While Oman has a relatively low oil reserves, ranking at 25th globally, the development programme instigated by Sultan Quboos Bin Said has achieved remarkable results. In a recent United Nations Development Programme report ‘The Real Wealth of Nation, Pathways to Human Development’ Oman was the world-wide winner, mostly due to investment of income from oil into health and education. Once the basic infrastructure for a modern country was on the way, Oman started to make active plans to diversify. The country is investing heavily in tourism projects through Omran, a state owned limited company. A new Convention and Exhibition Centre on the outskirts
of Muscat is just one example of their projects. Due for completion in 2016, it is sited just 10 minutes from the Airport and yet surrounded by nature, overlooking a wadi that provides a haven for some of Oman’s exotic birds. The centre is planned to have a tiered auditorium seating 3,200 people and over 22,000 square metres of exhibition space. There will be three new hotels and a luxury shopping mall on site as well as an extension of the airport. The Director General of Investor Services and Quality Management, Mohammed Mahood Al Zadjali explains more. A series of five year strategic development plans, making up the Sultan’s 2020 vision, were instigated in 1995. Under the considered, constantly evolving programme, plans are reviewed and modified to reflect World economic drivers. And, a key part of the programme is to encourage and create international allies in all sectors but especially tourism. What is now in progress capitalises on the stunning landscape, the wildlife and the heritage sites, integrating old with new. UNESCO heritage sites include falaj, a fascinating system of water channels dating back over 5,000 years to collect and distribute water from underground caves and from the mountain tops as well as the Frankincense route in Dhofar. www.hamblegroup.com
Photographs courtesy of the Oman Ministry of Tourism, Ritz Carlton Al Bustan Palace
A visit to The Wave complex, one of the ITCs, reveals more about Oman Sail and its commercial counterpart, Sea Oman. Founded in 2008 Oman Sail aims to ensure that new generations of Omanis learn to sail, helping to reinstate the maritime eminence of the country. While Oman Sail is predominantly educational, Sea Oman provides a range of sailing and other water-sports options for visitors to Muscat including bareback charters and skippered overnight cruises. Relatively new buildings like the Royal Opera House (2011) and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (2001) fuse traditional Arabic style with modern architecture to create visually stunning buildings. Inside the Mosque the central prayer hall is home to a 1,700 knot Persian carpet and a massive eight tonne Swarovski crystal chandelier, while a walk around the grounds provides a fascinating insight into Islamic art by showcasing different styles, both modern and ancient, in mosaics and beautiful carvings. The Al Bustan Palace, originally built to host The Gulf Cooperation Council in 1985 is formidable. There’s a one kilometre private beach, rooms with direct access to the lagoon pool and suites that house presidents and visiting dignitaries to Muscat. No one could fail to be amazed by www.hamblegroup.com
the stunning lobby with its 38 metre high dome or charmed by service that marries traditional British toiletries from Asprey with Omani coffee and dates at reception on arrival. While the Grand Hyatt, opened in 1998, may have a more Western feel, you are still unmistakably in Oman and, located next to the Diplomatic quarter, the hotel marries luxury with business efficiency. Oman has many ingredients that make it an international developer’s dream; high oil and gas revenues, a sizable expatriate population, rising income levels and a fastgrowing private sector. It is part of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf along with Saudi, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE – the Gulf equivalent to the EU. The Sultan has worked hard to liberalise the economy and attract foreign investors. There are state incentives for international businesses looking to invest in the tourism sector in Oman: A lease agreement with special grants to make establishing a new business in Oman financially attractive. For qualifying projects the rental value of the land offered as a grant for the first five years from the date of receipt. Once operational, businesses benefit from income tax exemption for the first five years. And both grants have the possibility of extension. The main constraint is that to establish
a business, an internationally owned limited company will need a minimum of 30% Omani shareholding. Finally, Oman has made it possible for expatriates to buy residential freeholds within the ITCs. Ownership is transferable by inheritance and guarantees a residency visa. This is somewhere to enjoy a gentle, relaxed way of life yet still be part of an inspired National development strategy. A beautiful country with a fascinating heritage Oman welcomes foreigners as essential partners in the future growth and success of the country.
FACT BOX • Oman Air has daily non-stop flights to Muscat Oman from London. First class tickets start at £3093 and business class at £2553 including tax • Rooms at the Five Star Ritz Carlton Al Bustan Palace start from around 155 rials a day rising to 350 rials, while the two bedroom presidential suites start at around 550 rials per day • Rooms at the Five Star Grand Hyatt are around 155 rials per day, with suites from 250 rials • Further information about investing in Oman is available from the Oman Ministry of Tourism www.omantourism.gov.om 49
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Burj Al ArAB Presents
‘Best of the Burj’ signature Dream experience
T
o celebrate its 15 years anniversary, Burj Al Arab, the World’s Most Luxurious Hotel, has unveiled its ‘Best of the Burj’ – a special offer that includes Rolls-Royce Phantom pick-up, a luxurious suite, six-course degustation dinner and signature spa experience. Promising a stay of sheer bliss and designed to create memories that will last a lifetime, the exclusive experience commences with a spectacular arrival in a renowned Burj Al Arab chauffeur-driven white Rolls-Royce Phantom.
The package includes: An opulent suite spanning 170 square metres (1,830 square feet) over two floors with views over the Arabian Gulf A Taste of Al Mahara – a culinary journey featuring the finest dishes from Burj Al Arab’s signature Al Mahara restaurant • Burj Al Arab Signature massage for him and her, blending traditional Shiatsu, Thai, Swedish and Balinese techniques at the www.hamblegroup.com
hotel’s iconic spa, perched 150 metres above the sea level • A full set of Hermès amenities for him and her, private butler and daily in-suite breakfast dining Email: BAAreservations@jumeirah.com Burj Al Arab is managed by Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding. It is designed to resemble a billowing sail and stands at a height of 321 meters. It is one of the most photographed structures in the world and has been consistently voted the world’s most luxurious hotel, with features including in suite check-in and check-out, reception desks on every floor, round-the-clock private butlers and use of the hotel’s Rolls-Royce fleet and private beach. The hotel’s 202 luxury suites range from 170 to 780 square meters with a rain shower and a Jacuzzi in each suite, as well as six restaurants and conference and banqueting venues. www.jumeirah.com 51
| BUSINESS TRAVEL
Beijing
Nicosia
Where to eat
Where to eat
tempLe restaurant Beijing
Domus Lounge Bar & restaurant
European Cuisine
Mediterranean Cuisine
TRB serves contemporary European cuisine and is committed to providing the highest levels of hospitality for its guests. In creating their dining space, the Australian architectural and design firm Hassell emphasized the clean, light filled and thoroughly modern lines of what was once a television factory producing the capital’s first TVs.
Domus Lounge Bar & Restaurant is located in the center of Old Nicosia. A chic fine dining restaurant and a trendy chill out lounge, Domus offers you its authentic international style cuisine and friendly first class service. At Domus Lounge Bar & Restaurant the goal is the highest possible level of customer satisfaction.
23 shatan Beijie, Dongcheng District, Beijing,
5 Korae street, nicosia 1016
Where to Stay
Where to Stay
Fairmont Beijing
HiLton Cyprus
The Fairmont Beijing Hotel brings unprecedented luxury and hospitality offering guests a distinctive stay right in the heart of China’s modern capital business center. The distinctive collection of comfortable guest rooms, top-end spa treatments, gym facilities and award-winning restaurants allow our globe-trotting guests to enjoy opulence from all aspects.
archbishop makarios iii avenue, nicosia 1516
no.8 yong’an Dongli, jianguo menwai main street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100022
What to Do tempLe oF Heaven The Temple of Heaven is located in southern Beijing. It was first constructed in 1420, the 18th year of the reign of Ming emperor Yongle, and was extended and renovated during the reigns of Ming emperor Jiajing and Qing emperor Qianlong? It was the place where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties would worship the Gods. tiantan road, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100050
reD LeaF FestivaL Red Leaf Festival is usually held in the middle of October at Fragrant Hill. The middle of October is the best season for enjoying the red leaves. West mountain, Haidian District, Beijing
great WaLL at mutianyu
Enjoy a central location in Nicosia, close to the International Conference Centre, Hilton Cyprus has everything you would expect from a 5-star hotel, including excellent business and relaxation facilities. After a long day of meetings or sightseeing, enjoy some pampering with a spa treatment and time in the sauna.
What to Do BCyprus museum The Cyprus Museum is the oldest and largest archaeological museum in Cyprus. The museum houses artefacts discovered during numerous excavations on the island. The museum is home to the most extensive collection of Cypriot antiquities in the world. museum st., nicosia
maKarios avenue The most prominent features of Makariou Avenue are the hundreds of various fashion shops, boutiques, high end international department stores and City Plaza, the biggest Cypriot department store. It is also home to a vast array of bars and restaurants. makarios avenue, nicosia
Byzantine museum anD art gaLLeries
The Great Wall at Mutianyu is a little further from Beijing than the most popular section at Badaling, but it doesn’t get as crowded. This section of the Wall is fully restored, there are hand rails to help you up on the very steep parts and the views are spectacular.
The Byzantine Museum in Lefkosia contains the richest and most representative collection of Byzantine art. About 230 icons dating from the 9th to the 19th centuries, as well as other typical examples of the Byzantine art of Cyprus, such as sacred vessels, vestments and books, are on display.
mutianyu road, Huairou District, Beijing
archiepiskopou Kyprianou square, nicosia
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www.hamblegroup.com
Sydney
Toronto
Where to eat
Where to eat
CHina DoLL
Canoe
Asian Fusion Cuisine
Canadian Cuisine
With its spectacular vista of the city skyline, China Doll elegantly resides at Sydney’s historic Finger Wharf at Woolloomooloo. This stylishly sleek, award-winning, Iain Halliday-designed beauty offers a balanced menu of generously portioned, modern Asian dishes from the talents of Chef Frank Shek.
Critically acclaimed to be among Canada’s best restaurants, Canoe’s unique location high atop the TD Bank Tower affords a breath taking view of the city. The design is clean and simple, yet stylish. That same brilliance is captured through the flavours and textures of Chef John Horne’s inspired regional Canadian cuisine.
4/6 Cowper Wharf road, Woolloomooloo, sydney
66 Wellington st W, 54th Floor, tD tower, on m5K 1a1
Where to Stay
Where to Stay
tHe DarLing
toronto Centre interContinentaL
Featuring a casino, a day spa and 20 bars and restaurants, The Darling at The Star is just 650 metres from Cockle Bay. It offers modern rooms, some with views over the city skyline, while others look towards Pyrmont and surrounding suburbs. Sydney International Airport is a 20-minute drive away.
Experience the vibrant energy of downtown Toronto, when you stay at the 4-diamond hotel. Located just steps away from popular attractions like the CN Tower, the Air Canada Centre and the Rogers Centre, the upscale hotel offers the perfect combination of contemporary elegance and luxurious comfort.
80 pyrmont street, the star, sydney
225 Front st W, on m5v 2X3
What to Do
What to Do
syDney HarBour BriDge
nHL HoCKey game
If you’re making a stop to Sydney Harbour or the Sydney Opera House then is a hard one to miss! Spanning the city center to the North Shore, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a wide steel arch bridge known for its beauty as well as function. While the more daring can do the BridgeClimb to the top of the structure, anyone can enjoy a walk for free.
The National Hockey League is a professional ice hockey league composed of 30 member clubs, and the Mapleleafs are Toronto’s Hockey team. Their stadium is just by Union Station, in the Air Canada Centre, and it is also a block away from the CBC, which is the BBC version of Toronto.
sydney Harbour, sydney
syDney HarBour Secluded beaches, quiet coves and soaring headlands predominate this harbor, which is considered one of the world’s most beautiful overlooking the Sydney Opera House. sydney Harbour, sydney
royaL BotaniC garDens
40 Bay st, on m5j 2X2,
tHe Cn toWer The CN Tower was completed in 1976, becoming the world’s tallest free-standing structure and world’s tallest tower at the time where it held both records for 34 years! 301 Front st W, on m5v 2t6
niagara FaLLs
The Botanic Gardens are a must see when visiting Sydney. The gardens are situated on the shores of the Sydney Harbour, with the Opera House and Circular Quay on the western boundary. The gardens cover 30 hectares and attract over 3 million visitors each year.
Niagara Falls is the collective name for three waterfalls that straddle the international border between Canada and the United States; more specifically, between the province of Ontario and the state of New York. There are tourist attractions like the Toronto Skywheel and the mindtrix magic show. The Fallsview Casino Resort also has events with different comedians and shows throughout the year.
mrs macquaries rd, sydney
niagara Falls, ny 14303, united states
www.hamblegroup.com
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LONDON IN THIS ISSUE
INTERVIEW WITH ALI NESTER-SMITH The founder of Happy Box London – voted one of the 50 best e-boutiques
LET’S GET FESTIVE WITH HARRODS Harrods Michelin Star Chef of the Season Tom Aikens
PLAN YOUR CHRISTMAS IN LONDON
www.hamblegroup.com
55 L O N D O N L I F E | B U S I N E S S | E V E N T S | R E V I E W S | L U X U RY
we want, more than anything else, to make people happy Business gifting at Christmas is a whole lot easier with the help of Happy Box London. Whether it’s one gift or one hundred gifts, we have plenty of experience in creating, sourcing and delivering imaginative gift ideas for our clients.
Call us on 020 7381 0803 or email happytohelp@happyboxlondon.com to find out how we can make you happy www.happyboxlondon.com
H a ppy Box London Happy Box London is an award winning gift boutique that lets you create your own hamper of gorgeous gifts for all occasions. Dina Aletra interviews Ali Nester-Smith on building her brand. www.hamblegroup.com
Happy Box launched in 2002. Tell us how it came about? I set up Happy Box London after leaving my job as a Board Director of the UK’s largest advertising agency, Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO. During my years at AMV, I worked on ad campaigns for brands including BT, Sainsbury’s and Walkers/PepsiCo. During my time in advertising, I noticed how frustrated people became when trying to source genuinely thoughtful and creative gifts for colleagues, clients, family and friends. Too often, we send well-intentioned, but generic, gifts such as flowers and champagne. Happy Box London was established to provide an antidote to impersonal giving by putting real thought and imagination back into gifting.
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Of course, as with all new ventures, our lofty ambitions were soon kicked into touch with some grubby realities. I set up as a Limited Company, opened a business bank account, registered our trademark with the Patent Office, researched the best fulfillment facilities and negotiated delivery rates with couriers. I registered our business for VAT, learned swiftly how to run a basic accounts package and wrote a marketing plan that was a far cry from the budgets I’d worked on in my previous career. Next we had to design, build and test the website, arrange online payment processing and ensure we were compliant with the relevant retail regulations. At some point during those early months, we got to the good bit – creating, sourcing and buying the gifts and packaging that we thought would make people smile.
In the past few months, what is the smallest change you have made that has had the biggest positive result? Investing more time and money in getting to know our clients outside of the office.
How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life? Giving birth to the business coincided with giving birth to my two daughters, so it’s been a joy to have full control over my working hours and environment. Since founding the business, I have worked from a home office in London, with the majority of our team located at our easily accessible warehouse in Peterborough.
To what do you most attribute your success? What would you say are the five key elements for starting and running a successful business? Hard work and a Capricorn stubbornness. No magic dust, I’m afraid. 1) Be financially astute. Remember you’re setting up a business, not a hobby. Don’t get carried away emotionally by your big idea. Be realistic about whether the numbers stack up. 2) Be authentic. You’ll be at your most persuasive and engaging if you really believe in what you’re doing or selling. 3) Be patient. The to-do list can seem overwhelming and impenetrable. As with much in life, the key is to take it one step at a time. You don’t build a functioning new business in a day.
As a small business, we’ve never been blessed with lavish entertainment budgets, but have recently been thinking of really creative ways to entertain our clients socially. It’s already reaping rewards in terms of increased rapport, understanding and loyalty.
4) Be self-aware. Maintaining confidence, optimism and momentum is important. Think about how you work best and the environments in which you thrive. I’ve always adored the camaraderie and energy that comes from working as part of a team so, for me, setting up alone was surprisingly tough.
What three pieces of advice would you give to students who want to become entrepreneurs? Where did your organisation’s funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it?
5) Be persistent. Persuading people that you’re serious and credible can feel like an uphill struggle. Getting on the phone and convincing potential suppliers/clients about your untested-butbrilliant idea is a real challenge. But it’s a thrill when you pull it off.
See below for my five pieces of advice for setting up and running a business. With students specifically in mind, I’d also add the importance of adopting a mentor for guidance, advice, support and inspiration.
Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
In terms of funding/capital, all our investment was personal. It’s probably wiser to be a little more cautious, but this route certainly means you’re fully emotionally and financially committed to what you’re doing!
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Not On The High Street is a phenomenal business. It has a wonderful ethical story in enabling kitchen table businesses to come to market. It’s also a great use of the internet as a medium and a solid business model. (I’m always rather envious that they don’t have to carry stock!)
www.hamblegroup.com
How many hours do you work a day on average? I finish work at 4pm each day, so that I can be around for my small children. I’ll often return to the desk after they’re in bed, but I don’t perceive this as a burden. It’s a way of working flexibly and intelligently in order to accommodate the twin joys of work and home life.
If you were conducting this interview, what question would you ask? Would you do it all again if you knew then what you know now?
What is the corporate bespoke Happy Box? For businesses, it’s important to remember that gifting is coming from the bottom line. We feel very strongly that gifts should work hard to do a strategic job for both business and brand. When done creatively and appropriately, business gifting can be an incredibly powerful weapon in their armoury.
“
We work regularly with the corporate events teams at HSBC and Barclays. For example, we created gifts for Barclay’s corporate hospitality at Wimbledon as well as for their international Board meetings and press launch events. Other clients in the financial sector include RBS (we are part of their staff Rewards & Incentives programme) and Prudential, ECI Private Equity and GFI Group. We are the official gifting company for the Institute of Directors, providing a bespoke voucher programme for their client gifts. We are also a popular proposition for business within the creative sectors. In particular, advertising agencies, hospitality and film production industries. In these fields, clients include Chinawhite/Cartier Rock the Polo and Virgin Limited Edition.
HArD work AND A CApriCorN StuBBorNNeSS. No mAgiC DuSt, i’m AfrAiD
We started out designing only our own Happy Box gift hampers. However, the introduction of Happy Box Couture – a service allowing customers to create their own bespoke Happy Box gift hamper – was a resounding success. We’ve reinvented the traditional hamper by letting people hand-pick their own selection of gifts from gorgeous brands such as Miller Harris, Daylesford Organic, Kelly Hoppen, Rococo Chocolates, Penhaligons of London, Aromatherapy Associates, Linley and Bamford. We’ve now evolved into something of a bespoke gifting agency for our business customers. PA’s and event organisers call us to discuss their objectives, gift recipients, timings and budgets. Whether they are looking for branded goody bags, bespoke ribbons, engraved silver, embossed leather, delivery to a UK
www.hamblegroup.com
office or delivery to one hundred destinations worldwide – we have plenty of experience in creating, sourcing and delivering imaginative gift ideas.
”
You offer incentives for PA’s. Tell us about it?
We seem to be acquiring a reputation amongst Executive PA’s for being a giftgiving godsend, especially for last-minute gifting nightmares. They love to be able to order gorgeous, creative gifts online that can be delivered the very next day nationwide. The idea behind our VIP programme for PA’s is that every time they buy a present on behalf of someone in their company, they also benefit. For every five Happy Boxes purchased, our PA’s receive a free Happy Box for themselves worth £50. There are also a host of other benefits including free delivery on all orders, a personal account manager, priority order line, gifting consultations and exclusive offers and events from Happy Box London and our partner businesses. www.happyboxlondon.com
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London Life LIVING THE
Where to stay
Where to eat
Events
The Langham London
The Fish & Chip shop CiTy
horsT: phoTographer oF sTyLe
The Recently opened Fish & Chips by Restaurateur Des McDonald, is a posh modern day neighbourhood fish & chip shop. In addition to perfect cod & chips expect to order oysters, sea bass a la plancha, shrimp burgers & old fashioned fish finger butties.
This autumn the V&A will present the definitive retrospective of the work of Horst P. Horst (1906-99). The GermanAmerican photographer did shoots for couturiers such as Chanel, Schiaparelli and Vionnet in the ’30s, as well as experimenting with early colour techniques. His most renowned images will be on display alongside rarities and unpublished pictures, plus there will be a recreation of Horst’s 1940s studio. Archive film footage, sketchbooks and letters will also give an insight into his creative
The Langham, London 5 star hotel has enchanted royalty, dignitaries and celebrities since 1865, when it opened as Europe’s first ‘Grand Hotel’. The Langham Hotel London today continues to impress with luxurious guestrooms and suites, 15 function rooms, Chuan Spa, fine dining restaurant, Roux at The Landau and Palm Court, famed as the place where the tradition of afternoon tea was born. 1c Portland Place, Regent Street, W1b
The KensingTon hoTeL The Kensington Hotel, at the corner of Queen’s Gate and the Old Brompton Road, has an imposing white façade typical of this elegant 19th Century neighbourhood. The atmosphere is relaxed throughout, with the engaging and innovative service creating the ambiance of a smart private members club. The rooms at The Kensington vary in shape and in size, from the cosy to the opulently spacious. All are individually designed, with Italian marble bathrooms and a luxurious selection of furnishings and fabrics 109-113 Queen’s Gate South Kensington, SW7
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Dashwood House 69 Old Broad Street, EC2M
Tom’s KiTChen, Canary WharF The modern British establishment includes a restaurant, bar and a deli and is conveniently located in Westferry Circus. Serving British favourites and comfort food classics in a relaxed and informal environment from breakfast to dinner. In addition to intimate booths and spacious tables in the main restaurant, the restaurant features a relaxed outdoor terrace seating area. Restaurants also located in Chelsea, Somerset house and St Katharine Docks. 11 Westferry Circus, E14
V&A, Cromwell Rd, SW7 until 4 January 2015
20th CenTury KniTWear: ChaneL To WesTWood With inspirational fashion knitwear from 1920s Chanel jersey to conceptual garments from Comme des Garçons and Vivienne Westwood this exhibition charts the influence of artistic and musical movements alongside new knitwear technologies and design innovation. Fashion and Textile Museum, SE1 until 18 January 2015
www.hamblegroup.com
Lord mayor’s shoW and FireWorKs
WinTer Fine arTs & anTiques Fair
regenT sTreeT moTor shoW
The show is one of the best-known annual events in London as well as one of the longest-established, dating back to the 16th century.The event is centred on a street parade which in its modern form is a light-hearted combination of traditional British pageantry and elements of carnival.
The flagship art and antiques event of the British winter season is supported by both the trade associations, BADA and LAPADA. Over 120 hand-picked dealers will showcase an irresistible array of beautiful and unusual objects and works of art rich with provenance and timeless originality
A unique free-to-view London motor show in one of the Capital’s most famous streets. Displaying over 300 cars spanning 125 years of motoring.
Olympia London, Kensington, W14 8UX 3-9 November
BarCLays aTp WorLd Tour FinaLs
Jasper Johns: regreTs
The year-end climax to the men’s professional tennis season, featuring only the world’s best eight qualified singles players and doubles teams as they battle it out for the last title of the season.
www.lordmayorsshow.org Guildhall 8 November from 11am
Christmas comes early for all food fanatics this year in east London. The Foodies Festival is hosting their first ever Christmas special, which promises to be three days of festive culinary fun including live cooking demonstrations, drinks master classes and a life-sized gingerbread house where you’ll find ginger cider and toasted marshmallows. Plus real reindeer will be chilling in the courtyard.
Regrets is a haunting series of ten paintings and drawings inspired by a photograph of Lucian Freud posing in Francis Bacon’s London studio. Johns transformed the image by copying, mirroring and doubling it. Unexpectedly, the form of a skull emerged in his new composition, like an apparition. Johns reworked the subject in a variety of media, creating works that can be experienced as a profound meditation on mortality, creativity and memory. Based upon exhibition originally organised by The Museum of Modern Art, New York
Old Truman Brewery, E1 28-30 November
The Courtauld Gallery, SC2R until 14 December
Foodies FesTivaL ChrisTmas
www.hamblegroup.com
Regent Street, W1 1 November
The 02, Greenwich, SE1 9-16 November
ConsTaBLe: The maKing oF masTer This exhibition reveals the hidden stories of how John Constable created some of his most loved and well-known paintings. On display are famous works painted outdoors direct from nature. V&A, Cromwell Rd, SW7 until 11 January 2015
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PICCOLINO
| INTERVIEW
A taste of Italy in Central London
shocked at how some dishes were cooked in the UK compared to the traditional way in Italy. He was also introduced to gas ovens for the first time and saw how pizzas were cooked on trays. Raffaello spoke about how olive oil was hard to come by and spaghetti was only sold in meter strips, a true dilemma for an authentic Italian!
ocated on Heddon Street in Mayfair, an oasis of calm away from the hustle and bustle of Regent Street in London, Piccolino restaurant, lower ground floor cicchetti bar and alfresco terrace has recently undergone a stylish transformation befitting to one of the most fashionable cities in the world. Serving only the best and freshest seasonal produce, Italian cheeses, meat and seafood that reflect pure Italian flavours.
Friends in London shared the news that a young chef, Giorgio Locatelli, was opening a new restaurant. As chefs they were very similar in the way they worked due to being from similar parts of Italy. Raffaello went on to work within many successful companies in central London, in locations such as the New Forest, and he even ventured over to America for a while before moving back and continuing life in London. Raffaello spoke of how after three and a half years of being part of new restaurants and developing companies, he wanted simple luxuries such as driving cars and having breaks.
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Working in the food industry from the age of 14 and being trained by some of the biggest names in Italian cooking. Head Chef Raffaello has gone from strength to strength. As the first chef in his female-dominated family, he began working at his local pizzeria for pocket money alongside his physics studies, and found a talent which could not be ignored. Raffaello soon went on to study at a catering college based in Italy whilst still working at the pizzeria. He was told “You cannot be here; you need to be somewhere to make your bones up and strengthen yourself.” With this boost of confidence, he went on to work and train with an Italian chef in Bellagio. Three years later he was running the show, and this is where he picked up his extremely technical methods. It wasn’t all plain sailing for Raffaello, however. When he came to the UK in the mid-eighties to escape from military duty, he soon realised cooking here was a lot different to his old school Italian ways. He remembers being
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Raffaello is extremely passionate about soul foods, which for him doesn’t result in looking into organic or popular foods but into the simple idea “you are what you eat.” He claims he can cure a hangover or even a broken heart from creating the perfect dish. He thrives off the feeling people have after eating his food: “they take a deep breath and they feel an inch taller.” We asked Raffaello whether he had a dish he believed was his best creation - to this he simply stated, “I don’t have a best creation as this would be discrimination.” He soon went on to tell us all about the sourdough pizza he had just had placed in front of us, and how the dish was an old school Italian recipe, and even how it took him a further year to develop to the popular dish he serves now at Piccolino. Raffaello spoke about his love for mentoring others and how this translates into his ultimate aim: for his food to be served regardless of whether he is there. He spoke with passion not only for food but for the people he mentored, and spoke highly of past sous Chef James who has taken on pastures new as head chef at the prestigious Marylebone hotel. Raffaello is an inspiration to chefs all over the world and Piccolino is the perfect spot for trying his incredible cuisine. www.individualrestaurants.com 63
Traditional Afternoon Tea at the Millennium Hotel London Mayfair
Treat yourself and indulge in our quintessentially English afternoon tea, in the chic and relaxing atmosphere of Avista Restaurant, overlooking Grosvenor Square. Prices start from £14.95 per person | Served daily 2.30 – 5.00pm
Please call 020 7596 3329 for more information or to make a booking
MILLEN NIUM HOTEL LONDON M AYFAIR | 4 4 GROSVENOR SQUA R E , LONDON W1K 2HP | TEL: 020 7596 3329
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Millennium Mayfair Afternoon Tea
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f you’re looking for luxury with a seasonal twist then you can stop looking; the Millennium Mayfair, on Grosvenor Square, offer a delightful yet luxurious afternoon tea complete with a glass of Duval-Leroy Lady Rosé Champagne, a selection of finger sandwiches, fruit scones with Devonshire clotted cream, preserves and lemon curd, a selection of miniature pastries, a selection of cakes and a vast selection of Twinings teas. Sat in the lavish restaurant area a few steps away from the main reception of the hotel, your enveloped in style, fabulous service and stunning food. From the moment you step foot in the door you are swept away by the outstanding manner of which the staff conduct themselves. After having the selection of Twinings teas explained we all opted for a variety of choices and thoroughly enjoyed them, although not quite as much as the Duval-Leroy Lady Rosé Champagne!
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We were advised to eat the scones first whilst they were still warm, and we all began to wonder why we had never thought of this before! Served with clotted cream, lemon curd and strawberry jam; all homemade, those were delicious. The sandwiches, served upon Wedgewood china, change depending on the season so we devoured cucumber and sour cream, egg and asparagus, chicken with tarragon and salmon. We didn’t leave a crumb! The cakes and pastries included Eton Mess, Crème Brulee, Fruit Tart, and Battenberg. Despite being filled to the brim we managed to tuck into all of these; it was only fair we tried them all! When the afternoon had finally come to a close we decided we would return as often as possible as the atmosphere, staff and food was simply exquisite. Words by Haydn Squibb
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WEDGWOOD速. GROSGRAIN SHOWN. WEDGWOOD.COM
Welcome to luxury; Welcome to Grosvenor House Apartments.
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ombining the refined services of a luxury hotel with the privacy, comfort and generous living space of a contemporary Mayfair residence, Grosvenor House Apartments offers a unique experience for both short and extended stays. Managed by Jumeirah Living, the 130 serviced residences range from studio residences to the 5-bedroom Grosvenor Penthouse and offer truly personalised touches for effortless living. Grosvenor House Apartments feature cuttingedge technology, sumptuous finishes and contemporary design to provide guests and residents with the exceptional, world-class luxury service for which Jumeirah is renowned, in a home away from home. Guests of Grosvenor House Apartments by Jumeirah Living can now enjoy privileged access to the best of local luxury, thanks to an exclusive ‘Mayfair Experience’ parcel presented on arrival. Containing offers of complimentary gifts and special experiences, each element of the ‘Mayfair Experience’ parcel has been specially curated to introduce guests to the finest brands and local establishments located in the heart of the hotel’s stunning Mayfair neighbourhood. Located on the corner of Park Lane and Mount Streets, the property is set in one of the capital’s most exclusive neighbourhoods where
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Michelin-starred restaurants rub shoulders with leading boutiques and cutting edge brands. The hotel has now partnered with a range of leading local establishments to offer special experiences and gifts that will epitomise luxury Mayfair living for guests. From welcome drinks, bespoke consultations and exclusive discounts, guests will receive special treatment as they explore the British brands, housed in the beautiful village surroundings of Mayfair. Offers range from a private guided tour at Floris, to a ‘Made to Measure’ service in the comfort of the hotel by La Perla, VIP and booking priority at local hangouts, Exclusive discounts at selected stores to a meeting with master watchmaker for an exclusive introduction to Swiss watchmaking at Parmigiani. Guests can experience some of Britain’s most outstanding and historic brands, including Mackintosh, Miller Harris perfumer and Bremont Chronometers. As a true home away from home, regardless of length of stay, Grosvenor House Apartments provides the perfect base from which to explore London. With the new exclusive experiences, guests can live like true Londoners, exploring Mayfair’s superlative boutiques and leading brands. www.jumeirah.com
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Festive season at Harrods A selection of hampers and gifts available exclusively at Harrods this Christmas, filled with the world’s finest foods and wines.
A CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS Pictured: You’ll find the essential ingredients for a fine festive season here, from crackers to fruit-studded cake and fluffy panettone. Superb Champagne, wine and a limited-edition Glenfiddich 15-year-old single malt whisky will ensure a memorable spread. £750
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THE MONTPELIER Top: This cosmopolitan package provides a taste of the British Isles and the world. Crack open the trunk to discover thin-cut Seville orange marmalade, rose and lemon Turkish delight, cheddar with cracked black pepper, prosciutto cotto, a classic quintet of Harrods wines and more. £295
THE KNIGHTSBRIDGE Left: Highlights of this thoughtfully curated hamper include mince pies with cranberry, classic Christmas pudding with brandy, Boxing Day chutney, spiced tea and spiced coffee. And, it wouldn’t be Christmas without a few seasonal tipples; recipients can celebrate with Champagne and red wine. £250
THE PERFECT PROVENANCE Bottom Left: Starring acclaimed vintages direct from Napa Valley estates and the cellars of Mouton-Rothschild, this is a wine lover’s dream. Enjoy these fine vintages one glass at a time with the Coravin wine saver, which allows wine to be drawn from a bottle without displacing the cork. £5,000
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Harrods Chef of the Season
TOM AIKENS
The acclaimed British chef brings Tom’s Kitchen Favourites to the Harrods Food Halls. A modern British restaurant serving comfort food which was created to embody all that sharing food with friends and family means. www.hamblegroup.com
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ood is much more than just fuel to sustain. It is food as culture, food that breaks down barriers, and food that brings people together. The approach is something altogether more natural and organic, where the emphasis is on where the food comes from and how it is grown. Tom’s Kitchen always uses UK-based suppliers wherever possible – supporting British farmers is central to its ethos. The country has been scoured for the best ingredients, grown by the most dedicated producers. Tom has been cooking since the age of 16, soon after his studies he forged a career in cooking at legendary establishments that included Pierre Koffmann’s Tante Claire as it won its third star, and London hotspot, Pied à Terre, when it gained a second Michelin star, cementing his status as one of Britain’s most exciting chefs. In April 2003, Tom’s eponymous fine dining restaurant in Chelsea opened; Tom Aikens Restaurant, the flagship restaurant has since closed with plans to relocate to a more central London location. The first Tom’s Kitchen opened in November 2006 on Chelsea’s Cale Street, around the corner from the flagship Tom Aikens Restaurant, with a second Tom’s Kitchen opening in London’s historic Somerset House in September 2009, alongside a Terrace and a Deli, run in conjunction with Compass Group. 72
In June 2013 Tom Aikens Group opened the third Tom’s Kitchen in Canary Wharf, featuring a 130 seat Restaurant, a Bar and a Deli, conveniently located in Westferry Circus. In summer 2014 another restaurant and deli in St. Katharine Docks, has been added to the Tom’s Kitchen portfolio with the first international branch opened in Istanbul in November 2013.
Spending your summers in France at a young age surrounded by great cooking influences must have been your main source of inspiration, are there any others that you believe led you to the businessman you are today? I’ve been fortunate enough to work alongside some of the world’s best chefs and many of them were French such as Joel Robouchon and Pierre Koffman. They have both been real inspirations to my cooking and certainly have influenced my style. I also admire chefs like Paul Bocuse, Alain Ducasse and the Roux brothers. Not only have they revolutionised the industry with their cooking, but they are also great businessmen.
Your first job was at Michelin starred, David Cavalier’s restaurant in Battersea, London. Looking back if you were told at 26, you would become the youngest British Chef ever awarded two Michelin
stars whilst Head Chef of Pied à Terre, what would you have said? Well if I was told at 16 I would have said you must be joking! But at 26 I was working incredibly hard to get the two stars and was hoping of course, as anyone would have, for the best outcome….
Being Harrods current ‘Chef of the Season’ is a great achievement, what’s on the menu? I have created a range of classic Christmas dishes for Harrods including roast turkey breast and trimming and venison casserole with cranberry and root vegetable mash. I also wanted to offer some canapés to accompany the larger dishes perfect for entertaining at home over the festive period. These include turkey rillettes, beetroot-cured salmon, seven-hour lamb croquettes and a sweet chocolate hot pot. Outside of the festive season, we’ll be serving Tom’s Kitchen classics available to take home for the first time ever!
What was your thought process when planning the Harrods menu? I am committed to serving fresh, ethically sourced ingredients and wanted to offer a taste of the classic comfort food-inspired dishes we produce at Tom’s Kitchen to a new audience. www.hamblegroup.com
What do you consider your biggest achievement and why? I think having kids is the biggest and most rewarding thing that can happen to anyone.
You must be the envy of many young chefs, gaining experience with the likes of Jöel Robuchon, and Gerard Boyer at Reims in Paris. What’s the best advice you were given? It’s all about having a goal and sticking to it and setting the bar high but expecting to achieve higher than you think you can. Work hard and always ask questions. Always look interested, be the first in and the last out. Always take the initiative, don’t wait to be asked. Never second guess – if you are not sure, always ask.
What is the most memorable food city in the world for you? I think every culture and their cuisine has something special to offer and something you can learn from. I don’t think I have a most memorable food city as I enjoy travelling and exploring new food cultures all the time.
You’ve had 10 successful years of your restaurants, what has been your favourite opening? It would definitely be Tom Aikens Restaurant as it was the most exciting and I was even more determined to succeed than ever before. When I look back at that guy, he even frightens me as he looks like a prize fighter ready to de-throne the word champ!
You are known for supporting the Environmental Justice Foundation, what made you want to raise awareness for this charity? I’m a long term supporter of EJF’s Save the Sea campaign. All of the Tom’s Kitchen restaurants in the UK are supporting EJF’s work to project marine biodiversity, endangered wildlife and the vulnerable fishing communities in some of the world’s poorest nations.
2015 is fast approaching; have you any exciting ventures you can share with our readers? I’ve just opened the fifth Tom’s Kitchen in St Katherine Docks in London and I’m taking over The Pawn Restaurant in Hong Kong this autumn in Wan chai, and another in Dubai will follow very shortly after this …. Interview by Rebecca Cowing www.hamblegroup.com
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Christmas
Skate at SomerSet HouSe witH Fortnum & maSon
Fortnum & Mason and Somerset House are proud to announce they will be partnering for the first time this winter for Skate at Somerset House 2014. During the day, skate in the beautiful splendour of Somerset House’s neoclassical courtyard. After dark, the rink hosts some of the best international clubs and festivals at our exclusive Club Nights. Après-skate, enjoy a cocktail; indulge in fondue or tasty treat from Fortnum’s Lodge or the Skate Lounge. 11th November 2014-11th January 2015 Strand, London WC2R 1LA
CHriStmaS at kew GardenS Kew’s annual seasonal makeover is back. For 2014, a glittery, mile-long trail, guided by snowflakes, will wind its way through the landscape. French studio design team TILT are creating 27 botanically-inspired light installations, which will be dotted along the route. The emphasis really is on sparkle this year, with illuminated fountains, reflective glasshouses and glittering trees. A shimmering tunnel of lights will guide visitors to twinkling holly bushes and Christmas trees. In front of the Palm House flumes of fire will dance to music inspired by ‘The Nutcracker’. The evening openings will also offer plenty of family-friendly attractions including a Victorian carousel and vintage rides, the snowflake grotto, a boutique Christmas market with foodie treats and live festive music. 26th November-3rd January 2015 Brentford Gate, London TW9 3AB
Hyde Park winter wonderland The Grinch would have a real job stealing all the Christmas from Hyde Park’s massive tribute to festive fun, which is back for 2014 from Friday November 21 at 5pm. Entry to Winter Wonderland is free, and a wander past the fairground rides, around child-friendly Santa Land or through the
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Christmas markets is a real treat for anyone feeling the spirit of the season. Other attractions at Hyde Park’s annual sparkly Christmassy addition include a Giant Observation Wheel and two circuses – ‘Christmas Circus’ and ‘Cirque Berserk’ – from the family-friendly Zippos Circus. Winter Wonderland’s ice rink, the biggest outdoor rink in the UK, surrounds the Victorian bandstand and is illuminated with more than 100,000 lights. 21st November-4th January 2015 Q-Park Park Lane, W1K 7TY
dalSton CHriStmaS market Enjoy an alternative weekend shopping experience at the Dalston Christmas Market in Dalston Square. This family-friendly market offers a vibrant alternative to the usual German-style festive markets. Run by City Showcase, there are stalls selling everything from ceramics to soft furnishings and jewellery to sculptures. Musicians, comedians and school choirs provide live entertainment. 5th-7th December 2014 Dalston Square, Hackney, E8 3FS
nutCraCker It’s a Christmas must. The classic ballet about a Christmas Eve where a magician arrives to cast a spell under the tree and brings little Clara’s dolls, presents and more to life returns for London families to savour. English National Ballet’s version is choreographed by Master Wayne Eagling and Tchaikovsky’s beautiful music will be fully in attendance. 11th December-4th January 2015 London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ES
CHriStmaS CarolS in traFalGar Square The season gets thoroughly jolly as the sound of Christmas carol favourites ring out across Trafalgar Square. Resembling something of a winter wonderland with the world-famous Christmas tree in place, an annual gift from Norway since
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in London 1947, the scene is set for an atmospheric recital of classics from the carol book. From Deck the Halls and Good King Wenceslas to Ding Dong Merrily on High and The Holly and the Ivy, various tuneful groups sing their Christmas socks off to raise much needed cash for charity. With warming refreshments to be found nearby, all the ingredients are in place for the perfect countdown to Christmas. Throughout December Trafalgar Square, Westminster, WC2N 5DN
HoGwartS at CHriStmaS Celebrate the festive season Harry Potter style with Hogwarts at Christmas at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. Ensuring things are even more magical than usual, the most amazing snowfall of the season hits Hogwarts. Get up close to the stunning model castle used in the Harry Potter films as it’s covered in a blanket of special effects snow for the Christmas period. The many intricately detailed sets in the studio are also given a Christmas makeover as props and decorations used in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone are brought out of storage. Slightly further out than London, but well worth the journey. 14th November-1st January 2015 Warner Bros. Studio Tour London Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden
natural HiStory muSeum iCe rink Skate around the Christmas tree, then sip a hot chocolate while enjoying the festive scene from the Café Bar. There’s a huge main rink and smaller rink for beginners and children.
aliCe’S adventureS in wonderland
Over the festive season, Tea at the Royal Opera House features a wondrous selection of fun fancies in tribute to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Familiar favourites such as Victoria sponge, chocolate teacakes and jammy biscuits are given curious twists that will appeal to adults and children alike. December-January 2015 Bow St, London WC2E 9DD
SPirit oF CHriStmaS Fair at olymPia Whether you are looking for festive inspiration or simply to relax with friends and dine in style, you can do all this and more at the Spirit of Christmas Fair at Olympia. Get creative and feel inspired by a range of festive workshops and invaluable hosting tips from the House & Garden experts. Enjoy a glass of bubbly in the stylish Louis Roederer Champagne Bar, or a coffee with friends. 4th November-9th November 2014 Hammersmith Rd, London W14 8UX
CHriStmaS liGHtS on oxFord Street Oxford Street Christmas Lights Switch-On sets the scene for the festive season with major music stars performing a concert in November 2014 and amazing illuminations that have cost in excess of £1million in previous years. November-January 2015
until 4th January 2015
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Post-Christmas Getaways
uxury ski operator, Bramble Ski has announced a new, decadent Post-Christmas Indulgence winter offer across three resorts in Austria and Switzerland. Guests are invited to spend eight nights being pampered post-Christmas at one of St Anton’s most stylish chalets, Chalet Maria Schnee, a rebuilt masterpiece of Tyrolian Craftsmanship, boasting beautiful antique carvings and floors, combined with modern contemporary furnishings and art. Located just a short 10 minute walk from the centre of St Anton, this elegant 7- bedroom chalet offers a luxurious family retreat, sleeping up to 15 people, with a grand drawing room complete with open fire place, an open plan living and dining area, all sharing stunning views of the surrounding mountains. After a hard day’s skiing, guests can choose to wind down in style in the chalet’s plush living room, sit back with a good book from the well-stocked library, or put their feet up in front of movie in the private screening room. Alternatively, Chalet L’Arole, located in the exclusive Chesières enclave of Villars in Switzerland, is an impressive alpine residence, once previously owned by the House of Chanel. With a key focus on sustainability, the eight-bedroom chalet has recently undergone a complete transformation, whilst retaining many of the chalet’s original features such as a wonderful glass and oak staircase.
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Fine materials, handcrafted wood panelling, natural stones and antique and contemporary furniture have all been utilised to create an outstanding, luxurious family home. At Chalet Tesseln, the only ski in/ski out chalet in the whole of Verbier, guests will be treated to indulgences such as mesmerising firework displays and tailor-made on-piste heli picnics featuring specially-sourced caviar and crisp champagne. Two complimentary sessions with a qualified ski instructor as well as three hours of soothing massage are also included in this lavish festive package. A particularly popular option with Bramble Ski’s guests celebrating Russian Orthodox Christmas! Eight night Post-Christmas Indulgence packages, available from Saturday 3rd – Sunday 11th January 2015 further details can be found online at Bramble Ski is a luxury ski operator, boasting a stunning collection of private properties in Switzerland and Austria. Paying the very highest attention to detail, Bramble Ski offers superb food, exquisite wines, scrupulously selected staff, and some of the most desirable properties in Verbier, Lech, St. Anton, and Villars, on both a catered and self-catered basis. To make a reservation, please visit www.brambleski.com or email info@brambleski.com
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Exclusive ski opening at the
Tschuggen Grand Hotel
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AROSA
he Tschuggen Grand Hotel in Arosa will be launching the winter season with the “Private Mountain” event. On 28 November 2014, the Arosa ski area around the Aroser Weisshorn will once again belong exclusively to the guests of the five-star hotel. In addition to winter sport enjoyment on freshly prepared ski runs, guests will have the chance to compete in the Parmigiani Private Mountain ski race or hurtle down the snow-covered slopes on snow bikes and sleds. When it’s time for refreshments, the Tschuggen cabin will serve regional specialities at lunchtime accompanied by traditional music. And anyone looking for the exuberant après ski atmosphere won’t be disappointed at the Sternenbar in the middle station with a DJ on hand to ensure that everyone is in party mood. The day will be brought to a fitting end with the race dinner followed by the end-of-day party under the
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banner “Fire and Ice”, which will be held for the first time in the 360° restaurant on the summit of the Weisshorn, 2,650 metres above sea level. As well as the entertainment, breath-taking views are guaranteed. The “Private Mountain” two or three nights stays at the Tschuggen Grand Hotel, valid from 27 to 29 November 2014 or for three nights from 27 to 30 November 2014. Packages includes a rich and varied buffet breakfast with evening dine around, participation in the Private Mountain event on 28/11 with the services mentioned above, a ski ticket for a further day’s skiing on 29/11 and free access to the 5,000 square metres of the Tschuggen mountain oasis spa designed by star architect Mario Botta. For bookings and more information, visit www.tschuggen.ch or call the Tschuggen Grand Hotel direct on +41 (0)81 378 99 99.
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EXCLUSIVITY INCLUDED
«FINEST MOMENTS» TSCHUGGEN.CH MEMBER O F T S CHUG GEN H O T EL GR OUP
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