TICINO www.heditionmagazine.com
M A G A Z I N E
AnDreA Illy
tHe PIoneer of cAfĂŠ culture A MontecArlo Per Art MonAco: Il regno DellA BellezzA StefAno BAIocco, StellAto eccellente Del grAnD Hotel A VIllA feltrInellI
tHe rISe of tHe BIllIonAIre AfroPolItAnS IMMortAlIty: Are We reADy to lIVe foreVer? WHAt lIeS In Store for tHe SeconD HAlf of tHe 21St century? MIcHel roux Jr on HIS APPetIte for PerfectIon
B U S I N E S S | N E W S | C U LT U R E | L U X U R Y | L I F E S T Y L E
© Agence VERTU / Photographies : Alexandre Leblanc – Jérôme Kélagopian
From the EDITOR ‘Enjoy present pleasures in such a way as not to injure future ones.’ Seneca Andrea Illy, la nostra storia di copertina di questo mese, ci accompagna in un percorso suggestivo, ricco dei profumi del caffè. Dagli anni ‘30 la famiglia Illy ha attraversato la storia industriale italiana, continuando un processo di innovazione e ricerca della qualità che prosegue ancora oggi. Sviluppo sostenibile e passione maniacale hanno permesso all’ormai famigliare marchio bianco-rosso di affermarsi in 144 paesi. Scopriamo insieme come… La cucina istintiva, dai sapori netti e puliti di Stefano Baiocco, riprende invece il fil rouge del nostro viaggio alla ricerca delle eccellenze della cucina Ticinese. Una continua e piacevole scoperta che vogliamo condividere con voi. Infine un “tuffo” nel Principato di Monaco per Art Monaco: “castigat ridendo mores”: questo sembra essere il messaggio comune degli artisti che riflettono sui miti di oggi. Non perdetevi la nostra sezione internazionale: ci siamo interrogati a 360° sul futuro, le sue sfide e le paure che si annidano nell’incertezza di quali sfide dovremo affrontare domani. Con un pensiero di augurio sincero per la Regina Elisabetta che il prossimo 9 settembre diventerà il regnante più longevo nella storia britannica, superando – con 63 anni e 7 mesi – la durata del regno della Regina Vittoria.
We dedicate our front cover this month to Andrea Illy, interviewed exclusively this month. The name Illy has become a worldwide brand which continues its process of innovation and quality research. Sustainable development and maniacal passion have allowed the now familiar red-white brand to establish itself in 144 countries. Let’s find out how ... Michelin starred Executive Chef Stefano Baiocco of Grand Hotel A Villa Feltrinelli shares his passion and distinct flavours of cooking at such a high level of expectation. Finally a “dip” in the Principality of Monaco for Art Monaco and celebrating another successful year of Art and Culture. Do not miss our global section: we questioned 360° questions to some of the World’s leading futurists on Economy, Business, Travel and Health and we received some very interesting articles back. We also send our sincere wishes to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On September 9 2015 Her Majesty will become the longest reigning Sovereign in British history, surpassing – 63 years and 7 months. May her reign long continue.
Buona lettura! Romy Gai Editor @Heditionmag Per abbonarsi gratuitamente a H Edition Magazine, visitate il nostro sito www.heditionmagazine.com Se preferite ricevere una copia stampata, scriveteci a info@hamblecomms.com
AUSTRIA • CYPRUS • TICINO • LONDON • LUXEMBOURG • MALTA • MIAMI • MONACO • NORTH ITALY • NEW YORK • SWITZERLAND H Edition Magazine 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 we 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 H Edition Magazine. All information is correct at time of press. Views expressed are not necessarily those of H Edition Magazine.
Editor in Chief: Editor: Editorial Assistant: PA’s to Board:
Cosmetic Specialist: @HEditionMag
Dina Aletras Romy Gai Rebecca Cowing Faye Redmond Karina Valeron Margareth von Rekowska
Design: Contributors:
Kevin Dodd Michael Cushing Philip Whiteley Joanne Walker Franco Fregni Milan Brlik Samuele Vorpe
Dr Ohan Ohanes
For editorial and advertising enquiries please email info@hamblecomms.com Front cover credits: © illycaffé Designed by Typetechnique, London Printed in the UK by The Magazine Printing Company www.magprint.co.uk
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ARCHITECTURE. WITH STYLE.
Via Achille Grandi, 21 10024 Moncalieri ITALY - Phone: +39 011 6203339 ga@giugiaroarchitettura.it - www.giugiaroarchitettura.it
Contents ISSUE 4
Cover Story Exclusive Interview With Andrea Illy The Pioneer of Café Culture (Italian and English)
9 gLobaL review News From Around The World
16 weLCome to 2050 What Lies In Store For The Second Half Of The 21st Century?
32 the new finanCiaL eLite The Rise Of The Billionaire Afropolitans
40 LeCh & ZUrS aUStria Austria’s Most Exclusive Skiing Resort. This Snow Safe Paradise Will Keep Every Sport Enthusiast Busy
54 twitter gUide to the fUtUre Top Tips On Who To Follow
58 iL regno deLLa beLLeZZa A Montecarlo Per Art Monaco
68 Stefano baioCCo Chef Executive Stellato Michelin – Grand Hotel A La Villa Feltrinelli
www.heditionmagazine.com
20 Long to reign over US On The 9th September 2015 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Becomes The Longest Reigning Monarch In British History
12 the Power of fUtUre thinking How Important Is The Future To You On A Scale of 1 to 10?
26 fUtUre 7 How Will Life Be In The Future? Gray Scott Explores Seven Current Emerging Technologies
36 immortaLity The New Frontier of Healthcare. How Far Will We Go To Live Forever?
46 London LifeStyLe Things To Do Around The Capital
57 miCheLin Star magiC Exclusive Interview With Michel Roux Jr And His Team
66 bUone notiZie fiSCaLi Per Le aSSoCiaZoni Di Samuele Vorpe
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FOUR FRAGRANCE
WILDE & HARTE The collection is inspired by classic early 20th Century British design. So unique in idenity – akin to Art Deco in geometric form – this style continues to inspire contemporary designers in luxury fashions, jewelry, and accessories. Drawing upon fine craftsmanship, each razor is manufactured from British stainless steel, then hand polished to an impeccable mirror finish. The Eltham Razor £115 geminera.com www.heditionmagazine.com
Vetiver Imperiale is a unisex fragrance that displays the fresh and citrus crispness of vetiver and bergamot, combined with the sweet spiciness of Tunisian neroli, and balanced with deep notes and Atlas cedarwood, amber and black, white and pink pepper. Moroccan Rose, Egyptian geranium and patchouli add an uplifting quality to the fragrance, appealing to both men and women Vetiver Imperiale Fragrance £250 for 100ml bottle four-magazine.com
LOKUM ISTANBUL EAU DE PARFUMS Stray away from the norm and discover Lokum Istanbul’s range of exotic perfumes. Long-lasting and encapsulating, only a few spritzes are needed to transport the wearer back to Istanbul’s gardens and bazaars. Lycia’s Lime Beams £75 for 100ml bottle lokumistanbul.co.uk 7
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www.heditionmagazine.com
LONG TO
REIGN OVER US
On the 9th September 2015, Queen Elizabeth II will become the longest reigning Monarch in British history, breaking the record reign of 63 years and 7 months, held for over a century by her Great Great Grandmother Queen Victoria.
R
oyal occasions are usually marked with official stamps, processions of gilded carriages before throngs of flag waving subjects, Red Arrows fly pasts or at the very least a salute of guns from the Tower of London. Yet what many see as a landmark occasion in Royal history is likely to pass with little official acknowledgment and absolutely no celebration from the Queen herself. When Victoria became the longest serving monarch (breaking the record held by her Grandfather, George III), she simply wrote in her diary “Today is the day I have reigned longer, by a day, than any English sovereign.” She clearly wanted no triumphalism or suggestion that she was celebrating a previous monarch’s death. Elizabeth II also wishes the day to pass with little fuss and no celebration. Like Victoria before her, the Queen plans to spend the day at Balmoral, the Scottish castle built for Victoria by Prince Albert, and hopes for a quiet day. Suggestions such as that by the Speaker of the House of Commons that the Queen could relay a video message to the nation has been vetoed, as have calls by others for a national celebration. A royal photo-call remains a possibility, but it’s obvious that the Queen wants to occasion to be as low key as possible.
(financial and social) of two world wars in 30 years. If Victoria presided over an Empire, Elizabeth does the same over a Commonwealth (she also holds the record for the most currencies featuring the same individual). She has been a figure of continuity and certainty as her country has modernised and moved into a new century – where the social and political landscape would be almost unrecognisable to her Victorian ancestors. However, whilst much has changed Elizabeth, like Victoria, is one of our most loved monarchs. Over the last thirty years the modern Royal family has famously been through something of a crisis, yet she has weathered the storms of her ‘annus horribilis’ and the death of Princess Diana and, as the crowds who braved the rain to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee proved, she is immensely popular. She has cemented the place of the monarchy in Britain – at least for the time being. Whilst the Queen’s popularity, cannot be disputed there are some who believe that the monarchy’s future has never been more uncertain. For example, writing in the New Statesman, former BBC correspondent Christopher Lee suggests that her Grandson, Prince George, will never be King. Acknowledging the fact that the Queen is the most admired member of the Royal Family, and that polls suggest that, as a result, the Royal family is more popular than ever, he explains interpretations and explanations of polling “often overlook the considerable difference between monarchy and the reigning monarch.” He suggests that we should not take for granted that Elizabeth’s popularity will continue with future monarchs. He points out that the polls suggest that the British public remain divided regarding Charles, and that when (or even if) he becomes King, he cannot rely on the same goodwill, loyalty and understanding shown towards his mother. Similarly, public opinion seems to show little support
Victoria’s reign, of exactly 23,226 days, 16 hours and 23 minutes, defined an era – an era in which Britain recreated itself both at home as an industrial nation and globally as the British colonial empire expanded and became one of the largest, wealthiest, and most powerful empires in history. Elizabeth II, no less than Victoria, has also ruled over an era of immense social and political change and physically embodies and represents to the public mind the times over which she has ruled. When she acceded to the throne in 1952, the empire over which Victoria had presided, was disintegrating and Britain was reeling from the effects www.heditionmagazine.com
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for the wider Royal Family, with some, for example Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie being occasional figures of fun in the British press. Lee suggests that, as a result of this diminishing in public approval, the institution of monarchy may suffer. Turning to suggestions that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, have rescued the monarchy’s image, Lee points out that there is “no evidence to suggest that William and Catherine have reconnected the royals with the people.” Lee also believes that social and legal reforms may play their part in throwing the future of monarchy into question. He believes that in the next sixty years political reform may see a decline in the House of Lords and that the Church of England (currently headed by the monarch) will become increasingly separated from the State. Looking at the increasing speed of social change he argues that in the next sixty years “national identity and what matters to it will undergo the most radical 10
change of all. The monarchy will simply go out on the ebb of that identity change.” However, as both Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II would acknowledge, a lot can happen in sixty years and most of it is unpredictable. Whilst the Queen does not wish to celebrate her record breaking reign, the Nation is determined to celebrate her 90th birthday in June next year, with plans being made for a giant street party in the Mall. Similarly, noises are already being made about the possibility of her celebrating her Platinum Jubilee in 2022. The national joy expressed on the births of Prince George and Princess Charlotte also suggest that public enthusiasm for the next generation of Royals remains strong. If current levels of support for the monarchy can be maintained, this suggests the future of the monarchy could still be very bright. By Joanne Walker www.heditionmagazine.com
books By Matthew SMith Urbane Publications
This month’s book club brings you a little fiction to stir the imagination; a slice of social consciousness to inspire thought and debate; and a high quality dose of compelling natural history that will fascinate and educate. Something for every book lover!
If you haven’t caught up with this McEwan novel yet I can highly recommend it. It’s the brilliant, emotionally wrenching new novel from the author of Atonement and Amsterdam. Fiona Maye, a leading High Court judge, renowned for her fierce intelligence and sensitivity is called on to try an urgent case. For religious reasons, a seventeen-year-old boy is refusing the medical treatment that could save his life. Time is running out. She visits the boy in hospital – an encounter which stirs long-buried feelings in her and powerful new emotions in the boy. But it is Fiona who must ultimately decide whether he lives or dies and her judgement will have momentous consequences for them both. Relevant, emotive, moving, this is beautifully written and a guaranteed page turner.
Planet Earth is 4.5 billion years old. In just a fraction of that time, one species among countless others has conquered it. Us. We are the most advanced and most destructive animals ever to have lived. What makes us brilliant? What makes us deadly? What makes us Sapiens? In this bold and provocative book, Yuval Noah Harari explores who we are, how we got here and where we’re going. Sapiens is a thrilling account of humankind’s extraordinary history – from the Stone Age to the Silicon Age – and our journey from insignificant apes to rulers of the world. It’s not afraid to tackle some of the biggest questions of history and of the modern world, and it is written in unforgettably vivid language. I urge everyone to read it.
Co-authored by world renowned leadership consultant Alan Watkins, and leading social thinker and philosopher Ken Wilber, Wicked and Wise examines some of the most pressing and topical issues affecting the world today, from the clash of religions and cultures in a globalised world to the growing dominance of technology and its impact on society. The authors set the scene for debating the key challenges facing current and future generations, and suggest possible agendas for how everyone, from leaders to potential leaders, can solve challenges in a highly developed, enlightened & selfless way. It’s a unique and compelling read and a fascinating insight into our contemporary globalised society.
In this collection of engaging, emotive and thought-provoking poems Chris Parker explores the relationship between community, communication and learning. Through a series of interrelated stories he introduces a range of urban characters and settings, contrasting the challenges of the human search for identity, meaning and purpose with the synergy, simplicity and silence of Nature in the city. Many people don’t read poetry but I’d urge you to try this excellent collection of poems, which offer more than they appear at first reading. The verse is funny and touching and every time I delve into the collection I find something new to meditate on and explore.
www.urbanepublications.com www.heditionmagazine.com
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| NEWS
GLOBAL REVIEW 1
Rwanda
A country traumatized by genocide two decades ago hit international headlines again in June when President Paul Kagame protested at the detention of his security chief Karenzi Karake in London. He faces charges related to the 1994 massacres but President Kagame denounced the intervention as colonialist. Muddying the waters, the BBC reported that Mr Karake was in London to meet the head of the British secret service MI6. Economic and social life has slowly recovered in recent years. The population is mostly rural, and coffee and tea are major exports. Tourism is also important, with the small country’s impressive biodiversity a major draw. It is home to around one third of the world’s mountain gorillas, and hundreds of species of bird, as well as elephant and giraffe on the savannah plains. The World Bank has praised Rwanda’s development successes of recent years, which it says have helped reduced poverty and inequality. On the Competitivness Index, it comes a respectable 62nd, scoring quite well for health, education and labour market efficiency. Life expectancy is low, at 55, but the country scores a respectable 70% level of literacy, notably higher than neighbour Burundi (see Country Reports, June 2015). Corruption is at moderate levels, with Rwanda coming 55th in the Transparency Index, registering a 71% score on Control of Corruption. 2
Lithuania
The newest member of the European single currency is the most southerly of the three Baltic states, Lithuania. It joined on 1 January 2015, with old Lita notes and coins remaining in circulation until June. Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicˇius, leader of the ruling Social Democrat party, is a strong supporter of euro membership, but there is significant opposition, according to opinion polls. Membership of the EU, and more controversially of the western defence union NATO, has confirmed the most southerly of the three so-called ‘Baltic states’ as belonging politically very much to the West. But expansion of NATO eastwards has been cited as a provocative factor by President Putin of Russia, giving rise to fears of a new Cold War. The Lithuanian economy boomed in the first two decades after Soviet rule ended in the early 1990s but hit crisis in the financial crash of 2008. Tough austerity measures are now starting to be eased. It scores quite impressively on anti-corruption measures, registering a respectable 39th on the international Transparency Index. It comes 41st on the Global Competitiveness Index, scoring particularly well for technological readiness, as well as health and education. Government bureaucracy and labour relations top the list of issues cited as problems by business leaders. 12
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Ukraine
The most recent indicators on competitiveness and transparency date from before the conflict in eastern Ukraine in 2014, between pro-Russian rebels and a proWestern Kiev Government. The Russian Federation annexed the Crimean peninsula in March 2014. Election as President of the pro-western Petro Poroshenko in May 2014 reaffirmed a desire by many citizens for close ties with the European Union, but underlined the divisions in the country. Russia remains the single biggest trading partner. There has been much media commentary on the possible impact on gas supplies from Russia, sanctions by the West and risk of a new Cold War. But the conflict has obviously had its most directly negative impact on the Ukrainian internal economy. The Kiev Government has needed a $17.5 billion bailout loan from the IMF, some $5 billion of which was made available in March 2015. But tight government spending and economic readjustment will be on the agenda for the foreseeable future. There is likely to be restructuring of part of the Ukraine Government’s debt. According to current indicators, Ukraine registered 76th on the Competitiveness Index. It scores well on market size and health and education. Life expectancy is just under 70 and the literacy rate is 99%. On the Transparency Index, it scores very low, at 142nd. 4
Austria
It was Austria’s Finance Minister who gave the earliest political signal of Greece’s likely exit from the euro in June 2015. Hans Jorg Schelling told Die Presse that the event ‘appears almost inevitable’. Like many politicians from the fiscally stronger parts of the eurozone, he put the blame on the Athens politicians. Austria is considered one of the northern, stronger economies within the eurozone. Electorates in many of these countries have resented the cost of bailouts of the softer peripheral economies. It scores high on the Competitiveness Index at 21st. Scores are especially strong for health, education and technological readiness. Tax rates and labour regulations are cited as the biggest barriers for doing business. The economy is advanced and diverse, with banking, insurance and industry all strong sectors. Tourism is also a significant export earner. The country, linked to Germany during the Nazi era, managed to avoid being divided into East and West after the war. It has been a strong member of the European Union since 1995, although a nationalist, anti-immigrant party the Freedom Party has made electoral gains in the past 15 years. It did well in the 2014 elections, gaining around one-fifth of the votes. However, the vast majority of Austrians backed pro-EU parties, and the Greens polled strongly. www.heditionmagazine.com
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Dominica
This Caribbean nation, not to be confused with the much larger, Spanish-speaking Dominican Republic, is a small, mostly English-speaking island in the Lesser Antilles, to the south of Guadeloupe. It has been an independent nation since 1978, prior to which it was a British Crown Colony. The capital is Roseau, and the other main town is Portsmouth. While English is the official language, a local French-based patois is widely spoken. It has fantastic attractions for tourists, with beaches, tropical rainforests, mountains and abundant wildlife. The national symbol is the colourful native Sisserou parrot. But it does not attract large numbers of visitors in comparison with many other Caribbean destinations, owing to the lack of a large airport. The scenery is perfect for filming paradise-style settings, and it has been used as a location for the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, starring Johnny Depp, boosting the local economy. Banana is the main crop export. This sector has suffered under World Trade Organization rules which have prevented the European Union from preferring former colonies as suppliers. Poverty is a problem in the country, but inequality is low for the region. It has a good record on anti-corruption, coming 39th on the international Transparency Index. Life expectancy is an impressive 77 years. 6
Saudi Arabia
The largest Middle Eastern state by surface area is the world’s largest oil producer. It is also surrounded by war zones, and its forces have intervened in the civil war raging in Yemen. It is a hereditary monarchy, which has a controversial record on human rights, but still maintains Western support. The ruling Al Saud dynasty has sought to combine economic modernization with social conservatism, extreme by 21st Century standards. They follow the austere Wahhabism Islamic code, with harsh punishments and few rights for women. The economy has been dominated by oil for the past half a century. Saudi Arabia sits on a colossal 25% of all the world’s known reserves. Oil accounts for 45% of the GDP and 80% of Government revenues. It is a desert kingdom, so agricultural development is limited. There is a limited chemicals industry, and the Government has sought inward investment, successfully attracting the confectionary giant Mars, which opened a factory in the kingdom in December 2014.. The country has a modern infrastructure and comes 24th on the Global Competitiveness Index. Particular strengths are the macroeconomic environment, market strength and education. On transparency, it comes a respectable 55th, indicating moderate control of corruption. www.heditionmagazine.com
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Mauritania
A North African country that rarely hits the headlines is Mauritania, which lies on the western edge of the Sahara Desert, with an Atlantic coastline and a long inland border with Mali to the east. Most people live in the region of the coastal capital Nouakchott, while much of the interior is sparsely populated. It has many features of an underdeveloped country, with weak infrastructure and skills. It is rated 141st on the Competitiveness Index, just three places off the bottom. Access to finance and poor infrastructure are the most cited problems for business leaders. There are low scores for technological readiness and higher education, in contrast with emerging western African economies. Corruption is a significant problem, with the country placed 124th on the Transparency Index. Life expectancy is under 60 and the literacy rate is just 58%. There is economic development, and there has been growth in recent years. There is a significant mining industry, most notably for iron. Inflation is under control and the macroeconomic environment is stable. The Government has begun structural rebalancing, aimed at diversification of the economy, including expansion of the services sector. The most recent Country Report for the African Economic Outlook noted that Mauritania ‘has made progress in reducing poverty by strengthening the social safety net and investing in key projects to fill the infrastructure gap.’ 8
Laos (or Lao People’s Democratic Republic)
Laos is one of the world’s few remaining Communist countries, and also one of the poorest. It began opening up its economy in the 1990s, but is still economically under-developed, and relies heavily on overseas aid. The nation, which has borders with China, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and a long border with Vietnam, was badly affected by the US-Viet Cong war that raged in the 1960s and 1970s and which spilled over the border. It is a landlocked, mountainous country, with significant and unspoilt tropical forest cover. Only a minority of the land is cultivated, but agriculture accounts for around 80% of employment. The main crop is rice, which is grown on the fertile floodplain of the Mekong River. Vegetables, fruit, spices and cotton are also grown. There has been investment in hydro-electric power. The Nam Theun 2 dam scheme was opened in 2010 and generates electricity for export to Thailand as well as for domestic use. Other major hydropower projects are planned. Control of corruption is poor, according to the latest Transparency Index, which places Laos at 145th out of 175 nations. It is 93rd on the Competitiveness Index, scoring very low for infrastructure and technological readiness, but with respectable scores on health and education. Lack of skills and problems with access to finance are cited as the main barriers for doing business. 13
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L O N D O N - S W I T Z E R L A N D - I T A LY
Not Ordinary Disposable
| HOROSCOPES
aries
sCorpio
This period would mark a new beginning or a change of direction – one that will guide you onto a path of an adventure, wonder and personal growth, Keep your faith and trust your natural responses. Practice art of clean thought, clarity of desire, heart and purpose. Material rewards would be there, but only with the deeper understanding that riches go arm in arm with a generous and open spirit. Favourable Dates: Sep 2, 9, 11, 18, 20 & 29 Favourable Colours: White & Yellow
You will be blessed with comfort, vitality, radiance, happiness, joy, enthusiasm, content and good health. If you are looking for a potential partner, don’t hesitate to talk to strangers and you might get the most pleasurable surprise. If you are in a long-term relationship, you will enjoy the benefit of stable love life. It is a perfect time to take your relationship into deeper commitment. Favourable Dates: Sep 2, 4, 11, 13, 22 & 24 Favourable Colours: Orange & Blue
Taurus
saGiTTarius
With power, skill, concentration and intellect you would be able to accomplish what your heart desires. Pay attention on your subconscious qualities and trust your intuition. There is a need for self-control to show power and attain goals. Try to make decision on sound principles, review your plans and modus operandi and be realistic. Honour tradition but expand your awareness. Open your mind to the new possibilities. Favourable Dates: Sep 5, 8, 14, 17, 23 & 26 Favourable Colours: Red & Blue
The award for your hard work has come, but you do not feel happy or contend. Take time to see what are your current options and to decide where should you go now. You have certainly achieved new level, but it is still only up to you to decide whether to stay where you are now or to try to search for even greater success in life. Favourable Dates: Sep 3, 9, 12, 18, 21 & 27 Favourable Colours: Brown & Blue
(21 March-19 April )
(23 October-21 November)
(20 April-20 May )
(22 November-21 December)
Gemini
(21 May-20 June ) You must nurture your creative ideas and care for them. Allow your creations to develop and unfold the same way Mother Earth does. Plant the seed you have been holding and allow your ideas to blossom. Pay attention to your subconscious, particularly your dreams. Know that you have access to higher realms where information can be retrieved. Favourable Dates: Sep 1, 2, 10, 11, 19, 20 & 28 Favourable Colours: Yellow, Purple & Blue
CanCer (21 June-22 July)
This period will bring you revitalized energy to begin something new or to face your challenges. You will often be spurred by a passion and determination. You will set on the path to success, assess your motives and master the situation accordingly. You need not be overly aggressive, but you should be confident and authoritative in situations that require decision-making. Favourable Dates: Sep 1, 2, 10, 11, 19, 20 & 28 Favourable Colours: Yellow, Purple & Blue
VirGo
(23 august-22 september)
If you’ve been struggling, you will find the answer if you stand for a moment and view everything from a broader perspective. A turn of events is in front of you. Be brave and seize the opportunity. You may need the assistance of a leader and the support of a group environment at this time in your life. Favourable Dates: Sep 5, 9, 14, 18, 23 & 27 Favourable Colours: Red & Brown
Libra
(23 September-22 October )
Leo
(23 July-22 August) You will be successful at pursuing your goals, so long as you maintain focus, determination and confidence in your abilities. You need to focus completely on the task at hand, get in the race and win it. You have to dominate and beat the competition. However you need to be the master of your emotions and curb any impulses or anger. Favourable Dates: Sep 2, 7, 11, 16, 20 & 25 Favourable Colours: Black & Blue
This would be the period of new ideas and new opportunities that have the potential for creating wealth and prosperity. Financial and material rewards can be achieved through actions, strategic planning and goal setting. You have been blessed with good fortune and a windfall opportunity, or once in a lifetime event can happen anytime. It can even hint to inheritance or a new job opportunity. Favourable Dates: Sep 1, 3, 10, 12, 21 & 22 Favourable Colours: White & Yellow
CapriCorn
(22 December-19 January) You will have an earnest desire to be recognised as a strong figure of unquestioned achievement and authority. You will be known as the dominant force, the leader and the ‘expert’. You will soon be in a place of confidence and be able to overcome all your obstacles and that you are heading toward a better future. Favourable Dates: Sep 3, 5, 12, 14, 21 & 23 Favourable Colours: Red & White
aquarius
(20 January-18 February ) You are deciding to go on a search for a freedom, that you hope will define who you are and what you should be. Your life may not have any serious problems at this moment and you may have the time to enjoy in simple pleasures, but if you want to have nice future, you must start building its foundation in the present. Favourable Dates: Sep 3, 9, 12, 18, 21 & 27 Favourable Colours: Yellow & Brown
pisCes
(19 February-20 March ) You have endured a good way to assure yourself that, whatever trials lay ahead, you will meet them and you will overcome them as you overcame others. There may be return to a familiar environment or to a childhood place. There will be harmony in relations Balance and caution may be required in a situation that may involve arbitrating between two other parties. Favourable Dates: Sep 1, 5, 10, 14, 23, 28 & 30 Favourable Colours: Yellow & White
MANISH KUMAR ARORA www.heditionmagazine.com
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| THE FUTURE
THE POWER OF FUTURE THINKING
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et me begin with a question: how important is the future to you on a scale of 1 to 10? Considering you’re reading H Edition Magazine, I’m guessing you’re thinking above 8. And that’s great because future thinking is one of the important drivers of growth and prosperity. The power of future thinking is apparent when you compare our society with that of ancient man. From hunter-gatherers, we evolved into cyber-urbanites. That wouldn’t have happened if we didn’t think about the ways we can do things better, easier, and cheaper. Almost everything in our cognition is concerned with the future. If we would take away goal setting, planning, or envisioning the future, only impulsiveness would remain. We wouldn’t even be able to get up and go to the toilet, let alone survive and flourish. The type of future thinking that we’re best at mostly deals with a narrow task in the near future: what we have to do next. Uncertainties and challenges occur when the time horizon lengthens and the task broadens. To imagine the future, you have to be able to think about objects that you can’t see. You’ve got to recognize that unseen objects can change and influence others. Babies start to grasp that concept between 4 to 8 months of exposure to disappearing parents and teddy bears. It takes 3 more years before we can begin to grasp what planning for the future entails. Toddlers can tell you what will happen on their birthday. But that is not insight in the future. That is knowledge of a script for birthday parties. To show future insight, you have to grasp what the future may hold and plan for it. Two Canadian 16
scientists asked kids to pick several attributes to bring on a trip. Only 4-yearolds planned for emergency and boredom. Younger kids just took a snack. That’s how we know that future thinking develops around the age of 4. It’s linear thinking about cause and effect. As adults, we still have difficulty get our heads around more complex reasoning about the future. We can’t really help it, because of the actual, biological limitations of the human brain. With just 3 pounds, our brains are around 2% of our body weight, while it uses roughly 20% of our energy supply. Understandably, our brains try to economize as much as possible. Most of our reasoning is done on autopilot. We start thinking deliberately when circumstances surprise us, but rational analysis is tiring. So when we do it, we try to develop rules of thumb for dealing more easily with that kind of surprise. Generating rules of thumb is our go-to responses to save energy, but it leads to a blind spot for the complexity in our wider environment. There is this wonderful Book of Odds. Sometimes, when it’s raining, I like to look up the odds of a man lying about the number of sex partners he’s has had to protect his ego (1 in 7.1). Or that a person has toast for breakfast (1 in 20). The odds worth sharing here, is the chance of you reading this article, at this day and time, in this place. It’s close to zero. Because for you to read it, all your forefathers during the 10,000 years of human evolution, needed to be born, find a mate, and have a healthy kid. No diseases, no fatal premature accidents, no natural disasters. Not to mention your liking for futurism that needed to blossom against all odds. (Someone has done the math, and the odds are: 1 in 10974076). www.heditionmagazine.com
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Remember the two jars with the white and red marbles our teachers used to illustrate probabilities? Well, the future, as history, holds far too many jars with marbles. Our lives consist of very many events and developments, that may or may not be linked, of which we may or may not be aware, and which develop partly outside our control and over time. So no, the future isn’t predictable. Not by laymen, not by experts. Many experts have made embarrassingly wrong predictions. The difference between experts and laymen is their amount of experience, but they still share the same blind spots for change. Like the famous quote of a CEO of IBM, who said that the world market for computers wouldn’t be larger than 5 PCs. Or Decca Recording who rejected the Beatles: “We don’t like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out”. Boy, they must have had some serious regrets. But then global challenges are real. We do face climate change, although economists and politicians haven’t yet envisaged in great detail what +6 degrees actually means in terms of real damages. We do face challenges like scarcity of vital materials, increasing income inequality, and the emergence of many exciting but possibly disruptive technologies. Challenges we may not be able to escape from by innovation alone. When you’re caught in the dilemma of the unpredictable future and challenges, there are two ways out. First is response flexibility, and second the preferred future. Response flexibility has proven its worth. Take IBM. In the early 1990s, stock prices were falling, and a new CEO was hired.
When appointed, Louis Gerstner spoke the famous words: “The last thing IBM needs is a vision”. Instead of focusing on the core business, IBM started to focus on change in the environment. Employees were rewarded to take risks and making entrepreneurial decisions, and R&D got extra emphasis. Anything that could be patented was patented. It made IBM ready to seize the opportunity when it arose. With this strategy, IBM went from a $62.7 billion revenue with a net loss of $8.1 billion in 1992, to $85.9 billion and net income of $7.7 billion in 2001. Chasing a preferred future is another, more passionate approach that makes it easier to rally the troops. The world we live in is to a large extent the consequence of our own focus and actions. It’s the consequence of the decisions we take about the things we do and that we chose not to do. That view leaves the initiative and direction of our future foremost with us. It gives us the responsibility to develop a future worth working for. It’s also a more honest way of dealing with reality. Instead of focusing on the possible or probable future, the preferred future doesn’t lead to a false sense of certainty. Instead, the preferred future is like an infant. Only its first stages are visible and the mature idea is temporarily confined to our brains. It needs protection and care to grow. As a futurist, or rather a strategy consultant with a very long time horizon, I’m adamant in my fight for the critical assessments of trends and visions. I’m not the one to pretend to know what the future will bring. But I do know that great things are possible, as long as you focus on the business and simultaneously keep an eye out for the early signs of change.
Futurist Barbara van Veen MA advises top managers about the uncertainties in their current business strategy and provides insights into the ways companies can ready themselves for strategic surprises in the future.
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| COVER STORY
ANDREA ILLY
The Pioneer Of CafÊ Culture Andrea Illy is the current chairman of the privately-owned global firm Illycaffè, and he maintains the family tradition of blending continuity and high quality with relentless innovation.
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ome successful brands have become ubiquitous almost surreptitiously: through years of quiet effectiveness and commitment to quality. One of these is Illy, whose familiar red-and-white curvy logo adorns a wide range of espresso machines in our favourite cafes and, increasingly, consumer products such as pods and the home cappuccino gadgets whose popularity has exploded in the last decade. The story behind this Italian icon is fascinating. Illycaffè’s founder Francesco Illy is one of the most under-rated innovators of the 20th Century. A veteran AustroHungarian officer of the First World War, he settled in Italy and invented the high-pressure espresso machine in the 1930s, which has done so much to shape café culture in the decades since. His grandson Andrea Illy is current chairman of the privately-owned global firm Illycaffè, and he maintains the family tradition of blending continuity and high quality with relentless innovation. ‘Illy created the espresso culture,’ he points out. ‘And we now have a global presence – we’re in 144 countries.’ Like many family-run firms, Illycaffè defies much conventional business wisdom. It specialises in one blend of product; it doesn’t minimize costs; it serves the customer, suppliers, workers and environment first and foremost, rather than obsessing over short-term shareholder returns. H Edition was granted an exclusive interview with Andrea Illy in mid-May, shortly after the start of the six-month Expo Milano 2015 sustainability exhibition, for which the ‘Coffee Cluster’ is being curated by Illycaffè. In the interview, he explains how the timeless principles of the firm enable it to honour tradition while continuing to innovate. He describes the principles as: high quality, consistency, delighting customers, nurturing the workers, suppliers and environment; not simply out of concern for society, but by recognizing the interdependence and relationships that ensure a business operates at its best. He exudes the calm confidence of a business leader who knows his firm’s qualities have stood the test of time, and that its recent innovations are paying off. ‘It’s more than a mission; it’s a passion, an obsession,’ he says. ‘A mission for our customers, and passion for our culture, which is based on two fundamental values: passion for excellence – lot of body, goodness and beauty; and the second value is ethics. We understand value as long-term value, building through sustainability; transparency, and people development. ‘It’s a stakeholder company: customers, suppliers, employees, communities. At the bottom of the pyramid, supporting the business, are the shareholders. That is the opposite to the conventional [business model]. It’s the triple bottom line: ‘One is Economic – shareholder value, ‘Two is Social – people development, www.heditionmagazine.com
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lcuni brand di successo si sono imposti negli anni lavorando sotto traccia, in sordina, ricercando ossessivamente la qualità e spostando sempre più in alto l’asticella della soddisfazione. Uno di questi è certamente Illy, il cui logo bianco e rosso è diventato nel tempo sempre più famigliare. Macchine da caffè nei nostri bar preferiti, caffè e capsule da casa, tazze e idee regalo: tutto ha contribuito alla popolarità di un prodotto che è esplosa nell’ultimo decennio. La storia che sta alle spalle dell’iconico brand italiano è senza dubbio affascinante. Tutto inizia con Francesco Illy, fondatore di IllyCaffè, ufficiale Austro-Ungarico durante la prima Guerra Mondiale, stabilitosi poi in Italia, dove inventò negli anni 30 la macchina da caffè espresso ad alta pressione. Un visionario che contribuì a scrivere le prime pagine della “cultura del caffè” così come si sviluppò negli anni a seguire. Un grande innovatore che ha segnato la storia industriale del 20° secolo. Suo nipote Andrea Illy è oggi il presidente di un’azienda globale, rimasta saldamente in mano alla famiglia, che mantiene con garbo le tradizioni legate a qualità e innovazione, nel proporre il migliore blend di caffè. “Illy ha creato la cultura dell’espresso – sottolinea Andrea Illy – ed oggi siamo una realtà internazionale presente in 144 paesi”. Come molti business famigliari di successo, saggezza e buonsenso sono principi che guidano la vita dell’azienda: con attenzione alle esigenze dei consumatori, buone relazioni con i fornitori, ottimo clima aziendale, e attenzione all’ambiente prima di tutto. Una visione di lungo periodo, senza stressare il ‘tutto e subito’, tipico del business mordi e fuggi. H Edition ha incontrato in esclusiva Andrea Illy subito dopo l’inaugurazione dell’Expo di Milano, dove Illy è il Coffee Cluster ufficiale. Nell’intervista ci ha spiegato come i principi senza tempo della sua azienda ne guidino il passo verso il futuro, alla ricerca di una continua innovazione. Alta qualità e consistenza sono il suo credo quotidiano. Andrea Illy trasuda calma e fiducia tipica di un ‘business leader’ che conosce a fondo la sua azienda e il mercato. Consapevole che gli sforzi per continuare ad innovarsi abbiano pagato, guarda con fiducia al futuro. “È più di una missione, è una passione ossessiva” – ci ha detto. “Una missione rivolta ai nostri clienti e alla cultura del prodotto, sempre alla ricerca dell’eccellenza”. L’etica è il secondo pilastro su cui basa la sua leadership. “Apprezziamo la crescita sostenibile, trasparente e compatibile con la gente. Valori di lungo periodo che ci hanno sempre accompagnato. Alla base della piramide ci sono gli azionisti, il vertice è fatto di clienti, fornitori, dipendenti e la nostra comunità: l’opposto dei business convenzionali”. Il nostro modello si fonda sulla creazione di valore per gli azionisti, attenzione al sociale e all’ambiente. No all’inquinamento e agli sprechi, si ai processi basati sulle risorse 21
| COVER STORY ‘Three is Environmental – where the guiding principle is respect: no pollution, no waste, renewable resources/ processes.’ He points out that the innovations in the coffee industry in the past 10-15 years have actually helped the grower. Fierce competition to provide a rich, fresh and complex flavour in the cup – whether it’s at home or in a café – have led to an explosion of coffee shops, and innovations such as the individually served coffee pod, in which each cup is made fresh from a sealed container. This has transformed coffee from being a commodity to a product with considerable added value, and Illycaffè has been able to pass on some of this to the producer. This is a particularly valuable service to provide in coffee, where the raw material price is so volatile, says Illy: ‘For example, at the beginning of 2002 the price was an all-time low of 40 cents per pound. Ten years later it was $3.23 per pound. It is difficult. It is worse than oil. The impact on producing countries is much worse – they are mostly developing countries. Some 25 million families rely on coffee for their livelihood. Coffee underwent a positive revolution from commodity to high added-value. This has led to more consumption and a premium price.’ He adds: ‘Illy purchases directly from the grower, which helps their livelihood. In general, the market is passing more financial resources and more value to the producing countries. Our goal is to end poverty in the rural coffee-producing communities. It is feasible.’ This is not simply a case of social responsibility, but enlightened self-interest. The objective is to nurture and sustain the skilled farmers whose contribution is so obviously essential. In addition, companies that rely on agriculture in a world of rising human population and pressure on land and other resources cannot ignore the looming environmental pressures. Climate change is already beginning to have an impact. In some tropical areas, high temperatures or excessive rain has posed problems for growers. This has particularly been a problem in Central and South America, he says. Illycaffè’s focus is quite radically different from many conventional firms that are more focused on costs. In an Economist lecture in 2012, for example, Andrea pointed out that the firm does not deploy the highly fashionable ‘just-in-time’ supply chain practices, because that might compromise quality. Instead, the firm pays for warehousing, which he acknowledges adds to working capital, but which ensure the best product is in stock, guaranteeing the highest standards of taste and, as a result, the strength of the brand. As a privately owned company that ‘doesn’t do politics’, Illycaffè doesn’t attract the same controversy as Starbucks or Costa Coffee – firms that it is increasingly in direct competition with, through its range of business-to-consumer enterprises, which include coffee pods and cafes. 22
rinnovabili.” Illy ha sottolineato come l’innovazione dell’industria del caffè, negli ultimi 10-15 anni, abbia aiutato la crescita. L’accanita competizione per proporre il miglior mix di gusto, freschezza e complessità di sapore nella tazzina del caffè (a casa come al bar), ha portato ad una esplosione dell’offerta. Sono nate le catene di coffee shop e le nuove capsule per l’espresso da casa che hanno rivoluzionato il mercato. La tazzina del caffè si è trasformata da una commodity slegata da un vero e proprio marchio, ad una esperienza avvolgente, capace di raccontare una storia. E di questa trasformazione il marchio Illy ha saputo essere protagonista. “All’inizio del 2002, il prezzo della materia prima era di 40 centesimi per libbra. Dieci anni dopo era volato a 3,23 dollari. Un mercato difficile, più complesso di quello del petrolio, per l’impatto sui paesi produttori, che spesso sono paesi ancora in via di sviluppo. 25 milioni di famiglie vivono sull’industria del caffè, che ha attraversato – non senza difficoltà – i cambiamenti degli ultimi anni, trasformandosi in un prodotto ad alto valore aggiunto”. “Illy acquista la materia prima direttamente dai produttori – ha proseguito Andrea Illy – il che contribuisce in modo determinante al loro sostentamento. In generale, il mercato trasferisce più di prima valore ai paesi produttori; il nostro obiettivo è la fine della povertà delle zone rurali dove insistono le comunità che curano la coltivazione del caffè. Penso davvero che sia possibile. Non si tratta soltanto di responsabilità sociale, ma di una visione più illuministica: sostenere e guidare, formandoli, gli agricoltori dei luoghi è la scommessa più importante ed essenziale. Inoltre, per chi come noi scommette sull’agricoltura in un mondo dove crescono la popolazione e l’utilizzo delle risorse del pianeta, non è possibile ignorare le imminenti sfide che l’ambiente stesso ci prospetta. Le modifiche climatiche hanno iniziato a creare conseguenze: in alcuni paesi tropicali le alte temperature e le piogge eccessive stanno ponendo problemi significativi per i coltivatori. Questo per noi è vero soprattutto in Centro e Sud America”. “Il focus di IllyCaffè è profondamente diverso dall’approccio più tradizionale, basato solamente sull’attenzione ai costi”. In una conferenza economica del 2012, Andrea Illy, per esempio, sottolineava come la sua azienda avesse preso le distanze dai modelli gestionali più in voga, come quelli che predicavano la catena del valore ‘just in time’. Questo perché il rischio di compromettere la qualità del prodotto finale era troppo alto. La decisione di investire nel livello di stock della materia prima, con l’ovvio impatto finanziario di tale scelta, poteva per contro garantire il miglior livello di qualità nel sapore del caffè, con un ovvia conseguenza sulla percezione del brand. L’approccio di Andrea Illy al business passa inevitabilmente per la profonda conoscenza e la passione per il suo prodotto e le sue infinte varietà di sapori. “Stiamo crescendo nell’area B2C, somministrazione
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At the heart of his approach to business is a deep understanding of, and passion for, the product: the infinitely subtle varieties of flavour that coffee. ‘We are growing in our B2C business: cafes and online shops. Maintaining product strategy same as it is now: contribution to the positive revolution. It’s similar to wine: that has 5,000 years of history, whereas coffee only has 1,000 years. No two bottles of wine are the same.’ This passion and commitment ensures a continued stream of new ideas. The stylish Espressamente stores have been opened around the world; the Iperespresso capsules involve two-stages: infusion followed by an emulsification process that mixes aromatic oils with air to enrich the flavour and produce a creamy texture. The next development, Illy says, is personal tailoring of the blend of nine Arabica beans that Illy uses, with a computer programme that matches an individual’s taste to their ideal combination. ‘The software calculates your taste profile, which percentage, to give you your own brand, unique to you,’ he says.
e vendite on line – ha aggiunto – Il focus è mantenere immutate le strategie di prodotto. È come per il vino, che vanta 5000 anni di storia contro 1000 per il caffè: non esistono due bottiglie perfettamente identiche”. Una passione che, unita all’impegno costante permette di sviluppare nuove idee. Come la catena di caffè all’italiana Espressamente che sono oltre 160 nelle più importanti città di 34 paesi. Si trovano negli aeroporti, nelle vie più frequentate, nei centri commerciali di alta qualità. Oppure nei musei: luoghi della cultura e del cuore. Oppure le capsule Iperespresso che creano una crema densa e persistente che si forma dentro, e non sopra il caffè, per un caffè espresso come nei migliori bar. “Il blend Illy esprime un ideale di equilibrio e perfezione – ha proseguito Illy. È composto da nove diverse Arabica, selezionate dai migliori raccolti del mondo. Ogni varietà contribuisce al risultato finale: una nota che i palati allenati, o semplicemente dotati, sanno riconoscere e apprezzare. L’olfatto, il palato e il gusto dell’intenditore accolgono una ricchezza e un’emozione che nessuna singola qualità di Arabica, da sola, potrebbe dare”. La capacità innovativa e l’approccio sempre più sofisticato, si riflettono perfettamente nell’Università del Caffè nata dal patrimonio di conoscenze raccolte nel corso di questa lunga storia e dal desiderio di condividerle, con l’obiettivo di promuovere e diffondere la cultura del caffè di qualità.
This is a company, and an industry, that is becoming more innovative and sophisticated, reflected in the University of Coffee, set up by Illy and now based in Trieste, bringing growers, the hospitality industry and consumers together. Doubtless there will be new innovations. There will also be new and unexpected market and environmental challenges. But it looks as though the third generation of the entrepreneurial Illy family is ready.
Senza dubbio ci saranno altri innovatori, nuovi mercati e sfide commerciali che dovranno tenere conto delle esigenze dell’ambiente. Ma una cosa è certa: la terza generazione della famiglia Illy è pronta a raccogliere la sfida.
Coffee facts Between 1990 and 2000 coffee consumption went up 1.7% per year but demographic increase was 1.4%, so there was only a tiny per capita increase. Between 2000 and 2010 it rose 2.7%, while demographics were still rising 1.4%. Until recently, consumption was 80% in OECD countries; now it’s 50%, with consumption increasing in India, China and Brazil. With revenues of close to $100 billion, coffee is the most traded tropical agricultural commodity. Some 500 billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide every year. By Philip Whiteley. For more on Expo Milano 2015, go to: www.expo2015.org
Il Caffè in pillole Tra il 1990 e il 2000, il consumo di caffè è cresciuto dell’1,7% all’anno, a fronte di un incremento demografico del 1,4%. Tra il 2000 e il 2010 – la crescita dei consumi è salita al 2,7%, sempre a fronte di un +1,4% nella popolazione mondiale. Sino a poco tempo fa il consumo mondiale di caffè era concentrato all’80% nei paesi dell’OCSE. Oggi tale percentuale è scesa al 50%, con consumi in forte crescita in India, Cina e Brasile. Con un fatturato vicino ai 100 miliardi di dollari, il caffè è il prodotto agricolo più commercializzato al mondo. Oltre 500 miliardi di tazze di caffè vengono consumate ogni anno nel mondo.
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| ASIA NEWS
Hungry Bear, THirsTy Dragon
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ussia and China make an unusual partnership in today’s world stage. When the two large empires first encountered each other in the seventeenth century they soon came to blows over territory. Relations in later years were suspicious and competitive; during the Cold War the two became bitter rivals. However there has been a détente of sorts between the two since the 1990s, based on shared interests and a perception that the present world order is too influenced by America. This process has accelerated since the coming to power of the nationalistic and conservative regime of Vladimir Putin, and the rise of China as the world’s biggest energy importer. Russia is keen to explore new markets for its oil and gas reserves. Previously the Kremlin’s biggest customer, the crisis in Ukraine has led the European Union to accelerate moves away from dependence on Moscow as an energy supplier. Meanwhile Western sanctions and a fall in the global price of oil last year led to massive capital outflows amid concerns about a collapse of the rouble and a government default. The onset of spring together with the latest ceasefire in Ukraine more-or-less holding allowed a fragile sense of calm to return regarding Russia’s economic prospects. But the Russian economy continues to face serious structural problems dating from the Soviet era even as the country’s currency recovers from the plunge in value it took last winter. Still the Kremlin believes that it has weathered the economic and geopolitical fallout from Russian activities in Ukraine last year. The rouble was one of the best performing emerging countries in early 2015. By contrast in the last quarter of 2014 capital flight hit a peak of $77 billion according to a Chatham House report. The imposition of informal capital controls and intervention in support of the rouble prevented a rout and 2014 even ended with a modest growth in GDP of 0.3%. The formation of the inefficient Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) on schedule, a partial recovery in the price of oil and the continued hunger for energy from China
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(even after a slowdown there) has allowed Moscow to resume a business-as-usual attitude towards the rest of the world. Russia’s economic situation has deteriorated and capital is still leaving Russia, but there will be no liberalising reform of Putin’s authoritarian centralisation of the Russian economy into a state-led model of crony capitalism. To do so would be to admit that the present political economy’s model is failing to achieve sufficient sustainable economic growth for ordinary Russians. Moscow has shown no inclination to either loosen the state’s hold on the lucrative energy sector that has held back and corrupted Russia’s development, nor to reduce the 18.7% of the government budget devoted to defence in an economy approximately the size of Spain’s. This is in spite of Russia’s economic vulnerability to Western sanctions precisely because of its over-reliance on energy prices and because Russia’s government misallocates its budgetory resources. In February, as Russia headed into recession, most sectors were in line for 10% cuts but a boost to defence spending of 33% still went ahead. Compared to the military, education is currently languishing at 11.5% of government spending, while health care gets 10.8%. Meanwhile investment is still falling year on year, manufacturing growth remains weak despite the strong rouble, and annualised inflation is in double figures. These are not the signs of a balanced economy in robust recovery. Instead they show that scarce public funds are still being given to constituencies important to the Kremlin, such as the military, while the government’s revenue streams remain hostage to fortune. Continual political shenanigans over profitable companies have undermined investor confidence in Russia’s post-Soviet property rights regime even as corruption and capital flight have seen much of its oil and gas profits frittered away overseas. China’s political and economic situation is more complex but it offers Moscow an attractive alternative to internal
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reforms. China seeks a diverse array of energy suppliers to fuel the economic growth that legitimises communist rule. While it is presently engaged in a domestic anticorruption drive it maintains a diplomatic silence about other governments and lacks an irksome civil society like Europe’s. The pair also share certain political beliefs, such as a suspicion of democracy and local nationalisms, and already cooperate in security matters through the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The latter is important because although it is often just a talking shop, it includes almost all the Central Asian states of the former USSR. Moscow has always been sensitive to Western economic and political penetration of its former territories and satellites but has shown willingness to tolerate Beijing’s presence in Central Asia when the lure of cross-border pipelines arose. Besides which, China is presently more concerned with adjusting the regional balance of power in East Asia in its favour than Central Asia. Moscow has purposely excluded it from the EEU’s free trade zone, despite its long border with Kazakhstan and yet China has not strenuously objected.
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Beijing’s thinking is reflected in its energy arrangements. China became the globe’s largest net importer of oil in September 2013. Since 2011 geopolitical events have meant that exports from previous Chinese partners like Iran, South Sudan, Sudan and Libya have dropped and China has replaced them with a basket of new states including Russia. Moscow is doubly attractive to Beijing as an energy exporter because if routes through Central Asia can be expanded and linked up China can bypass the strategic US-controlled Malacca Straits. Meanwhile the erosion of Russia’s near-monopoly on Europe’s gas market meant Beijing was able to dictate advantageous terms in 2014 to President Putin when he visited China to negotiate a thirty year deal to supply China from Western Siberia. Expect Russia and China to stick together as long as Beijing’s energy needs remain dependent on fossil fuels. By Neil Thompson
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| THE FUTURE
Welcome to 2050 “So what lies in store for the second half of the 21st Century? In such uncertain times, I’ll not be making any predictions…”
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t is 2050 and the world is on the cusp again. It seems like we have been here before: the tense moments in the Cold War; the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001 and US Middle East incursions that followed. Now the issues are fears over scarce resources eclipsing climate change as an environmental challenge; security, debt and shifting balance of power, especially as China replaces the USA as the world’s dominant military power. The world staggers from crisis to crisis, with an unexpectedly positive development emerging from time to time. In economics, successive waves of cheap money unleashed by central banks of major economies in the 2010s and 2020s were only partially effective: encouraging investment in some sectors where rapid development was helpful – such as renewable energy – but also creating further speculative asset bubbles in property, shares and government bonds. The great dollar crash of 2026 had a particularly profound effect on the USA and the world. It was left to a Democrat President to cut welfare, and then the Republican successor to cut defence as successive administrations sought a soft default through higher inflation. Slashing the US Navy altered the global balance of power. The split of the European Union into essentially three zones was a protracted, painfully drawn-out affair. The northern continental bloc of Benelux, Denmark, Finland, Austria and Germany became a unified and high-achieving economy, with a shared currency, the Northern Guilder, and in 2028 became the first large, advanced economy to reach 100% level of renewable energy.
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Meanwhile Norway, Sweden, Ireland, the semi-independent Scotland and the rest of the UK formed the Atlantic European Trade Pact. Less cohesive and technologically advanced than the Nordic Union, it has nonetheless held together so far. The Southern European Union was led by France, Spain and Italy. Freed of the dysfunctional euro, many Spanish cities, the Ile de France and northern Italy in particular were able to develop rapidly. The economic outcome for the continent of Europe was relatively benign for some years, but the Old Continent faced perennial threats from Islamist incursions and a latent threat from the east, especially after Russia completed its control over Ukraine in the mid-2020s, and formed treaties with ex-European Union states Greece, Romania and Bulgaria. In Europe, nations prioritized welfare and health spending over defence, tacitly assuming the USA would provide protection – which it did until its own crisis hit in the late 2020s. With some eastern European states opting for the Russian umbrella, there was talk of a ‘new Cold War’ but an uneasy peace became established, Russia maintaining dialogue with a weakened but intact NATO alliance, and on occasion the two blocs cooperated to thwart Islamist threats. In the early 2020s the most unlikely alliance ever established combined finally to thwart the semi-formalized Islamic State of the Levant, when Israel, Iran, Russia and NATO launched an ultimately effective land campaign. Unexpectedly benign developments in western Africa and southern South America have been the most positive developments in recent years. In the Cono Sur region, the
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turning point was a major clampdown on corruption in the 2020s to bring Argentina and Brazil in line with Uruguay and Chile. Fate also intervened: the unevenness of climate change left the Mediterranean-style climate of the central zone of the Cono Sur largely unscathed, while repeated droughts in California, combined with fiscal crises at state and federal level and high taxes, encouraging a brain drain south to the Sao Paolo-Montevideo coastal corridor which became the most fashionable hi-tech region, with signs that Ghana and neighbouring African countries are following behind. China, increasingly the world’s dominant military and colonial power, was welcomed as an investor in much of south America and western Africa, but on occasion faced a nationalist-populist backlash when it overplayed its hand. Tension over the Nicaragua Canal in Central America, built as a rival to the Panama Canal with Chinese investment, almost spilled over into all-out war between the USA and China in 2021, but calmer heads prevailed. Climate change has turned out to be more uneven and unpredictable than expected. The huge shift away from fossil fuels in the mid-2010s, led by China, stalled the rise in carbon emissions. Meanwhile re-afforestation programmes acted to soak up excess CO2, and 3D printing slashed the energy consumption of manufacturers. This did not prevent creeping desert in some vulnerable regions, and excessive rainfall in some tropical zones. The coffee price-hike in 2022 led to business insolvency in farming, production and coffee shops, and the appearance of cappuccinos and ‘flat whites’ that were more expensive than champagne. In science and technology, progress was hampered by the human factor. Impressive rises in longevity in developed countries came to a halt in the 2010s and 2020s. The prime culprits were obesity, diabetes
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and other lifestyle-related ailments. While at the turn of the century it had been assumed that genetics would be key, more progress came from a fuller understanding of the microbiome – the complex systemic nature of a human’s microbial life. However, the revelation that many illnesses were caused by processed foods, misuse of antibiotics or environmental toxins was not welcome news to vested interests in the food, chemicals and pharmaceutical industries. A wave of scandals in the USA changed perspectives, and weakened the moral authority of the West, which had sought to clamp down on corruption after the 2015 FIFA scandal broke on how bribes apparently helped fix allocation of World Cup final tournaments. Artificial intelligence and Big Data had a delayed impact. For years, tech firms made the same mistake as town planners in Europe in the 1950s and 1960s who destroyed communities with urban motorways and high-rise flats: expecting people to work around the technology. In a similar way, excessive automation and infringements of privacy led to a backlash against Big Data. Retro was ‘in’ for much of the 2020s: slow travel, personal service, old-style hotels. Many upper income people opted out of social media. Finally, the smartest firms realized their error and began to build systems that respected customer privacy, hiring the best people managers to create teams and make better judgements on use of technology. By 2030, the best people managers were earning more than the best tech geeks. So what lies in store for the second half of the 21st Century? More progress towards valuing the people asset and renewable energy? Or further slides into tribal schisms and global wars over scarce resources? In such uncertain times, I’ll not be making any predictions …. By Philip Whiteley
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| THE FUTURE
The CReDIT SOCIeTY When will you lose your fortune? Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur starting up an organic café, or a successful global entrepreneur looking at the world through an oval window of your private jet, this question must come to your mind. The answer is surprisingly simple. It is lurking from everywhere around you through the interconnected bits of information that comprise your life.
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hanks to the global systemic change initiated by globalization and the propagation of a networked society, our credibility is becoming increasingly more important. In such an intertwined and exposed system, any person, company or institution needs to uphold their credibility with increasing fervour. That is the fundamental tenet of Creditology developed by Pavel Sˇevcˇík, an ex-banker from Prague. In short, Sˇevcˇík says that we are gradually leaving the era of capitalistic society defined by supply and demand cycles and entering a whole new paradigm – The Credit Society, which is above all defined by credit interdependency between people, institutions, states, banks, and companies – all the different players within the global market. Just consider the word credit. It has become a term often used not only in the finance and banking world, but more and more in the everyday language of journalists, politicians as well as common people. We talk about social credit; you may credit the Pope for facilitating discussions between the USA and Cuba. We often talk about political credit; you may credit Boris Johnson for his work as Mayor of London (and no doubt, Boris may eventually use this political credit to run for the Prime Minister seat). Of course, we all talk about the financial credit that we have or haven’t earned with our bank – we may need a mortgage to buy a new home, we may need to finance a new business. All this credit takes time to build, it takes an effort to keep, and it is very easy to lose. Whether you are rich or poor, whether your ultimate goal is building your social, moral, political, or financial credit, you need to nurture it the same way you nurture your personal relationships. Everything around you is more and more transparent, and so you need to remain a credible player within the global credit game otherwise you will lose your fortune. All this is pretty much self-explanatory.
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However, when it comes to the financial and banking worlds, the role of credit remains not so well understood. Surprisingly enough, not even economists talk about the far-reaching implications of the emerging Credit Society for the global economy. Sure, we have heard a lot about credit crunch, the crisis of confidence and so on, but nobody has managed to hit the nail exactly on its head. Sˇevcˇík says that this is because the economists struggle to admit that we are leaving the old economy defined by supply-demand cycles which they are used to and entering the Credit Society which they don’t fully understand. How did the Credit Society exactly come about? It has started proliferating into the realm of economy when the world decided to abolish the gold reserve in the 1970s. In simple terms, the creation of money was no longer fixed by the amount of gold deposited in the basement vault of a central bank, but rather by the bank’s credit rating of its client (i.e. the creditor’s rating of its debtor). This credit rating is a highly intricate relationship between banks, individuals, institutions, states, companies and other banks. Luckily, you don’t need a degree in mathematics to understand how it works, for it is as simple as any other form of credit. Your credit rating is essentially a function of your credibility perceived by the bank; the amount of credit that a bank is willing to provide to you plus the interest rate it charges on top are essentially the expression of the amount of trust the bank invests in your future potential (= your perceived ability to repay the credit). All these are more or less widely known facts which, for some reason, remain hidden to the mainstream economists. For example, take the current Euro Crisis stemming from the looming exit of Greece from the Eurozone (please note that this article was written on 29th June 2015 – before the referendum in Greece).
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Pavel Sˇevcˇík says: ‘The biggest surprise of the second half of 20th Century for me was not the creation of the European Central Bank (ECB) or the common currency. As a creditologist, I have expected that. The transition to stronger currencies is as logical as the gradual growth of public debt which are both conditional to economic development. The biggest surprise for me was that ECB and the Euro have been created without the European Ministry of Finance (EMF) which would be responsible for release of European bonds and for risk-managing the public debts of individual member states (and the EU as a whole). If the EU agreed to the creation of the European Ministry of Finance at the end of the 1990s, the Greek crisis would have been long solved (if it happened at all) and the Euro would have been an even stronger currency.’ To sum up, in the past the economies have been influenced by prices of goods based on the supplydemand relationship, whereas in the Credit Society
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the value is defined by changes in credibility of every single economic player (or rather a sum of credibilities of the individual players that comprise the system – such as member states and the EU). Recognition of a governing law that defines these changes in credibility which Pavel Sˇ evcˇ ík has attempted in his book is key to understanding what influences the amount of money in our accounts, the price of our goods, assets and investments. The credit interdependency between creditors and debtors (which is the willingness of creditors to credit and the ability of debtors to repay) and the overall risk-management of this relationship by every single player in the global credit game is at the very base of the science that may well replace the Economics quite soon – Creditology – and hopefully prevent any future global crises (as well as help prevent your own). Because we are all interconnected players of the global credit game. By Milan Brlík
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| THE FUTURE
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FUTURE 7
hen someone asks me what I do, and I tell them that I’m a futurist, the first thing they ask “what is a futurist?” The short answer that I give is “I use current scientific research in emerging technologies to imagine how we will live in the future.” However, as you can imagine the art of futurology and foresight is much more complex. I spend my days thinking, speaking and writing about the future, and emerging technologies. On any given day I might be in Warsaw speaking at an Innovation Conference, in London speaking at a Global Leadership Summit, or being interviewed by the Discovery Channel. Whatever the situation, I have one singular mission. I want you to think about the future. How will we live in the future? How will emerging technologies change our lives, our economy and our businesses? We should begin to think about the future now. It will be here faster than you think. Let’s explore seven current emerging technologies that I am thinking about that are set to change the world forever.
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Age Reversal We will see the emergence of true biological age reversal by 2025.
It may be extraordinarily expensive, complex and risky, but for people who want to turn back the clock, it may be worth it. It may sound like science fiction but the science is real, and it has already begun. In fact, according to new research published in Nature’s Scientific Reports, Professor Jun-Ichi Hayashi from the University of Tsukuba in Japan has already reversed ageing in human cell lines by “turning on or off” mitochondrial function. Another study published in CELL reports that Australian and US researchers have successfully reversed the aging process in the muscles of mice. They found that raising nuclear NAD+ in old mice reverses pseudohypoxia and metabolic dysfunction. Researchers gave the mice a compound called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide or NAD for a week and found that the age indicators in two-year-old mice were restored to that of six-month-old mice. That would be like turning a 60-year-old human into a 20-year-old!
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How will our culture deal with age reversal? Will we set limits on who can age-reverse? Do we ban criminals from this technology? These are the questions we will face in a very complex future. One thing is certain, age reversal will happen and when it does it will change our species and our world forever.
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Artificial General Intelligence
The robots are coming and they are going to eat your job for lunch. Worldwide shipments of multipurpose industrial robots are forecast to exceed 207,000 units in 2015, and this is just the beginning. Robots like Care-o-bot 4 and Softbank’s Pepper may be in homes, offices and hotels within the next year. These robots will be our personal servants, assistants and caretakers. Amazon has introduced a new AI assistant called ECHO that could replace the need for a human assistant altogether. We already have robots and automation that can make pizza, serve beer, write news articles, scan our faces for diseases, and drive cars. We will see AI in our factories, hospitals, restaurants and hotels around the world by 2020.
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Vertical PinkFarms
We are entering the techno-agricultural era. Agricultural science is changing the way we harvest our food. Robots and automation are going to play a decisive role in the way we hunt and gather. The most important and disruptive idea is what I call “Vertical PinkFarms” and it is set to decentralise the food industry forever. The United Nations (UN) predicts by 2050 80% of the Earth’s population will live in cities. Climate change will also make traditional food production more difficult and less productive in the future. We will need more efficient systems to feed these hungry urban areas. Thankfully, several companies around the world are already producing food grown in these Vertical PinkFarms and the results are remarkable. Vertical PinkFarms will use blue and red LED lighting to grow organic, pesticide free, climate controlled food inside indoor environments. Vertical PinkFarms use less water, less energy and enable people to grow food underground or indoors year round in any climate. www.heditionmagazine.com
Traditional food grown on outdoor farms are exposed to the full visible light spectrum. This range includes Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue and Violet. However, agricultural science is now showing us that O, Y, G and V are not necessary for plant growth. You only need R and B. LED lights are much more efficient and cooler than indoor florescent grow lights used in most indoor greenhouses. LED lights are also becoming less expensive as more companies begin to invest in this technology. Just like the solar and electric car revolution, the change will be exponential. By 2025, we may see massive Vertical PinkFarms in most major cities around the world. We may even see small Vertical PinkFarm units in our homes in the future.
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Transhumanism By 2035, even if a majority of humans do not self-identify as Transhuman, technically
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they will be. If we define any bio-upgrade or human enhancement as Transhumanism, then the numbers are already quite high and growing exponentially. According to a UN Telecom Agency report, around 6 billion people have cell phones. This demonstrates the ubiquitous nature of technology that we keep on or around our body. As human bio-enhancements become more affordable, billions of humans will become Transhuman. Digital implants, mind-controlled exoskeletal upgrades, age reversal pills, hyper-intelligence brain implants and bionic muscle upgrades. All of these technologies will continue our evolution as humans. Reconstructive joint replacements, spinal implants, cardiovascular implants, dental implants, intraocular lens and breast implants are all part of our human technoevolution into this new Transhuman species. 35
5
Wearables and Implantables
Smartphones will fade into digital history as the high-resolution smart contact lens and corresponding in-ear audio plugs communicate with our wearable computers or “smart suits.” The digital world will be displayed directly on our eye in stunning interactive augmented beauty. The Ghent University’s Centre of Microsystems Technology in Belgium has recently developed a spherical curved LCD display that can be embedded in contact lenses. This enables the entire lens to display information. The bridge to the smart contact starts with smart glasses, VR headsets and yes, the Apple watch. Wearable technologies are growing exponentially. New smart augmented glasses like Google Glass, RECON JET, METAPro, and Vuzix M100 Smart Glasses are just the beginning. In fact, CastAR augmented 3D glasses recently received over a million dollars in funding on Kickstarter. Their goal was only four hundred thousand. The market is ready for smart vision, and tech companies should move away from handheld devices if they want to compete. The question of what is real and augmented will be irrelevant in the future. We will be able to create our reality with clusters of information cults that can only see certain augmented information realities if you are in these groups. All information will be instantaneously available in the augmented visual future.
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Atmospheric Water Harvesting
California and parts of the south-west in the US are currently experiencing an unprecedented drought. If this drought continues, the global agricultural system could become unstable. Consider this: California and Arizona account for about 98% of commercial lettuce production in the United States. Thankfully we live in a world filled with exponential innovation right now. An emerging technology called Atmospheric Water Harvesting could save California and other arid parts of the world from severe drought and possibly change the techno-agricultural landscape forever. Traditional agricultural farming methods consume 80% of the water in California. According to the California Agricultural Resource Directory of 2009, California grows 99% of the U.S. almonds, artichokes, and walnuts; 97% of the kiwis, apricots and plums; 96% of the figs, olives and nectarines; 95% of celery and garlic; 88% of strawberries and lemons; 74% of peaches; 69% of carrots; 62% of tangerines and the list goes on. Several companies around the world are already using atmospheric water harvesting technologies to solve this problem. Each company has a different technological approach but all of them combined could help alleviate areas suffering from water shortages. The most basic, and possibly the most accessible, form of atmospheric water harvesting technology works by collecting water and moisture from the atmosphere using micro netting. These micro nets collect water that drains down into a collection chamber. This fresh water
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can then be stored or channelled into homes and farms as needed. A company called FogQuest is already successfully using micro netting or “fog collectors” to harvest atmospheric water in places like Ethiopia, Guatemala, Nepal, Chile and Morocco. Will people use this technology or will we continue to drill for water that may not be there?
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3D Printing
Today we already have 3D printers that can print clothing, circuit boards, furniture, homes and chocolate. A company called BigRep has created a 3D printer called the BigRep ONE.2 that enables designers to create entire tables, chairs or coffee tables in one print. Did you get that? You can now buy a 3D printer and print furniture! Fashion designers like Iris van Herpen, Bryan Oknyansky, Francis Bitonti, Madeline Gannon, and Daniel Widrig have all broken serious ground in the 3D printed fashion movement. These avant-garde designs may not be functional for the average consumer so what is one to do for a regular tee shirt? Thankfully a new Field Guided Fabrication 3D printer called ELECTROLOOM has arrived that can print and it may put a few major retail chains out of business. The ELECTROLOOM enables anyone to create seamless fabric items on demand. So what is next? 3D printed cars. Yes, cars. Divergent Microfactories (DM) has recently created a first 3D printed high-performance car called the Blade. This car is no joke. The Blade has a chassis weight of just 61 pounds, goes 0-60 MPH in 2.2 seconds and is powered by a 4-cylinder 700-horsepower bi-fuel internal combustion engine. These are just seven emerging technologies on my radar. I have a list of hundreds of innovations that will change the world forever. Some sound like pure sci-fi but I assure you they are real. Are we ready for a world filled with abundance, age reversal and self-replicating AI robots? I hope so. By Gray Scott, Futurist/Emerging Technology Expert www.grayscott.com www.heditionmagazine.com
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Mayfair, London 38
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THE NEW FINANCIAL ELITE The Rise Of The Billionaire Afropolitans
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frica is rarely associated with the super-rich. However, whilst 50% of sub-saharan Africans exist on just 90p per day, from this continent, so often linked with poverty and hardship, is emerging a new financial elite. In the last five years the number of African billionaires has more than tripled to 55. In the last three years West Africans have spent more than £600 million on property in Mayfair and Belgravia – the most expensive areas of London. Rich, ambitious, very well educated and truly international in their outlook, upbringing and lifestyle, these men and women have been dubbed ‘Afropolitans.’ The term first appeared in 2005, when Nigerian/Ghanaian writer Taiye Selasi coined it to describe multilingual Africans living around the globe, who were ‘not citizens, but Africans of the world’ and was something of a buzzword among those Africans who had migrated to other countries. Ten years on, in Britain, it has come to signify a privileged elite, who have considerable spending power. Take Temi Otedola; style blogger, aspiring fashion designer, and the youngest daughter of one of Nigeria’s richest men, energy tycoon Femi Otedola, who has made an estimated £650m from his dealings in the oil and gas sectors. When Temi turned 18 her family hired the prestigious One Mayfair, and invited 180 guests to a Moulin Rouge themed party which featured a three course meal, cabaret group ‘It Girls’ and a DJ set by her big sister Florence – known as ‘DJ Cuppy’ – fresh from playing at the
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Nigerian President’s Inauguration Gala the previous month. Temi is due to start a degree in Art History at University College London, but for the time being she divides her time between her family’s exclusive Knightsbridge apartment, where she lives with her mother and Lagos where her father’s business is based. She’s also been an intern at Oscar de la Renta and spends her spare time shopping and writing about her fashion finds for her website. Temi’s lifestyle and huge spending power is typical of London’s Afropolitans. It’s been estimated that the 100,000 Nigerians resident in London, spend more than £300 million on education alone – favouring schools such as Eton, Harrow, Wycombe Abbey and Cheltenham Ladies College. According to industry specialist Global Blue, they are also some of London’s biggest spenders, paying an average of £628 per purchase. Richard Vedelago, co-founder of property company Wrothams and Windsor, which specialises in finding luxury London homes for wealthy West African buyers, describes this African elite as having ‘a very aspirational culture.’ He explains that with this culture ‘comes the notion that when you get it, you’re going to spend it.’ Vedelago himself, is a perfect example of this culture: raised in Togo and Nigeria, he was educated at King Edwards boarding school in Surrey and studied International Business Management at UCL, he now divides his time between Nigeria, Dubai and London (where he has a two bed apartment in Belgravia and keeps a Bentley). Like his clients, he sees London as a place to unwind and have fun – which 39
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means it’s also a place to spend money – with places like Selfridges, Harrods and Harvey Nichols being his essential ‘go-tos.’ As a result of this new financial elite many of London’s businesses are booming and Britain’s luxury industry is beginning to see them as a tantalising financial prospect. Restaurants such as Nobu, Hakkasan and Cipriani are benefiting from their patronage, as are exclusive clubs such as Boujis, Mahiki, Libertine and the circus-themed Cirque Le Soir. Concierge companies, are also profiting from their dual home ownership – charging around £500 per month to manage empty homes whilst owners are away. Penny Mosgrove, CEO of concierge company Quintessentially Estates describes how she’s also been asked to bubble wrap trollies full of Waitrose and M&S goods to be shipped ‘by private plane’ to Africa. The financial power of this elite was demonstrated recently at Government level, when Theresa May dropped her proposal to charge a £3,000 security bond to Africans entering the country following objections from executives from Harrods and Saville Row tailors Gieves & Hawkes. Their cultural influence is also being felt in the capital. Selfridges, responding to the pride of African expats in their home culture, has sold fashion ranges by African designers such as Lisa Folawiyo and Lanra Da Silva Ajayi and Boujis has hosted an
Afrobeats night with promoters Cococure. According to Sotheby’s, sales of African art are also soaring – they sold more than £55 million worth of African and Oceanic art last year alone. It seems that the financial and cultural influence of these wealthy Africans is also having an impact in their countries of origin – and not just because many have homes both abroad and in their home countries. Their global spending power means that their home economies may now be taken more seriously. Kola Karim, the 46 year old polo playing boss of Shoreline Energy International, who himself owns homes in England, Nigeria and South Africa, explains; ‘It’s such a large market… they think it’s going to be the next spot to grow.’ This is backed up by research, which suggests that African consumer spending will rise from £550 billion in 2008 to £900 billion in 2020. The fact that a number of international brands such as Hugo Boss have opened shops in West Africa also reflects a growing financial confidence in the African continent. All of this seems good news for Britain – as Africa’s growth continues, so does the wealth of its expats – it’s been predicted that the number of African ultra-highnet-worth individuals will rise by 53% in the next ten years. London looks set to reap the financial rewards created by this growing wealthy elite.
Rich, ambitious, very well educated and truly international in their outlook, upbringing and lifestyle, these men and women have been dubbed ‘Afropolitans.’
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| FUTURE HEALTH
Immortality: Are We Ready To Live Forever? It’s no secret that a global biotech industry is seeing an exponential increase in funding for longevity and anti-ageing research. After all, Calico (a Google-backed life-extension company that launched in 2014) received a whopping $1.5 billion for an all-new research center where researchers will partner with big pharma companies like AbbVie to create and market new drugs for diseases such as cancer and alzheimers.
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mericans seem to hold a stigma against their healthcare system, particularly because most drugs that treat diseases and cancer come with a hefty price tag. You might be wondering, why would the biotech and pharmaceutical industries want to invest so much in finding such cures? There’s good reasons why there’s big bucks in biotech. For the first time in human history, we have access to advanced technologies that are rapidly evolving to allow radical new ways to treat patients and the results are a society that is quickly evolving into a future that looks like something straight out of a science-fiction film. Now, let’s put this into perspective, we’ve never thought of ageing and death as a treatable disease before. By being able to treat ageing and death, that makes every living human being on the planet a prospective patient. So, while curing diseases and cancer might not seem like a profitable move for the pharmaceutical industry, being able to treat ageing and death will create a new drugs and treatments that all of us might be interested in. This also will allow for better marketing since most of the drug commercials and ads we see today only appeal to small percentages of our population who suffer from whichever disease that specific drug might treat. Zoltan Istvan, founder of The Transhumanist Party and a 2016 Presidential candidate, believes that the
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next generation of billionaires is likely to come from the biotech industry and I agree with him. The future of healthcare will look much differently than today. In the next 10-15 years, we’ll be 3D printing organs made from our own stem cells and replacing them. Men will have birth control in a form of an injectable gel that blocks sperm for up to 6 months. MicroChips is creating tiny implants that can deliver drugs over the course of decades and one form of that will be a birth control chip that women can have for up to 16 years and control drug delivery via remote control. Doctors at the University of Maryland are beginning trials on suspended animation, being able to keep patients in a state of limbo between life and death so they can have more time to treat patients in urgent situations. Next year, Dr. Sergio Canavero will attempt the world’s first human head transplant on Valery Spiridonov, a 30 year old Russian man who suffers from a debilitating muscular disease. Today, the blind are beginning to see with bionic eyes, the deaf are receiving cochlear implants to hear for the first time, and a paralysed man kicked off the 2014 World Cup in Brazil thanks to a robotic exoskeleton suit. This is all just the beginning. Perhaps the greatest challenge of all will be defeating ageing and death but that’s not stopping Google Ventures’ Bill Maris.
“If you ask me today, is it possible to live to be 500? The answer is yes,” he said in an article on Bloomberg Business. Bill has $425 million to invest this year and he has the freedom to invest it however he wants. Guess what companies he’s looking for? He’s looking for companies that will slow ageing, reverse disease, and extend life. Google is at the forefront of innovation from Calico’s new research center to Google X ’s project to create a pill that can insert nanoparticles into our bloodstream to detect disease and cancer mutations. There are many experts who believe that we’re on the brink of a future when humans can live to be 500, 1,000, or even immortal, and the answer to longevity might be found from our own molecular biology. Renowned gerontologist and co-founder of the California-based Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence (SENS) Research Foundation Aubrey de Grey recently said “The first person to live to 1,000 may well be alive today.” Aubrey de Grey and The SENS project are working on finding innovative ways to prevent and cure ageing with a detailed plan to repair all types of molecular and cellular damage that happen to us over time. Whether you are skeptical or not, one thing is for certain, our future will look much differently than today. The question is, how far will we go to live forever and should we live forever? With the possibility of humans living to be thousands of years old starting now, perhaps it’s time that we all channel our inner futurist by planning and preparing for potential future scenarios that might impact our own lives as well as the rest of the world. I’m not sure if I’d want to live forever, but I’d like to have the choice. Futurist.com Twitter @missmetaverse
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| THE FUTURE
ARE WE 2 DEGREES FROM DISASTER?
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’ve got high expectations for the UN conference on Climate Change, to be held in Paris in December. If governments can agree on the steps needed to limit global carbon emissions, 2015 could be the most significant year in recent memory for action against climate change. It is hoped that the outcome will be a legally binding agreement which limits emissions to a level sufficient to keep global warming under 2 degrees Celsius, (a cap, agreed by 190 countries, as necessary to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system). Cities have been given a prominent billing in the run up to this year’s conference. C40, the global cities’ climate change leadership group, explains that, by 2050: cities will house more than two-thirds of the world’s population; have the potential to achieve as much as 96% of the greenhouse gas emissions reductions needed for the 2 degrees target; and have the will, and capacity to do so. London is no exception. Whatever the agreement reached in December, global temperatures will remain on an upward trajectory. The question is whether we limit global warming to 2 degrees, or have to cope with disastrously higher average warming. Cities, often low lying and densely populated, are especially vulnerable to the impacts of this warming. In London, the Mayor and businesses have focussed most efforts on mitigating climate change through a reduction in carbon emissions. There has been a tendency for cities to overlook the need to adapt and build resilience to what the future will inevitably bring. The London Assembly Economy Committee was told by Lloyd’s of London, the insurance market, that climate change is probably the single greatest threat to London’s economic prosperity. A recent report from the Committee has uncovered a worrying lack of climate change resilience in London’s economy. And it is not just a picture of vulnerability to increased risk of flooding, drought and heatwave: 44
London’s interdependence with economies elsewhere in the world means substantial risk is ‘imported’ through the financial services sector and international supply chains. Yet these risks, even as their likelihood and potential severity increase, are poorly understood. Incredibly, the Committee’s investigation found that 54 per cent of FTSE 100 firms have no business adaptation plans in place for climate change. Small and medium enterprises are even less likely to have taken steps to prepare for the risk of climate change. Evidence from the Federation of Small Businesses suggests 60 per cent have no plan in place to deal with extreme weather conditions. The adaptation strategies devised by the other 40 per cent rarely take into account the wider vulnerabilities of global supply chains and investments. Water scarcity, extreme flooding, land loss and heatwaves are expected to become increasingly commonplace in the critical food-producing and industrialising regions which provide the basis for many of London’s supply chains. This includes countries like China, India and Indonesia. However, little work has been done to establish the full extent of supply chain vulnerabilities for London’s economy. And businesses, particularly in vulnerable sectors such as hi-tech manufacturing, require assistance to develop the skills to evaluate and respond to the risks they face. The prosperity of London’s financial services industry may also be at risk, because its global investments are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change in other parts of the world. Compounding this is the extent to which major investors based in London are reliant on the performance of companies that produce or trade in fossil fuels – products which will, over time, become less valuable. Any global carbon emissions agreement emerging from the Paris conference later this year could make proven fossil fuel reserves un-burnable, and cause the value of fossil fuel investments to slump. The Committee found that awareness of these potentially severe risks is growing. Some London-based investors have aligned with the global movement to divest from fossil fuels, and The Bank www.heditionmagazine.com
of England is conducting an inquiry into climate change adaptation which will consider the possibility of fossil fuel reserves becoming stranded assets (investments which are effectively worthless owing to strong agreements reached in Paris and elsewhere). The Committee is keen to advocate a transition away from investments in fossil fuels, particularly coal, and instead seeks to encourage investment in more responsible funds. Such investment could help the insurance industry maintain the critical role which it plays in supporting businesses vulnerable to wider climate change risks. Research suggests the financial pressures for insurance companies of continuing to provide commercial insurance in the face of climate change may mean insurance cover becomes less viable for businesses. However, encouraging investment in adaptation technologies leads to increased protection from the risks, thus reducing the costs to the insurance industry, and maintaining the viability of commercial cover.
London is, perhaps, uniquely placed to take advantage of investment in the green economy. The city has internationally recognised strengths in the adaptation sector, which is strong and growing with an estimated turnover of £431 million and around 4,000 employees. A new Mayoral initiative to develop a hub for green entrepreneurship at the Old Oak and Park Royal development site, being built around the new Crossrail and HS2 transport super-hub in North West London, is beginning to take root. This should provide a prime opportunity for investment in much needed adaptation skills, research and business development. London, and indeed many global mega-cities, have some way to go to become resilient to the full range of risks which climate change presents. But the opportunity for action, now, is clear. Developing a risk based, citywide approach will be a vital first step. But to succeed it must be built on a systematic evaluation of the future risks which London’s economy might face. And it must have the flexibility to respond to the uncertain changing climate scenarios we face.
The Committee found that investment can be a force for good in helping SMEs and other businesses adapt to Read the London Assembly Economy Committee report climate change. By encouraging or requiring evidence ‘Weathering the Storm: The Impact of Climate Change of continuity planning from the companies in which they on London’s Economy’. are investing, financial services companies can help improve understanding of the risks posed by future Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb AM climate change. And they are well placed to provide Report author and former Chair of the London Assembly assistance to those companies which might otherwise Economy Committee struggle to respond. www.london.gov.uk www.heditionmagazine.com
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| INTERVIEW
JAMES SHOTTON CEO and Founder of Skytime Jets
J
ames Shotton has been negotiating and acquiring new clients in the private jet market since 2004 which set him in brilliant stead, when in 2012, James seized the opportunity to launch his own private aviation business Skytime Jets. Serving the private travel needs of an elite international client base, with exceptional customer service at the forefront of everything they do and stand for, Skytime Jets ensure that all clients who fly with them experience the very best that private aviation has to offer. Launched in 2012, co-founders James and Kelly Shotton have already firmly established a reputation for delivering above and beyond their clients’ expectations and providing a transparent and honest service, which defies the conventional automated approach to customer service.
What did you do prior to Skytime Jets? I was working for a private jet operator and charter brokerage based at Farnborough Airport. That company was a victim of the down turn post-2008 and finally stopped operating in 2012, which left myself, my wife Kelly and many of our colleagues and employees out of work, so Kelly and I together formulated a plan to launch Skytime Jets. From the outset we were lucky enough to employ many of the other employees whom we had worked with and who had also found themselves in a similar situation. Since the business launched, we have worked together to transform and develop Skytime Jets into a hugely successful venture which goes to show that good things do come out of adversity and faced with a challenging situation we seized the opportunity it presented to set up our own business. 46
What kind of clients travel with Skytime Jets? We have a diverse collection of customers from large Plcs and luxury travel agents, through to private individuals. Historically – and the area we still see great success in – is looking after private clients in much the same way as a family office does. We appreciate that our customers are spending a large amount of money and as such, they demand the highest level of service. We believe that this cannot be achieved by a faceless, online product but instead needs to be achieved by delivering an extremely personal level of care, and the client relationship remains at the heart of everything Skytime Jets do.
Who is your ideal client? One who is discerning and understands and values the level of bespoke care that we put into working with them. When more and more of one’s life is becoming robotic and automated, we strive for the personal and personable.
What do you feel are Skytime Jets biggest achievements, any setbacks or challenges? Without question, the greatest achievement we have had is developing an outstanding reputation and becoming a success in an industry that is dominated by companies pushing for world domination. By remaining focussed on our clients’ needs and the personal relationships we have with each and every one of our clients, we have seen tremendous success culminating in being awarded the Best Jet Provider in Europe at the 2014 World Travel Awards – an award that we have also been shortlisted for again this year, and our most recent
exciting award win, ‘Best Private Jet Hire Service 2015’ a the National Luxury and Lifestyle Awards.
What are Skytime Jets main competitive differentiators? Our personal approach, experience, understanding, transparency and total financial security. We have an exceptionally experienced team and our clients speak directly to them, whenever they want. We spend our days ensuring that our clients can see and feel the luxury aspect of flying privately, with a very personal and hand-held approach to service. We strive to see and do things differently, right from the initial client contact through to ongoing customer care. We combine that with a financial structure which means clients can take advantage of Client and Escrow Accounts dependant on their wishes.
Who accesses your services? We have a wide range of clients from private individuals through to travel agents, concierge companies and large corporations.
How do you choose your planes, do you have a favourite? The aircraft we provide to our customers come from closely monitored and audited approved suppliers. We take great care in knowing and understanding each of the aircraft types on the market to ensure what we offer matches our clients’ needs and desires, and we can do amazing things to create entirely bespoke interiors and exteriors dependant on the client and their needs. My favourite however would be the Dassault Falcon 7X – the ultimate in private travel. www.heditionmagazine.com
Real estate tycoon Donald Trump has a luxurious jet worth almost $100m. How do you justify this amount of money for a private jet? His aircraft is Boeing 757 which was designed to carry two hundred plus people so it is at the extreme end of private travel. What the large price tag does provide is the ability to move large numbers of people to an airport of his choice on a schedule of his choosing. At the end of the day Mr Trump only has to justify it to himself as he is the one picking up the bill!
What makes a private jet so desirable? They provide flexibility, privacy and security. Flying to your own schedule, from quiet airports and exclusive lounges can put the enjoyment and luxury back into air travel.
If you could personally own a private jet, what would it be and how would it look? The Dassault Falcon 7X is an amazing and beautiful aircraft. It can carry up to sixteen people in absolute comfort, with three different zones in the cabin where you can dine, relax and even have a rest in a comfortable bed.
On a personal level, what motivates you? Running a successful company with a motivated team enables me to look after and
provide for my family. We joke that we have two families, our children at home and the team in the office as we spend as much time with both! Right from the setup of Skytime Jets, we had a vision of a company that would care for its employees and clients alike. Achieving this goal is what pushes us on every day.
What have you been doing in terms of branding and image? The Skytime Jets branding is quite different and distinct from the rest of the marketplace. We are here to make the lives of our clients easier and to look after them in the discreet way that a Private Family Office would. Thus our image is that of a niche supplier not a mass market option.
What is your objective for Skytime Jets? To continue to grow the Company as a whole, holding on to the core values that have made us successful. We will not let growth outstrip our ability to continue to look after clients to the highest possible standards.
What do you believe is the future for the private jet market? As the sector of the population that can afford to travel privately continues to grow, I believe you will see more and more people who want a personal relationship
with somebody they can trust. The service that they receive will matter more and more to consumers of private travel and indeed all luxury products and services and they will want and demand the human touch that is often missing in the current rush for technology based solutions. It is our mission at Skytime Jets to remain at the forefront of that as leaders in delivering personal and exceptional service and also to stay ahead of our clients’ needs.
How do you keep your team motivated? Most importantly we ensure they know what we are doing with the Company and why. We also communicate with them regularly to keep them engaged in the Company and make sure they are well rewarded both financially but also by working in a stimulating environment. They are part of the business and integral to it, their opinions are important and valued and we make sure they know that.
If you could board a jet and travel to anywhere in the world, where would it be? I would take my wife and fly to Avignon in southern France before checking into Crillon le Brave in the Vacluese. It’s a quiet peace of heaven for a relaxing holiday as it is off the beaten track and slips a little under the radar. It’s also where we spent our honeymoon.
www.skytimejets.com www.heditionmagazine.com
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Pictures clockwise from top left: Hotel Arlberg Suite at Hotel Arlberg Hotel Z端rserhof Aureus Spa @ Z端rserhof Hotel lobby @ Z端rserho
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Lech and Zürs Exceptional in every way
Nestled in the Arlberg region of Austria, Lech-Zürs has become Austria`s most exclusive skiing resort. A two hour drive from Zurich Airport or just 90 minutes from Innsbruck Airport. Situated at 1.450 metres above sea level, this easily accessible, snow safe paradise will keep every winter sport enthusiast busy, with its 350km of perfectly prepared skiing slopes and 200km off-piste tracks. Accommodation is first class, and you are spoilt for choice with 11 five-star, hotels to choose between.
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he Zürserhof is the place to be if you are looking for an ultra-luxurious but traditional hotel experience. This incredibly stunning resort boasts the ultimate hotel experience. It’s Spa Experience offers five levels of spa over 3.200sqm including a separate kid’s spa as well as the all new luxury Aureus spa. Gourmet dining is high on the list of expertise alongside a stunningly designed hotel boasting tastefully decorated bedrooms to relax and unwind in. The service provided is warm, inviting and nothing is too much trouble. The Zürserhof has been managed and run by the Skardarasy Family for the past 60 years. If you prefer the more lively village of Lech, make a booking at the gorgeous Hotel Arlberg. This five-star hotel is situated right in the centre of the village and has everything required should action be at the top of your list. Chic rooms and a Sense’s Spa which is a tranquil oasis of style and relaxation in the midst of all the action. The Arlberg also has three dining options: the “Stube“ restaurant, a romantic well appointed intimate restaurant offering a classical Austrian cuisine such as fondues and schnitzel. However, if you prefer fine dining then the “La Fenice” is a must – offering delicious Italian classics with a modern twist. Hotel Alberg is another family run hotel, you will feel welcome here the minute you walk through the door.
Should classic cars be a passion of yours then you share an interest with the hotel’s owner Hannes Schneider who is a true car enthusiast and organises his very own annual classic car rally each autumn. In addition to superb accommodation Lech and Zürs offer more than just outstanding hotels. Take a moment to head to Strolz Boutique which is the only store in the World to sell 100% made-to-measure ski boots. If you’re looking for a more general shopping approach then the fashion boutiques here have plenty to offer. Many well-known brands are sold here. Once you have ticked off all of the above the most wonderful part is the sport, whether you are a beginner or a ski professional the world is your oyster here. The alpine Eldorado will keep every skier busy for at least 10 days without ever getting bored. However, should you get hungry or you just need a rest then you could head to the “Balmalm” and enjoy its modern interior, great food and breathtaking views. Should you wish to sample Austrian desserts we would suggest the kaiserschmarrn, “Murmeli“ restaurant serves the finest one I have tasted. After a delicious lunch and an afternoon of heavy skiing ‘Apres-Ski’ commences. There really is no better place for that than in the “Schneggarei” great music, cool crowd and a few beverages to loosen up. All in all a perfect day
By Florian Schaible Director Of Luxury Travel – H Edition & H Ticino www.lechzuers.com www.heditionmagazine.com
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| TRAVEL
Shape the travellers of tomorrow
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ith most of the planet now accessible for travel, what does the future of travel look like? Apart from a limited number of people who may get to leave Earth to become a space tourist, the rest of us must remain on terra firma. But that does not mean that everything will remain the same. With the right level of thought and planning the future of travel is brighter than ever. For years many people have looked at their precious holiday time as an escape from their day to day life. Instead of travelling with a purpose and an aim, people travelled just to get away from it all or to worship the sun from a beach. Now we are seeing more people looking at travel in a different way – as an investment in themselves and their family.
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People look to the future by investing, buying a property or serious financial planning and now travel is being viewed in a similar way. We all try to do the best for our children, get them into the top schools, make sure they receive a great education and grow into amazing adults. But do we all think about travel in that same way? It has been known for many years that by travelling we learn things that can’t be learned in other ways. By visiting other countries you’ll learn to adapt, patience, appreciation, spontaneity, bravery and so much more. Travel enables us to see our own culture more clearly, by contrasting it against others and through that we learn about ourselves. So why not plan your and your child’s travel future together? Think of the long term gains rather than the short term.
Why not plan the legacy you wish to leave behind? Many people leave planning their travel until the last minute, but the smartest of our clients realise that time is their most precious asset. They need to apply the same thinking as they would to their investment portfolio and think long term. Instead of picking somewhere at the last minute to escape to why not strategically select your destinations long in advance – perhaps even years ahead? Many parents buy something on the day their child is born to give to them on their 18th or 21st birthdays. Sometimes it’s a watch, a fine wine or perhaps something more cultural like the number one song, best-selling book or the day’s newspaper. But whatever it is, the thought is there, that one day in the future my child will enjoy
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and benefit from my forward thinking. Why not plan a future of adventures for your child as they grow older? How much will your child thank you when they finally leave home having already travelled the world, discovered numerous cultures and visited wondrous sights? In approaching your child’s future trips as an investment, you can be sure of a future filled with travel. Throughout your life you will move through different phases of what matters the most to you. After university you may travel to find yourself, experience new places or to fulfil youthful dreams. As you get older, your passions may change; you may start a family and so holidays are then about spending time together and pleasing the children. But as you get older still and the kids grow up, you may desire different types of experiences. Perhaps to challenge yourself, or to bond with your older children, perhaps even to spend time as a couple once again. But instead of haphazardly stumbling through these stages, why not plan them, in a more strategic manner. Think about what matters most for you and work towards a goal. When you look back on your life, you will have moments of which you are proud and maybe a few you regret. But we don’t believe taking your child to the Galápagos Islands would ever be the latter. Travelling when you are young is imperative; you will begin to understand that the world is both a big and small place. You will find a new-found respect and compassion for the
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suffering that over half of the world takes for granted on a daily basis. And you will feel more connected to your fellow human beings in a deep and lasting way. There’s no reason you can’t take your child to Disney World, but why not team it up with a visit to Cuba to teach them about Communism? When they study WWI and WWII, what better way to ingrain the knowledge they are gaining in school than by visiting the sites. They will surely have a deeper understanding and compassion for the Holocaust having visited Auschwitz. As they learn about evolution take them to the Galápagos or Madagascar so they can see the effects of evolution first-hand. The options are limitless, Japan for technology, Silicon Valley for computer innovation, China for a developing powerhouse,
Mongolia for a nomadic lifestyle, Egypt, Cambodia, Australia – there are lessons to be learned everywhere. It all starts with a meeting, where we can gather information that allows us to perform an audit on your travel habits. Then we can plan something long term that works for you. By taking the time to do this ahead of time you are investing in your child and their future. If you will travel in life, it makes sense to optimise the best use of both your time and money and something you will look back on with pride and amazing memories. With the right thought and consideration you can help shape the travellers of tomorrow and start a lasting family tradition of exploration. www.brownandhudson.com
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LONDON www.heditionmagazine.com
LONDON LIFE | BUSINESS | EVENTS | INTERVIEWS | LUXURY
Lifestyle in London M A K E
T H E
hook brixton From a market stall in Dublin to their first restaurant in Brussels with continued success the team behind Hook made the cross channel jump to London first for their Camden restaurant and have now recently added Brixton to the list. Everyone loves a fish and chip supper but what makes Hook stand out is the wide range of delights on offer including 50 different styles of Fish & Chips including 30 different homemade sauces, several homemade salts, side
M O S T
O F
dishes and their recently launched range of homemade ice cream. The ever-changing wide choice of dishes available include the Lemon & Basil Tempura of Seabream with Seaweed Salted Chips & Garlic Truffle, Jamaican Jerk Panko Haddock and Lime, Mint & Wasabi Tempura of Seabream, all created to encourage you to try something new for the first time and realise how good it can taste. 53 Brixton Station Road, London, SW9 8PQ
L O N D O N
Lobos The recently opened Tapas, is the perfect story of a true passionate partnership between three guys who worked together before joining together to launch their own adventure, Lobos Meat & Tapas. The restaurant was born from the love of excellent meat cuts, good wine, hospitality, Spain and London. The menu is impressive with meat dishes including a lamb rack with parsley, mint, thyme and rosemary crust, beef rib eye steaks with pan-fried foie gras and marinated pork patty with onion, peppers, candy bacon topped with a fried egg. A menu of tapas is also available making Lobos the perfect destination for all. 14 Borough High Street, London, SE1 9QG; 020 7407 5361
sUvLaki One of the latest delights to grace Soho is the modern, fast casual restaurant Suvlaki. Enjoy delicious Greek street food with acclaimed Greek chef Elias Mamalakis as the consultant chef, who has also designed signature dishes for the menu. ‘Suvlaki’ is a grilled meat skewer eaten plain or inside a wrap and is a great healthy and fast alternative to the much loved burger, pulled pork and burrito options of London. Choose from lamb, chicken pork or vegetable options all cooked using a robata-style grill. The menu also includes side dishes such as fresh herb and vegetable salad and baked feta. 21 Bateman St, London, W1D 3AL; 020 7287 6638 54
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Liberty in Fashion Liberty in Fashion celebrates the 140th anniversary of the company. Liberty has been at the cutting edge of design and decorative arts since 1875, and internationally known for its floral, paisley and patterned prints and dress fabrics. The exhibition charts Liberty’s history as ‘the’ fashionable place to shop as well as its role as the source and originator of key trends in fashion history. Over 150 garments, textiles and objects demonstrate Liberty’s strong relationships with designers since 1875, from Arthur Silver of Silver Studio to collaborations with Jean Muir, Cacharel, Yves Saint Laurent and Vivienne Westwood. 9 October-February 2016, Fashion and Textile Museum, 83 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3XF
the crime mUseUm UncovereD For the first time ever- never-before-seenobjects from the Metropolitan Police’s Crime Museum will go on public display, only ever previously seen by police professionals and invited guests. Explore original evidence and real-life case files which will take you on an uneasy journey through some of the UK’s most notorious crimes from Dr Crippen to the Krays, the Great Train Robbery to the Millennium Dome diamond heist. Created with the support of the Metropolitan Police Service and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), the exhibition will consider the changing nature of crime and advances in detection over the last 140 years, as well as the challenges faced in policing the capital, such as terrorism, drugs and rioting. 9 October-April 2016, Museum of London, 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN
Laptop recovered from Glasgow Airport Terrorist Attack ©Museum of London.
The Krays – briefcase with syringe and poison ©Museum of London.
the WorLD goes pop Tate Modern is ready to tell a global story of pop art, breaking new ground along the way, and revealing a different side to the artistic and cultural phenomenon. From Latin America to Asia, and from Europe to the Middle East, this explosive exhibition connects the dots between art produced around the world during the 1960s and 1970s, showing how different cultures and countries responded to the movement.
totaLLy thames An annual celebration of London’s Thames bringing the river to life with a month-long season of river-related events: art, music, open days, family fun, talks, walks and boats galore.
17 September-24 January 2016 Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG
For further information visit: www. totallythames.org
100 percent Design 2015 Olympia London hosts 100% Design this September, with more than 400 exhibitors launching interior design and architectural products at the UK’s leading contemporary design event.
serpentine paviLion 2015
For further information or to purchase tickets visit: http://www.100percentdesign.co.uk
The Serpentine Pavilion is one of the topten most visited architectural and design exhibitions in the world. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the world-renowned Pavilion commission, an international site for architectural experimentation, presenting inspirational temporary structures by some of the world’s greatest architects. Visit the work of duo SelgasCano, the first Spanish architecture practice to be asked to design the pavilion on the Serpentine’s lawn. Explore the colourful kaleidoscopic structured Pavilion via various entry points, complete with a ‘secret corridor’, and kaleidoscopic effect interior.
23-26 September, Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, Kensington, W14 8UX
Until 18 October, Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, W2 3XA www.heditionmagazine.com
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| SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter guide to the
#FUTUrE
Twitter enables users to follow their personal and work interests and instantly share ideas and information, which is why it is a great tool to keep you one-step-ahead of what the future holds – from technology, travel and inspirational people to business and financial updates. The platform can be used to pursue a vast range of interests, but Twitter have pulled together a selection of accounts in interest areas to specially appeal to H Edition readers.
Technology UpdaTes
BUsiness
The constantly evolving tech landscape is hard to monitor, so why not follow these accounts for all the best updates in 140 characters: • Twitter – @TwitterUK (336K followers)
Twitter can be used as a powerful informative tool to help drive your business forward and shape the future, with inspiration from other brand CEOs as well as news updates:
• Wired – @WiredUK (243K followers)
• Forbes – @Forbes (5.88M followers)
• Tech Crunch – @TechCrunch (5.37M followers)
• Entrepreneur – @Entrepreneur (1.37M followers)
• Engadget – @engadget (1.39M followers)
• Business Insider – @businessinsider (1.16M followers)
• Gizmodo – @Gizmodo (1.45M followers)
• The Economist – @TheEconomist (9.36M followers) • richard Branson – @richardbranson (6.06M followers)
lUxUry Travel
inspiraTional people
For travel inspiration and all the latest on how to travel in style, these accounts are the perfect way to satisfy your wanderlust:
From the spiritual musings of the Dalai Lama to the witticisms of J.K.rowling, Twitter has a huge number of high profile, inspirational users across the globe who are active on the platform:
• A Luxury Travel Blog – @luxury__travel (522K followers)
• Jack Dorsey – @jack (3.06M followers)
• Luxury Travel Magazine – @LuxuryTravelmag (58.8K followers)
• Dalai Lama – @DalaiLama (11.5M followers)
• Stacey Small (Founder of Elite Travel International) – @EliteTravelGal (68K followers)
• Dame Kelly Holmes – @damekellyholmes (104K followers)
• Mr & Mrs Smith – @smithhotels (49.7K followers)
• Oprah Winfrey – @Oprah (28.2M followers)
• Leading Hotels – @LeadingHotels (101K followers)
• J.K.rowling – @jk_rowling (4.89M followers)
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| FINE DINING
ROUX AND THE LANGHAM, LONDON London’s five-AA-star hotel, The Langham, London have partnered with Chez Roux Ltd for a further five years extending services across all dining and event experiences for the landmark hotel. We speak with two of the chefs behind the operation, the talented Michel Roux Jr along with Jamie Draper, Head Chef at Roux at The Landau and Chris King, Executive Chef at The Langham, London.
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Roux at The Landau is ranked among the leading restaurants in London, what has been the secret to your success over so many years? Michel: The Langham shares the same philosophy as us, always striving for perfection. Having these shared values creates an unbeatable atmosphere which is heightened by the classic, elegant cuisine served at Roux at The Landau. However, the secret to our success is keeping to the same mantra we follow in all of our ventures; to delight your guests and leave them perfectly satisfied.
It is wonderful to see such a close Father & Son relationship, do you assist each other with ideas? Michel: I’ve always been surrounded by my family and especially my father in the kitchen. On the first day of my life, I was nearly born in a kitchen! We have a lot of mutual respect for one another and I still learn new things from him every day. He is a very wise man. Albert and I work together regularly whether it be for Chez Roux Ltd, Restaurant Associates corporate dining, Roux Scholarship, Roux at Parliament Square, Roux at The Landau at The Langham, London or even the early days of Le Gavroche. As a result, this particular experience has been very normal and familiar.
Your business Chez Roux Ltd has partnered for a further five-years with the five-AA-star hotel, The Langham, London, this time extended across all dining and events. What inspired this? Michel: It seemed only natural and a really exciting thing to do. It’s our first venture into an all-encompassing Roux experience and something that has never been done at a London luxury hotel. Leaving the guest feeling satisfied and moved by a wonderful experience can now be extended to not just lunch or dinner at Roux at The Landau but breakfast in bed, delectable nibbles with your cocktails at the Artesian or, even private dining for your wedding. The partnership is part and parcel of the Chez Roux philosophy that believes it’s all about creating a memorable experience for the guest and a wonderful opportunity for the Roux family to welcome guests into their world of hospitality.
What goes into creating a menu for such an elegant restaurant located within a five star landmark hotel? Jamie: We work very closely with our suppliers buying the best produce, always seasonal and, as much as possible, from Britain. We also look at trends and assess dining patterns so we can best cater to our guests. My heart truly lies in food and wine, and I cook in a slightly more rustic style, so I try to incorporate elements of this into our menus.
Classic dishes are now available in the Palm Court, what would you say was the main difference between menus there to the one available in the two-AA-rosette Roux at The Landau restaurant? www.heditionmagazine.com
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| FINE DINING
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Chris: The Palm Court will shortly be launching a new brasserie style menu in partnership with Chez Roux (with the Afternoon Tea by Cherish Finden continuing) – Roux at The Landau will continue to provide a fine dining experience. The common element will be the Chez Roux menu and service.
Michel: Jamie is a true asset to Roux at The Landau and brings his passion for ‘rustic’ cuisine and a great energy to the restaurant. We are delighted that he is now at the helm of the restaurant.
What food experience can one expect from the relaunched Langham Club and room service?
Jamie: The sea bass from the a la carte is one of my favourites, We use line caught wild sea bass which is firm and meaty in texture, and the lemon-honey marmalade is so zesty and fresh, its great for the summer.
Chris: Small plates, bowls and verrines from the different outlets and the chance to experience tastes of The Langham, London. Jamie: The Langham Club serves a variety of menu options including Afternoon Tea, Roux at The Landau and canapés. In terms of Room Service, this will be a new concept for London as it will also incorporate the Chez Roux cuisine and we are introducing the offering as ‘private kitchen’, rather than ‘in-room dining’, to emphasise the level of personalised service that is characteristic of Chez Roux and The Langham, London.
Chris King has been promoted from head chef of Roux at the Landau to executive Chef of the hotel, what will his role entail? Michel: Chris will oversee the Food and Beverage for all the hotel outlets – he is responsible for ensuring that the entire hotel offers a consistency and excellence throughout.
Your clientele are in for an experience, what one dish would you recommend off the menu?
Where do you source your new seasonal produce? Jamie: We work closely with our trusted suppliers to source the best from the markets, shores and farms of Britain taking inspiration from the very best produce in season.
Do you have a favourite ingredient? Michel: Chocolate.
Other than your own restaurants, where is your favourite place to dine in London? Michel: Zuma, Nobu, Chez Bruce, there are too many to mention. But for a cheap eat, I always head to Fung Shin in Soho or for something local, The Dairy in Clapham.
Sum up London in a word. Michel: Tasty!
Jamie Draper, Roux at The Landau’s young Chef de Cuisine, has been working alongside you for five years, does he bring the modern approach to the Roux’s trademark style of classically-constructed French dishes? www.heditionmagazine.com
The Langham, London 1C Regent Street London W1B 1JA www.rouxatthelandau.com 020 7636 1000 61
| COSMETIC BEAUTY
Industry Trends including the rise of the ‘Lunch-time’ Treatment and the Fight Against Ageing By Dr Ohan Ohanes M.B.Ch.B., PGDip Clinical Dermatology, H Edition’s Cosmetic Doctor & Beauty Specialist
I
have seen a rapid growth within the industry in the last few years, greater consumer awareness of anti-aging treatments and younger generations wanting to fight or prevent the signs of ageing. But it’s not just facial aesthetic treatments which have attributed to the popularity and increase of cosmetic procedures. Body shaping and radio frequency contouring procedures have also increased. A key factor is minimal down time and faster recovery enabling the patient to go back to work or carry on with their everyday life. With the help of ongoing research we have pure products with fewer side effects and advanced smoothing creams along with minimal makeup helping the patient to be more discrete with their treatment. Patients are looking for fresher looking skin which enhances their natural beauty and they try to avoid invasive treatments and general anesthetics surgery. The media has had a significant part to play in promoting ‘lunch-time’ treatments. These are particularly beneficial for patients who lead busy stressful lives who previously
may not have had the time to address their concerns. Recently I have seen a high increase in lip fillers, it has become more popular and to be seen as a very high trend. Cosmetic surgery and anti-aging procedures were once a luxury for the wealthy but I have seen that there has been a significant price drop and with the help of advanced treatments it has become affordable with reasonable pricing.
The latest treatments Aqualyx is a new treatment for the body and face – FDA approved The treatment is ideal for small pocket sized areas of fat for example under the chin would be the perfect location to treat as it a common concern for adults and is usually a very difficult area to treat but Aqualyx delivers excellent results. You will be placed under local anaesthetics with less down time and reduction in fatty deposits can sometimes be seen after just one treatment, however between three
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and six sessions are required to see the true effect. Many areas of concern can be treated including double chin, jowl, upper arms, love handles and many further problem areas.
Silhouette Soft thread Lift – New treatment The Silhouette Soft Thread Lift is the latest in non-surgical facial rejuvenation and appeals to those wanting to tighten sagging facial skin/jowls and increase the production of collagen, and usually appeals to patients in their mid 30’s to 40’s who are experiencing some early sagging and perhaps are not yet surgical candidates. Unlike previous thread lifts, there are no incisions and the sutures are dissolving. Instead, a fine needle is inserted about 3-5mm under the skin and progressed along the direction of lift that is desired. Usually two threads are placed on each side to achieve the desired lift in any given region. The results are seen almost immediately and can last from 12-18 months.
With the help of ongoing research we have pure products with fewer side effects and advanced smoothing creams along with minimal makeup helping the patient to be more discrete with their treatment
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Conoscenza & Ricchezza Di Carlo Pelanda
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erché nelle democrazie il tema dell’investimento in conoscenza viene spinto dalle Banche centrali ed ignorato dalla politica?
Nel 2003 Alan Greenspan predisse: senza investimenti sull’istruzione non sarà possibile creare un’economia trainata dalla conoscenza e quindi una crescita senza inflazione grazie all’incremento della produttività. Robert Reich, ministro del lavoro (1992-96) nell’Amministrazione Clinton cercò una sorta di terza via tra il modello statunitense delle garanzie indirette – non difendo il tuo posto di lavoro, ma configuro il sistema affinché tu ne trovi un altro se lo perdi – e quello europeo delle garanzie dirette – rendo difficile licenziarti – inserendo l’educazione (continua) come nuova garanzia. Clinton lo licenziò. In quegli anni iniziai a studiare un welfare di investimento che trovasse convergenti destre e sinistre centriste e potesse diventare un modello unico per America ed Europa: meno tasse e loro impiego prevalente non per spese di apparato, ma per finanziare un vero potere cognitivo di massa. L’idea era di costruire una nuova garanzia come valore di mercato basato sulla competenza che permettesse ad un lavoratore di evitare la necessità della garanzia diretta e potesse sentirsi meglio, e più mobile, nell’ambiente di quelle indirette. Chiamai tale nuovo welfare “terza fase della rivoluzione democratica” intesa come trasferimento di facoltà dai pochi ai molti: prima, del potere politico (democrazia); seconda, della ricchezza (capitalismo di massa); terza, della conoscenza. Scenarizzai che senza la terza fase le prime due non si sarebbero stabilizzate, facendo implodere il sistema, non più spinto dalla demografia, per una restrizione nella trasformazione del capitale umano in finanziario e viceversa. Lo scrissi ne Il fantasma della povertà (Mondadori, 1995),¸Lo Stato della crescita (Sperling, 2000); Futurizzazione (Sperling, 2003); Il nuovo progresso (Angeli, 2012), ecc. Nei think tank il tema ha fatto presa, ma i referenti politici sia in America sia in Europa hanno sempre reagito con terrore all’idea di smontare gli apparati statali per riallocare più risorse
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fiscali a favore della qualificazione cognitiva di massa. Il punto: l’istruzione che servirebbe per una vera economia trainata dalla conoscenza implica costi di investimento molto maggiori di quelli attuali che interferiscono con altre allocazioni di spesa. In altre parole, tutti sono d’accordo che ci voglia più istruzione per tutti e che una parte del denaro fiscale debba essere investito nella qualificazione della popolazione di uno Stato. Ma probabilmente pochi sono consapevoli di quanto denaro ci voglia per creare una competenza di massa adeguata alla nuova economia tecnologica e quando lo si ipotizza la risposta è che il fabbisogno di una superconoscenza di massa è esagerato. Oggi sono più chiari gli scenari futuri che fanno prevedere una massiccia sostituzione dei lavori tradizionali con robot computer. La rivoluzione tecnologica creerà nuove opportunità, ma solo solo chi avrà avuto una superformazione di base e potrà accedere ad una formazione continua sarà in grado di coglierle. Quanto? Almeno dieci volte in più della spesa pubblica attuale, mediamente nelle democrazie evolute, per istruzione ed infrastrutture di contorno nonché una spesa privata notevole per l’autoapprendimento continuo. Minori tasse servono a rendere sia più dinamico il sistema economico sia a lasciare più denaro in tasca ai privati per finanziare la loro competenza. Più spesa pubblica allocata per l’istruzione serve ad aumentare l’accesso di massa alla nuova tecnoeconomia. Mi chiedo se la Svizzera, poiché tra le nazioni più evolute del pianeta, possa fare da avanguardia nella creazione del nuovo “welfare di investimento”. Pensateci. *Coordinatore del Dottorato di ricerca in Geopolitica e Geopolitica economica presso l’Università G. Marconi, Roma; Professore aggiunto di Studi globali presso la University of Georgia, Athens, Usa e membro dello Academic and Policy Board dello Oxford Institute for Economic Policy (OXONIA), Oxford, UK. Nella Confederazione elvetica è Presidente di Anchorage Group AG, Zurigo e Lugano.
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IL regno deLLa beLLezza Sotto “Le Chapiteau” del Principato la sesta edizione di Art Monaco ha chiamato a raccolta i più importanti artisti e le più prestigiose gallerie del mondo, in un’atmosfera carica di gioia di vivere, ironia e leggerezza
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el Principato della gentilezza si è instaurato il regno della bellezza. Sotto i padiglioni de “Le Chapiteau” è tornata infatti la fiera-mercato Art Monaco, alla sua sesta edizione, che ha radunato a Fontvieille i più importanti artisti e le più prestigiose gallerie del mondo. Quattro giornate dedicate al bello in un contesto magnificente, dove oltre all’arte sono esplose la gioia di vivere, l’ironia, la leggerezza e la riflessione a cui sempre ci induce l’opera riuscita. Al fianco alle creazioni immortali di artisti entrati nel pantheon dei geni celebrati, hanno trovato spazio, nella rassegna organizzata da Opus Eventi, una serie di virtuosi già affermati e di talenti da scoprire. E l’ironia, la leggerezza, la riflessione divertita sulla celebrità e sulla nostra società sono stati i temi conduttori di Art Monaco. “Castigat ridendo mores” (correggi i costumi ridendo) è il messaggio collettivo che gli artisti ci hanno consegnato. E non poteva essere diversamente in un ambiente ricco di cortesia, fascino e humor.
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In un turbinio di giovani e ancora giovani bellissime astanti, la mostra si è aperta con il suo primo scenografico padiglione, dominato dal bianco e dal nero, e con una serie di artisti già immortali o sulla strada per la celebrità. L’impatto è stato stupefacente con una serie di opere di Jackson Pollock, provenienti da una collezione privata, a cui hanno fatto da supporto due bronzi di Michelangelo. Come petali attorno all’ovario sono partiti da questi due maestri le esposizioni degli altri artisti, ognuno a suo modo sorprendente. Proprio alle spalle dei Pollock emergeva l’ancestrale forza della messicana Claudia Hecht, il cui iconico bronzo “Shaman #1” è diventato una delle immagini simbolo di questa mostra. Dopo neppure un passo si giungeva alla divertita ironia della Pop Art Rinascimentale del principe Lorenzo De’ Medici che, con un procedimento unico, e con un’eredità culturale incommensurabile alle spalle, ripercorre la storia di una delle dinastie più importanti della storia dell’umanità. www.heditionmagazine.com
Divertita e divertente anche la riflessione sulla celebrità, l’haute couture, la società del glamour proposta da Francois Duerinckx. Le celebrities sono l’oggetto anche del profondo lavoro di scavo dell’anima realizzato dal “soggettivismo” di Bernard de Souzy. Sorprendono le sculture dai particolari inquietanti di Christine Zimmerman, vegliate dall’alto da due opere di Roy Lichtenstein. Magmatici i lavori di Krie Alden, che rifiuta ogni catalogazione e che mette in gioco se stessa e chi osserva le sue opere in un rapporto di interazione che porta sempre a nuovi risultati. Divertentissime, provocatorie e suggestive le video sculture di Marck che incantano e fanno riflettere con effetti sorprendenti, e cattura anche per i suoi richiami rinascimentali “March ’15 – Holy stones” di Sabina Sakoh.
moderna e con tecnica straordinaria la grande tradizione dell’Impero Celeste. Vagando per i padiglioni e gli spazi espositivi le sorprese e le suggestioni si sono succedute una dopo l’altra. Non potevano mancare le serigrafie numerate della celebrità della street art Bansky (“Flying copper” e “Bomb Love”, conosciuta anche come “Bomb Hugger”); ha colpito la surreale compostezza delle composizioni di Gregorii, realizzate con inchiostro polimerico retroilluminato da un led. Di grande impatto “Abundance” di Lyonn Redd e ha sorpreso “The Expendables” di Dminc dove la colla si mescola sulla tela con ferro, gomma, armi giocattolo, medaglie, dollari e cristalli Swarosky in una ironica rielaborazione del mito hollywoodiano.
“Castigat ridendo mores”: questo sembra essere il messaggio comune degli artisti che riflettono sui miti del contemporaneo.
Di grande potenza le opere di Cui Jingzhe, giovane ma già affermatissimo artista cinese che rielabora in chiave
E’ continuata anche a Monaco l’ascesa di Osvaldo Mariscotti che, con sua ricerca cromo-filosofica, è sempre presente nelle più importanti manifestazioni internazionali. Interessante il progetto sociale di Pangea che ha esposto le sue enormi sculture in materiale riciclato di animali africani realizzate da esperti artigiani nel continente nero. Grande spazio per i ritratti, declinati in ogni forma: dai volti glamour di Ina Dederer a quelli più sofferti e latori di istanze sociali di Peter Terrin. Si è rischiato il piacevole smarrimento nella grande installazione “Another reality” di Giulian Dumitriu, di ferro, acciaio e alluminio che muta colore, forma, suggestione in base al punto di vista dell’osservatore. Così come hanno catturato l’occhio le fotografie di straordinaria tecnica compositiva di Leni Kagu che rendono inusuale il già visto. Una grande attenzione sui media ha riscosso il tredicenne Charles Gitnick che con le sue opere lancia un forte messaggio sociale contro gli armamenti. Sempre piacevoli le opere del già affermato Ryota Unno che mescolano umorismo e satira con uno stile solidissimo che cattura il turbinio e le contraddizioni della nostra società. E nel principato non poteva mancare il richiamo alla Formula Uno, espresso nelle curiose e riuscite opere di Angela Palmer che, per la sua collezione Adrenalin, ha tratto ispirazione da parti di motore, caschi, suoni, disegni dei circuiti per rielaborarli in sorprendente forma artistica. Infine una segnalazione personale per la grande impressione provocata da alcune interpretazioni del volto di Cristo e dalle figure di donna di Seva Saplin, giovane pittore russo che si esprime attraverso l’inimitabile tecnica della “colata lavica”. www.artemonaco.com
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Buone notizie fiscali per le associazioni La nuova Legge federale sull’imposizione degli utili delle persone giuridiche con scopi ideali prevede un aumento del limite di esenzione di 20’000 franchi per la LIFD e di un importo da definire secondo il diritto cantonale
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l 9 luglio scadrà il termine di referendum della Legge federale sull’imposizione degli utili delle persone giuridiche con scopi ideali. Trascorso infruttuosamente questo termine, il Consiglio federale deciderà l’entrata in vigore di questa legge (probabilmente con effetto al 1° gennaio 2016). Questa legge, approvata dalle Camere federali lo scorso 20 marzo, prevede che, ai fini dell’imposta federale diretta, “gli utili delle persone giuridiche che perseguono scopi ideali non sono imponibili se non superano i 20’000 franchi e sono esclusivamente e irrevocabilmente destinati a tali scopi” (nuovo articolo 66a della Legge federale sull’imposta federale diretta [di seguito LIFD]). Per le imposte cantonali viene lasciata facoltà ai Cantoni di stabilire l’importo dell’esenzione (nuovo articolo 26a della Legge federale sull’armonizzazione delle imposte dirette dei Cantoni e dei Comuni [di seguito LAID]). Secondo il diritto vigente le associazioni, istituite secondo gli articolo 60 e seguenti del Codice civile (di seguito CC), beneficiano sia di un’esenzione fiscale ai fini delle imposte sull’utile sino a 5’000 franchi per la LIFD e la Legge tributaria cantonale (di seguito LT), sia di un’aliquota di favore sull’utile imponibile del 4,25% per la LIFD e del 4% per la LT. La novella legislativa stabilisce un limite di esenzione superiore (di franchi 20’000 per la LIFD e da determinare per la LT) per le associazioni che perseguono uno “scopo ideale”. Come evidenziato dal Consiglio federale (cfr. Messaggio del 6 giugno 2014, n. 14.051, pagina 4662 seguente) “una definizione precisa ed esaustiva di “scopo ideale” non è possibile. Ciò risiede nel fatto che nel linguaggio comune il termine “ideale” è assai ricco di sfumature. Si utilizzano ad esempio sinonimi quali gli aggettivi caritatevole,
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entusiastico, idealistico, disinteressato, nobile, altruistico, generoso, impegnato, benefico, filantropico, ecc.”. Come riferimento bisogna tuttavia rifarsi all’articolo 60 cpv. 1 CC che prevede un elenco esemplificativo di scopi ideali, ovvero quelle associazioni “che si propongono un fine politico, religioso, scientifico, artistico, benefico o ricreativo, od altro fine non economico”. Lo scopo ideale viene meno quando un’associazione procura un vantaggio economico a favore dei propri membri o persone vicine in contanti o in natura. Si osserva comunque che l’articolo 61 cpv. 2 CC consente alle associazioni (con obbligo di iscrizione a registro di commercio) di svolgere un’attività economica. Quest’ultima non deve però costituire lo scopo vero e proprio dell’associazione, che rimane quello ideale previsto dagli statuti (per esempio gestione di un bar in occasione della partita di calcio). La disposizione prevista dagli articolo 66a LIFD e 26a LAID tuttavia non si rivolge soltanto alle associazioni, ma a tutte le persone giuridiche che perseguono scopi ideali. Inoltre si osserva che qualora l’utile della persona giuridica che persegue scopi ideali dovesse, ai fini della LIFD, superare i 20’000 franchi, allora l’intero utile sarà assoggettato ad imposizione, e non l’eccedenza, trattandosi di un limite di esenzione (e non di un importo esente). Certamente la nuova disposizione sarà accolta con piacere dalle molte associazioni che oggi superano i 5’000 franchi di utile poiché potranno godere un’esenzione fiscale sino a 20’000 franchi per la LIFD e probabilmente dello stesso importo per la LT, verosimilmente a partire dal periodo fiscale 2016. Samuele Vorpe, Responsabile Centro di competenze tributarie SUPSI
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STEFANO BAIOCCO ChEF ExECuTIvE STEllATO MIChElIN Aggiunge sempre un tocco molto personale ai suoi piatti. unisce ingredienti “nobili” o “poveri” con altri, usando la sua immaginazione. l’eleganza e la perfezione sono poi due elementi che vanno di pari passo.
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Cosa ti ha spinto a diventare cuoco e come hai iniziato? Fondamentalmente per due ragioni: una più romantica e l’altra onestamente più pratica. Mio nonno paterno e’ stato un brillante cuoco, una figura d’altri tempi, con il pancione, un uomo fiero sempre ben vestito un gourmand e un gourmet; sicuramente il suo fascino mi ha un po’ spinto verso questa professione. Il secondo motivo è’ stato quello di scegliere una scuola e un indirizzo che mi permettesse di avere un lavoro sicuro, e la ristorazione regala moltissime opportunità!
Qual è la filosofia che ispira i tuoi piatti? In realtà’ non c’è una filosofia precisa, mi lascio guidare molto dal mio istinto. Amo la pulizia dei sapori e la percezione netta dei gusti, cerco la bellezza nei colori e nelle forme: se riesco a combinare questi elementi il piatto entra a far parte della mia storia...
Il suo “piatto d’autore” è un’insalata composta da 140 erbe e ingredienti diversi. Può dirci di più? Mi piace pensare che quando l’insalata arrivi al tavolo il cliente ne percepisca la cromaticita’, il profumo, la freschezza, la croccantezza. L’idea è solo quella di voler raccogliere la natura e di servirla in un piatto. È’ un rito che va ripetuto costantemente tutti i giorni, senza compromessi! Proprio per questo motivo l’insalata non è in carta; e’ un omaggio che arriva a sorpresa; mi diverto a gestirla con libertà e in questo modo riesco a tenerla sempre viva nel tempo. Si sa, noi cuochi amiamo osare, stupire e cambiare spesso idea…
I suoi piatti sono caratterizzati dallo stile e dall’eleganza con cui vengono presentati agli ospiti. Lavora con gli ingredienti in maniera istintiva oppure pianifica prima le sue composizioni? Come ho già detto mi lascio guidare dall’istinto ma ogni intuizione va messa su piatto con prove e lavoro di squadra, solo così riusciamo ad arrivare ad un punto che ci soddisfi veramente, e alla fine chi ne giova e’ il nostro cliente.
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Utilizza erbe aromatiche e fiori commestibili prodotti nei giardini di Villa Feltrinelli. Gli altri ingredienti dove li trova? Per questo sono fortunato: il lago e’ un territorio fantastico con un microclima dolce e generoso con la natura. I produttori locali lavorano bene e mi mettono nelle condizioni di esprimermi al meglio, il resto viene reperito un po’ da tutta Italia e qualche spezia e salsa anche dall’estero, dall’Oriente in genere.
Qual è il posto dove preferisce cenare in Villa Feltrinelli? La sala da pranzo con i suoi splendidi lampadari in cristallo o il pergolato con la vista sul lago? … mah! Direi che dipende dal mio stato d’animo, ogni angolo della Villa ha una suggestione diversa. Ci sono due tavoli però, il 21 ed il 22 che sono i miei preferiti e si trovano in cima alla scalinata che scende al Lago, un’atmosfera unica, difficile da spiegare a parole...
In tre parole. Come vorrebbe che si sentisse un ospite che entra nel suo ristorante? AVVOLTO, COINVOLTO, STRAVOLTO.
Villa Feltrinelli è l’hotel preferito di alcune tra le persone più esigenti del pianeta, ha avuto delle richieste particolarmente esigenti? In un hotel come la nostra gli standard sono molto elevati, questo ci permette di soddisfare in genere tutti i nostri clienti, anche quelli più esigenti. Richieste ne ho tutti i giorni … a volte anche particolari; questo è lo scotto che si paga lavorando in una struttura di questo tipo. GRAND HOTeL A VILLA FeLTRINeLLI
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La cucina d’autore di Stefano Baiocco dona ad ogni portata personalità unica in un armonia di ingredienti nobili e poveri e sapiente uso dell’immaginazione. Le straordinarie presentazioni, eleganti e ricercate, colpiscono gli occhi ancora prima del palato, nel cammino gastronomico che lo Chef, insignito di 2 prestigiose stelle Michelin, e la sua brigata offrono ai propri ospiti.
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| FATTI
Lo sapevi...? 2812,46 160 30 2 5 2007 220
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L’area esatta del Ticino in chilometri quadrati: oltre la metà è formata da foreste. I chilometri del perimetro dei laghi del Ticino. L’ideale per fare un tuffo! Il numero di giorni che potrai correre ininterrottamente lungo più di 3600 km di sentieri presenti in Ticino. Il numero dei siti definiti dall’UNESCO Patrimonio Mondiale dell’Umanità: il Castello di Bellinzona e Monte San Giorgio. Il numero delle università in Ticino.
(12 Aprile) il Ticino è il primo cantone della Svizzera a vietare il fumo nei locali pubblici. Il numero dei metri di caduta libera per un bungee jumping dalla diga di Contra in valle Verzasca – resa famosa nel 1995 dal film Goldeneye, nel quale Pierce Brosnan interpretava James Bond.
45%
Il grado alcolico minimo per produrre una vera grappa.
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La dimensione in metri quadrati (26 x 14) dello schermo gigante che ogni agosto viene installato in Piazza Grande, per il Locarno Film Festival: un evento che trasforma la piazza nel più grande cinema all’aperto al mondo. www.heditionmagazine.com
Co-educational day & boarding school for children ages 9 to 18 years Caring and supportive environment International primary and middle school curriculum International Baccalaureate (IB)Diploma programme in the final two years All instruction is in English Small classes
ISCHLERSTRASSE 13 | 5340 ST. GILGEN | AUSTRIA | INFO@STGIS.AT | +43 (0) 6227 20259
WWW.STGIS.AT
Service for Little Lord, 1931 (Hotel Archive) NoblemanDeLuxe.com
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MAJESTIC AND ELEGANT, IN THE CENTRE OF ST. MORITZ, AT THE HEART OF THE SWISS ALPS. THIS IS WHERE YOU FIND THE BADRUTT’S PALACE HOTEL. LEGENDARY, UNIQUE AND DISTINCTIVE! SINCE 1896 GUEST WISHES HAVE BEEN ANTICIPATED AND FULFILLED, HOWEVER GREAT THEY MAY HAVE SEEMED. WITH US YOU ARE THE GUEST AND WARMLY WELCOMED.
Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, Via Serlas 27, 7500 St. Moritz, Switzerland, Telephone: +41 (0)81 837 1000, Fax: +41 (0)81 837 2999 Reservations: +41 (0)81 837 1100, reservations@badruttspalace.com, www.badruttspalace.com BadruttsPalace, BadruttsPalace