MoneyMaker Feb/Mar 2013

www.moneymakermagazine.co.uk

ISSUE FIVE | FEB/MARCH 2013

PLUS how to impress a dragon - an interview with richard farleigh Start your own fashion label Social Media Trading MAKE IT • SPEND IT • LIVE IT

The Colour

of Money

Our countdown of the top ten greatest moneymakers in hollywood

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editor’s letter DEAR Reader, Welcome to MoneyMaker 2013! I trust we find you well settled into the New Year, these first few weeks seem to have gone by in flash, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t found time to pick up our newly acquired fountain pens (thanks again Mum) and root out the best MoneyMaking advice, tips, stories and interviews that will help you make 2013 your most financially prosperous year to date.

I must say that for me personally Christmas still only seems like yesterday, and yet summer only just feels around the corner. But you know what they say about how time flies when you’re having fun, so I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised that everything has been a blur since the clock struck midnight on 31st

Editor in Chief Alex Hammond Managing Editor Mark Southern

December. And, anyway, here at MoneyMaker we’re all about looking forwards not backwards, and that’s because we’ve got a funny feeling that 2013 is going to be a fantastic year, for us and for you.

We’ve got a great issue lined up for you this month, kicking off with the MoneyMaker examination of Hollywood (well, everyone else is giving out awards in tinseltown at this time of the year, so we thought we’d get in on the the act).

The world of showbiz is undeniably big biz, and the movie industry is the biggest “biz” of them all, meaning that there are some seriously powerful MoneyMakers that grace the Hollywood Boulevard. We count down our top earners in the industry today, and crown one man as the king of the silver screen dollar machine.

We’ve also been on the hunt for new British business success stories, and have unearthed some real gems. If there’s one thing we’ve learned this month, it’s that British business is alive and kicking in 2013, and for those looking to get started in the next twelve months there are some great examples of new entrepreneurs who you can really learn from. Because that’s why we’re here, to help each other improve our financial skills.

Our other very exciting introduction to MoneyMaker this month is our new ShOBO opportunity. Head to page 48 to read about a unique approach to business ownership we will be advocating each month, and hopefully you will be involved in too. Each issue we will be looking for new business partners to help launch projects already in the advanced stages of development, for new entrepreneurs looking to dip their toe into the world of business but without the capital to get fully started, this could be the opportunity of a lifetime. I urge to you to give it a read.

Anyway, that’s enough from me for now. I hope you enjoy the issue.

Best wishes Alex Hammond Editor in Chief, MoneyMaker Magazine

Associate Editor Lisa Curtiss Features Writers Phil Green Jo Franks Natasha Heard Alessio Rastani Declan Fallon Eve Hartridge Sophie Horn Contributors Louise Hinchen Alastair McCaig Lisa Best Clem Chambers Celia Sawyer Jodie Albutt Lisa Kayaker Robbie Canale Hannah Petley Art Director IF Design & Art Direction Videography Adrian Butterworth Photography Simon Jessop Head of Sales Tim Bevington sales@moneymakermagazine.co.uk Marketing & PR Polygon PR Research Analysis Simon Wiltshire

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contents

Feb/MArch 2013

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UPFRONT 8

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News In Brief

MAke it 10 18 24 28 32 38 40 42 44 48 50 52 54 56 58

Hollywood Richard Farleigh Richard Reed Dreamchaser Trevor Bayliss How to - Patents Networking Perry Anderson Franchise Shobo The Investment Pitch Entrepreneur Strategy Tomorrow’s Talent Adam Boulton Hall of Fame

INvest IT 60 62 66 70 72 76 80 84

Degree Art Celia Sawyer Film Memorabilia Numinastics Classic Cars Property Wine Investment Wine Spotlight

Trade IT 88 90 92 94 96 98

Social Media Trading Alessio Rastani Declan Fallon Alastair McCaig Trader Book Club Great Trades

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Give Back 100 Social Entrepreneur 104 Blake Mycoskie

Spend It 106 118 120 122 124 126 130 132 134 136 138 140 142 144 146

Drive, Sail, Fly Airline Review London Calling Weekends Jersey Les Trois Ours Restaurants Angela Hartnett Food & Drink Roundup Sunglasses Ski Wear Style & Grooming London Smile Golfer’s Guide How I spend It

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Send in your stories: Got a story MoneyMaker should be reporting on?

Contact us at www.moneymaker magazine.co.uk

News in Brief what we’re talking about right now

MGMT Launches the Future in Bespoke Concierge Services As many of us know, London’s concierge scene is crowded, with many new companies failing to distinguish themselves from the already saturated market. One business bucking that trend though is MGMT Concierge, a bespoke service that launched last month.

MGMT Group promises to provide the highest standard of services, simply because clients will expect it. This exclusive service was put to the test during the recent London Olympics where MGMT concierge was the provider of concierge and logistical support to some of the world’s largest and most expensive super yachts – that service that recently became available to those outside the world of super yachts, with members benefitting from a variety of

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exclusive services and luxury experiences, such as private jet transfers, luxury yacht charters, and exclusive polo weekends.

Despite the recent launch clients requests have already involved organising a ‘Pretty Woman’ shopping spree, and arranging for one of the top Michelin star chefs to cook an anniversary dinner at a client’s house. Nothing is unachievable MGMT have claimed.

Another trend that has become apparent, especially from expats, is the desire for certain aspects of British life; going to the right shoot, ensuring your child jumps the school waiting list and to get your hands on the first edition of that latest sports car require skills and contacts beyond most of us.

Mark Upton, Managing Director of MGMT Concierge, said: “From billionaire super yacht owners to leading entrepreneurs and CEOs, we talk to our clients to learn what they want from their concierge service and will only work with the world’s leading providers to deliver it.”

“We’re very experienced in dealing with all kinds of unusual and extraordinary requests, nothing is too much for us. Our aim is to provide unique experiences and unparalleled services that our clients will never forget.”

MGMT have recently launched a new website and will be offering a limited number of discounted memberships to mark the start of 2013.

Business Book Review:

Think Like Zuck: The Five Business Secrets of Facebook’s Improbably Brilliant CEO Mark Zuckerberg

World’s Most Expensive Wine Cellar To Be Built Berry Bros. & Rudd has invested £3 million to build a new wine “cellar” to store its clients’ wines in Basingstoke, Hampshire. The new bonded wine warehouse can hold a mammoth 2 million bottles of wine.

The investment will mean that Berrys will run what is generally reckoned to be the most valuable single cellar in the world – with wines worth £550 million currently stored across its three cellaring facilities. The expansion means there is now space to cellar and mature 8.3 million bottles of wine (or 815,000 cases).

The new cellar is temperature and humidity-controlled so that the wines are stored in the perfect condition to ensure they develop and mature properly – in some cases over decades before they are ready to drink. The warehouses are equipped with state-of-the-art security to ensure that the millions of pounds of wine are kept safely.

Berrys has made the investment as demand has grown from users of Berrys’ Broking Exchange (BBX) – the online trading platform that enables customers to buy and sell wine from and to each other. The business also stores and matures wines for its customers across the three wine warehouses.

Simon Berry, Chairman of Berry Bros. & Rudd said of the investment: “Over the years, Berrys’ customers

demand that we deliver the best facilities for their prized collections to be stored.

“Our investment in meeting that demand and the trust our customers have in Berrys to care for their wines – has meant we now have 27,000 customers making use of our cellaring. As a result, we now look after wines worth over half a billion pounds on their behalf – making Basingstoke home to one of the most valuable cellars the world over.

“The success of Berrys’ Broking Exchange service has meant that a new generation of wine collectors and investors are making use of our bonded warehouses and we felt the time was right to expand our offering with the opening of this third facility which has already been stocked with wines worth almost £30 million.”

“Berrys will now run what is generally reckoned to be the most valuable single cellar in the world”

Inspirational icons are important in any industry, but it’s during the inevitable difficult spells that this is even more true for entrepreneurs trying to make it in the world.

At times like this, one question is more and more frequently being asked: What would Mark Zuckerberg do?

The controversial Facebook founder has become the new poster boy for brave entrepreneurs trying to make an industry change for them, rather than change themselves to fit into an existing sector. He is his own man, and has reaped the rewards.

In this at times irreverent look at the man they call Zuck’s formative years and subsequent development into a business behemoth, Walter identifies the moments that made him make certain decisions, and what every other entrepreneur on earth can learn from this.

Walter drills down into five broad topic areas that she brightly and concisely makes applicable to entrepreneurs of all persuasions.

Being a business book there are of course plentiful alliterations and mnemonics, with Walter recognising the ‘five P’s’ of Facebook’s success, passion, purpose, people, product and partnerships.

A very readable and insightful biography and thought experiment, Think Like Zuck will do for entrepreneurs what Facebook at its best can do for brands; namely, provide an entertaining way to stay engaged in the good fight, and never, ever give up.

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Hollywood

There’s No Business Like Show Business

Our countdown to the most successful and influential MoneyMakers in Hollywood

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t’s currently awards season in the film industry, meaning that just like the rest of the world MoneyMaker has cast its eyes across the pond at Hollywood this month, to pass judgement on the engine room behind the silver screen.

But it’s not the winners and losers at this month’s Academy Awards that we’ve got our eyes out for. We don’t care who’s going to cry during their acceptance speech. And we’re certainly not interested in which designers are being worn on the red carpet. What we’re looking at with plenty of interest

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is the business behind the glamour, the money behind one of the most lucrative industries on the planet, and the people who hold the balance of power over of some of the largest sums of capital in any business market, and its profitability.

Put simply, the movie industry is big business. And here at MoneyMaker we like big business. If you can make it to the top in the cut-throat world of Hollywood, the financial rewards are almost limitless, so it’s little wonder so many entrepreneurs try to crack the world of big screen show business. However, although many aspire to reach the summit of the mountain,

only a select few actually make it there.

But just who are the scarce entrepreneurs to conquer the glamorous world of cinema? Which MoneyMakers have taken on the best that tinseltown has to throw at them and come out on top?

We count down our list of the top ten most influential MoneyMakers operating in Movie Land today. It’s a group of epic names and even more epic sums of money, but hey, this is Hollywood, the land of the rich and famous, what did you expect?

So without any further ado, let’s get on with the show…

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10 Jerry Bruckheimer Despite producing cult classics such as Beverly Hills Cop, The Rock and Con Air, Jerry Bruckheimer was still thought of as something of a regular Hollywood producer (if such a thing exists) at the start of the 21st century. Even following turn of the Millennium Box Office success Pearl Harbour and Black Hawk Down, there wasn’t enough on the producer’s record to distinguish him from the crowd.

Bruckheimer was a MoneyMaker, sure, but he just didn’t have that one epic score that would stand him apart.

All that changed in 2003 though, with the release of The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Under Bruckheimer’s guidance the movie was a Box Office smash, reaping in over $600m worldwide. Sequels were quickly commissioned, again under the eyes of Bruckheimer, that have gone on to gross a further $3bn for its creators. From a simple idea to make one Disney film, Bruckheimer created one of the most lucrative franchises in Hollywood history.

With the conclusion of the Harry Potter franchise, and with two more Pirates of the Caribbean films already in the pipeline, Bruckheimer’s creation might be the most valuable film series in Hollywood after James Bond still active today.

9 Tom Hanks In the acting fraternity, there are A-Listers, and then there are A-Listers. And when you reach the upper echelons of Hollywood, only a very small number of men in history have a reputation as A-List as Tom Hanks.

In the nineties Hanks was the unequivocal face of Hollywood, scooping two Best Actor Oscars for his roles in Philadelphia and Forrest Gump, as well as starring in numerous other Box Office successes, including Saving Private Ryan, Sleepless in Seattle, Toy Story and The Green Mile.

As it’s not as though Hanks’ success has slowed since the turn of the 21st Century either. When the decade’s most successful adult fiction writer, Dan Brown, was looking for a star for the role of his protagonist Robert Langdon in The Da Vinci Code, Hanks was the only man for the job. The film grossed $750m worldwide. Hanks reprised the role for the prequel book, Angels and Daemons, two years later for a fee reported to be the highest ever paid to an actor, further demonstrating the power Hanks has over Hollywood.

To date, Hanks is the highest grossing actor in the history of the film industry. His films have grossed over $4bn in the USA and $8.5bn worldwide, and an astounding seventeen films in which Hanks has starred have grossed over $100m.

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8 Quentin Tarantino Of all the stylish, slick, individual and just plain cool filmmakers alive today, few have the resumé or persona to match up with Quentin Tarantino.

Tarantino has written, produced, directed and starred in some of the most iconic cult films of the past two decades. Reservoir Dogs, released twenty years ago last year, is widely accepted as the greatest independent film of all time, a true testament to the genius of Tarantino, whose signature nod to historical film culture has been clearly identifiable in every movie he has put his name to since.

His magnum opus still 1994’s Pulp Fiction, a film many would argue ranks in the top five to ever come out of Hollywood, but with Box Office success and more importantly critical acclaim for other films including Jackie Brown, Kill Bill and Inglourious Basterds, it’s hard to argue that Tarantino isn’t one of the most important filmmakers still making movies today.

Hi, Django Unchained, has only just been released and so its final Box Office numbers aren’t yet known. But with the reputation that Tarantino has garnered over the years, don’t be surprised if it is his highest grossing film to date.

He might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s no denying the brilliance or influence of one of Hollywood’s premier directors.

6 Peter Jackson In the mid-nineties Peter Jackson was an unknown filmmaker with very limited Box Office success. Everything changed though one day in 1997 when Jackson won the rights to produce J.R.R Tolkein’s epic trilogy The Lord of the Rings.

What started as a dream ended up as one of the most brilliant entrepreneurial decisions in Hollywood history.

The trilogy of movies were a huge success worldwide and catapulted Jackson to Hollywood superstardom. The Return of the King, the marathon final instalment of the trilogy, won Oscars in all eleven categories in which it was nominated, a modern era record by a distance, and grossed over $1bn worldwide.

Now, after a hiatus from Middle Earth, Jackson is back on the award hunt again with his second Tolkein trilogy, The Hobbit. With Jackson again at the helm 2012’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey grossed another $1bn. If anyone has been under the impression that the world had had its fill of the elves and the orcs, those thoughts were quickly put to bed.

With over $5bn in the bank from Box Office sales already, and two further films from The Hobbit trilogy on the way, Jackson is sure to be one of the most financially successful men in Hollywood before he hangs up his director’s hat for the final time.

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6 Tom Cruise Commonly accepted as the highest paid actor in Hollywood, it’s fair to say that Tom Cruise has a fair amount of clout in the industry. A Box Office draw since the mid-eighties, Cruise has been an ever-present on the Hollywood power list for decades, and with a string of iconic roles under his belt, it’s hard to see him falling from the A-Lister mountain top any time soon.

Critics might argue that Cruise doesn’t have the accolades or the billion dollar movies on his CV to hang with the seriously big boys of tinsel town, but what isn’t in doubt is the worldwide fame and work ethic of Hollywood’s 21st century all action hero.

Cuba Gooding Jr asked Tom to “Show Me The Money” in Jerry Mcguire, today you would imagine Tom would only be too happy to oblige.

5 Martin Scorsese If you asked those in the know from the film industry to name the greatest directors in Hollywood history, you’d quickly get bored of hearing the name Martin Scorsese.

Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas and Gangs of New York are just some of the films the great man can call his own, and with such an impressive collection of modern cinema emanating from the Scorsese camp it’s no surprise that he is still regarded as one of the most influential men in Hollywood today.

Scorsese is well known for working with the same actors multiple times, and his partnerships forged with two of the most respected actors of their generation, Robert Di Nero and Leonardo Di Caprio, have produced some of the most memorable performances on the big screen in the past forty years. Which leads us nicely to the man just one place higher on our list…

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4 Leonardo DiCaprio In 1997 a certain film by the name of Titanic hit the big screen, and to say it was something of a commercial success might be the biggest understatement in the history of cinema. Every Box Office record in history was shattered as the film became the first movie ever to gross over $1bn.

Fast forward fifteen years and the film, which is one of only two to ever pass the $2bn worldwide Box Office sales mark, is now remembered by many for Celine Dion’s atrocious soundtrack. What it should be remembered for is the launching of the career of Hollywood’s newest leading man, Leonardo DiCaprio.

In Hollywood history there has always been one man recognised as the most influential actor of his generation, and today that man is DiCaprio. He may not have awards of some of his peers, but there’s no doubt that when it comes to looking for a worldwide Box Office draw, Di Caprio is more often than not the name on the lips of Hollywood’s biggest filmmakers.

In 2010 his performance as Dom Cobb in ultra-cool Sci-Fi blockbuster Inception cemented Leo’s position as the most sought after and influential actor working in the West today.

Di Caprio’s next appearance on the big screen will be in The Great Gatsby as the title role later this year. We’re sure it will be one of our Hollywood highlights in 2013.

3 George Lucas In cinema history there have always been those who like movies. Then there are those who are passionate about some movies. There are even those who are obsessed with one particular movie. And then there are Star Wars fans.

And that’s because Star Wars is quite simply the most adored movie franchise of all time. In particular the original trilogy’s ground-breaking approach to Sci-Fi, unique galaxy-creating scale of imagination and superb scripts and storytelling are timelessly perfect.

George Lucas is the unrivalled king of his art. Almost every other Sci-Fi movie made since the release of Episode IV: A New Hope owes a debt of gratitude to the man who created Luke Skywalker et al., making Lucas still one of the most influential men to have ever taken a trip down Hollywood boulevard.

He may have sold the Star Wars franchise to Disney in 2012 (for over $4bn, cementing the fact that by far and away he is one of the most financially successful film entrepreneurs in history), but with more Star Wars films on the way we can only see the appreciation for the man behind the franchise and his genius growing.

He is also the second biggest single shareholder in Disney, so we can’t see his influence on the franchise itself diminishing any time soon.

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Harvey Weinstein There’s a saying in Hollywood that if you want to win an Academy Award, there’s only man whose number you need in your phonebook.

That’s because year after year dozens of Oscar nominations are dished out for films with the name of the same executive producer at the bottom of the credits, Harvey Weinstein.

Weinstein is the man that the best of the best in Hollywood, including Tarantino, Scorsese and Jackson, pick up the phone and call to produce their greatest blockbusters. He is the most celebrated, and perhaps most feared, businessman in all of Hollywood, a fact that is even more impressive considering his relatively obscure background, and subsequent meteoric rise to the pinnacle of the movie world.

After founding Miramax in the late seventies

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and growing the company from a small-time independent film distributor into one of the biggest Hollywood production companies in the world, Weinstein and his brother Bob left to create the Weinstein Company in 2005.

He had already achieved mammoth success producing blockbuster after blockbuster, including Pulp Fiction, The English Patient, Good Will Hunting and parts two and three of The Lords of the Rings trilogy, but has continued to exercise his magic wand post Miramax, with credits including Tarantino’s latest epics including new film Django Unchained, as well as multiAcademy Award winner The Kings Speech.

With a record and reputation like that, there just isn’t anyone bigger in movie land than Harvey Weinstein. Ok, maybe just one…

Steven Spielberg

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If we were to stop people in the street and ask them to name one film director, just one, who do you think they would go for? Some of the older generation might say Hitchcock. Cult movie fans could possibly plump for Stanley Kubrick. You might even hear one or two Tarantinos from the “cooler” crowd. But we’d be willing to bet, and bet big, that the vast majority would go for the man who has made it to number one on our list of most influential people in Hollywood.

And that’s because when it comes to making movies that are successful across the globe, no name is more synonymous with the industry than Steven Spielberg.

For over four decades Spielberg has been at the forefront of one of the most lucrative, and desirable industries in the world. His pioneering attitude to film has paved the way for hundreds who have tried to follow in his footsteps, with varying degrees of success.

From Jaws in the seventies, to E.T in the eighties, and from Schindler’s List in the nineties through to Lincoln today, each generation has Spielberg to thank for directing or producing some of the most memorable films of their day.

And don’t forget the Indiana Jones, Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, Men in Black and Transformers series’ have his name on them as well. When you actually take a look at the sheer scale of Spielberg’s body of work, it’s almost frightening when you realise how much impact the great man has had on the film industry in the past forty years. The films Spielberg has directed have grossed over $8.5bn at the Box Office alone. Throw in the figures for the films on which he has been the Executive Producer, and that figure more than doubles.

Universal acclaim, worldwide recognition, multiple Best Director Oscars and $3.2bn fortune combine to make Steven Spielberg an easy choice for the most influential man in the movie industry today.

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RICHARD FARLEIGH

“Since DragOn’s den I’ve proBably had ten thousand business pitches emailed to me. Luckily I got good at spotting the valuable ones quickly”

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CHEQUE, MATE

Australian entrepreneur and investor Richard Farleigh first rose to public prominence when he appeared in the BBC’s Dragon’s Den. However, the television experience was but a small notch in a career that has spanned continents and industries, with the serial entrepreneur launching nearly 100 of his own startups, and investing in countless more.

This was all after being lauded as one of the world’s best stock market traders, and retiring from banking at just 34. We caught up with the Antipodean business guru, who revealed the secret of his success is... the game of chess.

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RICHARD FARLEIGH

W

hen the smiling and likable Australian new guy appeared on Dragons Den back in 2005, entrepreneurs entering the den had to double take. For, far from the punning passiveaggressiveness that had become the normal dialect of the millionaire investors to the nervous pitchers, Richard Farleigh appeared supportive, encouraging and interested in the people standing in front of the cameras. Indeed, where some fellow dragons would sail close to mockery at times, Farleigh seemed like he was on the pitching entrepreneurs’ side, and even if he didn’t invest would find time to hand out constructive criticism of where to improve.

Times change, and now eight years on the other dragons appear to have come around to the Australian’s way of thinking, with the puns still there, but the acid tongues slightly less prevalent. But behind the nice guy exterior there lurks a steely and wildly successful business person, with a track record that would be the envy of anyone to exit the infamous Den, investor or entrepreneur.

Farleigh grew up in a troubled foster family, and cites the stigma he faced from being seen as “backward” in classes as the inspiration that led him to the game of chess. Here, away from the schoolyard bullies and ineffective teachers, he could enter his own world, where he could learn the rules and linear behaviours of the game board, and his opponents. He quickly began beating every other child, and it wasn’t long before not only was he beating every adult player he faced too, but was taking part in high level competitions.

“Chess was the first thing I was good at”, he recalls. “When I was behind at school and life was a bit tough, being a good tournament chess player as a junior gave me a lot of confidence. It really helped me and taught me how to think.

There are not many things you do when you’re fifteen that require you to sit down for four hours and concentrate and focus - I certainly don’t see teenagers doing that in any other activity, not computer games, certainly. There’s nothing that teaches you to concentrate that hard, and I learned to

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think, probably for the first time.”

When he realised he wouldn’t ever reach the very top of the chess game he shifted his focus to his university studies, and found his new found analytical skills made him a very effective and indemand mathematician, capable of seeing structures and patterns where others saw chaos. Soon he was picked up by an investment bank, where his numerical mind ran into overdrive, allowing him to become the bank’s most successful trader of all time. Then, in his early thirties, Farleigh was head hunted by a hedge fund in the tax haven of Bermuda, where he again excelled, enabling the star trader to retire at just 34 years of age.

It was at this point that Farleigh the trader turned into the entrepreneur. He spent a few months of his premature retirement racing his Ferrari around his new home of Monaco, before realising the futility of trying to force happiness.

He soon started investing in startups, and quickly found himself with equity in over fifty companies, before he first got the real entrepreneur bug when he had the opportunity to redevelop the old French embassy, Home House in London - one of the World’s 100 most endangered buildings. He poured £2 million of his own cash into the project, creating one of the Capital’s most desirable private members’ clubs.

It was shortly after that the BBC called about the spare seat on the investor panel, after Doug Richard left the show.

It’s an experience Farleigh has no regrets about taking. “When I got the call I had the luxury of already having seen it on television”, he remembered. “I was impressed with it, as it cut across all demographics of genders, ages, and social and educational backgrounds. It had a fantastic spectrum of viewers, so I thought we could do some good. I also felt it was reality TV at its best, because those conversations you see are pretty well what I do on a day by day basis - I thought, ‘wow, they’ve actually managed to capture the real essence of doing business deals’.

A successful two year stint on the show followed, with the investor leaving in 2007 to continue with both his own investments and start-ups. One of the most interesting things about Farleigh is his almost boyish excitement when talking about his new ventures. He has a world-class track record of backing

successful ideas, and maximising them, but even with over 80 start-ups under his belt he still talks of a new one like a first time entrepreneur, full of energy and anticipation.

“I like disruptive companies, disruptive ideas, things that change the way people do things”, he says, rapidly. “If I was just making paper clips and I could just make them ten per cent cheaper that would be a fantastic business, but I wouldn’t find it that exciting. It’s not a business that would attract me, something that competes on price. I’m much more interested in something that competes on product – that has a brand new type of product, and because of that there’s a bit of excitement.”

Does Farleigh think this is a great time to be an entrepreneur, in the current climate?

“I like disruptive ideas, things that change the way people do things. I’m much more interested in something that can compete on product than price” “Yes and no. It’s clearly very difficult for entrepreneurs at the moment, and the issue at the moment is funding, obviously.

I see this a lot from the flip side too, as I’ve taken nearly twenty companies to the AIM market, because for a while my main goal was to develop early stage companies to the point where they can be listed on the stock market. The valuations on AIM at the moment are very low, so what that means is for an investor where are you going to put your money? You can put it in a brand new start-up, or you can put it

into something which is five to ten years of balance from that point, for not far off the same cost. It’s safer in many instances to invest in the later stage company, which is already even listed, than to take a big bet, a big risk, on an untested new company.

“However, there are benefits of the recession to entrepreneurs. When you start a business at the moment, there’s less competition, as it’s not just your company which is finding funding difficult - it affects everybody. And, if you’re trying to

expand a small business and you want to buy out other businesses, the valuations are lower, so acquisitions are also good right now. It’s about how you look at it.”

What does he recommend that entrepreneurs do to combat the funding gap? “Well there’s no easy answer. I think what it means is that entrepreneurs have to be at the top of their game anyway, but in this environment they have to be even better. It’s also about choosing the right projects. I always think of start-ups as research projects, and really what you’re

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RICHARD FARLEIGH

doing in the first year is just testing the context, because no one really can tell you if an idea is going to work or not. You can have Bill Gates or Warren Buffett sitting there and even then no-one can know if an idea is a goer. It’s a trial and error process.

“I advise entrepreneurs to spend the minimum amount of money they can on finding out the most amount of information, and in a recession like this, where there’s not much funding, things take twice as long and cost twice as much as you expect. It’s a bit like a house renovation. So, given that it’s a particularly tough environment, I think people have to be very careful on their costs and be realistic about their revenue.

I’ve done countless start-ups and I’ve never seen a business plan hit projected targets, so you have to be ready for that.”

Does he feel his analytical nature, learned from thousands of chess games in his youth, has given him an extra special ability to predict which businesses will succeed? “Chess is a great game and has a lot of applications in the real world, but its weakness is that there’s very little randomness in chess, and there is a lot of randomness in both the markets and business. When I went into financial markets and then onto business I had to abandon some of the things that chess had taught me because I realised that in business a good idea can fail and a bad idea can succeed, whereas in chess that’s not the case - a good idea won’t fail and a bad idea should fail. I’m sure I’ve had businesses which have worked which I wouldn’t back again, because I realise now the odds were against it. And on the other hand I’ve had some good businesses which could well have worked, but we just had a bit of misfortune.

“I hate the word ‘luck’ – it’s a bit flippant. Chess doesn’t teach you that.

Chess teaches you there’s no such thing.

I had to learn that the world of business is a bit more like backgammon. You can play the right moves but you don’t always win, so you have to handle the losses. You have to learn how to deal with backward steps.”

And how does the serial investor and entrepreneur handle losses?

“It’s funny. Obviously, I’ve launched eighty or so start-ups, but each one has been heartfelt, and there’s always an

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“spend the minimum amount of money to find out the most information.

Things take twice as long and cost twice as much as you expect” element of disappointment if it doesn’t work out. You have the hopes and dreams when a company starts, and there’s always a lot of disappointment if it doesn’t work.

I suppose I’ve had enough successes that I’m philosophical about it, and I suppose from when I used to run a proprietary trading desk, like a risk taking desk for an investment bank, I’m very used to handling losses.”

Since appearing on Dragons’ Den Farleigh is now pitched to all of the time, wherever he goes, but remains good humoured about it. “Since the show I’ve had probably ten thousand email pitches come in, and you have to get good at spotting the valuable ones. The best ones say what is unique about their product quickly. Forget sob stories, just tell me, in the very first sentence, that the world’s supply of tin is running out, therefore we have a mine which is going

to increase supply by 50 per cent. Tell me the problem and your solution in the very first sentence. It’s got to leap off the page and grab you.

“I’m looking for people with that little ‘X’ factor, even though it’s only in writing.

Obviously, it’s easy in meeting someone to see if they’ve got it, because I’ve got to like and trust the person. A lot of it is about trying to read the pitcher, and it’s not always about the product, so I’m trying to read their submission. I don’t want to tell people how to write to me, but if they’ve got a sense of humour, and they’re very passionate about something, then I may be more interested.”

Again, the brilliant chess analyst shows a dichotomy of logic and humanity.

Which side of him does he feel is most strong? “A bit of both may be what made me a chess player. I’ve always been like that. Someone asked me last night why would a mathematician chess player want to do something so beautiful as renovate a stunning Georgian building in Home House. And I was a bit disappointed with that reaction, because I think there is still a lot of room for creativity in what I do. And just because you have a logical brain, I still like to think that there’s a little bit of creativity and art involved in business. As much as I would love to turn myself into a robot, there’s still a lot of gut feel and there is still emotion.

Yes, I probably analyse things more than other entrepreneurs, but that helps me. It certainly doesn’t stop me from doing the fun investments, but instead gives me a way of looking at things.”

In our time together Farleigh’s email doesn’t stop with new pitches coming in every few seconds, with outstanding opportunities sure to be in there, hidden amongst the less stellar submission. But it’s the good cause subject that really ignites the entrepreneur investor, his eyes lighting up at the projects he works on that make a real difference. “The more fundamental things I’ve been involved in, like cancer research, Alzheimer’s research and asthma research, if any of these could make a significant step then that would just be absolutely fantastic, and you do that for nothing. The satisfaction in doing something like that would be valueless, priceless. So there is an excitement, but mainly because it’s changing people’s lives for the better, and that’s what you hope.”

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DREAMCHASER

THE AGE OF

innocent The innocent Drinks brand has crossed the entrepreneurial spectrum from wunderkind to phenomena, until finally reaching its current status of industry heavyweight. At the heart of its spectacular rise is co-founder Richard Reed, who alongside his business partners famously took a smoothie stand to a music festival, and asked customers to put their empty bottles in either a bin marked ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, depending on whether they thought the stall-holders should create smoothies for a living. That the ethicallyminded customers almost unanimously agreed the entrepreneurs should leave behind the corporate life for the romantic smoothie world is unsurprising, but that the company should become such a stratospheric success is remarkable. We caught up with the Innocent founder, and now star of the BBC’s Be Your Own Boss, to find out more.

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What was your inspiration for starting the Innocent brand?

When Jon, Adam and I were thinking up ideas and ways we could set up a business together, we knew we wanted to do something we were proud of – something that would make life a little bit better and a little bit easier. We realised there were a lot of people, just like us, who wanted to be healthy but didn’t really have the time to do anything about it. So we decided to solve that problem, and quickly got to smoothies. Delicious, natural fruit crushed up and put in to bottles so you could grab one on the way to work. Easy, and good for you.

Did you always think you’d end up working for yourself and what was your first business venture or idea?

All three of us have shown signs of having entrepreneurship in our blood. Aged 11, Adam was doing his classmates’ maths homework in return for cash, Jon was in detention for selling bangers and cigarette lighters he’d acquired on a day trip to Calais, and I spent my a lot of time trying to push my “luxury rose water” (just rose petals mixed with water) Do you have any business role models/inspirations?

Any ethical business like ours has a debt of honour to pay to Anita Roddick and The Body Shop. She was the first person to show that a business can be more than just an entity to make money. And Richard Branson may be an obvious choice but he is the entrepreneur’s entrepreneur – he made the idea of business seem sexy, fun and possible.

“We wanted to do something we were proud of - something that would make people’s lives easier and better” 26 | MONEYMAKER MAGAZINE

What were your original goals when starting Innocent?

To make it easy to do yourself some good, and others too. To identify a problem and solve it. To make something we could be proud of and to leave things better than we how we found them. I’m proud of the fact that everything we make and do resonates with these original goals.

What sacrifices did you have to make to start your business?

Starting innocent was far, far harder than we imagined it would be. We had to sacrifice our income, our careers and our social life, but it has definitely been worth it in the end.

Did you always believe the Innocent brand could grow to the level it has?

I knew that the people wanted food that was tasty, healthy and ethical, so I didn’t doubt that demand would be there. I doubted whether we would be the ones to

fulfill it, but we figured it was worth a go.

What were the most memorable milestones in the development of the business?

Making our first sale of 24 bottles on day one, and then selling no bottles on day two are memorable. Employing our 20th person also felt like a huge achievemant.

Setting up the Innocent Foundation, which we had always had our sights on doing, and giving our first donation to charity was also special because it signified the achievement of a goal. And, on a personal note, my mum saying our smoothies were now in Morrison’s in Huddersfield was touching, because that was the moment that made me realise we were now a nationally established brand and not just a West London thing.

What are the biggest business lessons you’ve learned since starting out?

I’ve learnt so much since starting innocent,

“In business it’s most important to listen; to your team, to the people around you and to the target consumer” a market stall and YouTube was started by two friends in a room above a pizza takeaway. Even in today’s heavily competitive world, little can still get big.

So my advice is simple: start small, but do get started. There’s nothing like taking the first small step to help get you over the initial fear and inertia that surrounds creating your own venture. Once you’ve committed to action, you’ll find momentum comes from the pitter-patter of those first baby steps.

What does the future hold for you?

2013 is going to be a really strong year for innocent. We’ve just launched new recipes to our range of delicious juice blends, and have lots of exciting things in the pipeline – everything from introducing new products to hosting some special events.

but some of the main lessons I’ve learnt in running a business are to are to make sure you and your team have a shared sense of purpose – that everyone understands why they’re there and what they’re working towards. Remember that everything takes longer than you think, and to persevere if you believe you’re doing the right thing.

And finally, it’s so important to listen; to

your team, to the people around you and your target consumer. Businesses that don’t listen lose touch, and ultimately fail.

What advice would you have for anyone dreaming of starting their own business?

Remember that every business in the world started small. M&S began life as

How did ‘Be Your Own Boss’ come about?

The UK is a brilliant source of entrepreneurial talent, the younger generation especially so, and I wanted a TV programme that showed and supported this. We crowd-sourced and seed funded 500 would be entrepreneurs – the range of ideas was impressive and many new companies have been launched off the back of it. We need to keep finding ways of transferring knowledge between experienced business people and young start-ups, and encouraging the next wave of entrepreneurs.

Mentors can also help young people get prepared mentally for running a business.

When I started my business I just assumed that I wasn’t going to be the sort of person who could run an organisation and be successful. People need to learn that it is an option for them – that anyone can be an entrepreneur.

Were you impressed with the level of entrepreneurship on show from the applicants?

Yes, I was bowled over by it. It reproved my belief that we are a nation of entrepreneurs.

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WORK, REST AND PLAY Helen and Simon Pattinson were City lawyers when the dreaded realisation struck that they had committed to the wrong career. A life-changing tour of South American cocoa plantations saw the legal eagles soar away from the courtroom, and into a life making their own chocolate brand, Montezuma’s. Mark Southern met up with the sweet toothed entrepreneurs to find out how they did it

T

o this writer Willy Wonka is the greatest movie entrepreneur of all time. Forget about Citizen Kane’s unsustainable media empire, Lex Luther’s imaginative but flawed get-rich quick schemes or Ebenezer Scrooge’s seemingly successful accountancy firm - there’s no sell-on value for a business run by abacus.

And don’t even try to mention Jabba the Hut’s lucrative range of boutique business ventures; no-one made a creditable fortune whilst only wearing a studded neck collar.

But the master chocolate maker, in his factory of wonders? Now there goes a real entrepreneur. Possessing the marketing wizardry of Jobs, the single-minded vision of Gates and the daring-do of Branson, Wonka created his riches on the back of glorious chocolate, and inspired his customers around the world with his creative culinary delights.

Of course it’s tricky to find the comparable

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business guru who then gave it all away to an eight year old boy who won a golden ticket, but we’ll skip over that for now.

Husband and wife team, Helen and Simon Pattinson may well have been subconsciously influenced by Charlie’s unusual chocolatey pal, when just a few years ago they chose to leave behind an affluent but unfulfilling life in the City, and change their lives to become luxury chocolate makers and sellers.

“Simon and I were both commercial lawyers, living and practising in London”, Helen explained from her office, which never loses the rich and mouth-watering aroma of fresh chocolate being made every day. “However, from the day we met, we knew that we were not destined to be lawyers forever. It can be a great career, but we were too impatient, and weren’t ready for the road to partnership.”

Years of legal training and education had led the duo to the place they had previously assumed they wanted to be, but the reality of

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their lives was somewhat lacking. It’s a feeling that millions endure every year, but how to escape from the situation and make a better life as a dreamchaser?

“We were lucky to be starting out on our professional lives with very few responsibilities, so it was an easy decision to give up our careers and make a clean break from the law”, recalls Pattinson. “We had no idea what we would do but we just knew we didn’t want to return to London to be lawyers again. So we sold our house, put everything into storage except our tent and rucksacks, to set off on a year long trip of a lifetime, during which we were hoping to ‘find ourselves’ and work out what we wanted to do with the rest of our lives.

“We spent many months travelling around South America, and were inspired by the cocoa plantations in Venezuela, and the huge number of amazing chocolate shops we discovered in one little Argentinian town.

We returned from South America with many business ideas, but we couldn’t stop thinking about chocolate.

And very quickly, we decided to launch our own chocolate shop in the UK, to bring our own high quality chocolate experiences to consumers.”

Within a year of returning from the lifechanging trip, the entrepreneurial duo had spotted premises in Brighton they thought perfect for their very first chocolate shop, taking on the lease. As with all dreamchaser stories, getting to launch was still fraught with challenges to overcome. However, responding to set-backs by acknowledging them as potential opportunities rather than negative hurdles is a key ingredient in an entrepreneur’s make-up, and the husband and wife team showed an ability to see a bigger picture than the immediate problem.

“We were going to sell chocolate that we shipped in, and had contracted a manufacturer to produce more than half our chocolate stock. However, just six weeks before we opened our first Brighton store, the supplier went bust. Even with all of the stress of the opening around the corner, we quickly took the decision that we would ourselves become our own chocolate manufacturers as well as retailer, and so a very steep learning curve reared up ahead of us. However, I can honestly say we have never questioned our decision. Our lifestyle changed so

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dramatically, but we loved it from the start.”

Now chocolate makers as well as sellers, the morning they opened for the first time the duo felt the rush of adrenalin and hope that every entrepreneur will recognise. “After many months of planning and research, hard graft and set-backs, we opened the doors in Brighton to the public. At that moment of exhilaration we knew we had done the right thing. It was the most amazing feeling to have people walk in off the street and actually hand over money for a product we had created. It was the moment that we hoped we would get to when we set off on our South American journey.”

Many entrepreneurs who change paths mid-way through their lives find the skills they learned in their previous career can be transferrable on a frequent basis, and the legally-trained duo found their confidence in law to be a real boost to their business acumen. “Between us we had experience of employment, commercial and shipping law, and most of this has been useful at some point”, Helen adds. “We saved a lot of money early on by negotiating our own contracts and leases, but, more importantly, legal training does help you to be confident when dealing with much larger suppliers and customers. It’s easy for small businesses to get bullied, but when you know the law, you can stand your ground.”

Years on from the first shop launch, the Pattinson’s chocolate brand, Montezuma’s, goes from strength to strength. Helen is proud of the success, and understands the importance of unique in business. “We are innovative British chocolate”, she declares, confidently. “We focus on flavour and product innovation, and strive for packaging which looks great, but doesn’t harm the environment. And we are growing at a great rate in all of our sales channels’ retail, online, corporate gifting and through our retail partners such as John Lewis and Waitrose.

However, Montezuma’s has become a family business, and we want to see it live on like this for many years to come, so we’re not in any hurry to expand at the expense.

We have a fantastically loyal customer base, who we will continue to strive to please with new products. And then we’re confident that growth and consolidation with follow.”

What advice would Pattinson have for other dreamchasers, stuck in a life they

“we have never questioned our decision. our lifestlye changed so dramatically, but we haved loved it from the start”

want out of? “Just make the break. We don’t have time to lose, life is so short and this isn’t a rehearsal! There’s no doubt that these decisions become harder when you have children, mortgages and other responsibilities to consider, but rarely are they impossible. Just don’t leave it too late and then regret that you weren’t more bold.”

The Pattinsons have achieved success by working together throughout, and understanding the pressures of the life they have chosen by sharing them. However, many business and romantic partners find that the intensity of a shared 24/7

entrepreneurial life can damage both relationships irreparably. Has Helen found that working closely with her husband has made their personal relationship more strained?

“Absolutely not”, she laughs. “We have always worked together so, for us, we can’t imagine what life would be like any other way. In fact, I think it would be much harder to run your own business without your partner involved, as it can take up every waking moment, and take you away from the other important things in your life. If you’re both involved every step of the way you can

better understand these things.”

What have been the biggest challenges the chocolate entrepreneur has overcome on her path? “At first, almost everything is a huge obstacle. Nobody wants to take you seriously, from banks to landlords, and sometimes even friends and family. However, with perseverance and a thick skin, all of these can be overcome.

“The biggest issue we have faced on a personal level is to learn that we can’t grow whilst we continue to hold on to all the minutiae of the decision making and general running of the business. It took us quite a

few years to justify to ourselves the benefit of employing managers to do what we had been doing, and it seems like such a huge cost to bring in a layer of management.

However, it’s been one of the most liberating stages of our business journey.”

The food manufacturing industry is notoriously difficult to enter, with as much regulation as almost any other industry.

What is the entrepreneur’s advice for others attracted to launch businesses in the industry? “The food business does have many obstacles before you even start. Food labelling is becoming a legal minefield, and obviously food hygiene is paramount.

However, there is also a lot of help out there if you look for it.

“The great thing about a food business is it’s relatively easy to start on a small scale, with farmer’s markets and local food fairs becoming so popular. You always have to be passionate about your product, but for most people it’s easy to be excited about the food they have created, so it’s often a perfect business, and we love being a part of it.”

As we bade farewell to the most delicious smelling office you’ll ever enter, we can’t help but wonder at what point do you stop eating chocolate all day long, as it’s all we’ve done since arriving? “You don’t!” Helen admits.

“Quite often, chocolate is the first thing I eat when I arrive at the office and there are always plenty of new products to try just lying around on our desks. Trying to resist is just futile!”

Helen and Simon Pattinson jointly own and run the luxury chocolate brand, Montezuma’s. www.montezumas.co.uk

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TREVOR BAYLIS

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RADIO ACTIVE Trevor Baylis has been called the godfather of British inventors living today, responsible for genuine social change, alongside commercially lucrative product design. Mark Southern visited the visionary behind the wind-up radio at his Surrey workshop, to discover the world according to Trev.

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‘D

r Trevor Graham Baylis OBE’ may be the name on the letters through his postbox, but to the rest of the world, including a certain Nelson Mandela, ten of those syllables are redundant. For ‘Trev’, as he’s been known for his seventyfive remarkable years, is as far removed from pomp and ceremony as any inventor you’ll ever meet.

Baylis is a contradictory conundrum in the flesh, at the same time utterly unassuming, whilst eternally charismatic and possessing a real presence. His keen eyes flicker incessantly, his proud moustache frames his relaxed chatty mouth, and his well-groomed slick of white hair reveals a man who still stays fit, and who understands the importance of being active in every sense.

However, it’s the affixes around his given name that provide the real clues about the global importance of the energetic entrepreneur from Eel Pie Island, Twickenham. The prefix sits at the front to reflect the thirteen honorary degrees, including multiple doctorates and Masters, bestowed upon him for his exceptional contribution to British inventing. But it’s the suffix that really stands out, presented to him by Princess Anne, for his ingenuity in making a real difference in the fight against the spread of HIV across Africa. Not bad for a working class kid from London, with minimal education.

For Baylis has never had a career, so to speak, but has instead made his life his own from a very early age. And what a life.

After very nearly qualifying for the GB swim team at the 1956 Olympics, Baylis spent time in the Army, before becoming a stunt swimmer and underwater escape artiste in a Berlin circus.

It was during this time that tragedy cruelly struck, and changed his life forever. His lover was an Austrian aerial

ballet performer, considered the most beautiful star of European circus. Trev the intrepid escapologist was smitten with the passionate affair, but fate intervened and, during one of her daring high-rise routines, she fell from her rope, with the safety net not able to save her life.

Baylis was inconsolable, but, in a move which demonstrates his positive attitude to life, chose not to moan, but to consider what life would have been like for his sweetheart if she had survived with severe disability. Recognising that the solutions of the time were unsubstantial and ineffective, Baylis set up his Orange Aids company, and began combining the natural brightness of his mind with the practical skills his father had taught him to design smart tools that could assist people with disabilities to live a better quality of life.

It was after building a successful inventing business that Baylis began the next phase of his life, which culminated in his worldwide celebrity, and eventual invites to both Mandela’s and the Queen’s houses.

In the early 1990’s the inventor was watching a documentary about the seemingly unstoppable spread of HIV around the African continent, which could be severely helped if the education of the locals could be increased by wide-spread use of simple radios. However, batteries, not to mention electricity, were at a real premium in many African regions, and powering radios seemed a forlorn hope.

Baylis dashed out to his workshop (AKA his “graveyard of a thousand appliances”), and within minutes had worked out a way this could be achieved cheaply and effectively. In his words, “I thought of the old fashioned gramophone. If you can get all that noise by dragging a rusty nail round a piece of old Bakelite using a spring, there’s got to be enough power to drive a transistor radio. All I did was to get a DC motor, hooked up two wires to the back of a cheap transistor radio, and then put that little motor into the truck of a hand brace.

“all i did was get a motor, hooked up two wires to the back of a cheap transistor radio, and then put a little motor into the truck of a hand brace. it was done before the programme had even finished” 34 | MONEYMAKER MAGAZINE

Away she went, before the programme had even finished.” This prototype formed the framework of his most celebrated invention, the wind-up radio, that required no batteries and could be people-powered.

Baylis achieved his big break when his invention was profiled on the BBC show Tomorrow’s World. With the exposure came the investors, and just two years later an invitation to meet both Queen Elizabeth II and Nelson Mandela, to say thank you to the visionary inventor for his work in educating Africans about the killer virus.

To this day, he ranks meeting the South African leader amongst his finest hours.

“When Mr Mandela endorsed what I was doing, well that was wonderful. I went over to Pretoria and sat in his house, and he was talking to me like I was an old buddy of his.

And then I showed him the radio, and then they opened the factory, and distributed the radios around Africa. Just a truly lovely man.”

These days Baylis lives a quiet life in the house he built himself, spending his days crafting new inventions in his workshop,

and running an agency that supports fellow inventors with patent protection of their ideas. It’s a humble life for a man of such repute, but in absolute keeping with his friendly, low-key persona.

Wearing a neat blue shirt and jeans, whilst frequently puffing on a pipe, the first thing he wants to talk about is a nice story he’s read in the paper recently about a three year old boy, who has become Britain’s youngest inventor. “This young man, just three years old, has created something quite brilliant. He was with his dad in the back garden sweeping the lawn with a stiff broom. Then he sees his father put the stiff broom away, and get a soft broom to sweep up after. This little boy said, “Dad, why don’t you strap the soft broom on the back of the stiff broom, then you wouldn’t have to keep on going backwards and forward to the shed?” Anyway, the father filed for a patent, which has now been granted, and that patent stays with that little boy for the next twenty years.”

Does the man that has been dubbed the living godfather of British invention thinks

that young inventors like this are the future?

“God, yes. I always say art is pleasure, but invention is treasure. What’s more important, dead sheep in formaldehyde or a paper clip? We have very little in the education system for encouraging the next generation of inventors, but we have an opportunity to make Britain lead the world once again in invention. I would love to see us create a Bachelor of Invention, alongside Arts and Science.”

So he believes the school system lets down would-be inventors?

“Absolutely, we have to bring invention in as part of the National Curriculum. We should be teaching kids all about great inventors, and what they achieved. For example, have you ever heard of Mary Anderson? She was the inventor of the windscreen wiper in 1903. Stephanie Kwolek? She invented Kevlar. You think of how many people’s lives have been saved because of her invention. What about Heather Lamarr? She was a fantastic mathematician, and her torpedo technology is in every mobile phone to this day.

“These are amazing people, but their work is not celebrated. We’ve got to encourage our youngsters to get off their backsides and have a go, by inspiring them at a young age.”

Baylis cites his father’s teaching of practical skills at a young age to be seminal in his ability to invent. He frequently refers to “chance favouring the prepared mind”, and believes that it’s the understanding how things work that allows creative minds to overcome problems with practical solutions.

“I don’t get up in the morning thinking I’m going to invent something today. Rather, my understanding of mechanics and how things work means I can think up solutions to problems, based on knowing how appliances fit together.

“It’s a bit like me as a child in my dad’s workshop, learning how things fitted together. I want all kids to do basic howthings-work education, and stop becoming too computer dependent too soon.”

Not that Baylis believes that digital technology is a negative thing. “These kids now can do stuff far beyond what I can

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in terms of use of computers and modern technology, but we mustn’t get our children computer dependent. New technology is terrific, and we must teach our kids about the latest advances, but not at the complete abandonment of more manual technical skills

too.”

Baylis understands that today’s marketplace is an increasingly difficult one for entrepreneurial inventors, with intellectual property protection rather less adhered to in different territories around the world.

“There are very real copyrighting issues, particularly involving some international territories, where the IP laws are a lot more lax. In other words you could go out and spend thousands of pounds with your lawyer protecting your idea, or so you think, using the patents system. But then someone on the other side of the world comes up and makes an identical thing to you. Now, how on earth are you going to take them to court?

“I’d like the patent system to be an international thing. We don’t want the system in America to be different to the one we’ve got here, to be different to the one in China, because you’ve got a problem in the language difference.

“And there are plenty of other financial problems too for modern inventors. You see, it’s still the case that most of us don’t have all the skills we need to bring a product to market, so to launch a product in most instances you need outside investment. The perfect scenario for an inventor and investor is a big commercial seller, that solves a problem. But in these instances, when the money rolls in, the inventor should not be rolled out, and that is happening more and more.”

Does he feel that the BBC’s Dragon’s Den, which has on occasion mocked inventors, is a good advert for inventor and investor relations?

“I’m very, very anti Dragon’s Den. Alright, they might be trying to make amusing entertainment, but I don’t think that

the inventors that put themselves in the firing line should have the piss taken out of them on prime time television. Quite the contrary, they should be respected for having the guts to get off their backsides and have a go.”

What advice would the successful inventor give MoneyMaker Magazine readers, with their own inventions ideas?

“It’s common-sense stuff. When you’re designing a new product, think KISS - keep it simple, stupid. The best solutions tend to be those that leave you wondering why noone had thought of it before. And, of course, if you do have a good idea, only discuss it with people you trust, because once you’ve

“when you’re designing a product, think kiss - keep it simple stupid. the best solutions tend to be the ones that leave you wondering why noone had though of it before” 36 | MONEYMAKER MAGAZINE

let the cat out of the bag and it’s in the public domain, you cannot then protect it.”

Would the master inventor, with his hundreds of inventions, some of which have been picked up, and many of which are still in prototype form, recommend the life of invention for others?

“I’ve always believed that you should follow your heart in life. The most important thing for me is not money.

Alright, if you don’t work you don’t eat, but you’ve got to have a life. Do what gives you a buzz and that’s what I’ve always done.

“It’s a great life, and it’s given a young kid from London with barely any education a chance to see travel the world and see some wonderful things, and meet some incredible people. Alright, it’s not always super-well paid, but, let’s face it, you can only wear one suit at a time, and I hate wearing suits. Do you know what I mean?”

Trevor Baylis Brands helps inventors to protect their idea, with absolute discretion applied. To find out more, visit www.trevorbaylisbrands.com.

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HOW TO

PLAYING IT SAFE

YOUR GUIDE TO SELF PROTECTION As the ongoing smartphone libel wars have demonstrated, protection of ideas and securing intellectual property is more important than ever.

However, for an entrepreneur without Apple’s limitless resources, it can be hard to know how to adequately safeguard a new venture or concept. We met up with Jodie Albutt, an associate at Dehns Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys, to get the low-down on the many different options entrepreneurs have to ensure their ideas are kept fully protected.

Keep things quiet For many entrepreneurs your first protection of an idea is to keep it secret.

This may be possible where the idea cannot be determined from disclosures, and may be advantageous in terms of cost and time. However, this form of basic protection may not be suitable where the idea can be determined, e.g. by reverse engineering, and does not prevent a third party from independently arriving at the idea.

Research your idea Before seeking professional advice and incurring costs, carry out some investigations to determine, whether the idea is new. Although many entrepreneurs are familiar with publications in their field of interest, there are often other unidentified disclosures which may affect protection of an idea and the scope of protection which can be sought.

Ensure you are first to protect

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Early on you will need to determine whether the idea is protected by copyright or unregistered design right by someone else. Copyright may be available in any written works or drawings, and unregistered design right can protect the shape or configuration of an original design, so get your research done before progressing any further.

Understand what protection you are looking for You’ll need to determine what sort of protection you should be considering.

For example, registered design rights protect the look and appearance of a product, trademarks usually protect the company/product names, patents protect new inventions. All of these rights must be applied for, and such applications examined to ensure that the relevant criteria are met.

likely to obtain. The patenting process in particular can be costly, and you should ensure that sufficient funds are available to take the process to grant. If budget is an issue, consider cost-reducing measures, such as filing in fewer countries, and providing your attorney with input at every stage of the process.

Keep control of the budget Before formally applying for protection, consider what funds you have or are

Consider where to protect You should always think carefully about where in the world protection is needed.

“it is important that any application for ip protection is drafted properly to ensure the best possible chance for obtaining protection� given to whether the rights in an idea lie with the inventor, particularly if they happen to be an employee of someone else. Employees often will find that they may not own their ideas, due to their employment contracts, and the conditions under which an invention is made may dictate ownership.

It is important that protection is sought in countries where, for example, competitors are active, or where the product is likely to be sold or manufactured. However, this should be balanced against cost, particularly for countries where translations are required.

Time it right Often, entrepreneurs pursue protection for an idea too early. Consider whether further investigations are necessary to determine all applications of the idea, or whether the idea will work in practice. Balance this against the need to disclose the idea.

Own the concept An entrepreneur should own their idea to protect it. Consideration should be

Speed up the process Seeking IP protection can be a lengthy process. It may be beneficial under certain circumstances e.g. for tax savings under the

Patent Box scheme or in the case of known third party infringers or of identified licensees, to speed up the process. There are different systems available to fast track applications, and consideration should be given as to how and whether rapid grant of rights is desirable.

Seek professional advice It is important that any application for IP protection is drafted properly to ensure the best chance possible for obtaining protection. To maximise your chance of success, you should liaise with either a patent attorney or IP specialist, or with your university technology transfer department if applicable.

Jodie Albutt is an associate at Dehns Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys www.dehns.com

MONEYMAKER MAGAZINE | 39

make it

networkinG

THE NETWORKING ALCHEMISTS Entrepreneurs in the capital are spoiled for high quality networking events, but how do you choose which to invest your time and budget into? We review the very best events out there for business people who don’t have time to waste. First up, the Fast Growth Entrepreneurs Club.

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ver the past decade London truly has become a world business city, set up for entrepreneurs who want to make the most of their business lives. Communications, infrastructure and opportunities for Capitalbased entrepreneurs get better daily, but with great choice comes the inevitable

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dilution in quality of these tools, and this is no more apparent than with networking.

Ten years ago a small number of high-end events took place every month, with access to their guest lists a fiercely guarded secret. However, in today’s digital age the ease of communication has led to a massive increase in events aimed directly at putting entrepreneur in front of entrepreneur, and generating new business

for everyone.

However, with the increased offerings has come the new problem of identifying the right kind of events for your business.

After all, there’s little point in working a room if there’s no-one worth talking to.

Step forward the Fast Growth Entrepreneur Club - a relatively small but smart networking event that is approaching its first birthday. The brainchild of a team of entrepreneurs, the

Founder of the Fast Growth Entrepreneurs Club, Melissa Gilmour on the event that is creating headlines in London What is FGEC? The Fast Growth Entrepreneurs Club is for innovative leaders of growth companies to regularly meet other like-minded peers to grow networks within a relaxed and nonsales environment. The Club allows today’s fast growth leaders to share ideas and provide inspiration and mutual support.

What kind of networking attendees do you have?

They range from young start-up entrepreneurs to established business people with new ideas. We like to get the right mix of innovation and investors in the room.

event is designed with one thing in mind; to get the right people in front of each other first time, every time.

There are several hosts on the event team, and all are knowledgeable about the guests in attendance, with a genuinely surprising level of depth in their understanding of every networker in attendance. We are guided around the room by our host, with our drinks never reaching even half way before being topped up by the pleasant but anonymous staff, and conversation flows like the champagne.

After meeting around a dozen or so entrepreneurs, almost all of whom we can do business with, more waiting staff emerge with small trays of well-crafted canapés, mingling seamlessly, whilst our host ensures that we don’t miss out on a single possible new business associate.

What is the best success story yet of entrepreneurs who have met at FGEC? As a young club we are just starting to see the business marriages within our network come to fruition. A good example is the meeting of entrepreneur Teresa Quinlan from Love PR with financier and author Tony Drury.

Both operate in completely different sectors and without Fast Growth Entrepreneurs it is unlikely they ever would have met one another.

Teresa was able to introduce Tony to the right people to enable him to begin pulling together a feature film from his first novel, and now Teresa is producing a £5m movie for Tony, which is being shot this year.

How do you make the meeting process as effective as possible at FGEC? By limiting the number of people in the room.

Our clubs consist of no more than 40 people and we act like puppeteers, making sure the mix is right. Small is better for these types of events.

How do you see the evolution of the event?

While we aim to keep the event as a pop-up, working with exclusive venues and clubs around London, we envisage these becoming more regular and will be providing some more themed events around sectors in the next 12 months.

“in the cab on our way home we count 30 business cards for people we could do business with” A speaker briefly delivers a short, entertaining speech, and then it’s back to the networking, with two hours flying by. In the cab on the way home we count around 30 business cards in our left pocket (our advanced jacket filing system’s shorthand for “we could potentially do business with them”), and only a small number in our right. This is a near 80% success rate, which is exceptional by any reckoning.

London is well stocked for networking opportunities, but this is an excellent addition to the capital’s premier league of business meeting events. www.fastgrowthentrepreneurs.com

MONEYMAKER MAGAZINE | 41

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Perry Anderson

COMMON WEALTH MANAGEMENT Investor Perry Anderson gives us his take on”Across The Pond” investing

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hilst every British newspaper continues to act as a harbinger of doom in the current economic climate, it’s easy to see why UKbased investors are running for the hills, with their wallets tucked firmly in their back pocket. However, a new wave of overseas investors see things rather differently, and is heading to our green and pleasant lands with the cash to back British businesses to succeed. We caught up with a Venture Capitalist leading the way for North American investment, Perry Anderson, on why 2013 is in actual fact the greatest opportunity for a generation of entrepreneurs and investors alike.

What’s your background?

I am a Vancouver based financier who spends far too much time on planes these days – splitting time between Canada, the UK and continental Europe. When not in the air, I oversee Quadra Global Capital Corp, a Private Equity and Investment firm that I founded over a decade ago.

What’s the Canadian investment situation like currently?

By most accounts we have been very fortunate the past few years to have relative stability in our marketplace.

Seeing that Canadians are quite fiscally and politically conservative, we have managed to somewhat avoid the downturns which have plagued most other western nations. As such, most asset classes are not on sale in Canada and we see more opportunity in economically challenged demographics.

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Why have you come to the UK right now, in the middle of a triple dip recession, to invest?

Without hesitation, I unequivocally feel this to be the most opportune time to be investing into the UK. In fact, I believe this to be the ‘perfect storm.’ From a macro level and given the economic downturn, a majority of asset classes can be acquired at discounted rates. The cost of debt instruments are as close to nil as we are ever going to see. There is an educated and under-utilised work force that is seeking employment, which could bid down the cost of qualified labour. There is a trillion dollars of capital currently sitting on the sidelines waiting to be deployed.

As well, the Canadian dollar has recently appreciated relative to the pound. All of these points collectively lend credence to the ability to negotiate investments in the UK from a position of strength.

What kind of opportunities are you looking to invest in?

Our firm has historically been involved in capital raising and real estate acquisition.

We were fortunate to have bought well primarily in the early 2000’s and the asset class has fortunately performed very

favourably. More recently, we have been investing into the technology space. One of our early stage investments has gone on to win Deloitte’s award for the “Fastest Growing Tech Company in North America” and “Canada’s IPO of The Year” this past year. Overall, we are an agnostic firm that is interested in continuing to invest and back strong management teams in various sectors.

Do you think UK investors are too negative about the current opportunities available?

“we see real opportunity in the technology sector in britain, with the emergence and development of the east london tech city as a media and technology hub” As a neutral Canadian based outsider (hopefully we are still considered to be a neutral country), I can share my opinion and contrast the UK to the United States.

The UK generally seems to continue to dwell upon the unfortunate circumstance it presently finds itself in – with a constant barrage of negative news media. The US, on the other hand, seems to have a much more optimistic mindset. I appreciate their ‘Can Do’ attitude towards business and the tenacity required to climb out of their respective recession. I think that ‘mind set’ is such a determining factor of success versus failure and I respect how the US always seems to support a good comeback story!

The net effect of the global downturn has equated to a lack in overall confidence in the market and it will take positivity and not the continual inverse to dig itself out.

What advice would you give entrepreneurs looking for investment?

My advice would be not to let the perceived lack of capital in the marketplace be the reason that your entrepreneurial venture does not get funded or commercialised. As previously discussed, there is more private capital available in the market than there are good homes for it. Capital chases sounds strategies and not the other way around!

Do you think that there are many serious investors from overseas like you heading to the UK to invest in British businesses at this time?

I certainly hope not as I would hate additional competition in this ripe marketplace! However, with many

government sponsored tax incentives and programs such as the Enterprise Investment Scheme, I would not be surprised.

What are the real growth opportunities for British business?

We see real opportunity in the technology sector in Britain. With the emergence and development of the East London Tech City as a media and technology hub coupled with government investment and significant tax incentives, this will inevitably translate into jobs and economic growth. More so, we feel this will foster a new culture of entrepreneurs and subsequent investment opportunities.

We take a long-term, value-oriented and contrarian approach to investment and are excited about the potential we are seeing in the UK.

MONEYMAKER MAGAZINE | 43

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franchise

The Cats that got the Cream We catch up with Longcroft franchise founder Abi Purser to find out just how she went from having nowhere to leave her cat Norman for a vacation, to running one of the UK’s premier from-home franchise businesses in just three short years When did you come up with the idea for a luxury cat hotel?

The idea was born out of necessity. In 2009 we had booked a three week holiday and couldn’t find anywhere suitable for our beloved cat Norman (no laughing!) to stay!

Did you expect to have the success you have experienced when you launched the business?

In a word, no. I knew I wanted Longcroft to be the best business of its kind in the UK, but after opening in the summer of 2010 the client base grew much faster than expected. We were fully booked within weeks. At Christmas in 2010 we turned away over 200 bookings, about £26,000 of business, because we simply didn’t have the capacity to take clients on. At that point I knew things had to change - and fast!

How is Longcroft unique from other

processes have been honed to perfection with animal welfare being at the forefront of our mission. We never sit still and are constantly innovating and tweaking things, which is the main reason have won so many business awards recently.

Theo Paphitis and Deborah Meaden named us Smarta 100 2012 winners, marking Longcroft as one of the top 100 businesses in the UK today. We were also crowned Best New Business in Hertfordshire in 2012.

existing Cat Hotel businesses?

Its all about the detail. We are incredibly detail-oriented, whether it be from the choice of bedding to the materials we use in construction. Every element has been chosen for a very specific reason.

Every Longcroft hotel looks beautiful, but most importantly the behind the scenes

Did you envisage Longcroft as being a franchise business?

For now, yes. It still offers us a lot of control on which way the brand is directed, which is very important to our long term success. We also love the family element that we’ve managed to create with

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our franchise, we all speak on the phone regularly and meet up for dinner together.

And I still run the original hotel, Longcroft Welwyn, which puts me in a franchisee’s position every day. This makes mentoring new franchisees much more efficient as I can relate to every aspect of the job and any difficulties or problems that could arise.

And we can certainly expand further, so the franchise model helps with that. We have had a lot of interest internationally and the model could be tweaked slightly for those markets.

Why is Longcroft particularly suited to being a franchise?

We structured Longcroft around our franchisees’ busy lives. As a young mum myself who is juggling home, family and work, my mission was to create an enjoyable, profitable and sustainable business that I could run from my home on a part time basis.

What about the franchising business model appealed to you?

We have complete control over choosing our franchisees, which is important. When owners come to view us they are just as interested to meet the cat hotelier as to

“Franchising offers us a lot of control on which way the brand is directed, which is very important to our long term success” MONEYMAKER MAGAZINE | 15

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franchise

view the hotel. People buy people! It’s also a very cost effective way of growing business.

What support do you offer franchisees?

Longcroft has a dedicated PR team who create a launch plan for each hotel. We use our press contacts to arrange for franchisees to get featured on local press, radio and potentially TV. This ensures that their Longcroft Hotel opening gains an immediate high profile within their region.

We also have an annual marketing plan which includes month by month campaigns to ensure bookings are kept at full volume, and a price tracker to keep prices at the optimum level.

Finally we have fully designed promotional templates – for local advertising, leaflets and email newsletters for franchisees to make use of, plus a supportive network of head office team and other franchisees, who they will get to know via regular phone and face to face get-togethers.

What advantages will franchisees have over starting their own cat hotel brand?

Joining an established multi awardwinning business is great comfort for cat owners wishing to use Longcroft hotels.

This in itself is invaluable.

To launch as a solo cat hotel and build these elements of your business from scratch, including creating and registering a business and domain name, building a website and social media network, designing stationery, and commissioning photographers, writers, PR and Marketing, would cost in excess of £25,000. The Longcroft joining fee is just £12,000, so it represents great value.

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wrong very early on which is why we take care of it. Funding is another hurdle for some people but most of our franchisees are profitable within year two, making business plans robust and commercial loans easier to obtain.

But also, aside from the money, there are the networking benefits that come from joining the Longcroft family. The reassurance that there’s always someone to reach out to when needed cannot be valued. It’s a ‘mini’ business link without the annual fees, and with those who have an intimate knowledge and understanding of your business.

Do you have any criteria you look for in a potential Longcroft franchisee?

Firstly they must be personable and animal loving. I make sure I conduct all of the interviews personally and prefer it if franchisees have no previous experience as we do things so differently at Longcroft. Of course there are other elements to consider like the type of property- some properties would never obtain planning permission around the constraints of licensing etc.

Planning is very involved, and can go

Are you concerned that opening your business to franchisees could harm your brand?

To begin with, of course. Longcroft is like my fourth child!

What advice would you give to entrepreneurs looking to open a franchise business?

Make sure you find the right person to advise you on turning your business from one business to multiple. Go with recommendation. Ask yourself: Will there be enough profit? How will I market? How will I get new franchisees cost effectively?

Do I need an investor? Can I afford one?

Research is key. Have faith in your ability and go with your gut always!

Abi is currently looking for a franchisee to open a new Longcroft in Brighton. For details visit www.longcroftcathotel.co.uk

www.ukibc.com

IndIa Is a large, fast-growIng economy Currently demonstrating growth rates of over 6 per cent. This growth is largely driven by domestic demand, fuelled by a rapidly growing aspirational consumer class. It is an important market for UK goods and services, including consumer products.

India is projected to be the 3rd largest economy in the world by 2050 in terms of GDP. Accessing India from the UK, is a difficult but critical decision, which businesses have to take. And we can help you with your India strategy.

the UK IndIa BUsIness coUncIl (UKIBc) UK India Business Council is the premier businessled organization promoting bilateral trade and investment between the two countries. Our mission is to facilitate an increase in trade between the UK and India through business to business dialogue.

Through the facilitation of partnerships, and with an extensive network of influential members, UKIBC provides knowledge and networks vital for UK companies to make the most of emerging opportunities in India.

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SHOBO

RUN YOUR OWN FASHION LABEL Ever wanted to run your own business, but not sure where to start? Or dreamt about owning a franchise, but lack the capital to do so? Well fear not, because MoneyMaker Magazine is launching our innovative ShOBO schemes, offering budding entrepreneurs the chance to own a share in their own business for no up-front cost. This month we’ve got an opportunity of a lifetime for anyone who has ever wanted to have their own fashion line

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his month London Fashion Week gives the Capital its latest makeover, with Britain’s most in-demand fashionistas showcasing their new collections, whilst the city’s no-carb restaurants do roaring trades.

However, trying to get cut-through and make fashion profitable is a skill that most in the industry never perfect, and many brands will try and fail to make the cut this spring. After all, as fabric prices rise, high street stores close weekly, and the online industry becomes massively fragmented, how do you attract the kind of publicity that you need to make your brand well known enough to stand a chance of making it big?

Our first ever ShOBO addresses this

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square on, with a business in the fashion industry that has guaranteed stand-out and celebrity support. In fact, so innovative a concept is it, that we’re not allowed to discuss it here for fear of it getting out and someone else launching it first.

However, before we say what little we can, let’s run through the ShOBO concept in a little more detail. The idea stems from the affordable housing scheme that the government and many property developers run, where first time buyers struggling to get a foot on the housing ladder may buy a small share of their new home, with the government or developer owning the other share. This ‘shared ownership’ deal is good for both buyer and developer, as it allows a consumer to purchase their first home and the house-builder to sell a unit.

ShOBO is MoneyMaker Magazine’s new

business concept for UK entrepreneurs, and stands for Shared Ownership Business Opportunity. In a similar way to its house-buying cousin, ShOBO allows entrepreneurs and investors to work together in a unique way. The investor has a viable business idea and pays for whatever set-up costs need to happen, and then an entrepreneurial ShOBO is handed a percentage of the business to run it in a full-time capacity. The entrepreneur takes no salary, and instead earns dividends from the shareholding they have been given, which rises every year until a preagreed equity stake is achieved. When the business can afford it the entrepreneur and investor may take a salary, subject to board approval.

Our first ShOBO is for an entrepreneur who wants to make a mark in the global

fashion scene. The investment group behind the startup is famous for its ability to engage celebrities in their businesses, and the showbiz-theme underpins the entire business plan. The brand launches with a highly unique tee shirt range, before adding bags and accessories, hoodies and then underwear to their portfolio. The start-up has been designed to be seen, and features some of the most talkable unique selling points the UK fashion industry has seen in decades.

The entrepreneur who is chosen to be the ShOBO behind the brand will be expected to perform the following duties: l Be the front man or woman, travelling the world attending media events promoting the brand l To work with the investment group to

identify suitable celebrity partnerships l To run photo shoots and other branding exercises l To keep relations with suppliers, including the manufacturers, strong l Choose the designs that will feature on the collections from the team of talented designers It’s a hugely exciting opportunity for somebody for whom the unusual is the usual, and for whom creativity and the spectacular play an important part in their life. Nobodies need not apply.

In return, the entrepreneur will receive 10% equity of the brand every year for three years, until after three years they have achieved 30% equity within the brand.

However, during the first two years they will receive dividends of 25% of profits,

and 30% of profits after three years. The brand is projected to be worth in excess of £5.5 million within the three year period, with profits projected to be £400,000 in year one, £800,000 in year two, and £1.4 million in year three. Full terms and conditions are available upon invitation to meet the investment group.

If you think you might be the ShOBO entrepreneur to run this unique and exciting fashion brand, in return for an equity stake, then email us your CV at shobo@moneymakermagazine.co.uk, and we’ll put the best applicants in front of the investment group, with one chosen to lead this brand.

If you are an investment group with an idea you would like to be considered for our next ShOBO, get in touch shobo@moneymakermagazine.co.uk

MONEYMAKER MAGAZINE | 49

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THE INVESTMENT PITCH

“The global market for men’s grooming products is expected to exceed $33.2bn by 2015”

INVESTING ON A RAZOR’S EDGE The world of mass produced low-value shaving brands may be cut-throat, but the upper echelons of the industry are rich with opportunity for high-end shaving creams and lotions. This issue’s investment pitch comes from British company The Bluebeards Revenge, a luxury grooming brand with a big future. sector alone was worth nearly £75m in 2010, and bucked the tough market by increasing by 3% in the same year. The world market for men’s grooming products is projected to exceed $33.2 billion by the year 2015, according to Global Industry Analysts, Inc. Importantly we are fairly and squarely aimed at the broader male grooming market on an international basis. We see no reason why we should not be actively targeting The King of Shaves’ 2008 reputed turnover of £25m as a medium term goal.

Introduction to the brand: The Bluebeards Revenge (Known as Dreadnought Shaving in the USA and Canada) is an award winning mens shaving and grooming brand, with strong USPs and points of difference. In just two years the brand has made good progress in creating an excellent international network of Distributors and Stockists.

The brand is completely “stand-out” and refuses to conform to the established norm.

Its unique packaging, approach to market, macho but self-deprecating style and charity links has taken a back water, niche brand to the very edge of becoming an internationally known and respected name in the market.

The Bluebeards Revenge is rapidly expanding to become a broader male grooming brand. The current range now includes our signature luxury shaving cream, a post-shave balm, a pre-shave oil, a cologne, branded cut-throat razor and brush, and antiperspirant deodorant, amongst others.

Last year we sold over 50,000 The Bluebeards Revenge branded products and 10,000 Dreadnought Shaving products, and achieved quickly a cult respect from our loyal customer base. We have achieved significant PR and media success, including The Sun, Daily Mail, Daily Express, Daily Mirror, Sport Magazine, Loaded, BBC Radio and Shortlist, amongst many others.

We have also created an established international footprint, with large scale distribution channels in Italy, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea, as well as the UK and North America.

And it’s not just us saying it as the brand has most recently been nominated for two highly prestigious Beauty Magazine awards – an unprecedented development for such a young brand.

Funding Requirement

What’s your background and team behind you?

I launched the brand after learning the industry with my long-established online traditional shaving store, The Shaving Shack, which has been trading for nearly a decade, and is accepted as being the market leader in this niche sector. It sells a wide variety of established brand products to a loyal customer base, as well as our own brand, The Bluebeards Revenge.

We run the brand from our own warehouse and office premises near Plymouth. The Bluebeards Revenge team is led by me as MD and brand creator, and consists of a two man PR and marketing team, plus a dedicated IT Manager and three other support staff.

What is the market like?

We operate in the male shaving and grooming market, and according to Kantar Worldpanel the UK shaving preparations

An injection of funds would allow for the range to be expanded, the inventory to be carried in depth (with the accompanying benefits of scale economies), increased PR and marketing, and recruitment in personnel to plug skill gaps. The investment would also give us the freedom to manoeuvre in the market and present with confidence to the mass market, and to survive once the brand has been accepted by the larger retailers.

Funding is sought up to £1m, and we would be looking to offer 20% equity in the Company for a £500K investment.

What’s your turnover, and projections if you achieve the investment?

Our 2012 turnover is circa £700K, with a gross profit of 34%. With just a £500k investment we believe we can increase this to £1.9m in 2013, £4.7m in 2014 and £6.45m in 2015. By 2017 we would be expecting a turnover of £14m.

For more about the brand visit www.bluebeards-revenge.co.uk. If you are interested in discussing the investment more, contact MoneyMaker and we’ll share your details with the brand.

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From home

THE RULES OF PRODUCTION As business practices evolve, and entrepreneurs adopt a more mobile lifestyle, the temptation of domestic distractions looms as a real threat to UK PLC. We learned the secrets of home-working success from the world leader in setting up home offices, Lisa Kayaker, author and entrepreneur behind leading work-from-home advice centres WorkingNaked.com and HomeOfficeLife.

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he tens of millions of entrepreneurs who work from home face multiple challenges to focus, including family interruptions, household chores, and not to mention the refrigerator. These are all threats to your productivity.

With only 24 hours in each day, and 168 hours in each week, it’s important for all of us to make every second count, starting with these five strategies.

Value every minute One of the many benefits of working from home is that you don’t have co-workers dropping by your office to chat. When I worked for someone else, I lost track of the amount of time I spent listening to co-workers talk about their weekend, cry about their spouses, and complaining about the boss. When you work for yourself, you don’t have to deal with coworkers’ problems, and there is no boss looming over your shoulder. That leaves you with more time to run your business.

When you are facing an important deadline, let your voicemail take messages while you work. Take advantage of your flexible work-from-home situation by working on important tasks when you are less likely to be interrupted (e.g. early in the morning or after everyone is asleep).

Stop postponing decisions When you are the person in charge, and you have to make decisions on your own, you may feel a bit of self-imposed pressure.

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When you have several solutions to a problem, it is not easy to decide which direction to take. Rather than waste time thinking about each choice, to the point that you start missing deadlines, make a decision and have a backup plan ready in case your first choice fails. When you don’t make a decision, you come across as lacking confidence and having weak leadership skills. Not everyone can make a decision quickly and feel good about the decision, yet making some type of decision is better than not taking any action at all.

Deal with long-winded callers Some people can make a phone call, get the answers they need, and then hang up, while others can’t stop talking. When you speak to someone who constantly keeps you on the phone, let them know at the beginning of the call that you have only a few minutes to talk. Ask the person the questions you need to have answered, and then finish the call. If the caller starts to ramble, remind them that you have limited time to talk and, if necessary, you will call back later. Also, make sure your telephone has caller ID installed, so that you can screen calls.

Reduce the time you spend searching for lost items The old maxim of ‘a place for everything and everything in its place’ is annoying, but still rings true. Think about the time you spend looking for lost papers, supplies, and information you need. Now think

about how much more time you’d have if you just knew where everything was all the time. Make the effort to set up files, organise sales materials, and store extra supplies. Then, when you need to find something, you can get to it easily. The time you spend setting up a workable system will help you save huge amounts of wasted time in the long run.

Avoid being a Bouncing Ball Are you the type of person who bounces from project to project without finishing a single one? If so, you could be a ‘bouncing ball’ - someone who wants to accomplish everything, yet has trouble doing one thing at a time. The bouncing ball’s biggest problem is getting and staying focused.

That is not easy when you work from home. The best advice for bouncing balls is to keep it simple, and to set up a home office with as few distractions as possible.

With less to take you away from the task in hand it’s easier to focus on anything that needs your attention. Also, use a to-do list system that works for you - post-its, notepad, computerised, smartphone, whatever really clicks for you. Make sure you refer to it often every day.

Lisa Kanarek is one of the world’s leading home office experts, the author of five books, and the founder of WorkingNaked.com.

She is also the founder of HomeOfficeLife, a consulting firm that advises home-based business owners on all aspects of working from home including home office set up, function, productivity and technology.

MONEYMAKER MAGAZINE | 39

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tomorrow’s talent

APPY DAYS:

THE FUTURE OF BRITISH BUSINESS Each issue, we meet a young entrepreneur with a big future in our new Tomorrow’s Talent showcase. This month’s is David Carter, who has risen from humble beginnings to becoming the most important young entrepreneur in the UK app design world. We caught up with him to discover his remarkable story

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n Manchester it rains. A lot. It is frequently cold, and the sun is seldom spotted. Local folklore says that a dry day once happened, although this is unsubstantiated. However, inclement weather aside, times are a’changin’ for the hometown of United, Gallagher and Ken Barlow. Things are looking up.

Business is thriving within the Greater Manchester postcode. Startups pop up daily, and a palpable sense of anticipation is building. And one industry in particular is starting to show real signs of success; the smartphone app development business.

But where there’s gold there are prospectors, and as the industry has been overrun the best and smartest software developers have become more difficult to identify. However, they say the cream rises to the top, and this is never more true of young Manchester entrepreneur David Carter - the bright CEO of Corporate Group, and the young man some have called “the most exciting digital entrepreneur in Britain today”.

Carter grew up on a deprived council estate in one of the city’s most troubled neighbourhoods, and used his natural programming ability to find his own way out, before discovering he had even more developed entrepreneurial skills, creating his million pound business empire, Corporate Group. A panel of business experts scoured the UK entrepreneurial landscape and identified Carter as one of the most exciting young entrepreneurs in Britain, and MoneyMaker Magazine was delighted to meet up with the programmer-turned-CEO in his native city.

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MM: Tell us about your entrepreneurial career to date.

DC: I grew up on a council estate and everyone there was trying to do something to elevate themselves out of that environment.

I was in still in college when I had the idea for my business. My college courses didn’t interest me, and running a business was more appealing. I’d skip class with fellow students and we’d use the college IT labs to write software and put our apps onto marketplaces. I was only 18 years old when our applications became the largest seen on Android devices. I knew then there was real potential so I turned down a place at university to work on the business full-time.

When we realised we were disturbing the marketplace, getting more downloads on our apps than most companies worldwide, we became hungrier to take food from the mouths of the old sleeping tech giants. The ambition grew from there.

MM: Tell us about Corporate Group DC: Corporate Group is a technology consultancy service. We develop computer and mobile device software and solutions.

We also offer infrastructure and consultancy in areas like application development, integration, and solution development.

MM: What’s your proudest entrepreneurial moment to date?

DC: We were self-funded in the beginning, starting out with only a few hundred pounds saved from part-time jobs outside of college. My proudest moment was when I was able to employ my fellow colleague

students and give them a more exciting job than what they would have got outside of college.

MM: You chose entrepreneurialism ahead of university. Is this a choice you think more and more young people are making?

DC: Yes, there does seem to be more young people choosing to set up a business over going to university. I think it’s the right time to be making that decision. The recession means that the old businesses are going under and there’s more space in the market and room for innovation.

MM: How do you feel about being considered a young entrepreneur to watch in the future?

DC: Pleased. It’s always good to be recognised, particularly as the tech start up scene is so competitive. I just want to create the best business I can, and to hopefully help any young people who feel a bit lost in society to know there is a way out, if they apply a bit of talent and hard work.

MM: Which entrepreneurs do you hold up as inspirations?

DC: Steve Jobs is a great inspiration, because he took a company from nothing, got kicked out and then did it all again, bigger and better. But my mum’s my biggest inspiration. She raised me as a single parent and she’s always supported me.

To find out more about David Carter’s Corporate Group visit www.corpgrp.com

“when we realised we were getting more downloads on our apps than most companies worldwide, we became hungRier to take food from the mouths of the old sleeping tech giants” MONEYMAKER MAGAZINE | xxx

make it

POLITICS

BLUE SKY THINKING Sky News anchor Adam Boulton has been up close and personal with British governments for over twenty years, reporting on four Prime Ministers, countless cabinets and now a coalition. We asked the journalist politico how he sees the UK political landscape for businesses and entrepreneurs How well do you think the coalition is doing for British business?

These days all governments say they are pro-business and anxious to encourage entrepreneurship and growth. The coalition would point to the cuts in corporation tax as proof of its commitment to business and David Cameron, George Osborne and Vince Cable certainly enjoy banging the drum on trips abroad. But one basic test is how well the economy is doing – and we all know the answer to that. Politicians also like to meddle, to protect the public from excesses they would say. And from banks to the media, supermarkets to energy generators, there’s hardly a wealth-creating sector which hasn’t been threatened with curbs. Every government I have covered in the last three decades has tried to cut red tape and none of them have done it – with the possible exception of the period when Nigel Lawson was the Chancellor.

Would you say British business in a positive state currently?

It depends what sectors of the market we are talking about. High street retailers are obviously having a very hard time, squeezed by both economic depression and the digital age. Banks are on the critical list, and consequently it’s hard for other businesses to borrow their money. On the other hand car exports are booming and many manufacturers, especially of high tech engineering, report full order books.

Digital information businesses, including BSkyB, are doing very well but the print media are struggling. Many big businesses

have cash mountains, but don’t know where to invest it. A restructuring of the economy is unavoidable, and probably essential, but it is having many brutal consequences. Overall I would say that British business has great potential but the years of prosperity are a long way away.

Is encouraging today’s youth to be to take on an entrepreneurial career a viable option?

I don’t believe in entrepreneurship for its own sake. That way I think you are really only encouraging a “get rich quick” mentality. That’s why I don’t like the concept behind programmes such as ‘Dragon’s Den’ and ‘The Apprentice’.

Business is not a game. Entrepreneurship should mean that you have a good idea and the work ethic needed to develop it. In our advanced consumer society there are more niches than ever which need filling.

However, since no-one is likely to have a job for life these days, you pretty much have to be entrepreneurial if you want to survive.

Do you think that school-leaving children are prepared for work/ business?

When I compare them to my own generation, children these days are almost too prepared. Back in the seventies work experience at school or university didn’t really exist. You worked whilst studying because you needed money (sometimes against the rules), but it had nothing to do with what you expected your career would be. And even in at the end of our

studies few of us had a clear idea what we were going to do. That’s because there were jobs and traineeships to apply for, and companies prepared to take on and pay raw recruits. It doesn’t work like that today.

Most people pay for their own training as students and postgraduates, and the way they qualify is by accumulating “experience”. Personally I don’t think this is progress. Both the private and public sectors should ask themselves why they choose to exploit young people rather than train them.

Do you feel Britain can call itself an entrepreneurial nation? And if not what role can the government play in increasing the level on entrepreneurialism in the country?

Of course Britain is an entrepreneurial nation. We have innovated and invented above our fighting weight in almost every area of human endeavour historically, and we still do. As “a nation of shopkeepers” we’ve also let individuals keep most of the fruits of their labours. Government’s role is to ensure “light touch regulation”, which means ensuring fair play, providing reasonable support, and then staying out of the way as much as possible. Not all politicians manage this. For quite understandable reasons post credit crunch there is also a mood abroad of “public sector good, private sector bad”.

Politicians should resist pandering to this because you need both – and the politicians task is to keep public and private in balance.

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make it

hall of fame

The MoneyMaker Hall of Fame:

The Rolling Stones Each issue we induct a one of a kind entrepreneur into our MoneyMaker Hall of Fame. This month it’s the band that has turned a passion for blues music into cold, hard cash for the past fifty years. From recording some of the most iconic music of the 20th century, to selling out decades of World Tours, to trademarking one of the most recognisable logos in the history of merchandising, nobody has ever done the music industry quite like The Rolling Stones When a young Mick Jagger ran into casual childhood acquaintance Keith Richards on a train at Dartford train station in 1960, neither could have predicted how the chance meeting of minds would have a lasting impact on the music industry across the globe, forever. The two teenagers bonded over a shared a passion for American Blues music, and before too long were playing the up and coming London live music circuit with slide guitar Brian Jones, bassists Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts. The Rolling Stones had been born.

Fifty years later and the Stones are still the biggest music act on the planet, playing a series of live gigs either side of the Atlantic (for the princely sum of £4million a show) to celebrate reaching half a century at the top of their profession. The faces may have been weathered by father time over the years, but the music, and the financial clout of the band, is stronger than ever.

Rumours are abound that The Stones will tour again for the first time since 2006 this year, and will perhaps even headline Glastonbury festival. The 2005-2007 “A Bigger Bang” Tour grossed almost $600m worldwide (the most for any music tour ever at the time), if Mick and the boys opt to hit the road one time and go out in a blaze of glory then this could easily be eclipsed.

The essence of entrepreneurialism is comprised of individuality, drive, work ethic and success (not to mention a bit of talent). Love them or hate them (for what it’s worth, we love them) there’s no denying the phenomenal industry-shaping success of The Rolling Stones have had in the fifty years they’ve spent holding the title “the biggest band in the world”. They’ve done it their way, and made a fortune in the process – making Mick and Keith easy choices for the MoneyMaker Hall of Fame.

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art

A Classical Painting For The Digital Age A 21st Century Approach to Art Collecting

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nvesting in art has always been considered a realm only attainable to the highly affluent, but with the digital era creating more platforms to showcase art and encourage more artist exposure, collecting art has now become a more accessible and tangible investment.

In 2003 Elinor Olisa and Isobel Beauchamp created DegreeArt.com. Starting as one of the UK’s very first online art galleries, the concept behind DegreeArt was to capture emerging artists on the brink of their career and help promote and sell their work online. Elinor and Isobel felt there was a gap in the market for students and new graduates who had fabulous art to sell and the potential to become noted talents of the future, and therefore the opportunity to create a unique art collecting opportunity.

Elinor recounts, “It was 2003 and I was finishing my Art History degree at Goldsmiths. My flatmate Isobel and I were becoming increasingly aware of the vast number of Fine Art students who were holding incredible degree shows that too often became the grand finale as opposed to the launch pad for their careers. It seemed obvious to us that the missing link was a combination of business training, a community of support and marketing. This was all something we felt we could offer by harnessing the growing power of the Internet.”

Over the past 10 years DegreeArt.com has established itself as the market leader in UK student and graduate art sales, hand picking and promoting the most promising artistic talent, with the idea thatclients invest in art that has the potential to become highly valuable.

Elinor explains how DegreeArt has grown and changed over the space of a

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decade; “Isobel and I ran DegreeArt single handedly, until 2010 when we chose to raise investment to allow us grow the business further. This brought on board three new Directors from varied backgrounds. Before this we had run the gallery from a live work space, travelling around the UK holding Pop Up exhibitions and then from our first gallery space on Vyner Street.”

Taking the business from strength to strength, DegreeArt.com has become a profitable business with an ever growing client base. Taking an active interest in its artists, and recruiting new talent, DegreeArt has been responsible for hosting the Signature Art Prize, which is now in its sixth year, has become a staple on the art critics calendar and an aspirational goal for emerging artists.

Elinor explains, “DegreeArt’s mission is to make original art affordable and accessible to all and in doing so securing careers for our artists and viable investments for our

clients. We recruit from a unique sector of the art market, universities, and provide a vital platform for these artists to promote themselves from.”

On the investment potential of art, Elinor comments, “Now the first time buyer, as well as the established collector, has the power to own original art at affordable prices. Clients of the online gallery have witnessed a growth in value of their artwork of an average of 40% but as much as 83% in the past three years.”

Holding regular exhibitions at their Vyner St gallery, DegreeArt also invite clients to visit the gallery for viewings, warding off the blindness of buying online.

From 1st April 2013, DegreeArt will be launching the Collectors’ Club. The Collectors’ Club has been founded to support new emerging artists by enabling their work to be accessible to a new and wider audience. Through The Collectors’ Club members are able to come together

Elinor’s top tips for buying and selling art work: l Work with a gallery who can identify artists with exceptional creative talent, motivation and a clear comprehension of what is required in order to succeed l Take an active role in how these artist progress – closely track and champion their development - market the ‘artist’ as celebrity l Predict/ understand trends in art buying l Gain access to new work as it becomes available in order to have a degree of control over the circulation of the artist’s work l Cultivate interest and hype in your artists l Ensure you have knowledge of when to buy and when to sell individual artist’s work and the collection as a whole

to understand and appreciate owning contemporary art. As art becomes an increasingly popular choice to add to the traditional mix of equities, commodities and bonds, the Club will be of interest to a variety of art enthusiasts ranging from those who want to start purchasing art and investing in emerging artists, to established art collectors.

Amongst carrying the most up and coming artwork, DegreeArt also provide art and interior design consultancy, art valuation, gallery hire, artwork hire, art insurance and framing services.

Elinor surmises “With the assistance of DegreeArt.com, becoming an art collector doesn’t require insider knowledge, or luck.

By sourcing and working with only the most talented emerging artists, DegreeArt.com allows the novice buyer to find something they will truly love to own, as well as invest in. You could discover the next Damien Hirst or Tracy Emin by simply logging on.”

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CELIA SAWYER

ROOM SERVICE Four Rooms queen and new MoneyMaker columinst Celia Sawyer lets us in on her time on the Channel 4 show, and why she’s back for another crack at finding that unique object for her collection 62 | MONEYMAKER MAGAZINE

“I was expecting some unusual things, but how do you go about putting a value on adolf hitler’s toilet? especially when there’s no provenance” It’s been a whirlwind eighteen months for the glamorous entrepreneur, who runs a celebrity-friendly interior design firm in addition to her antique dealing, and now she has an even busier diary, as she’s joined the MoneyMaker Magazine team, as a regular columnist on all things worth collecting.

In Celia’s first MoneyMaker column, she recalls some of the most memorable times on her first season of the popular television show.

On how she landed the starring role I saw that the show was asking for people to send snaps of their vintage or interesting treasures, to be considered to sell on the upcoming series. I always encourage people to take a chance on something they want, and followed my own advice by sending in a picture of myself with a note saying, ‘What about me as one of the dealers? Because I’m the business. Just check out my website, and let me know.’ They obviously took notice, as they phoned me the next day. It was assertive of me, sure, but that’s me.

C

elebrity interiors entrepreneur and collectibles dealer Celia Sawyer was busy being hugely successful when the call came last year to become the new star of Channel 4’s iconic antiques show, Four Rooms - where sellers offer unusual items to four expert dealers, and choose to stick or twist on the offers they receive for them. Since then, she’s barely been able to take a day off, as the world looks to the self-assured dealer for advice on the business of investing in collectibles and curios.

On what attracted her to Four Rooms Being an interior designer and dealer in collectibles and artefacts, going on Four Rooms just seemed to be a natural path to go down. I mean, what could they show me that I hadn’t seen before? And if there was anything, then how exciting anyway! It took me just moments of day one to realise I had underestimated what may come in, when the first set of sellers entered the Bear Pit with the most ridiculous stuff I’d ever seen.

On her first day on the show I was expecting the slightly unusual, but what a start! How on earth do you value something like Adolf Hitler’s toilet?

According to the seller, it was from of one of his many ships, but when asked if he had provenance that Hitler had actually ever used the loo, he could not say. In fact, he could not even say that Hitler had ever

seen it, and so any weird fascination a collector may have had for an item like this disappeared along with the plumbing. The next seller through the door was a very loud American lady, offering an antique sex toy for women of yore to satisfy themselves. It was this point that I first started to realise what I had let myself in for.

On her favourite items There were some truly exceptional pieces that came through the door, that any dealer would be interested in. For instance, I’m a collector of popular culture memorabilia, and I bought a training glove from Muhammad Ali’s last fight, which was signed with a personal message. I also picked up a very cool and collectible Beatles’ Yellow Submarine pinball machine, which I rather cheekily got for £2,200, and would’ve paid at least 50% more for.

I was also offered some fabulous dollar art, from the brilliant NYC tattooist turned artist, Scott Campbell. He had crafted 300 one dollar bills into a stunning three dimensional skull, and I loved it - in fact, it was probably my favourite item from the show. I was delighted to buy it, but I confess I did then think as a dealer, as I sold it on. I must say this is my one regret, as I believe Campbell’s work will appreciate significantly in future, and I think I sold out too early for a mere 30% profit.

On the worst piece she was offered The most difficult situation arose when an item came in that I felt very troubled by. As a dealer you’re supposed to take off your emotional head and stay objectively business-focussed, but what do you say when someone offers you the chance to buy a piece of “art” made from Auschwitz victims’ gold teeth? Someone had created a replica model of the concentration camp by melting down the gold removed from the victims’ teeth, added some diamonds, and even included skeletal faces looking out of the train window as it entered the front gate, whilst adding a clock face from a Rolex

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CELIA SAWYER

“i did miss out on a couple of great items i would have loved to have picked up, not least some alexander mcqueen dresses that were pieces of art to me and very collectible” watch.

What on earth was this supposed to be saying? The seller wanted hundreds of thousands of pounds for it, and I told him, quite frankly, I hated it. In fact, we all did.

This wasn’t art in my eyes - it was nothing short of a disgrace, and he spent no more than two minutes in my room.

On missing out I did pretty well throughout my first season of the show, and got most of the things I wanted, but I didn’t have it all my own way.

I did miss out on a couple of great items I would have loved to have picked up, not least some Alexander McQueen dresses, that were pieces of art to me and very collectible.

However, Jeff beat me to it, with his tricks and smart talking, and I have to say I was livid.

That was the one that got away. When this happens as a dealer you always think at the time that it’s the end of the world. However, there’s always another deal around the corner, perhaps even more exciting, waiting to be snapped up.

On rumours she was quitting Four Rooms After the long hours and money I spent on the second season of Four Rooms, I swore I would never do another series

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again. However, guess what? I have just finished filming Season 3, and have just spent the hours and the money all over again. It’s like doing anything worthwhile - it may hurt at the time, but you soon forget the pain and want do it all over again!

On the main lesson she learned from the show In all the years I’ve been dealing in curios,

I thought I had seen it all. However, I have never seen the kind of weird and wonderful items that regularly came through the door. Where did these people come from, and where did they get this stuff? I learned quickly that there is a bigger world of collectibles out there than I had ever imagined, and it doesn’t matter who you are - if you want the very best of the collectibles world, you need to keep an open mind, and enjoy the surprises when they present themselves.

Read Celia’s regular diary column exclusively here in every issue of MoneyMaker

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FILM MEMORABILIA

Lights.

Camera.

Auction!

Hollywood magic is a powerful thing indeed, sprinkling its movie glamour on everything we see on the silver screen.

In recent years it has lent its showbiz alchemy to auction houses, with film memorabilia seeing huge price rises. In the month that the Oscars draw the world’s gaze, we turned our own spotlight on antiques expert George Johnson, to tell us why the future of film collectibles is anything but noir.

Give us a brief introduction to the world of film memorabilia?

The main drive behind film memorabilia is escapism, and this is never more true than with the baby boomer generation who try to re-live those early life experiences at their local cinema by buying items associated with those favourite films, or even items that were seen on the big screen. As every generation becomes older they try to buy back a bit of their past.

What makes a piece of film memorabilia collectable and why?

The world of collecting film memorabilia is still quite a new phenomenon. In the early days of Hollywood not much thought was given to the items used during productions, and most items were re-used time and time again with the studios putting very little value on the articles.

The early collectors sought out autographs or maybe film posters, but not actual clothing or props. If these were sold

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FILM MEMORABILIA

it was normally by a member of the crew or production themselves. The turning point came with costumer Kent Warner, who realised there was a market for these items and amassed a large private collection that he liberated from the films he worked on - it was even said that he saved Humphrey Bogart’s Casablanca trench coat, which was about to be incinerated!

The studios themselves didn’t really catch on until 1970 when, under new ownership, MGM decided to auction off their huge stores. This was an amazing success, and changed the industry forever.

How can you tell what will be collectable in future?

Trying to predict the future for the memorabilia market is not an easy task, but one thing that is certain is the ability to pinpoint short term windows of high return, as was the case with Michael Jackson. It appears that when a star dies there is a narrow window when fans will pay well over the odds for items associated with them. But buyers beware, as this in the majority of cases is an unreal and unsustainable increase, and prices generally return to their normal levels within in a short time, unless the item in concern is rare or highly desirable.

Memorabilia associated with which movie stars are most valuable?

I always try to guide clients to artists with a proven track record, so names like Elvis, Chaplin, Monroe, Cagney, Hepburn etc.

However, this isn’t a simple answer, as not only are the stars collectable, but the films themselves are collected by people in their own right, so getting the right item worn or used by the right person is a sure fire way of securing your investment.

But then sometimes the more wacky items can reach high prices too; Las Vegas auctioneer’s, Julien’s sold x-rays of Hollywood idol Marilyn Monroe taken in 1954 in 2010, with an estimate of only $800 each. The chest x-rays then reached an amazing price of $45,000.

What kind of contemporary movie props and memorabilia should collectors keep an eye out for?

It’s the same as with all fields of collecting; the market is partly driven by fashion and tastes, but on top of this rarity and condition are paramount and can really affect values. You can’t go wrong with the

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original signed photos, and can be quite hard to spot by the novice. However, the true value of these reproductions is only pennies, so be wary.

There are real risks in buying, so you can see why it is very important to try and buy only autographed items that come with provenance or from a reputable dealer.

Is there a premium on British film memorabilia?

I would say that the memorabilia market is a worldwide phenomenon so, whilst there are a lot of British items out there due to our relatively high movie output, each piece of memorabilia has a value based on its own merits and there isn’t a blanket premium for UK only items.

“when a star dies there is a narrow window when fans will pay well over the odds for items associated with them”

popular and classic movies and stars, like anything associated with Star Wars, but then again the original films will fetch a premium on the later movies.

What are the biggest mistakes new collectors make when collecting film memorabilia?

Autographs is one area where novices can get caught out, as there are a lot of counterfeits and fakes, although not all of these un-genuine autographs were produced to deceive collectors - many people would have received a Beatles signature that was signed by one of their management on behalf of the group.

Some other types of autographs that you need to be wary of include anything done by an Autopen, which replicates a person’s signature, and has been used by some famous names over the years including all US Presidents since Eisenhower, as well as the majority of NASA astronauts.

Another type of autograph to be wary of is the pre-print, and there are thousands of these for sale on sites like eBay every single day. These are photographic reprints of

If the rise of film memorabilia is very recent, what is the future of film memorabilia?

I think the future for this market is very good indeed, but caution needs to be used more than ever as the amount of fakes is increasing. However, with provenance and a bit of thought this can be a very worthwhile area to invest in.

Marilyn Monroe’s very famous white “subway” dress from The Seven Year Itch was sold in 1971 for $400 but when it came back on the market in 2011 it sold for $5.6 million. That’s not a bad return on the investment, and the good thing is that it isn’t a one off occurrence, as many other items have achieved similar results.

What is the one piece of advice that all new collectors should keep in mind when choosing memorabilia?

I suppose the best advice I can give to anyone thinking of getting involved in this area of the market is to remember quality will always win over quantity; some of the smallest collections I have seen have been the most valuable.

It is always worth remembering that this is a market that is driven by fashion and taste, and investing in any film or star with an unproven track record is a gamble, as living stars can do something stupid in life that would affect the saleability of their items, which even death can’t always stop.

George Johnson is an antiques expert, and owner of Lady Kentmores antique, retro and vintage store. Follow him on twitter at @ ladykentmores or visit: www.ladykentmores.com.

The MoneyMaker Magazine guide to the most memorable movie memorabilia of recent years The Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger and Thunderball Cars driven by Bond on screen are always at a premium, but the most significant collector’s edition came with the 2010 sale of the DB5 driven

by Sean Connery in Goldfinger and Thunderball. With the full 007 works inside, including ejector seats, machine guns, and rotating licence plate, the car was sold for $4.1 million at auction.

Marilyn Monroe’s white dress from The Seven Year Itch Perhaps the most iconic image of 20th Century cinema is Marilyn Monroe in her famous white dress, which accounts for its status as the most prized item in film memorabilia.

The dress, worn by Monroe in The Seven Year Itch, was sold in 2011 for an eye-watering $5.6 million.

Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber from the Star Wars trilogy Star Wars fans are nothing if not enthusiastic, making any Jedi-related collectibles a sound investment. Every year millions of pounds are spent on exchanging Star Wars memorabilia, but the most memorable of recent times was Mark Hamill’s lightsaber from the original trilogy, which fetched $212,141 in 2008.

Audrey Hepburn’s black dress from Breakfast at Tiffany’s Fashions may come and go, but not for seminal clothing worn by Hollywood stars of bygone ages.

Audrey Hepburn’s famous black sleeveless dress from her classic, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, reached $923,187 in 2006, and is estimated to be worth well over $1 million today.

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collectibles

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The Joy of Numinastics Clem Chambers explains how coin collecting can be a valuable asset in any investor’s armoury, and you might just enjoy it as well

T

he big picture debate in investment is does inflation come next? To many the answer “yes” is so painfully obvious it is almost incredible that some think differently.

Collecting is a classic hedge for this eventuality, and comes in many forms and for some size is an issue. Collecting cars is cumbersome and, for some, anything hard to transport is not as attractive as something small enough to be considered “flight capital”.

It is easy to forget that many countries with rich collectors are not stable, and the ability to take your wealth with you is considered important. As they say in India, “if you can’t carry it, it is not wealth”.

That narrows the field somewhat.

The classic formats for high value highly portable collectables are coin and stamps. For those of us that worry about the fragility of stamps, coins are a perfect format.

Numismatics is not a fad. London’s most established coin dealer was set up the year of the great fire in 1666 and Baldwin’s, arguably Europe’s leading coin dealer, has been going since the 19th century.

We can see, therefore, that investing in coins, or collecting if you will, has a long history.

You can also trace the explosion in numismatic value running alongside the explosive inflation of the 1960s and 1970s.

Unlike investing in some alternatives such as wine, high prices are not the consequence of sudden price bubbles, but the accumulation of sometimes centuries of rising prices.

Coins do well in times of inflation. There are several factors for that, but in the main, coins are hard assets so will keep up with inflation; they also have a growing market which keeps demand ahead of supply.

Fifty years ago there were not many Indians collecting their coinage, nor for that matter Arabs, Russians or Brazilians. That’s all changed today. The market for numismatic collecting is growing with the wealth of the world, but the supply is not. In fact the supply of coins is shrinking because sadly coins are lost.

Rising demand and at best static supply means rising prices. Add in inflationary pressure and you have a very strong upward pressure on prices.

So what is the way to invest? There are three to choose from.

1

An utterly disinterested investor Many people just want to get their money out of cash (not antique coins!) and into something. They don’t care what it is. If that is a lot of money a dealer like Baldwin’s will put a portfolio together and even look after it for you. For the less fortunate the easy route is to buy coins of a value around £500-£1,000 from a reputable dealer.

Alternatively you might buy shares in the list numismatic fund Avarae, which has a multimillion pound collection which has achieved good growth already. Buying and selling coins takes more effort than ringing up your stock broker.

Buying coins from a dealer between the values of £500-£1,000 is a good place to start investing. Any coin that in due course you sell below £7,000 is classed as a chattel to the taxman so is not considered a taxable gain. Buying a coin for £1,000 therefore affords plenty of headroom, even with a certain amount of high inflation in the mix.

2

An interested investor Why not have a little fun? Coins are beautiful. They are amazing pieces of history. You can add to your investment returns with some cultural profits. Stop and smell the roses and be interested in these works of art.

So get an auction catalogue and bid for coins you like. Within a few months you’ll get the feel of the market and you’ll end up picking up some nice coins, happy in the knowledge you paid a market price. It will also ensure you understand and have a ready market for your collection. When the time comes you can sell them back through the same auction house.

3

A hobbyist investor You can go to the next step and become a real collector, someone who loves numismatics. There is a wealth of literature on the subject and if you have any interest in history, nothing beats actually owning a piece.

Most investments come with only cash profits, but collecting opens up more profits than just hard cash. The is the pleasure of owning a piece of art, there is the chance to develop a skill which in turn opens up opportunities to make higher returns.

It is no surprise then that there are many rich, sophisticated and erudite coin collectors and this is another upward pressure on prices.

This was underlined to me recently when one of those junky looking Scarborough siege piece coins I saw bid tens of thousands of pounds above what I was prepared to pay.

Clem Chambers is the CEO of leading private investors’ website ADVFN.com. He is also a columinst for Forbes and author of Amazon bestsellers 101 Ways To Pick Stock Market Winners and A Beginners Guide To Stock Market Investing.His fourth novel, The First Horseman, is available now.

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invest

CLASSIC cars

“a quintessentially british brand, loved and coveted throughout the ages by royalty, celebrity and the wealthy alike”

Aston Martin Timeline 1913 – 2013: 100 years of Car Making Excellence 1913: On 15 January 1913 Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin form Bamford and Martin Ltd, based in London

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1915: The first Aston Martin is registered on 16 March. It is christened ‘Coal Scuttle’ and powered by a 1389cc

Coventry Climax engine 1922: An Aston Martin prototype nicknamed ‘Bunny’ breaks ten world records in 16 1/2

hours at Brooklands.

It averages 76mph.

1925: The company goes into receivership but is rescued by Lord

Charnwood, John Benson, Augustus Cesare Bertelli and William Renwick. It is renamed Aston Martin

Motors.

1947: Engineering magnate David Brown answers an ad in The Times seeking an owner

One Hundred Years of Excellence at Aston Martin The iconic British car making is celebrating its centenary in 2013

for a ‘high class motor business’ and buys Aston Martin for £20,000.

1958: The DB4 is launched, powered by

a new 3.7-litre in-line six cylinder engine designed by Tadek Marek. It produces 240bhp and propels the

DB4 to 140mph.

1959: The DBR1 wins the World Sports Car Championship with victories in the

Nürburgring 1000km and at Goodwood along the way. The crowning glory is outright victory at the Le Mans 24 hour .

1964: Sean Connery as James Bond drives the new DB5 in Goldfinger and an iconic on-screen relationship is born

1986: The Vantage Zagato is launched and becomes one of the fastest supercars in the world with a top speed

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CLASSIC cars

F

or many, owning a classic Aston Martin is a firm feature on their bucket list – and those purchasing cars as an investment know almost anything with an Aston badge will bring in a decent return – with auction houses reporting the achievement of excellent figures for the most pristine examples.

It is possible to build up a small fleet of classic Astons without having a significant disposable income – unlike some of the flashier Italian marques. And, if you’re British, why not invest in models from one of our most quintessentially British brands, loved and coveted though the ages by royalty, gentry, celebrities and sportsmen alike.

This year marks Aston Martin’s 100th birthday, and it’s an ideal time to view and seek out a suitable model to add to, or start a classic car investment collection with. The company is hosting and organising celebration events across the globe – including some which will bring more classic, and new, Aston Martin models together in one place than ever before, perfect for a spot of potential profit making perusal.

In the UK, a week-long Aston Martin festival will take place from 15 July to 21 July. Designed to appeal to owners, potential purchasers and enthusiasts of the brand, the Centenary Week will include ‘open house’ activities at Aston Martin’s exclusive Gaydon headquarters, including factory-based events and driving tours and will culminate in a 1,000-guest ‘birthday party’ on Saturday 20 July and a spectacular Centenary gathering in central London on Sunday 21 July.

This highlight of the centenary celebrations will be held in partnership with the Aston Martin Heritage Trust and the Aston Martin Owners Club will feature a hundred of the brand’s most iconic cars in a multi-million pound timeline display. The event will also see one of the largest gatherings of Aston Martins in the 100-year history of the great British marque.

A number of centenary drives will also be held to coincide with the birthday party and the concours event. These will include a James Bond-themed route around England and Wales taking in a number of the iconic Bond film locations, a drive through the Highlands and

of 186mph.

1987: Ford Motor Company takes a 75% share of Aston Martin and later becomes sole

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owner. A period of rapid investment begins 1993: The DB7 goes on to become the most significant Aston Martin

Bonham’s Aston Martin Annual Sales Bonhams classic and vintage car auctions department specialises in auctions and valuations of classic and vintage motor cars.

During May, Bonhams holds an annual sale at the home of Aston Martin, in Newport Pagnell. Last year over 2,000 bidders and enthusiasts arrived to witness 46 breathtakingly beautiful cars including a particularly rare production, a DB4GT Zagato Sanction II Coupe once owned by Tony Smith, the manager of rock star Phil Collins.

The car sold for £1.23m, a new world record for such a car at auction in a sale that made a total of £6.5m, the best sale result for Bonhams since starting sales at Aston Martin’s Works facility.

Second highest price in the sale was £611,900 for a 1962 Aston Martin DB4 Vantage Convertible from the estate of the late Peter Gwynn. The third highest price achieved was £488,700 for a 1963 Aston Martin DBS Convertible.

There were astonished cheers when a unique 1971 Aston Martin DBS shooting brake estate car once ordered by a Scottish laird for his fishing trips netted a buyer at £345,000. It had been estimated to sell for £50,000 to £70,000.

A 1994 Aston Martin Virage Volante 6.3-Liter soft-top convertible once used

by HRH the Prince of Wales – described

by Fast Lane Magazine as “the most aristocratic of convertibles” – sold for £122,000, having been estimated to sell for £50,000 to £70,000.

Bonham’s James Knight, speaking after the auction, said:” This sale once again shows the steady rise of interest in Aston Martin cars that we have seen since we started these sales at Aston Martin Works.” www.bonhams.com

to date and represents a turning point for the company.

1999: DB7 Vantage Coupe and Volante

versions are produced using the first V12 production engine for Aston Martin 2000: A new era begins

Islands of Scotland, and a rally through six European countries in six days. In America, the Pebble Beach centenary drive programme offers an opportunity to visit some of California’s most scenic regions before spending the weekend at the legendary Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez explained: “Aston Martin remains one of the most exclusive and sought-after brands in the world, so it’s right that our centenary celebrations take place around the globe this year.”

“It’s appropriate that we mark the first hundred years of the company in this way and, with exceptional new cars like our ultimate GT – the Vanquish – timeless new DB9 and superexclusive V12 Zagato, we clearly have a vibrant and exciting future ahead.”

But what if you’re seeeking a new Aston to add to your collection? To mark its birthday celebrations, the company is launching a bespoke Centenary Edition Vanquish, V8 Vantage, DB9 and Rapide, and with production

under Dr Ulrich Bez, who becomes Chairman and CEO, marking the beginning of the most successful period in

Aston Martin’s history 2001: The V12 Vanquish sets a new blueprint for Aston Martin 2003: DB9 production

The £20 Million Aston Martin

being strictly limited to just 100 cars of each model ever worldwide, if kept in concours condition, it’s likely to be a hugely covetable car in the future.

Featuring a unique graduated paint finish, solid sterling silver Aston Martin wing badges with tailored ‘trans flux’ enamel inlay and a special Aston Martin hallmark, the exterior represents an exclusive new celebration of the company’s 100-year history.

Aston Martin CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez, played a key role in the creation of the unique paint treatment, tasking Design Director Marek Reichman and his team with the development of a suitably exclusive and desirable specification.

Dr Bez explained: “Clearly, the centenary of Aston Martin is a great occasion for our business, our customers, and our fans around the world.”

“It is only right, then, that we have developed these exceptional Centenary Edition models

gets underway 2005: The DBR9 marks a return to the racetrack. It will go on to secure class victories

at Le Mans in 2007 and 2008 2009: The four-door Rapide is unveiled at the Frankfurt

which will, I am sure, quickly become highly desirable and sought-after.”

A Centenary Edition Aston Martin is identified inside by its exclusive and luxurious treatment.

Deep Soft black leather – previously featuring only in the One-77 hypercar – with contrasting silver stitching, a special silver thread embroidery of the Aston Martin wings in the head restraints and solid sterling silver sill plaques individually numbered with an Aston Martin hallmark are among the features unique to the car.

Each Centenary Edition model will also be supplied with a unique presentation box containing a number of exclusive gifts to mark the first 100 years of the company. These include two glass keys, two bespoke key pouches made from leather matching the car’s interior trim and solid silver cufflinks featuring the Aston Martin script.

Some specification details will vary market by market around the world but all cars will, as ever, be painstakingly handcrafted at Aston

Motorshow and the V12 Vantage and DBS Volante are launched.

Aston Martin also unveils the ultimate

expression of the marque, the One-77.

2012: The iconic Vanquish name returns for a new flagship

Last year an Aston Martin once raced

by Sir Stirling Moss went on sale for a staggering £20,000,000. The iconic DBR1/2 won the 1959 Le Mans 24-hour race and was driven to victory at Goodwood by Moss, and is regarded as the single finest car built by Aston Martin in the famous firm’s history.

Martin’s global headquarters and state-ofthe-art manufacturing facility at Gaydon, in Warwickshire.

Available to order now, prices for the Centenary Edition models are obtainable on application at Aston Martin’s 146 dealers in 46 countries worldwide.

model. This ultimate grand tourer combines world-leading design, industry-leading technology and

advanced engineering to create a car that is recognised as perhaps the best Aston Martin in history

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PROPERTY

FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE When luxury property development group Clarenco started looking for a new addition to their portfolio of unusual properties, they left land behind, and set sail for the high seas, buying up an abandoned old Napoleonic concrete fort. Three years later and Spitbank Fort has been transformed into something remarkable. Mark Southern took a tour with Steve Leahy, the man responsible for one of the most astonishing British property developments in decades.

O

ne of the downsides of being fortunate enough to live in a country with a rich and varied history is that sometimes there’s just a little too much of it. Go to some other nations with either a shorter or less grandiose story to tell and every building that’s even a little out of the ordinary is celebrated, and kept in pristine condition.

However, the UK’s global contributions to industrialism, architecture and popular culture, not to mention its fascinating historical past, has meant that we simply have too many places of note to cherish.

This results in some truly inspiring buildings being abandoned.

One such example sat in the small strait of water outside of Portsmouth. The busy port welcomes everything from cruise liners to small sailing boats and the Isle of Wight ferry, but the one thing they have in common is they all pass by a perplexing round castle, with its watery moat extending out more than a mile in every direction.

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For Spitbank Fort is no regular castle, if such a thing should exist. Rising high out of the sea like a colossus, the stone cylindrical fort stands up against the incessant waves, and has done for over 140 years years, when it was first erected to thwart the invasion of Napoleon III, who planned to sail into England’s most important naval port, and capture the British throne.

Since then the fort’s own history has often been linked to warfare, with many military enhancements over the years, including anti-aircraft weaponry in more recent times.

However, for decades the imposing circular fort lay dormant, occasionally exchanging owners, who tired of the boat ride to get to their new retreat. In what appeared to be a never-ending cycle, entrepreneurs tried and failed to make a commercial success out of the quirky castle, but the many years of misuse had rendered it unfit for any purpose.

Then, in 2009, a saviour stepped forward in the shape of luxury property development group, Clarenco. The brand has made

“We’ve managed to keep the history of the fort intact, whilst still supplying the property with the modern luxury features that our clients demand. that is what i am most proud of on this project ”

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Property

something of a specialty of restoring unusual grand buildings to their former splendour, albeit with plenty of modern touches, and letting them out for events or personal hires.

And with multiple castles already on their list of successes, it felt like a last roll of the dice for Spitbank - if Clarenco couldn’t do it, no-one could.

Three years of intense planning and work followed, until finally the fort was able to open its doors once more to the public.

It’s only by powering across the Solent in a speedboat to see it in the flesh that the scale of the development sinks in.

We took a look around, and echo the common consensus that the development is a genuinely monumental achievement, and deserves to be recognised as one of the most ambitiously realised property development projects of recent times. We sat down with the head of the development, Steve Leahy, to find out how you solve a problem like a castle in the middle of the sea.

How long did the development take to achieve from start to launch?

It took over three years, including design, planning, and securing the listed building consents for a scheduled ancient monument. That’s before we even start talking of the tender process and restoration.

What are the main challenges of property development in the middle of the sea?

Transport and weather conditions are the obvious ones, but it’s difficult to get third parties to tender sensibly, without adding huge mark-ups on for risk. Managing the working environment, power generation and services provisions, and even deliveries were all challenges we faced daily, as we needed boats, cranes and somewhere to deliver on land.

What are the features of the development you are most proud of?

The way we have created an exciting environment, working with the historical character of the fort and individual rooms, whilst blending in modern services and technology that are expected within a world class venue. It was an absolute necessity for us to keep the history intact and the feel of the fort, whilst subtly blending in luxury fixtures and fittings.

For example, the basement has been transformed into a mixture of entertainment spaces with games rooms, wine tasting rooms, treatment rooms and historical

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rooms, whilst still enabling our guest to experience the real essence of the fort by travelling along the bolt hole, reading the original scripture and signage on the walls, and understanding that the old armoury and gun powder rooms are largely intact, but transformed to new more exciting uses.

Meanwhile, in the bathrooms and bedrooms we’ve used the granite and steel armament from the fort as key features to enhance our guest experience, whilst we’ve updated the old gun emplacements on the roof into a sunken external hot pool for 18 people with views out over the Solent, and a fire pit for

What do you look for when looking for a project?

Properties need to have a blend of key elements - it must be iconic, different or interesting, as well as being in a spectacular location. The blend is important; a lovely manor house in a spectacular location is still just a manor house.

How do you begin a process as exhaustive as restoring highly unique properties?

In phases, it’s a bit like eating an elephant, you wouldn’t sit down in one go to

“we have created an exciting environment, working with the historical character of the fort and individual rooms whilst blending in modern services and technology” guests to enjoy the world’s most incredible sea-bound sauna.

My personal favourite is probably the Crow’s nest. We’ve taken the lighthouse and given it a makeover, with modern glass and steel, creating a private bar and function space for over 60 people, that transforms into a stunning penthouse suite.

What are the secrets of managing a project as unique as the Spitbank Fort revival?

You need to have the support of a great team, and you need to be able to find logical solutions to all of the inevitable challenges you’ll face. Of course you need dedication, determination and a desire to save and restore an iconic building for future generations.

What has the reaction from guests been like?

Jaw dropping. Just wow, on every level.

It’s the surprise that keeps surprising, and people just cannot take it all in.

Clarenco famously only take on unique properties, before restoring them in your now trademark style.

tackle it all at once; it needs to be done in manageable chunks, and so we have become very good at the planning process.

Do you believe that unique property development is the most effective way of beating the recession that has hit the property industry hard?

We don’t view ourselves as property developers, but instead as operators of unique venues for corporate events, weddings and special occasions. We just happen to be very good at development as well. l www.clarenco.com

invest it

wine

Knowing your Market Why knowledge of your product is key in making smart wine investment moves

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invest it

wine

I

nvesting in wine for the first time is not for the feint hearted – you’ve undoubtedly read numerous reports about the potential perils. We caught up with wine expert Ashley Register of Bordeaux Wine Investments to find out what to look for, and key points to consider before making any serious investment in fine wine Wine investment has been a lucrative endeavour for many who have taken the plunge, particularly over the last decade.

However, just as important as watching the market, and buying the right wines from the right vintages, is the provenance of the wine that you’re buying. Provenance is a combination of a wine’s storage and purchase history, crucial pieces of information as you consider your investment, ruling out the possibility that your wine could be forged or inadequately stored.

Wine fraud is becoming an increasingly big problem for the wine industry, particularly in light of the upward trend of prices over the last decade and the appeal of fine wine in China, Hong Kong, India and Brazil.

Fraudsters are lured by anything that commands a high price on the secondary market. Older wines are noticeable victims.

In days before Chateau bottling became the norm, when wines were mainly negociant bottled, variation in bottle size, corks and caps was prevalent, making the job of forging particularly easy. Serena Sutcliff MW of Christie’s once noted that during the 50th anniversary year of the legendary 1945 Mouton Rothschild more bottles were probably drunk than had ever been produced.

The infamous Jefferson bottles made famous by the book ‘The Billionaire’s Vinegar’ has brought into the public consciousness the problem of old fake bottles. As wine prices have soared, the stakes have been raised, forgeries are better than ever and a larger range of wines, including recent vintages, are targeted. It is now more crucial than ever to be confident of provenance when choosing wines for your investment portfolio, especially as it is most likely to contain great wines from great vintages, which are most susceptible to fraudsters.

I also have no doubt that provenance will only become even more important over the years. As with any valuable asset, you must be sure that authenticity, storage, transport and origin can all be guaranteed

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“if you can buy ex-chateau. yes it may be more expensive, but buying 10% above the market price will be a small price to pay five to 10 years down the line when you come to sell the wine” to the highest possible degree. Buying wine for investment can be extremely rewarding, but a fake or spoiled wine could severely impede the potential value of your investment. This need never be a problem however, as you can follow some simple steps to find out where your wine has spent its life.

If you can, buy ex-Chateau. Yes it may be more expensive, but if you are investing in wine then you are most likely to be in it for the medium to long term. Buying at 10% above the market will be a small price to pay when five to ten years down the line you come to sell the wine. You will have a direct line from Chateau to negociant, to merchant, to your professionally stored warehouse.

It is not always possible to buy exChateau, and there’s nothing wrong with buying on the secondary market – after all there would be no investment market if one did not exist. Find reputable merchants or auction houses that you trust. We as merchants are in the business of buying and selling some of the finest and often rarest wines in the world and it is not worth the risk to buy a wine that has anything other than perfect provenance. With hard won reputations at stake we simply won’t buy anything unless we are 100% certain of every wine’s provenance. What’s more, we buy only from people who we trust implicitly. As we regularly ship wine from overseas and within the UK, we are certain to use logistics companies that specialise is transporting wine so you can be sure that your wine has been stored well during shipping.

If you are happy with the supply route that your wine has taken, you do need to be aware of the condition of the wine,

particularly with older vintages. You can be fairly confident that recent vintages that are still in their original cases and have been stored properly will be just fine. For older stock, and for bottles not in original casing, you need to be mindful that soiled or scuffed labels will lead to a discount of up to 20%, and wine with US strip labels probably means that your wine has been across the pond and back which will also adversely affect its price.

No merchant will be surprised if you request photos of the wine and often these will be already available. When this is not the case bonded warehouses will take a photo of the case, and if older or already opened, the bottles within them from. You should expect to see a photo of front and back labels as well as a picture from the top.

Look at the caps to make sure the cork has

not been pushed out and look at the levels of the wine within the bottle.

A little evaporation (ullage), especially in older wines, is to be expected, but abnormally low levels will likely bring you a sale price of 25% or lower than the current market price. Follow the following rules for drinking, and for investment accept only the very best: Almost to the cork – normal in young wines High neck – good for wine of any age (you should be wary of any old wines at this level – they are either in exceptional condition, or they are not what they seem) Top shoulder – fine for wine up to 20 years old Upper mid shoulder – generally acceptable in wines over 20 years old Low shoulder – risk of oxidation

Low shoulder and below – A risk and best to avoid Most importantly, buy your wine under bond. Not only does this mean that you have no tax to pay when you come to sell your wine, but you can be fairly certain that it has been stored professionally.

Get as much documentation that you can and make sure you hold copies of everything you receive, particularly invoices and photos, as these will be invaluable when you come to sell your wine. Ensure that you store your wines at a professional wine storage warehouse. Most merchants will be able to store the wine for you at one of a number of bonded warehouses in the UK, but should you wish to do so independently good ones to use are EHD, Octavian, Vinotheque and London City Bond.

“get as much documentation as you can and make sure you hold copies of everything you receive, particularly invoices and photos as these will be invaluable when you come to sell” With the need for ever more provenance as wines command higher and higher prices, producers, merchants and auction houses are taking increasing steps to guarantee your wines. In the meantime, there‘s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to confidently buy wine, but like any investment exercise caution and only accept the very best.

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wine

East Coast Envy For this month’s international wine spotlight we nip over the pond to the good ol’ USA and sample the oft-forgotten grape of Virginia. Because, as we discovered, there’s far more to American wine than simply California

“W

hen we think of fine wines, many fail to ponder past the investment grade wines of France. So, it may surprise some to know that a) the USA actually does produce quality wine, and b)… it’s really rather good.

One region of America that is fast becoming an epicentre of viticulture

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excellence is Virginia, with numerous vineyards creating what numerous experts are citing as world-class wines.

We caught up with one of the region’s leading producers, Chris Parker, of New Horizon Wines, to find out more. Chris originally hails from Blighty – but has enjoyed a new life state-side for over 20 years, as the specialist exporter of these wines to the UK. Chris and his wife Janina toured the region many years ago, and discovered a host of boutique, family run wineries, producing

genuinely impressive and elegant wines, offering a fresh takes on traditional varietal grapes, including the state’s signature Viognier grape. The idea came to them then to introduce these hidden gems to the UK, and they set up New Horizon Wines in 2009.

As Chris explains, “this region is certainly not new to the wine making industry, and in fact the history of wine production in Virginia started in 1607 when three ships embarked from England to establish settlements in Virginia. ‘Act 12’ of 1619 actually required landholders to plant vines for their own

consumption.”

It is said that Thomas Jefferson is the father of American wine. He believed in the potential to grow vitis vinifera vines in Virginia to make wines that would rival the best in the world. Of Virginia itself Jefferson remarked “Wine being among the earliest luxuries in which we indulge ourselves, it is desirable it should be made here and we have every soil, aspect and climate of the best wine countries, and I have myself drank wines made in this state of the quality of the best Burgundy” .

For a variety of reasons he did not succeed in his lifetime, but his vision is coming to fruition through the hard work and skills of winemakers from around the world that have made Virginia their home.

Recently documents have been discovered that proves that the Carter Family of Virginia made wines, one from “the Lisbon Grape”, and presented them to the Royal Society of Arts exactly 250 years ago. More is being discovered everyday about the history of the Virginia winemaking, the foundation upon which the Virginia wine industry is building today.

Over the last 40 years Virginia has grown from a handful of wineries to over 220. The growth in number is significant. What is more significant is the focus on producing high quality wines that are truly Virginian.

Well structured, elegant wines. Winemakers through experimentation, trial & error, and instinct have discovered the strengths of the region.

The climate and soil in Virginia and the desire of the winemakers to make wines that are truly a reflection of the region results in wines that are more European in style and certainly suited to the British palate.

Chris continues “not all grapes grow well in the region. In the early days vineyard owners planted many types of grapes, many that were not well suited to the environment.

We now know that Viognier, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, among others are well suited to Virginia. We are playing to our strengths but it has taken many years to fully understand those strengths. Now the wines are being recognized as wine that will rival the best in the world.

The enjoyment of wine is not just about the wine in the bottle, it is the story behind

the label. Virginia has a rich heritage and a strong historical connection with the UK. It is an elegant and beautiful part of the US. The Blue Ridge Mountains to the West, the Atlantic Ocean to the East, and Washington DC to the North. Native American culture, colonial history, civil war, and cultural change through to present day has shaped the region.

Winemaking has threaded through those years, with critical milestones that started with the early settlers in Jamestown, Thomas Jefferson and his work at Monticello, and in recent years investment on a wave of excitement about the possibilities of truly realizing a dream that Thomas Jefferson voiced.”

Many wineries are on or near the east side of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and to the West of Washington DC, and along the edge of the Chesapeake Bay. The diversity of soils and climate gives life to a canvas of possibilities.

Great Estates Barboursville Vineyards A magnificent and historic Virginia estate between Monticello and Montpelier, home to Virginia’s most honoured winery, founded in

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“Recently, if I’m asked if i’ve discovered any likely to say yes, one of the old in america 1976 by the Zonin family, prominent in Italian viticulture since 1821.

A synergy drawing on the extraordinary resources of this terroir, the incomparably inspiring legacy it embodies, and the infusion of a literal “muse of fire” of Italian winegrowing genius has created one of the most compelling destinations for the wine traveller on the East Coast.

Barboursville Vineyards has established a reputation for excellence. The wines of Barboursville Vineyards are consistently honoured in competitions and demanded by wine stewards in top restaurants from Washington to London.

The historic 1874 Inn situated on the estate complements the combination of great wine and food. Within sight of the Inn is a historic landmark designed by Thomas Jefferson, linking the present with the roots of the Virginia wine industry, a vision set by Thomas Jefferson 250 years ago.

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Boxwood Winery John Kent Cooke, a former owner and president of the NFL Washington Redskins, owns the Boxwood Winery in Middleburg, Virginia. Boxwood is committed to making premium red wines in the Bordeaux tradition, but with distinct Virginia expression: Boxwood, reflecting the “Medoc” style (a Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Petit Verdot blend) and Topiary, in the “Saint-­‐Emilion” style (a Cabernet Franc/Merlot blend).

In 2002 Cooke hired renowned viticulturist Lucie Morton to design a 16 acre vineyard and acclaimed architect Hugh Newell Jacobsen and Dr. Richard Vine, enologist at Purdue University, to design The Boxwood Winery. The first vines were planted in 2004, the winery was completed in 2005, and internationally respected Bordeaux wine consultant Stephane Derenoncourt agreed to consult at Boxwood Winery in 2006.

John’s daughter Rachel Martin, became

Executive Vice President of the Winery in 2005.

Breaux Vineyards Voted “Best Winery in Virginia” for four consecutive years between 2008 and 2011, Breaux Vineyards is a family owned and operated winery in Loudoun County, VA. The 404 acre estate has over 104 acres planted in 18 different grape varieties. Nestled between the hills, vineyard plantings extend up the Short Hill Mountain. Long vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains can be enjoyed from their tasting room, Patio Madeleine and the landscaped terraces. Breaux is located only an hour from metropolitan DC, Dulles and BWI airports and a short distance from historic Harpers Ferry, WV.

King Family Vineyards King Family Vineyards is a family owned and operated boutique winery located in Crozet,

new world-class vineyard regions, i’m quite virginia” - oz clarke, 250 best Wines Guide 2012 just fifteen minutes from Charlottesville at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The winery specialises in small productions of ultra-premium wine that showcase the remarkable qualities of nearly 100% estate grown fruit.

Founded in 1998, the winery’s first vintage was only 500 cases. Today the winery produces approximately 5000 cases of wine per year. The covered veranda, expansive lawn, or brick patio are perfect for outdoor picnics while the Tasting Room and warm stone fireplace are inviting on cooler days.

Justin, daughters Tiffany and Ashley, and numerous grandchildren continue the legacy of the family’s tradition of excellence in winemaking.

The estate is comprised of 100 acres, with 17 acres currently planted in grape vines.

Cabernet Franc is the most widely planted varietal, with 7 acres under cultivation.

The average harvest yields roughly 4.5 pounds of grapes per vine (2.5 tons per acre), or the equivalent of 2 bottles of wine per vine.

Veramar Vineyards

Veritas Winery, a family business owned by Andrew and Patricia Hodson, opened for business in June 2002. With the help of their daughters Emily Pelton and Chloe Hodson Frey they have succeeded in consistently producing a range of complex and elegant wines.

The idyllic setting is easy to find but hard

The Bogaty Family hails from the Italian Alps where, even today, members of the family still own and operate a small vineyard. A generation later, Jim decided that it was time to return the family to its roots.

Three generations of the Bogaty family, Jim and Della, along with their son,

Veritas Vineyards & Winery The Hodson Family

to leave located just off I64 at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The unique wines of Veritas are of high quality, derived from vitis vinifera with the exception of one French hybrid. Their philosophy is to make wine with the classic old world principles of Viticulture and Vinification at the same time using state of the art technology to capture varietal and regional character.

We love Viriginian wines and would recommend them to anyone, but you don’t have to just take our word for it. We’ll leave it to the experts to give you the final word on this wine producing paradise: “Recently, when I’m asked if I’ve discovered any new world-­class vineyard regions, I’m quite likely to say yes, one of the oldest in America – Virginia” Oz Clarke, 250 Best Wines Wine Buying Guide 2012. www.virginiawine.org

MONEYMAKER MAGAZINE | 87

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social trading

Trade Twitter Market Sentiments with DCM Capital

World’s First Social Media Based Platform Launches

A

h, the joys of social media. Or the curse, depending on how you choose to look at perhaps the greatest social change of the 21st century to date.

Whatever your personal opinion on the positives and negatives of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and the like are, there is no doubting the sheer impact social media has had on the way users interact with the rest of humanity, and more importantly how information is sent and received across the globe.

And what do us traders rely on to make well-educated trades? Information of course. So perhaps it isn’t so much of a surprise that since the Twitter explosion several years ago trading platforms and analysts have been looking for patterns to emerge between the titanic wave of facts, figures, opinions and hearsay populating the net and tangible market movements.

Now, finally, a group of investors believe that they have found the link they need to make positive assertions on market reactions. And not only that, they’re prepared to put their money where their mouths are.

In a move that may lead to a revolution in the way retail intraday traders process information stemming from financial markets, DCM Capital has launched the world’s first trading platform that will offer data analysis of posts on Twitter and Facebook to gauge market sentiment.

DCM Dealer will show a sentiment rating on individual prices, calculated using information from social media sites and a series of complicated algorithms specifically designed for purpose by the team at DCM Capital. Stocks, commodities and indexes are rated from zero to 100 as a sign of how positive indications on a stock are from social media are in real time.

The theory behind DCM’s intention is simple, markets move on the sentiment of buyers and sellers, meaning that if you could determine how those buyers and sellers are acting at any given point in time then you would have a huge advantage. DCM is claiming that research has

identified that Twitter accurately predicts market trends up to 48 hours before other indicators, and if that is true then we really are on the verge of seeing a uprising in the way retail traders attack financial markets.

Technical analysis or trading the news are two methods of trying to establish a similar trading pattern to the market, but both, in particular information accessed via newswires, is received on a time lag that nullifies its utility in constantly moving intraday markets. The real time nature of social media, if correctly analysed, should be far more effective in tackling the issue of predicting of how the market is reacting at an instant.

This isn’t the first venture into trading from social media response from DCM, a hedge fund was established in 2011 but closed after three months due to a failure to catch on with investors.

What the response to the new intraday trading platform will be is still unknown, but with improved algorithms, a fresh approach to the market and valuable data at its disposal, we think DCM Capital has a chance to be the next big thing in the world of spread betting.

Whether traditional spread bettors will turn away from the established trading powerhouses is less certain, but when you’re the only platform bringing new ideas to the trading table at least some people will be willing to listen.

Scepticism in the large part will be the initial reaction of many, but that is always the case when unknown theories attempt to break the mould of established tradition. Technological enhancement is often passed over as a fad by those unwilling to put in the time required to get to grips with it.

Much will of course depend on DCM’s algorithm development. For our money, though, it’s a question of when and not if intelligent and insightful information can be garnered from web chatter. And after all isn’t Twitter simply the biggest chat forum on the internet?

The more difficult process is filtering out the spurious or deliberately mischievous information that sits side by side with the potential goldmine of advice. Hopefully DCM Capital has cracked it.

MONEYMAKER MAGAZINE | 89

trade it

AlessiO rastani

Why the Biggest Threat to the UK is still Deflation.

NOT inflation In a recent seminar in London, I asked the audience what they thought the biggest threat facing the UK in the next 3 years was, inflation or deflation? Most got the answer wrong n By Alessio Rastani

T

he answer from the majority of the audience was pretty much what I expected: inflation. When I told them that they were wrong, that the correct answer was actually deflation, they seemed quite surprised.

“Surely all the money that is being printed will lead to inflation?”

The response of the audience is revealing because it shows a disconnect between what most people are assuming about today’s economy and the actual macro economic picture.

Only a few weeks ago on Friday it was reported that the UK economy shrank by 0.3% in the last three months of 2012. This further supports my view, as I will explain here, that in the next three years we shall still be fighting the forces of deflation and NOT as many people think, inflation.

Inflation vs. Deflation Let’s first examine what these terms mean: inflation and deflation.

Inflation is the rate at which the level of price for goods and services is rising and purchasing power is falling. As inflation rises, every dollar or pound will buy a smaller percentage of goods.

Deflation is a general decline in prices (as seen in Japan) generated by a reduction in the money supply or credit. Deflation

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can also be generated by a reduction in government or personal spending.

Incidentally, deflation is what the banks fear the most. This is because deflation can cause a vicious cycle which can cause a serious threat to economic stability. If left uncontrolled the deflationary cycle can lead to a depression. When people stop spending and instead start saving because they expect prices to get cheaper if they wait, this often causes a deflationary fall in the price of goods and services.

A Balance Sheet Recession It does not take a genius to figure out that this particular recession is unlike any other recession the UK has suffered on record.

But few have asked why.

The influential economist Richard Koo of Nomura Research Institute has argued very powerfully that what we are currently experiencing is a balance sheet recession.

In a normal recession, you cut rates and you move on. In a balance sheet recession, it does not matter how low you cut rates – the rates have been very low for a very long time. In this recession, you cut rates but nobody seems to care.

But why is this?

As Koo argues, the main issue that governments and economists have ignored is NOT that there is a lack of supply of money (the money is there), but the lack

of demand for credit. Companies have responded to the alarming balance sheet by minimising debt.

We are faced with an economic situation where everyone (including banks) is scared of the amount of debt they have and they just want to pay that debt off. People don’t care if money is cheap and interests are low.

People want to deleverage themselves and pay off debt.

Large amount of credit is available to medium to large businesses, but they don’t want to make use of it. They don’t have great deal of need for investment and don’t want to borrow. There is a lot of saving and hence that is why interests are so low.

In fact, the UK is only half way through the great deleveraging which began in 2008.

Based on the fact that we have not yet managed to deleverage in the UK, we probably have another four to five years of the status quo, i.e. of not much growth and not much inflation – as people continue to

Alessio Rastani Alessio Rastani is a 10 year financial markets trading veteran, and at the age of 34 has become a widely followed and respected trading mentor.

In 2011 he gained fame and caused controversy when he stated on live TV news that he “dreams of another recession” and that Goldman Sachs, not governments, run the world.

The YouTube clip has since been watched over 2 million times, and Alessio has since been interviewed by figures such as Sir David Frost.

Alessio hosts free online training sessions where he gives the most up-to-date information on trading to professionals and newbies at www.LeadingTrader.com

delever.

Given this context, it is hardly surprising that the UK economy shrank by 0.3% in the final quarter of 2012.

In a paper published in October 2012 the IMF stated that they have completely changed their thinking on the issue, and that they had underestimated the UK’s fiscal multiplier. Economists are now suggesting that the fiscal multipliers which were half (0.5) in the past 3 decades are now more

“given the context, it’s hardly surpring that the economy shrank by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2012” than 1*. That is the biggest change, and the biggest surprise to all the economists.

Liquidity Trap Many people have assumed that the central banks’ policy of indefinite money printing (or “quantitative easing”) will lead to inflation in the next three years. Wrong.

The big surprise of this economic crisis is that money has stopped flowing through the economy! They threw more money into the banking system and it stuck there. This is a liquidity trap.

The money was not washing around and was not doing any good. So what did the central banks do? They put more money in! The expansion of the money supply is enormous, but it is not really being demanded.

lending is now reasonably loose in both the EU and US. The problem (as Richard Koo has argued) is that there is no demand to borrow the money and to spend it.

In fact, people and companies don’t want to do that – they are trying to borrow less and minimise debt.

Debt reduction by itself is deflationary.

Debt reduction takes time, a long time, and to see growth you need patience.

When the velocity of money increases then we will see inflation. Until people want to borrow money in the UK and Europe, the UK’s problems will not be solved and we are faced with the threat of deflation.

Alessio Rastani is a full-time stock trader and founder of www.leadingtrader.com

Conclusion The problem is not that we have a supply of money. The money is there and credit

*More than 1 means reduction of £1 spent on the economy will result in more than $/£1 loss of GDP output.

MONEYMAKER MAGAZINE | 91

trade it

Technical Analysis

Buy and Hold Investing with the MACD

In the first of a series of analysis articles, Declan Fallon takes us through the mechanics and benefits of the Moving Average Convergence Divergence n Declan Fallon (@fallondpicks), Community Director of Zignals.com

T

he Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) is a trend-following momentum indicator. The MACD is based on two exponential moving averages: a “slow” period, usually defined as 26 periods, and a “fast” period, usually defined as 12 periods. The “MACD line” is the difference between the “slow” and “fast” period moving averages. The “Signal Line” is an exponential moving average of the “MACD line” and is typically set to 9 periods. In addition, the difference between the “MACD line” and “Signal Line” is displayed as a bar graph and is termed the “MACD histogram”.

Typical signal triggers occur when the MACD line crosses the Signal Line; a buy when the MACD line crosses above the Signal line, a sell when the MACD line crosses below the Signal line. The MACD histogram also displays these signals as a cross above or below a zero mid-line.

All indicators have strengths and weaknesses. The MACD is good at catching trends because it’s derived from moving averages, but at the same time it’s also vulnerable to whipsaw signals. Whipsaw signals occur when an entry signal is quickly followed by an exit signal. Whipsaws occur when the market is stuck in a trading range, where moving averages converge and flatline, resulting in more frequent crossovers.

At the other end of the scale, another MACD weakness occurs in a fast moving market. As the MACD relies on crossovers to generate signals, it’s possible a rapid trend move will occur before a crossover can occur.

Taking the performance of the MACD in the S&P from 1950 to 2013, it’s clear the MACD has underperformed against the S&P by a significant margin (Table 1). It’s not all bad news, as the Average Return per trade was positive with approximately 10 trades offered a year.

An alternative signal trigger is when the MACD line crosses zero. This sharply reduced the Total Number of Trades and improved the Average Return per Trade, but it didn’t change the Cumulative Return. However, if the trigger was a cross of the MACD Signal line above zero then a significant improvement was observed in performance, despite a loss in the Percentage of Winning Trades (Table 2).

Certain indicators, like the MACD, work well in conjunction with filters. For example, if we take the MACD Line cross Signal Line and only act on signals when the S&P is above its 200-day Simple Moving Average (SMA), we get fewer signals, but also a slight improvement in the Average Return per Trade and percentage of Winning Trades (Table 3). The only downside is with fewer Total Trades, the Cumulative Return was lower, but with the largest single losing trade amounting to a modest 5.9%, it’s a relatively conservative strategy.

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But applying the same moving average filter to the MACD line cross zero, removed many of the big winners, thus reducing the Average Return per Trade and bringing a sharp drop in the Cumulative Return , but there was an increase the Percentage of Winning Trades (Table 4).

So even with this simple example of using the MACD, it’s clear performance can be altered, for better or worse, using filters (and/ or other indicators).

No doubt, it will already be clear to many, that the simplest approach of investing $1,000 into the S&P in 1950 and holding to today would have seen your return grow to $85,650! Although, the aforementioned 1950 investment will have swung from a valuation of $74,980 at the 2008 high to $40,570 at the 2009 low, quite the swing!

However, the question remains: Is there a combination of indicators offering signals which can better the buy-and-hold return? It’s going to be a tough ask...

Table 1: Performance of MACD line cross Signal Line for the S&P. Long signals only. Test period Feb 17th 1950 to Jan 18th 2013. Data from Yahoo finance.

Total Number Average Return % Winning Largest Largest Cumulative S&P Performance of Trades per Trade Trades Trade loss Trade Win Return 17th Feb 1950 to 18th Jan 2013 598 0.55% 44% +17.7% -10.7% 1,831% 8,565% Table 2: Performance of MACD signal line cross zero for the S&P. Long signals only. Test period Feb 17th 1950 to Jan 18th 2013. Data from Yahoo finance.

Total Number Average Return % Winning Largest Largest Cumulative S&P Performance of Trades per Trade Trades Trade loss Trade Win Return 17th Feb 1950 to 18th Jan 2013 184 2.02% 41% +49.7% -8.6% 2,331% 8,565% Table 3: Performance of MACD line cross Signal Line, when the S&P is above its 200-day MA. Long signals only. Test period Feb 17th 1950 to Jan 18th 2013. Data from Yahoo finance.

Total Number Average Return % Winning Largest Largest Cumulative S&P Performance of Trades per Trade Trades Trade loss Trade Win Return 17th Feb 1950 to 18th Jan 2013 402 0.63% 45% +12.3% -5.9% 1,091% 8,565% Table 4: Performance of MACD line cross zero, when the S&P is above its 200-day MA. Long signals only. Test period Feb 17th 1950 to Jan 18th 2013. Data from Yahoo finance.

Total Number Average Return % Winning Largest Largest Cumulative S&P Performance of Trades per Trade Trades Trade loss Trade Win Return 17th Feb 1950 to 18th Jan 2013 126 1.70% 45% +38.9% -6.2% 642% 8,565%

MONEYMAKER MAGAZINE | 93

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Alastair McCaig

What have we learnt so far in 2013?

With the first two months of 2013 already in the books, have we learnt anything about the markets that we didn’t know last year? n By Alastair McCaig, Market Analyst IG Group

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A

s had been predicted by most analysts, President Obama managed to squeeze through an agreement with the Republican Party in the last minutes before the Fiscal cliff struck. Taking a leaf out of the Eurozone’s handling of Greece, the US has decided to kick the can down the road and postpone the tough decisions until March. As the dreaded Fiscal Cliff was not an issue for the markets, traders were able to spend the first couple of weeks of 2013 looking at equity news flow and retail sales figures for the important Christmas period.

On sifting through all of these reports, two major trends have become apparent.

The first is that companies have taken the view that they are desperate to maintain market share and enable themselves to post improving sales figures. The ability to do this has been done at a cost, and that is the prices that they have charged the consumer. Across the board retail firms have cut their prices in an effort to maintain and improve total sales, however the Net profitability of the majority of firms is reduced. When we look at the food retailers for instance both Tesco and Sainsburys were able to provide papers with headlines that they had posted record sales figures, however after a little further reading of their figures it became clear that both had seen profits fall at the same time.

The online revolution The second trend that has stood out is the dramatic confirmation that the underlying consumer market has shifted their purchasing patterns. The move from high street to internet has never been more clearly highlighted than over the last month. Almost all retailers posted figures showing that online sales had risen and store footfall had dropped. The consequences facing firms who do not act upon this demographic shift in purchasing power is only too clear. Comet Group, the now defunct electrical goods retailer, had seen their market share eaten into from a number of directions. Food retailers looking for diversification have over the last few years increased their white label goods on offer and regularly solid these as

“the move from high street to internet has never been more clearly highlighted. the consequences facing firms who do not act upon this shift is only too clear� cheap loss leaders to entice shoppers through their doors. The biggest threat though has come from cheaper online retailers, who without the cost of high street locations were able to continuously undercut Comets best prices. We have seen similar stories relate to HMV, Jessops and Blockbusters and it is difficult to believe that these will be the last. moving forward As we close out the first months of 2013 the fear levels that investors have been weighed down with over the last few years seem to be receding. The equity markets although not pumped full of as much cash from quantitative easing as in previous years, still offer investors arguably the best investment option available. The FTSE 100 is now well and truly an international index rather than one that reflects the UK economy and is currently (28th January 2013) up over 6.5% on the year with a dividend yield of 3.71%. As has always been the case the markets are considerably faster to react to shifts in economic environments than the high street and although traders might be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel it is unlikely that will be the case for the retailers any time soon.

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The traders’

Book Club

All three books from featured in this month’s Traders Book Club can be found at www.harrimanhouse.com

MoneyMaker’s answer to Oprah

The Dividend Investor A practical guide to building a share portfolio designed to maximise income

By Rodney Hobson

n As the title implies, The Dividend Investor is all about buying shares for the income they generate through the dividends they pay their shareholders, as opposed to investing simply in the hope of returns from rises in share prices. The accent is on buying shares for the longer term rather than looking for quick fixes.

The focus is the UK stock market, although the arguments and guidance provided are relevant to all major stock exchanges around the world. The text refers mainly to larger and companies as they are more likely to pay dividends than smaller ones. The concentration is on companies with a full listing rather than those quoted on AIM for the same reason.

This book is for those who have grasped the basics of investing but are unsure as to how to build a portfolio of shares that will produce a steady and rising income.

Investors of any experience should benefit from reading this book, irrespective of their investment criteria.

Even those who have already built an investment portfolio and those who subsequently decide that they want to be active traders rather than stick to solid long-term investments will learn more about making the most of their capital.

Many investors plunge into shares with a vague notion of making money but without properly assessing what it is that they want from their investments. This book argues that regular income is a key part of any investment strategy, whatever the age or aspirations of the investor, and that shares are the best way of securing this income at relatively low risk and with the bonus of providing a hedge against inflation.

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“this book argues that regular income is a key part of any business strategy, whatever the age or aspirations of the investor”

7 Charting Tools for Spread Betting

By Malcolm Pryor

n Spread betting lends itself especially well to charting tools, but getting properly acquainted with the ones that are going to be most helpful to your trading is rarely a simple process.

You can take your chances on the web, or pour your money into the pockets of seminar organisers, and still be left without a really full and practical idea of a tool’s potential.

This is what makes Malcolm Pryor’s 7 Charting Tools for Spread Betting such a valuable book.

The author has elsewhere written the definitive guide to spread betting, and a number of strategy books/ DVDs. Here he takes the same thoughtful and incisive approach to setting out a range of valuable charting tools – and demonstrating how they work through detailed and often

compelling examples.

Each chapter takes the reader through a detailed look at how a tool in question is constructed, then at its strength and weaknesses. After this, the tool’s available settings and potential uses are laid out, followed by an in-depth worked example of it in action.

Pryor is a great writer of plain and logical prose, even when explaining some quite abstruse concepts, and these chapters are brilliant introductions or refreshers to potentially turgid topics.

With the advice steadfastly practical throughout, you’ll be itching to incorporate some of these gems into your own trading and reap the rewards. And thanks to this book, that’s no longer a difficulty.

The Foreign Exchange Matrix: A new framework for understanding currency movements

By Barbara Rockefeller and Vicki Schmelzer

nIn this new collection of twelve articles from foreign exchange experts Barbara Rockefeller and Vicki Schmelzer, the authors begin with an interesting observation – everyone knows the FX market is the largest and most liquid financial market there is, but how many people stop to ask “What is the purpose of all this volume?”

This leads us to other unanswered questions, and other facts that are taken for granted, about the FX market.

It is these questions (and many more) that Rockefeller and Schmelzer seek to answer, and these myths that they seek to shatter.

Is FX active or passive? Is the FX market inherently unstable?

Is it possible to forecast the FX market? Can and should FX traders use technical analysis? Is reserve currency diversification away from the dollar desirable or likely?

You will find out the answers

here.

The eponymous Matrix that gives its name to the collection is one of the more interesting facets of the book, and it is explained in Chapter 1. It is contended by the authors that a matrix of factors can be employed as a core organising principle in FX analysis in order to get on top of the tangle of data that confronts observers of the market. Just thinking of the FX market in this way will open the eyes of many readers and encourage them to see things in a way they hadn’t previously.

Rockefeller and Schmelzer continue this trend with 11 other thought-provoking chapters, covering topics such as central bank interventionhow FX trading volume.

This is a recommended book if you wish to learn more about how foreign exchange operates and take your understanding of the market to the next level.

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trade it

Great Trades

Hall Strikes A Fortune Betting On Oil Futures

Trader Andrew Hall is something of an enigma. A one-off in the financial markets, he’s as secretive as he is brilliant, but what we do know is there’s no doubting his credentials as currently one of the world’s elite traders.

H

all, a UK-born commodities trader, is known as somewhat of an eccentric in the annals of Wall Street. In addition to heading up the former Citigroup trading unit Philbro that was sold to Occidental Capital after the collapse of the US subprime mortgage market, he is also one of the foremost art collectors in the world and lists a host of pursuits from music to ballet amongst his favoured hobbies.

However, it is for his performances in the financial sector that Hall is spoken about in the most revered terms. And when you learn that in one year he made 10% of Citigroup’s total net income almost single-handedly, it isn’t difficult to understand just why he is held in such high esteem. To appreciate just how great a trader Hall is, many point to his unbelievably accurate trade on oil futures as proof of his genius.

The economic climate in 2003 was one of caution, the dotcom crash was still fresh in the mind of investors and the successive recovery had only just reached a level of comfort for the markets. In a reflection of this mood oil was trading at just $30 a barrel, a level it had been at for more than a decade.

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Despite being known as an eccentric with an incredibly individual approach to trading, it was also acknowledged that Hall was a brilliant market analyst.

Surmising that demand, especially from the rapidly growing economies of India and China, was beginning to vastly outstrip supply, he foresaw a fortune in the offing for anybody going long on oil futures.

The only bridge to be crossed was how to maximise this prediction. The solution: to pull off one of the greatest trades of all time. Hall’s speciality had always been long buy and hold investing rather than a more conventional interpretation of trading, so it was through this “buy and sit back” policy that he looked to capitalise on the inefficient market.

Convinced that the world would soon be forced to drastically re-evaluate the value of oil as a non-renewable, highdemand commodity, Hall bet on longterm oil futures, and bet big.

He wagered that within five years oil prices would top $100 a barrel, and notion that was met mostly with ridicule when it was first made public. When it was revealed that if oil didn’t reach $100 a barrel in the time frame his contracts would expire worthless, ridicule was replaced by uninhibited shock. The trade

was the biggest gamble for a generation, and one that most thought Hall couldn’t possibly win.

However, oil prices began to rise almost instantly. The concept of oil being $100 a barrel, which had at one point been nothing more than speculative fantasy, began to look more and more like a distinct possibility.

And when, in 2008 as had been predicted by Hall, the price of a barrel of oil shot past $100 well into three figures, Hall’s courage and strength of conviction were justly rewarded. The potential fortune Hall identified back in 2003 went the way of his Citigroup employers, and Hall took home over $100m for himself.

In addition to the magnitude and uniqueness of the deal, it was the precision of Hall’s prediction that made his trade truly great. All traders can appreciate the difficulty of correctly predicting the direction of a price movement and good entry point, not only did Hall get the price movement direction and entry point spot on but he also pinpointed the timeframe of the trade, the exit point and exit price. To have such convictions in the accuracy of your analysis with hundreds of millions of dollars at stake delivers Hall his legacy as one of the greatest traders of all time.

“not only did hall get the price movement direction spot on, but he also pinponted the timeframe of the trade, the exit point and the exit price�

give back

Projects

EMPOWER TO THE PEOPLE As a growing number of businesses combat the difficult financial climate by slashing their budgets for good-causes, Mark Southern visited Zambia to discover how luxury hotel group Sun International has done the opposite, and in turn has created one of the most remarkable social responsibility projects in Africa

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I

f you only ever listened to the regular media naysayers, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the only option in a financial crisis is to cut all but the absolutely essential. So say farewell to the office Christmas party, so long to turning left on a plane, and adieu to that pot of money ring-fenced for goodcauses. After all, if it doesn’t generate direct sales, then what’s the point?

And more and more businesses are adopting this attitude, with average 2012 corporate social responsibility budgets down to only 60% of their heights in 2004.

But maybe things aren’t so clear-cut, or at least, maybe they shouldn’t be.

Sun International is one such brand that has bucked the global trend, and continued to invest heavily into local good-causes around its 27 luxury hotel resorts in Africa.

The group has poured millions into social initiatives over the recent past, making real differences to the people around its locations, with the group’s The Falls Resort in Zambia an exceptional example

to entrepreneurs everywhere on how to create something far more valuable than simple profits.

We met up with Stain Musungaila, the head of the resort’s social responsibility programme, for a tour of just a small number of the many initiatives that run from his office. An office, it’s worth noting, that comes with one of the world’s most stunning waterfalls, Victoria Falls, around the corner. Every job has its perks.

Musungaila refers to his role as that of a ‘social entrepreneur’, and such is his popularity around the region, he is more likely to be answering to the pseudonym given to him by the locals of Chief Strawberry. Why the fruity nickname?

Because he is all things to all people, and offers something different to everyone he works alongside. It’s a little more profound than most nicknames, it’s fair to say.

What’s immediately apparent about Musungaila is how much he enjoys what he does, and how the hundreds of people he interacts with on a daily basis seem to respond to him.

But what does he feel the role of a social entrepreneur is, and how did he come to be one?

As he does with every question he is posed, he squints in the bright Zambian sunshine, listening intently, before laughing deeply and cheerily, and answering in his bassy rolling African lilt.

“For me, a social entrepreneur is someone who looks at the environment around them and tries to make it better.

I became a social entrepreneur and developer of social entrepreneurs after having travelled around the world as a sailor. I discovered that people are all the

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give back

Projects

same everywhere, but it is the environment of where you are that makes you what you are. Each one of us has a responsibility to improve the lives of the people that surround us, and the lives of those we interact with.”

One of the first social initiatives Musungaila delivered was to combat a series of major interlinking issues in the small city of Livingstone.

The social entrepreneur remembers, “There was a real problem at the time, as many kids found themselves on the streets because of the HIV/AIDS epidemic that swept through Zambia, with a third of people carrying the virus, and with very limited access to medical care.

“In addition, there was massive unemployment in the city, and the Zambian economy had collapsed. We went from having 39 industries and businesses in the city to almost none, with widespread poverty.

“We carried out a study and came up with a solution of empowering startup orphanages, that were community driven or run. We settled on supporting five orphanages initially, although it is more now, and worked to empower the organisations by supporting their work, and delivering infrastructure and any required building work to provide good homes for the children. We also helped provide nutritious food, solid furniture, linen, clothes, shoes, books, and pencils – everything an orphanage might need.

“We’ve continued this work ever since, and we’re very proud to say that today Livingstone is the only city in Zambia, despite being the tourist capital, without children living or begging in the streets.

They all have somewhere to go to live and get an education, and now we are able to employ some of these young people at the hotel, when they are old enough to work, and some are helping the programme now to support the next generation of young orphans.”

One of the most impressive things with the Sun International scheme is how the different initiatives fit together, feeding into each other seamlessly, and improving the results of all of them individually and collectively.

Musungaila reveals how they’ve achieved this, “We always work to make sure all the initiatives are inter-linked or complement each other. The Falls Resort does not throw anything away. We use and re-use

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everything.

“For instance, from the hotel kitchens, all the food and paper waste goes to the worm farm. The worm farm, which employs HIV+ workers only, gives us organic fertilizers, which are used in our organic farms, many of which are run by local women, and one where we exclusively train and employ blind workers. These in turn supply the hotels and local communities, feeding the families, and providing wonderful fresh food for the resort. The outputs of the farms, many of which are in areas previously assumed to be infertile, are actually so successful that we are now looking at exporting produce.”

Musungaila has overseen a programme that continues to make the lives of locals better daily, by teaching them skills and providing them with necessary equipment.

When we ask the social entrepreneur what the reaction to the empowerment initiatives has been, he cracks an even wider smile than normal.

“It’s all so amazingly uplifting”, he says, his beaming smile challenging the 30 degree blinding sunshine for brightness.

“The blind workers, who previously could only beg for survival, are able to farm

for themselves, feed their families, and send their children to school. Women are empowered to make a livelihood of their own, and without relying on men, selling curios to tourists. Orphans have decent homes to stay in, and are able to go to schools. Farmers are able to learn new technologies, villagers are able to learn to keep bees rather than destroying trees for honey. People work for themselves, and it’s a joy to work with everyone.”

But what of the business putting the ‘corporate’ in CSR? How important does Musungaila believe the brand has been?

“Sun International’s coming to Zambia was a blessing”, he says, his eyes becoming serious for just a second. “It was Sun International who started it at all, and continues to support all the projects.

Other than direct employment at The Falls resort, local people are also able to employ themselves, and live decent lives. The projects are self-sustaining. We are there to get things started, and then let local workers take over.”

The results of Sun International’s work on the ground are impressive, and the group has developed the kind of local support structure that would make any other

“every other corporation should emulate Sun International, to make a better Zambia, Africa and world” hotel in the world envious. A constantly evolving and educated local workforce is now available, locally farmed produce in a previously infertile area is now delivered daily, wastage is pretty much zero, and the area has increased in prestige, creating even more tourism that the hotel can benefit from. It’s a complete circle, which does great work, but crucially positively impacts on the business’ bottom line too. That pot of money we talked about earlier suddenly takes on a different look.

How does Musungaila think that other companies can learn from Sun International?

“Every other corporation should emulate Sun International, to make a better Zambia, Africa and world. Choose a social problem or issue that needs tackling, set up an initiative to help and develop the project to the point where it can be self-sustaining, and can be multiplied and emulated in other areas. Whatever you do, don’t start a project and not complete it, but aspire to hand it onto the local workers, and then remain in the background for support.

“Importantly, a corporation should identify the need before doing anything.

Study and assess the advantages and disadvantages, and get the community involved and let them feel ownership. Don’t

ever impose a programme or project on the community. If you do, it will fail.”

As the man they call Chief Strawberry walks away from our meeting, he does so as he arrived; smiling from ear to ear and shaking hands and sharing pleasantries with every passer by. He can’t pick a favourite project (they’re all too special on their own for him to choose), but it is quite clear that Sun International has created a system that any business, not just in the hospitality industry, would benefit from learning from.

The global economic downturn means every entrepreneur has a duty to analyse all costs, but it’s worth noting the long-term benefits seen by Sun International that good-cause investment can generate. It’s also very worthwhile for a business owner to identify a potential social entrepreneur from within their ranks, who can solve real-world problems with practical and self-sustaining solutions. It might just make that pot of money worth an awful lot more to the business in the future than the immediate saving might make.

Stain Musungaila is the social entrepreneur for Sun International. For more details on the brand visit www. suninternational.com.

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give back

blake mycoskie

The Charitable Entrepreneur

Start Something That Matters The Story Of Blake Mycoskie and TOMS Shoes

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ntrepreneurialism and philanthropic deeds often go hand in hand (who hasn’t been to at least one charity function already in 2012), but what is less common are business people whose companies themselves are born from a desire to simply make the world a better place.

Of the exceptions, one entrepreneur in particular stands out, and it is his unique approach to successful business and giving back in tandem that have made him and his company inspirations to a new breed of charitable individuals looking to make a difference in the world, whilst simulatenously establishing a prosperous brand. That man is Blake Mycoskie, Founder and Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS shoes.

On a trip to Argentina in 2006 Mycoskie was affected by the plight of young children who suffered the hardship of growing up without shoes to wear, and decided there and then to help solve the issue personally. His solution was a revolutionary concept: a for-profit, sustainable business that could make money and not rely on hand-outs or donations, whilst simultaneously providing aid to deprived areas of the globe. The shoe company TOMS was born.

The idea was simple. For every pair of shoes TOMS sold commercially, a second pair would be donated to children in need of shoes across the world. The concept, which became known as the One for One principle, was an instant success in spite of the critics who refused to believe that a for-profit organisation that donated half of its product to charitable courses could be commercially viable.

The naysayers were silenced as TOMS quickly grew into a reputable emerging fashion brand, whilst keeping to its promise to donate shoes overseas. Over the last five years the business has continued to grow strongly, and is now recognised internationally for both its commercial and

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“his unique approach to successful business and giving back in tandem have made him and his company inspirations to many” charitable success.

But the story doesn’t end there.

The blueprint of how to be a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist had been drawn. Mycoskie had redefined what it meant to be a charitable businessman, and TOMS was growing stronger as a business each day, but the hunger to keep helping had yet to be satisfied. Believing that the One for One model could be reproduced to help people in more ways, Mycoskie launched TOMS Eyewear in order to provide sight to those who need glasses but don’t have access to them.

With Mycoskie again taking the role as the venture’s guiding light, TOMS Eyewear is

well on the way to emulating the success of TOMS Shoes, both as a business asset and in providing aid to those who need it.

Blake Mycoskie is an inspiration to philanthropic entrepreneurs looking to make the world a better place though their own success. In setting out on a path never attempted so successfully before, the businessman has changed the landscape of charitable endeavour forever.

Mycoskie’s book, Start Something That Matters, is a fantastic insight into the opportunities and thinking behind incorporating giving into your business as well as your private life. The book is a must read for any entrepreneur.

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Drive, Sail, Fly

Drive Time

MoneyMaker hits the road again to bring you this month’s hottest machines on four wheels

Facts & Figures Price: Circa £160,000 Performance: Top speed : 201 mph Acceleration 0-62 mph : 4.0 sec Acceleration 0-124 mph : 13,1 sec Consumption: Urban: 12 mpg Motorway: 20 mpg Combined: 14 mpg Power: Max Power: 560 bhp at 8,000 rpm Max torque: 540 Nm (398 lb-ft) at 6,500 rpm Engine: 5.2-litre 10 cylinders V90°, DOHC 4 valves

“this is definitely not not the car for the shy and retiring type, everything about it screams look at me“

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder

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rom its debut at the Paris Motorshow several months ago, the new Gallardo’s been a mainstay on the wish list of super-performance car aficionados across the globe. Uber-flashy, totally OTT, but such an impressive beast – little wonder over 13,000 models have already left the Sant’Agata Bolgnese factory to become the pride and joy of driveways of many well-heeled hot metal fans.

Redesigned to appear more aggressive and extreme that its predecessor, it retains yet hones that unmistakably Lamboid sharp wedge snout, to give an even more purposeful air. Larger air intakes and stunning new 19-inch ‘Apollo polished’ alloys, painted in matt black add to the appeal, and the rear end has also been enhanced. A new Style Package is now available as an option, offering high-gloss black paintwork on the underside of the front spoiler, front and rear grilles and the transverse element of the rear trim.

On the Road It’s one of those rare cars you feel a touch nervous of driving for the first time. It commands a level of respect and skill, Walking up to it on the drive reminded me of approaching a stunning but particularly unpredictable 17.2 hand race-honed thoroughbred I once owned – a thrilling, fantastic ride if you really knew your craft, or, a whole ton of hurtling terror if not.

It commands attention too. This is definitely not the car for shy and retiring type. Everything about it screams ‘Look at Me!’ The roar of its exhaust heralds its impending arrival with the volume and pomp of a military fanfare, so all eyes are primed ready as you thunder by, leaving you wishing you’d paid more attention to your morning ablutions, make up application and not cancelled that appointment to trim your hair.

Heading out into open countryside gives the chance to toe down properly and really feel the Gallardo go. The acceleration gives that smack-back in the seat sensation and we reach the 190 mark in what seems the time it takes to sneeze.

Rigid, planted, there’s not the slightest

sign of scuttle shake as it swoops round corners raptor-like - fast, fluid and with unerring accuracy. The ride is surprisingly buffering, the steering is sharp as a tack, and there’s more driver thrill and engagement than even the most ardent Lambo fan might expect.

It starts to snow. Soft flakes dusting its storm-grey lacquer. Play time again. The four-wheel drive with limited-slip diff offers grip like a granny on a rollercoaster for the most part, but when testing limitations a might too enthusiastically out of tricky cambered corners you’re aware of the car feeling bang on the brink of a high speed slide.

With the snow settling, the roof takes just moments to right and it’s off again to head for home – with a short stop off as promised at my nephew’s school. Despite keeping company with an impressive coterie of range topping models from the mighty German marques not-so-neatly parked by Whistles wearing manicured mums, one Lamborghini next to two school gates equals an utterly rapt audience of thirty odd 7 yr olds, plus parents, and scant chance of a swift exit.

One kid legged it down the road hollering: “Dad! Dad! – Come on! Hurry! You’ve got to look at the Lambo!” This is one of those rare cars that has the power to genuinely excite, even a child. Says it all really.

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Drive, Sail, Fly

All-New Range Rover

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ome cars stand the test of time, never losing their appeal. And despite hardly conforming to the trend for all things small, super frugal and able to plug in and go, the Range Rover remains the ultimate vehicle of choice for an army of international well-heeled or land owning fans, wooed by its seamless ability to marry opulent luxury with class-beating all-terrain capability.

But if the Range Rover is as perfect as its advocates claim it to be, thencan it be improved? Design Director Gerry McGovern talked some time ago at a launch about the challenge and risks of changing a much loved model, and I think it’s fair to say recent generations of this iconic car have been more quick “nip and tuck” rather than full blown design rethink, with the obvious changes being limited to light cluster, grille and trim tweaks and the like. This time however, the modifications are more obvious, and, judging by the brand new awards it’s just bagged, seem to have hit the spot.

It’s still very much a Range Rover; large, imposing, dignified – yet with a smoother, more streamlined and aerodynamic profile.

And inside the spacious cabin is still luxurious of course, but given a fresher and more contemporary twist. Occupants will enjoy the benefits of a four-zone climate control system, seats with integrated massage functions, seamless connectivity for mobile devices and sophisticated LED ambient lighting - all combining to create a mood of relaxed, cocooned safety, and full protection from any inclement conditions outside, making any journey a pleasure rather than a chore.

There’s more cabin and leg room, you can opt for a new two-seat Executive Class seating package for the ultimate in rear-seat luxury, and, should you want to create your own perfect bespoke vehicle, you can choose from a wide choice of colours, finishes and special details.

Passengers will love the car, but for the driver too, it’s a vehicle you’ll find excuses to go out in – errands you’d normally shun.

The Range Rover’s advanced chassis and

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driver assistance technologies provide excellent handling performance and safety, whilst also delivering exceptional comfort for everyone on board, too.

This model has new two-channel Dynamic Response active lean control, and Adaptive Dynamics with continuously variable damping. It features Land Rover’s excellent Terrain Response® 2 which uses sophisticated ‘intelligent’ systems to analyse the current driving conditions, and automatically select the most suitable terrain program. Handy with increase of floods, the new model’s wading depth has been increased to 900 mm, up 200mm on the previous model. And, this new Range Rover is also up to 420 kg lighter, enabling fuel savings, and happens to be the world’s first all-aluminium monocoque SUV. A refined 3.0-litre TDV6 engine with a 22% fuel consumption drop and CO2s from just 196g/km is new to the engine line up, and joins a gutsy 4.4-litre 339PS SDV8, plus a Supercharged petrol 510PS LR-V8 - all of which are now paired with a smooth and responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. Each offer fuel savings as well as promising to be great to drive. The 510PS LR-V8 Supercharged model can accelerate from 0—60mph in just 5.1 seconds, seriously impressive for a car of this size, down almost a second on the previous model, dropping fuel consumption too by 9 per cent. A stateof-the-art high-efficiency diesel hybrid model will be also introduced later this year, expected to have CO2s of 169g/km.

Pricing in the UK starts from £71,295 for the Range Rover Vogue 3.0L TDV6 rising to £98,395 for the Range Rover Autobiography 5.0L Supercharged.

Fully Loaded The Fourth Generation Range Rover’s new and improved features include: Convenience – premium features including keyless entry, soft door close with power latching, power upper and lower tailgates, cooler compartments, and electrically deployable towbar High-end audio from British specialists Displays – state-of-the-art highresolution displays, include the stunning full digital instrument cluster and the central 8-inch touchscreen with Dual-View functionality Climate control – all-new best-in-class climate control systems, including the powerful new premium four-zone system and Park Heater timer facility Luxurious seating – upgraded seating with luxurious new features such as multi-mode massage, and the exclusive new Executive Class rear seating package Interior illumination – the latest LED illumination for subtle and sophisticated ambient lighting, including the ability to change the colour scheme to suit the driver’s mood Electric Power Assisted Steering, which enables Park Assist – the latest automated technology to help drivers parallel park their car in tight urban parking spots Adaptive Cruise Control – with new Queue Assist feature which allows the system to continue functioning at low speeds and down to a complete stop Intelligent Emergency Braking (including Advanced Emergency Brake Assist) – to help drivers avoid a collision if the traffic ahead slows quickly or another vehicle suddenly moves into their lane Blind Spot Monitoring – with new Closing Vehicle Sensing feature to detect vehicles which are closing quickly from a further distance behind Reverse Traffic Detection – to warn drivers of potential collisions during reversing manoeuvres Surround Camera System – with T Junction view, Trailer reverse park guidance, and Trailer hitch guidance.

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Drive, Sail, Fly

The New Bentley Continental GT V8

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ince its launch last year at the Beijing International Auto Exhibition, Bentley’s new super-coupe Continental GT V8’s been added to the long, gated driveways of many of the world’s great and good. Powerful, muscular, with more presence than a Royalty attended gala line up, it’s one hell of a car, and happens to be a cracking drive.

The Continental GT’s powered by a new 500bhp 4.0-litre V8, producing an enormous 487 lb ft of Torque which is available across virtually the entire 1700 to 5000 rev/min range, providing effortless power delivery when ever you need it. This combined with an also new close-ratio 8-speed auto box translates into a 4.6 second acceleration time for the 0-62mph sprint and a top speed of over 188mph. For a car of this size and substance, this is impressive indeed.

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Advanced technologies the GT enjoys include high pressure direct injection, variable displacement with a highly sophisticated engine management system, new close-ratio 8-speed transmission and all‑wheel‑drive, plus low friction bearings, thermal management, energy recuperation via the charging system, and innovative turbo charger packaging for greater efficiency.

Individual features distinguishing the new GT V8 include a black gloss matrix grille with chrome frame and centre bar, a red enamel Bentley ‘B’ badge, and a black matrix three-segment lower front bumper divided by distinctive bodycoloured strakes. At the rear, unique chromed ‘figure eight’ exhaust tailpipes, a dark lower valance and red enamel ‘B’ boot lid badge emphasise the sporty, contemporary identity of this new car.

Slip inside the super-luxe cabin to find new Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus

veneers, a raft of state of the art entertainment and cabin management technology, plus an optional two-tone leather colour split and short centre console, all continuing the fresh and sporting design theme.

Facts & Figures Engine: 4-Litre Twin Turbocharged V8 Max Power: 500 bhp 6000 rpm Max Torque: 487 lb/ft @ 1700 rpm Driveline: All-wheel drive (40:60 rear bias) Transmission: 8-speed automatic with paddleshift Acceleration 0-60 mph: 4.6 secs Max. Speed:188 mph Consumption Combined: 26.7 mpg CO2 emissions: 246 g/km

Mercedes SLK55 AMG

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on’t let the pretty looks fool.

The Mercedes SLK55 AMG’s naturally aspirated 416bhp V8‘s a riotous drive. The simply stunning SL500 we’ve written about here before may be the king of the road-going SLs, but this smaller, slighter sibling is definitely no slouch, despite the lack of a turbo or two.

It’s a popular choice amongst Mercedes’ regular clientele. Chatting to a dealer, I was told this is one of those cars the girlfriend tells her guy he has to buy – and is then treated to it as a rather nice present, only for her ‘generous’ benefactor to swiftly claim all future driving rights to. Either way, expect to see a fair number of these sleek beauties gracing our roads once the sun finally comes out.

One of the SLK 55’s key draws is the fact that this is one sportscar you can have a (relatively) clean conscious over, as it may be a 5.5-litre V8, but it returns

a thoroughly respectable 33.6mpg and manages to emit just 195g/km Co2.

Its hefty 398lb-ft of torque gives a pleasing amount of punch, and the roadster is capable of a 4.6 second 0-62mph sprint. Although some might say it’s not the neatest handling roadster around, it is spirited, willing and rather enjoyable to drive. One particularly special feature is the booming AMG soundtrack – belligerently barking at you for daring to start it up, and continuing to gurgle and growl ominously as you harry it on.

Inside, as you’d expect from anything with a Mercedes badge, it’s well built, of a high quality, comfortable, and everything’s sensibly laid out. The folding hard-top stows and erects rapidly, which is handy in this climate. The two-seater cabin is pretty spacious and the boot is a respectable size with the top up, but space and access are limited when down – although that’s true of the majority of roadsters. There’s

also plenty of storage space in the cabin.

Every SLK55 is well equipped – more so actually compared to many of its rivals, with Bluetooth, electric roof and windows, air-conditioning, alloys and more, plus a wide range of exciting options to choose from.

A fun pocket-rocket of a roadster, with both looks and attitude.

Facts & Figures Acceleration: 0–60mph 4.6 secs Top speed: 155 mph Combined consumption: 33.6mpg Emissions: 195g/km Engine: 5.5-litre V8, 416bhp Transmission: Seven-speed dualclutch auto, rear-wheel drive Price: £54,950

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Cars in the Spotlight 2013: The Geneva Motor Show This year’s Geneva Motor Show, open to the public March 7th- 17th, is the first choice venue for many of the world’s top car manufacturers to debut their latest hot metal. We’ve picked out a few of the most anticipated models expected to make their debut this year 112 | MONEYMAKER MAGAZINE

McLaren P1 Hybrid Hypercar One of the brightest stars of the show will undoubtedly be McLaren’s stunning P1 hybrid hypercar. The highly anticipated £700,000 production model is expected to make its debut at the event, and is sure to turn heads from all across the globe.

The McLaren P1 was unveiled to the world as a design study at the Paris Motor Show in September 2012, and from that date on the company has continued with a relentless testing programme to fine-tune the exciting concept.

A dedicated, not to mention lucky, team of McLaren engineers, technicians and racing drivers are running a fleet of XP-codenamed vehicles around the clock in some of the most demanding conditions imaginable in the lab and on roads and circuits across the globe to refine the model. Reports are that it’s simply phenomenal to drive.

The company says its P1 “is set to deliver truly outstanding road and track dynamics and performance, coupled with levels of driveability and refinement unprecedented in such a supercar.”

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Drive, Sail, Fly

New range of luxury features for Bentley’s Mulsanne Bentley’s new flagship limousine will be introduced at Geneva this year, packed with more state-of-the-art technology, an even greater level of luxury and comfort, and in a new range of colours.

Highlights include twin eight-inch LCD monitors with a DVD player and 20GB

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hard disc, and for those who need to work as they travel, there’s a new rear mini table configuration to hold a wireless keyboard and iPad, Internet connectivity is enabled by the Mulsanne’s new wireless hotspot capability.

If not luxurious enough already, a new ‘Comfort Specification’ provides duck-down filled cushions, electronically operated privacy curtains and new head and foot rests, plus you can opt for a new range of bespoke fitted luggage.

You can also now choose your Mulsanne in three new colours – Portofino, Damson Red and Dark Cashmere.

All are available to order from April.

The Mulsanne’s entry price is just under £226,000.

Secret Porsche Unveil plus new Cayenne and Cayman models Porsche is teasing us at the time of going to print, with news it will be revealing a new derivative – but no further details or photos will be released until the show.

The company does however confirm Geneva will see the European debut of the exciting new Cayman, the Cayenne S Diesel and the Cayenne Turbo S.

The Wraith – the Most Dynamic and Powerful RollsRoyce in History The Wraith will make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show, with first deliveries to customers expected towards the end of the year.

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO RollsRoyce Motor Cars, confirmed the news and said:” Rolls-Royce Wraith will draw superlatives when it is unveiled in Geneva.”

“Expect the boldest design, the most dramatic performance and the most powerful Rolls-Royce that has ever played host to the famous Spirit of Ecstasy figurine.”

“We will present a model whose starting point is luxury, refinement and exclusivity, traits that have made RollsRoyce the world’s pinnacle luxury good for the last 108 years. This is a car not only defined by a timeless elegance, but one that encapsulates a sense of power, style and drama.”

The Wraith is said to be powered by a twin-turb 6.6-litre V12 producing a huge 600bhp. No prices are available as yet.

All-new Aston Martin Rapide S ‘More power, more beauty, more soul’ Aston Martin says of its stunning new Rapide S, the most powerful four-door model the company has produced to date.

The iconic British car maker’s new luxury GT has been sympathetically redesigned and painstakingly re-engineered to reassert its position as the arguably the world’s most beautiful, and beautifully balanced, four-seat sports car.

Exterior enhancements give it an imposing and assertive new ‘face’, the interior is more sumptuous, and there’s a hefty power and performance boost, shaving its sprint time.

Power from a new 6.0-litre V12 engine jumps up 81 PS from 477 PS at 6,000 rpm to a now hefty 558 PS at 6,750 rpm, and torque from 600Nm to 620 at 5,000rpm – the result takes the 0-62mph sprint down to just 4.9 seconds, and top speed up to 190mph.

As luxurious as it is thrilling, the new car also now boasts a host of luxury- or sportsorientated options, allowing buyers to more precisely tailor the car to their specific style.

Prices haven’t been confirmed, but it’s expected to be around the £150,000 mark – little change from the previous model.

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Drive, Sail, Fly

New Sunseeker Predator 68 leaves other yachts trailing in its wake Unveiled a couple of weeks ago at the Dusseldorf International Boat Show, the Sunseeker’s stunning new Predator 68 captured the imaginations of luxury yacht aficionados that had travelled from all over the world for the long awaited launch.

Taking design cues from the also newly launched Predator 80, the Predator 68 is, in Sunseeker’s own words ‘developed to cut a dash whether at speed or rest.’

New design highlights can be seen and felt throughout, creating a true feeling of opulence.

Natural light floods into each cabin and living area thanks to intelligent window design, and a beautifully hand-crafted interior with exquisite fixtures and fittings adds to the uber-luxe feel.

John Braithwaite, Technical Director at Sunseeker said: “The new Predator 68 is a magnificent machine from bow to stern. The Design Team has been working tirelessly to update the layout to get the very best performance without compromising its heritage or the spacious feel. The results are stunning, with increased indoor and outdoor living space, light flooding in at every angle, and an impressive deck saloon with a 40” plasma screen as standard.”

Bombardier to showcase two class-leading jets at Aero India Bombardier Aerospace is showcasing two of its class-defining jets at this yea’s Aero India airshow in Bangalore, India - the Challenger 605 and Global 6000 business jets.

The revered Challenger 605 jet builds upon the legacy of productivity, quality and reliability of its predecessor, theChallenger 604, leading its market share segment throughout the world.

Featuring one of the widest stand-up cabins of any large category business jet available today, it can soar passengers 4,000 nm (7,408 km); from Mumbai to

Athens, or in other words from Kolkata to Darwin.

The Global 6000 jet’s class beating cabin size and levels of comfort, combined with an optional stand-up shower and the Bombardier Vision Flight Deck, means no other purposebuilt business jet comes close in terms of high-speed range capability and traveller comfort. Offering the ultimate in technology, this intrepid jet can link the business centres of Mumbai and London, non-stop, with eight passengers and three to four crew.

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Travel

THE NORTHERN HEIGHTS Scandinavian Airlines remains one of Europe’s lesser well know business options, but what it lacks in repute it makes up for in outstanding executive flight options. We road tested Northern Europe’s most underappreciated business class offering 118 | MONEYMAKER MAGAZINE

At the airport SAS have high quality lounges in a range of airports across the capital cities of Scandinavian countries. However, as members of Star Alliance, business travellers can access their partner lounges. Business check-in services were broadly excellent and efficient, with business class travellers accessing a swift Fast Track service.

In the cabin Whilst it’s not exactly IKEA, there’s no mistaking the interior as being from anywhere else apart from Scandinavia. Rich blues, and plenty of beech-style wood finishes give the cabin some real modernist regional flavour. Seats are laid out in pairs, and there’s a general sense of space all around.

In the seat Whilst not the widest seat you’ll ever travel in, the ergonomics in seat design are excellent, and leg-room is spacious and plentiful. Audio-visuals are perfectly decent, with a 10.4 inch personal screen, and a good, if not extensive, range of entertainment. Seats drop back to a very sleepable 170 degrees, and working space feels noncramped.

In-flight service Food is an area where SAS excel, and feels fresh and light. A mixed menu is served hot or cold, dependent on choices, and goes well with after-dinner options, including a wonderful cheese board. Cocktails are clean and fresh, wine lists are reasonable, and a good range of post-dinner digestifs are offered by a very attentive and friendly cabin crew.

Hand luggage and refresher packs Business class passengers have space for two pieces of hand luggage, and the complimentary refresher kit comes with a good selection of sleeping aids, toothpaste and moisturisers.

Overall Rating The SAS service may not be as well known as some others, but this relatively low profile masks a very strong business class offering that provides even the most fastidious executive traveller with a friendly and efficient service that isn’t far from other more celebrated airlines’ first class.

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LONDON CALLING

spring pickings Every issue we bring you the best of the best London has to offer in spending it in style

THE HOTEL: THE GROSVENOR, PARK LANE Despite its frankly stunning location on overlooking Hyde Park, and its reputation for excellence, to many a visit to the Grosvenor is still associated more with awards events at its wonderful and historic ballroom, and less about one of the most luxurious stays in the Capital.

And that should change, as it’s a truly splendid place to indulge yourself in some of the most opulent style in town.

The hotel has over seventy suites - an unusually high number in itself - but the finest are its 22 Park View Suites, overlooking the greenery of Hyde Park in its multi-room corner plot, with London sprawling out from every grand window.

Decor is suitably grandiose, albeit with a classic British subtlety, and the ambience

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is simply six star, making a mockery of the (just) five above its door.

Meanwhile, service is impeccable and dining in the ten-person dining area is exceptional. For those willing to leave their suite, the restaurant options in the hotel cover every taste too, from fine dining to an award-winning steak house, and deserve the many plaudits they have garnered over the years.

Sometimes familiarity can breed an underwhelming sense of the ordinary, and visitors to the Grosvenor ballroom that don’t take time out to enjoy what is one of the best hotels in Britain, let alone London, are missing out. A truly luxe experience. l www.marriott.co.uk

THE RESTAURANT: PAN CHAI, HARRODS, KNIGHTSBRIDGE Sushi fans in London have been somewhat spoiled in recent years, as some of the world’s finest Japanese restaurants have launched in the Capital. Making a very notable addition to these is Pan Chai, located in the food hall at Harrods, where it has been receiving rave reviews for its light and delicate taste of the Far East.

Featuring a surprisingly eclectic and wide-ranging menu from executive chef Ian Pengelley, Pan Chai’s sushi and sashimi is amongst the best in town, with the freshest tasting fish we’ve been served in a long time.

Make sure you book, as it can be tricky to get seated at busy times, but it’s well worth heading out of your way for what is our favourite new sushi restaurant in London of the past two years. l www.panchai.com

THE EXHIBITION: DAVID BOWIE IS, V&A MUSEUM The V&A launch their homage to the man who has had more impact on British popular culture than any person alive today, David Bowie, with this hotly-anticipated collection of Ziggy Stardust’s life and times. From guitars and outfits to original lyrics and photography, the exhibition is the biggest celebration of Bowie’s influence on the world in history. l From 23rd March 2013 www.vam.ac.uk

THE EVENT: TEENAGE CANCER TRUST EVENTS, ROYAL ALBERT HALL Roger Daltrey’s personal crusade to give something back grows every year, with The Who front man’s far from little black book giving him access to some of the world’s biggest names, all of whom give up their time free of charge to perform in the week of cultural events at the Albert Hall. This year artists

include Russell Brand, Primal Scream, Kasabian, Noel Gallagher, Damon Albarn and perennial favourite, Paul Weller. The gigs are famed for their personal and heartfelt nature, and sell out quick, but some tickets are still available. l From 19th – 25th March 2013 www.teenagecancertrust.org

l Blue Islands fly out of London City airport to Jersey eleven times a day. Flights take just over one hour, and service is uniformly excellent. www.blueislands.com

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CHANNEL

HOPPING

Far from the sleepy land of Bergerac, Jersey is swiftly creating a new alter-ego of an energetic outdoor paradise for thrillseekers, just an hour from London. Mark Southern discovered a hidden gem of an island, with a big future

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or many of us the Channel Islands are mere dots we fly over when heading to more seemingly glamorous destinations. Depending on your preference, they’re either quaint memories of simpler days or expensive tax havens, but are most definitely not weekend hotspots.

At least, that’s what they want you to think, for things are not what they seem in Jersey, in particular. A new wave of outdoor pursuit and extreme sports fans are leaving their London offices at 5pm on Fridays, and sneakily making their way to City Airport, where they quietly board one of the multiple daily flights to the island for a weekend of indulgent outdoor action.

Closer to London than Cornwall, enjoying better weather than the English South Coast, and possessing the most beautiful and empty sandy beaches you will ever see, it’s no surprise that Jersey is such a prime location for the pursuit of adrenalinpumping thrills. In fact, the only thing that ought to raise eyebrows is why it took us so long to realise.

But a realisation is exactly what is occurring, as sports enthusiasts head to the island to try everything from kitesurfing to rock climbing above the crashing waves, and even white water rafting. For those of a non-aquatic nature, the horse riding and quad biking is terrific fun, and the golfing is superb, whilst those wanting sky-based adventures have an eclectic choice of everything from para-motoring to skydiving.

Situated on the west coast, the Atlantic Hotel is a gloriously opulent residence, standing proudly upon the brow of a cliff,

with a golf course cascading down its side, and the eponymous ocean draping its watery carpet as far as the eye can see.

With even an iota of encouragement huge midnight blue waves crash over each other and into the rocks below, with the raw and ancient power contrasting beautifully with the sleek contemporary lines of the hotel, with its manicured greens and swimming pool overlooking the primal ocean.

The hotel’s rooms are sharp, modern interpretations of a classic luxury, and the ambience is quietly and confidently self-assured and welcoming. A warm and friendly service is delivered from the moment guests walk through the doors, and it’s clear to see why it wins so many awards.

The Atlantic Hotel is available all year around, along with its Michelinstarred restaurant, Ocean. www.theatlantichotel.com For a full list of sports to enjoy in Jersey visit www.jersey.com

The food on the island is almost ludicrously good compared to its size, and The Atlantic excels itself here. The in-demand restaurant is overseen by executive head chef Mark Jordan, who having come to the island with an already significant reputation has increased it by some margin, winning multiple plaudits along the way. Expect to enjoy the freshest sea food you’ll ever taste here, along with the best of Jersey’s local produce, with his internationally-recognised tasting menu, all set in the calming blue and white dining space. It’s a joyful dining experience, and at its best when the darkness falls, the wind gets up and the waves bounce off the moonlight below.

Travelling around the island requires a car, but weekend tourists who don’t hire bikes to stretch their legs and see a little offpiste Jersey are missing out. Arthur Lamy has been cycling the island’s routes with mainlanders for decades, and is the perfect guide to learn about everything from the where’s best for afternoon tea to Jersey’s fascinating and occasionally grim history, including the wartime occupation by Nazi Germany. For those wanting as authentic and gripping experience as you’ll ever witness on a bicycle, it’s not to be missed.

But it’s the outdoor sports that are making the island so attractive right now, and it is here that Jersey really comes into its own, offering as wide a range of pursuits on one small island as you will ever see. Whether you like going fast in any of an up, down or forward direction, you’ll find something here for you and, at just one hour from London, it’s simply perfect for a weekend to forget the city completely.

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Fit For a King

The Royal Yacht Hotel For a long weekend break in Jersey, there’s only one place to stay

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ake a look at the glossy, glass heights of the luxuriously modern Royal Yacht Hotel and it’s hard to believe that it’s just two minutes away from Jersey’s shopping streets and a stone’s throw from the waterfront.

It’s even more of a stretch of the imagination to think that you’re in one of the oldest hotels in St Helier.

Well, some of it at least. The hotel has undergone a multi-million pound investment to transform it into a contemporary masterpiece, and while you may spot 19th century character in the ‘old’ part of the hotel, guest rooms take pride of place in the glass-fronted modern section with its stunning views.

There’s no doubting this hotel’s marine theme - it is named The Royal Yacht after all, but if you think more luxury cruise ship you won’t go far wrong. And just like a cruise ship, this hotel has everything on board to keep you entertained. Check-in comes with an ‘Orientation Guide’ that unfolds to map out the hotel’s three restaurants and four bars, as well as the superb Spa Sirène. However you may not even want to leave the comfort of your spacious room – many of them have their own

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private balconies where you can enjoy a drink or breakfast outside.

Restaurant Sirocco, the Royal Yacht’s fine dining restaurant, takes pride of place on the hotel’s first floor, with a terrace to allow you to choose between dinner in the fresh air with the setting sun and the sea in the distance, or a seat inside the smart restaurant with its floor-to-ceiling windows and marina views. The menu is fun and inventive,

“think of a cruise ship and you won’t go wrong - the royal yacht hotel has it all on board to keep you entertained” with dishes including pan fried scallops with artichoke purée, pork beignet and Cox’s apple textures followed by roast turbot with a pine nut crust and crab and lobster cannelloni. And as Sirocco’s terrace turns even more romantic at night with inky blue skies and twinkling lanterns on every table, the restaurant provides blankets so you can enjoy the last of the evening air outside.

The Royal Yacht’s subterranean Spa Sirène is a serene, marine-themed space, with treatment rooms named after mermaids and plenty of indulgent ways to relax - an aromatherapy steam room with twinkling ceiling lights, sauna, experience shower, heated marble

relaxation beds and at the centre, an impressive pool with a hydrotherapystyled jacuzzi. It’s easy to see why this spa’s top notch facilities won it this year’s Good Spa Award. Make the most of the spa’s pampering treatments to get yourself ready to party – the hotel’s Café Zephyr is the place to be seen as Jersey’s cocktail-sipping glitterati prepare for a night on the town.

Fun and exuberant, Café Zephyr’s terrace has plenty of alfresco atmosphere, but thanks to its highpowered heated canopies, you can show off your tanned shoulders without shivering. A Café del Mar-style playlist makes it feel more Balearic than British,

and if you need something to graze on over cocktails, try the famous sushi and sashimi platters. The restaurant serves an all day menu of mouthwatering fusion dishes from crispy chilli beef to Asian noodles and delicious miringlazed steak.

With everything under one roof, The Royal Yacht has all the facilities of a top class cosmopolitan hotel, yet all the character of a chic boutique escape. In the heart of St Helier, and in the centre of the action, you won’t want to leave.

The only regret from my visit? Not booking one of the penthouse suites with their own private hot tubs on the balcony. Now that’s my idea of luxury...

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Travel

WHITE GOLD The exclusive mountain resort of Meribel is a perennial Royal ski favourite, with Princes Charles and William both claiming it to be their winter sports destination of choice.

As part of our ongoing series of spotlights on the world’s most desirable travel stays, Mark Southern discovered one of the finest chalets in the Three Valleys, Les Trois Ours, and found it fit for a King

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Travel

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ver since Henry VIII successfully launched a religion like Paris Hilton launches fragrance lines, it’s been a long held truism that royalty sells. Whether it’s commemorative coronation plates or skydiving Olympic monarchs, the glimmer of association from crown and sceptre renders audiences dumbstruck, and the big bucks usually follow.

From culture to politics, and business to pleasure, a touch of regal glamour creates headlines and riches. And the travel industry is no different, with the world’s most famous palaces frequently in the top five most visited attractions across the globe, and over half of London tourists stating that a brush with British royalty is their primary reason for travelling into the UK. A knowing nod from a crowned head really has become the ultimate status symbol.

So, when a travel destination receives a royal stamp of approval, it’s a pretty big deal indeed. When that money-spinning endorsement becomes an annual thing, it becomes a tourism kingmaker. Arise, Sir License to Print Money.

The French ski resort of Meribel is one of a small number of global destinations that have this royal bloodline running through its DNA, allowing it to place a princely price on its snowy wares. Charles, William and Kate have all claimed it to be their most favoured ski spot, and are frequently spotted on its slopes, whilst Diana once called it her “special

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l British Airways fly to Geneva from multiple UK locations. www.ba.com

place”. You simply cannot buy that kind of kingly kudos, and its effect has led to a concentration of ultra-high net worth wealth converging on the resort every season, making it some of the most expensive snow on the planet.

And, of course, at that level, secondbest will not do, resulting in the creation of some of the world’s most opulent accommodations. However, there can be only one absolute ruler, and reigning over them all is Les Trois Ours; the chalet equivalent of the Palace of Versailles

ballroom, compared to the rest’s Royle family living room.

Situated on the exclusive Route des Chalets, the chalet possesses perhaps the best location in the resort, offering true skiin ski-out access onto the Doron piste. The five en-suite bedroom chalet is split across multiple levels, with stunning views across the Alps from every corner, and boasts a private gym, cavernous cinema, and outside jacuzzi. After a hard day’s skiing the chalet also has its own health and beauty spa, complete with luxurious steam

“reigning above them all is les trois ours; the chalet equivalent of the palace of versailles ballroom, compared to the rest’s royle family living room”

room and treatment rooms, with a private masseuse on hand to help work out any bumps and strains; the perfect preparation to be at your best the following day.

However, as with all the best chalets, it’s in the open-plan living area that you’ll be spending the majority of your apresski time, and it is where Les Trois Ours really comes into its own. Occupying the entire level of one floor, the living space is plush and spacious, whilst never losing its homely feeling. The stone fireplace and warm wood feel contrasts smartly with the sharp contemporary lines of its modern

accessories, and the relaxing sofa area and impressive dining area creates a wonderful home-from-home ambience, albeit it a sumptuous-home-from-sumptuous-home.

To many, the most important feature of any ski experience is the dining, and the chalet has one of the region’s finest chefs privately on-hand at all times to create some of the most exquisite culinary delights in the Three Valleys.

Expect deliciously eclectic and energy-full breakfasts to get you ready for a day on the slopes and delectably light afternoon teas for a sweet pick-me-up, but it’s in the evening where the chef and his team really excel. Every night champagne and canapés are served in front of the roaring fire, before a formal four course dinner, with matched wines, made bespoke for every guest’s own wishes. The attention to detail on the food is unmatched, and sipping post-dinner cocktails on the balcony, overlooking the glimmering midnight snow is a sensational way to end any day.

Service quality is outstanding, as you would expect, and the dedicated onsite service team delivers a wonderfully high-end and friendly hospitality. A chalet host is on-hand at all times to arrange everything form ski passes, tuition, childcare and ski guides, and even ensures that the magazines you’ll find scattered in front of the fireplace and treats in the fridges are bespoke to the guests’ own personal tastes. Staff are mountainknowledgable to give the latest snow advice, and are committed to ensuring that your time is as pleasurable as possible.

Meribel may be the royal go-to destination, but for us there’s only one place in town we’d recommend in our own New Year’s Honours. A truly majestic experience from start to finish.

Les Trois Ours is owned and operated by Avery Crest Chalets. For information and reservations visit www. averycrestchalets.com

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food & drink

The Gastro-files MoneyMaker’s guide to the top bars and restaurants we’ve visited this month Le Vignoble Le Vignoble is a newly launched luxury boutique wine lounge based in Plymouth, in the South West.

Owned by Sommelier Yannick Loué, Le Vignoble employs an enomatic wine dispensing machine - only the second of its kind to be introduced in the UK – which is worth a visit for experimentation purposes alone. As well as temperature control the machine preserves the wine by adding an inert gas to avoid oxidisation - resulting in a superior wine experience, and one we would thoroughly recommend.

Le Vignoble offers over 150 exclusive wines from across the world and were recently selected as one of a very small number of official venues for the celebrated Decanter World Wine Tasting Awards. l www.levignoble.co.uk

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Three Choirs Vineyard Newent, Gloucestershire GL18 1LS Gaze out of the window at Three Choirs Vineyard in Gloucestershire and you could easily be in Southern France, Western Australia or California. And that’s just one of the reason’s that Three Choirs is the most awarded single estate wine producer in the UK. Three Choirs was originally the dream of wine lover Alan McKechnie, who decided to transform his fruit farm into the thriving vineyard it is today back in 1972. Now managed by Thomas Shaw, the vineyard has grown alongside England’s burgeoning reputation for wine as a must visit for food and drink aficionados alike.

Three Choirs offers wine and food lovers a choice of overnight accommodation, including boutique ‘Vineyard’ hotel rooms adjacent to the restaurant and three stunning lodges that nestle amongst the vines. You can even enjoy a breakfast hamper on your doorstep each morning or a locally sourced barbeque pack from the restaurant in the summer months.

The restaurant run by General Manager Darren Leonard serves locally sourced, seasonal British dishes all year round; perfectly complemented by the range of Three Choirs wines.

The daily wine tours begin at the courtyard and saunter down to the vines, where you’ll learn about the rich history and different varieties of grape and growing method. Proceed to the winery where the different production methods for sparkling, white and red wine are explained with fascinating detail. The journey from grape to glass ends at the gift shop with an opportunity to sample three of Three Choirs’ finest. There is also a vineyard audio and numerous nature trails on offer.

Three Choirs Vineyard is also the perfect base for a tranquil break to explore the nearby Cotswolds and step over the border in to Herefordshire to discover cider country, making it one of the best active weekend getaways in the country. l www.threechoirs.com

And, follow this with a unique dessert assortment delivering a gastronomic slant on classics such as doughnuts, lollipops and cakes; designed to perfectly compliment the infusion cocktails Baroque is also fast becoming famous for.

Head chef Judy Joo’s (Fat Duck, Petrus, Iron Chef) aim was to “create a unique gastronomic experience that complements the club” - something which she has undoubtedly succeeded in doing. l www.Baroquemayfair.com

Baroque Baroque, Mayfair, launched in October 2012 by Nightclub Entrepreneur Gerry Calabrese, has become the go-to destination for those looking for something a bit different in West London. Some of the biggest names in the music business have already performed there, including Mark Ronson, Marina and The Diamonds and Grace Jones.

Unashamedly decadent in décor, it’s theatrical and masterfully designed using golds, ruby reds and magenta pinks, with heavy drapes, Louis XIV chairs and antique mirrors. If you’re a Champagne aficionado, few places in London – Europe even, offer a wider range of top champagnes, including such rarities as Salon 1964 and Dom Perignon 1971 along with copious other vintages from throughout the last century.

It’s a foodies’ delight too, with an innovative sharing menu designed to reflect a 1960’s, luxurious Champagne life-style. Choose from cold platters brimming with fresh oysters, fruit de mer, and Beluga caviar £1000 for 100g.

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Food & Drink

Out of Ramsay’s Shadow In to Lime Wood

Ramsay’s protégée, ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ co-star and ‘Great British Menu’ judge, now Michelin-starred culinary maven in her own right, Angela Hartnett is embarking on a new bold new venture as she launches Hartnett Holder & Co, at the acclaimed Lime Wood Hotel, Lyndhurst

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ngela Hartnett is now one of the world’s most famous female culinary mavens, with a Michelin star and a string of notable restaurant launches for the likes of mentor Gordon Ramsay under her belt. Her CV is impressive - from Sandy Lane Hotel Barbados, Aubergine, Zafferano, then L’Oranger and Petrus with Marcus Wareing, to The Grill Room at the Connaught and Murano. And now, her latest venture, Hartnett Holder & Co, is just about to open, taking her out of London and into the heart of the New Forest, at the highly acclaimed 5* Lime Wood Hotel, Lyndhurst.

A New Venture It’s a far cry from the hustle and bustle of central London. Horizon to horizon of trees, heathland and gorse, bird song and the earthy tang of trodden-on leaf litter and fungi fill the air. Perfect foraging country – just what Angela and fellow acclaimed chef Luke Holder love.

Hartnett’s joined forces with Holder at Lime Wood to create a brand new restaurant, designed by Martin Brudnizki of Caprice, Corrigan’s and Hix fame.

Her informal, grounded style of cooking with an Italian accent (courtesy of her Italian grandmother) perfectly complements Holder’s passion for using home grown produce and foraged

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Top chefs, Top Kitchens - Angela’s worked for and with the best 1992: Sandy Lane Hotel, Barbados 1994 – 2001: Aubergine under Gordon Ramsey when restaurant gained its first Michelin Star 2001: Launches Amaryllis in Scotland, and Gordon Ramsay’s Verre in Dubai 2002: Opened MENU and The Grill Room at The Connaught 2004: Was awarded her first Michelin star 2006: Opened Cielo, a Ramsay Group restaurant in Boca Raton, Florida. 2007: Awarded an MBE for services to the industry, and launched her first book, Angela Hartnett’s Cucina: Three Generations of Italian Family Cooking 2008: Opened Murano in Mayfair, and the York & Albany restaurant, close to Regent Street.

2013: Opens Hartnett, Holder & Co at Lime Wood Hotel, New Forest

delicacies. You’ll often find them both out in woodland, gardens and meadows of the estate, seeking wild herbs and mushrooms, coming up with exciting yet ‘honest’ dishes, inspired by the stunning countryside around them.

Luke Holder’s always been a fan of Angela’s food and is delighted to be working with her. “We are working together on dishes for the new restaurant ­it’s all coming together very well indeed. We’ve always shared the same culinary ethos coupled with a joint passion and a core influence from the Italian kitchen. Our plan is to make maximum use of the forest produce that is available literally on the doorstep.”

The Seasoned Pros Like Hartnett, Holder’s also worked with other top chefs in world-class kitchens throughout his career, including for Chris Galvin at Orrery, Stephane Buchholzer, a specialist in molecular gastronomy, and the kitchen of three Michelin-starred Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence.

Hartnett Holder & Co will be a relaxed stylish and comfortable upscale restaurant, full of character, yet unpretentious. The collaboration will be reflected in their seasonally astute, locally sourced, fresh approach ensuring that this is “chefs home cooked food, not cooked for restaurants” it is fun dining, not fine dining.

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What We Love in Food&Drink MoneyMaker gives you the rundown on the products that have been tickling our taste buds this month The Ultimate Cocktail for Cold Days With the weather taking a turn for the worse again, why not cosy up with a hot cocktail from Baroque Mayfair – a hot buttered rum cocktail.

All you need: l A knob of butter l 15ml honey l 40ml aged rum l Hot water to top l Cinnamon stick to garnish

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Then, simply place the knob of butter into a heated glass, adding the honey and rum on top. Top up the glass with hot water and stir with a spoon until the butter and honey has melted and emulsified into a liquid. Using a lighter, gently warm the cinnamon stick and add as a stirrer.

Enjoy!

Super Spices Most of us enjoy a curry, but may not be aware of the healing properties of many spices – some of which are particularly useful for colds and flu – handy for this time of year. Superfood author Gurpareet Bains has just launched Indian Superspices: a book of labinspired recipes to help with everyday ailments such as colds, hangovers and even insomnia. His unique approach uses spices in medicinal quantities to alleviate stress, anxiety, allergies and a range of other ailments including weight loss and as a detox aid.

Gurpareet already has a large fan base among A-list celebrities and Royalty including their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Chris Evans, Dermot O’Leary, and Theo Paphitis as well, as celebrity chefs Ching-He Huang, Vicky Bhogal, Anjali Pathak and Mark Diacono. He is the creator of the ‘world’s healthiest meal’ and winner of the 2011 English Curry Awards’ ‘Chef of the Year’ title.

In this book, Gurpareet reveals the amazing secrets of a spice that has been scientifically proven by the US Food and Drug Administration in the treatment of asthma, diabetes, psoriasis and viral infections, as well as the inhibition of cancer cell growth and improvement of the immune system. He proves that Indian cuisine is robust enough to absorb medicinal quantities of spices and still deliver delicious meals. l www.gurpareetbains.co.uk

How to make a champagne Tower The party season may be over, but it’s never the wrong time to indulge in a little champagne.

If you’re planning on having some guests round to dinner, why not impress them by creating your very own 42-glass champagne tower. All you need is a very steady hand, plenty of glasses and some of the best stuff.

Starting with one glass, surround it with 5 other coupette glasses and in turn surround these with glasses - creating a flower shape of 19 glasses. For the next tier, you need 12 glasses, placed in threes; for the third tier, you need 7 glasses, 4th 3, and finally the last Champagne coupette before finally pouring the champagne.

Crazy about Coffee The finest coffee delivered straight to your door?

Gourmet coffee company Kopi has launched a brand new service - The Coffee Explorer Club Each month Kopi sends you one of the finest single-origin coffees from around the world, ethically sourced and selected by their coffee experts, freshly roasted to order and backed by their 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.

Plus every coffee comes with a handy booklet covering the origin of the coffee, tasting notes and useful brewing tips. l www.kopi.co.uk

Top Vintage Rosés En Primeur If you assume most Rosé wines have a similar taste to the stuff that comes out of the tap in your local Wetherspoons, think again. We recommend you try these blushing delights we discovered this month: Whispering Angel Rose and Chateau D’Esclans Rosé Caves d’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé, Provence 2012 Pale pink and dry, with soft strawberry and raspberry fruits, a lovely refreshing acidity and a delicate herbiness. The fruit comes from the best vineyards of the La Motte region; a blend of - Grenache, Vermentino, Syrah, Tibouren, Cinsault and Mourvedre. l 75cl Bottles | Case of 12: £94.00 150cl Magnum Bottles | Case of 6: £99.00 l Double Magnum Bottle (In Wooden Box) £42.00 Chateau d’Esclans Rosé, Provence 2012 Crisp and refreshing with extra depth of character and very impressive length. Alongside the summer fruits and mineral acidity there is a smokiness, notes of toasted almonds and a mouthwatering creaminess. This is glorious now but will age gracefully over the next few years. l 75cl Bottles | Case of 12: £134.00 l 150cl Magnum Bottles | Case of 6: £138.00 l Double Magnum Bottle (In Wooden Box) £54.00 Both exclusively available from www. fromvineyardsdirect.com

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STYLE

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the Sight of Summer Enjoy the Best of British in 2013 with MyToddy’s eyewear

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t’s time to leave the misery of the winter behind and instead turn our attention to a summer that’s already just around the corner. That inevitably means casting off last year’s summer threads and heading off in search of the latest fashion must-have’s for 2013.

And as we all know the apex of any good summer outfit is having the perfect super-stylish eyewear, which is why we’ve been on the lookout this month for the latest designer sunglasses set to take the UK by storm once the weather turns. We didn’t have to look far to find a new collection from an up and coming British fashion team that packed all the design punch to fulfil all of our eye-shading desires.

MyToddy’s is a new luxury sunglasses designer that oozes British style, class and panache.

Bringing a revolutionary, yet timeless

approach to both men’s and women’s eyewear from the heart of the English countryside, each design comes from MyToddy’s already iconic, individual, but distinctly home-grown style.

MyToddy’s 2013 catalogue is already available online, showcasing frames to suit all occasions you’ll come up against this summer, from the wedding season to the festival season, and everything in between. Whether it’s a couple months on the continent or a tour of good old Blighty that you’ve got planned when the sun makes an entrance, you’ll never be short of stylish alternatives to offset any chic, sophisticated look.

We’ve already got our shades fixed for a summer of polo and Wimbledon, and strongly suggest that you do too.

To check out MyToddy’s latest designs and ensure that you’re ready for summer visit www.mytoddys.com

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1 Arbor Element £550 2 Burton Custom flying V £480 3 Burton Feelgood flying V £480 4 Burton Vapor £720 5 Gentem Giant Mantaray £900 6 Gentem Zephyr £1,200 7 Silbaerg Carvomat Pro £413

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OWN THE SLOPES The Northern Hemisphere’s ski season is well and truly underway, with the mid-season sun bringing out the fairweather snow fan in all of us. We take a look at some of the sharpest ski and snowboard gear available right now at the UK’s leading winter and outdoor pursuits retailer, Snow and Rock.

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Sweet Duke jacket £320

The North face Crestone jacket £360

Sweet Renegade pants £230.30

6 The North face Baker jacket £250

The North Face Afton jacket £230

Toni Sailer Corinne tweed pants £490

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STYLE

What we love in Style & Grooming this month 1. The Power of Fragrance This is the month fragrance sales boom.

Some of the classics are still the best – Roger Piguet’s famous ‘Fracas’ continues to charm with its seductive, intoxicating yet sharp floral scent.

We asked the master perfumer himself to tell us about the power fragrance can have: “A great fragrance has the power to charm and excite the wearer and all who they encounter.

Scent is the strongest sense 1 tied to memory, so one can remember feelings and memories tied to fragrance for a lifetime.”

Why wear fragrance?

“Most people choose to wear fragrance as an additional expression of themselves. We know that our Piguet customers are seeking something unique and exciting.

They’ve come

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to expect fragrances that reflect their personalities and style.”

But what makes a fragrance great?

“In an incredibly saturated market, the mark of a true great fragrance is one that allows wearers to stand out from the crowd. Robert Piguet enthusiasts realize our scents are truly unique composed of the finest ingredients that truly stand the test of time.”

Fracas, the jewel in the crown of the Robert Piguet Collection, is an intoxicating combination of tuberose, gardenia and orange blossom. It pushed back the boundaries of sensuality in the floral family; at once shocking and compelling in its intensity. l www.robertpiguetparfums.com

2. Savile Row to You - London’s Visiting Tailor Seeking a new suit in a hurry? No time to head to Savile Row? Henry Herbert has the answer. The company has a fleet of stylish Vespas and expert tailors who can come out to you armed with an enormous selection of the finest fabrics.

They’ll discuss your requirements in detail, measure you, and then guide you through a huge variety of bespoke suit and shirt styles. They’ll also visit you again to ensure the perfect fit is achieved, and deliver.

In addition to suits, Henry Herbert tailors overcoats, jackets, waistcoats, shirts and dinner jackets – all in the comfort of your office or home anywhere within the M25.

And, they offer alterations too. l www.henryherbert.com

3. All Tied Up Looking for unusual tie designs? Swagger & Swoon has over 3,000, plus occasionwear accessories such as fine silk scarves, cravats, and cummerbunds.

So do you dare to make a statement?

We love the quirky new collection of limited edition Van Buck ‘Bouquet’ and ‘Floral Scarlet’ ties, and also, to appeal to the more traditional, their Fort & Stone fine silk cravats ‘Neat Design’. l www.swaggerandswoon.com

4. Well Shod Traditional shoe maker John White Footwear has been around for almost 100 years, and continues to produce high quality, classic designs favoured by gentry and city sorts alike.

They have a great range of boots, shoes and moccasins, all extremely well made.

We particularly love both the Thomas Brown Calf and Brooke Brown Calf at £95. l www.johnwhiteshoes.com

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The Square Smile From being the world centre for terrible teeth, London is developing a worldwide reputation for being the new home of the winning smile. We caught up with Dr Mark Hughes of the Harley Street Dental Group to find out more about how he is launching the famous street’s most ambitious cosmetic dental project in decades

Cosmetics

What is Harley Street Dental Group?

The group comprises three top end dental practices, situated in destination locations in London, and in April 2013 we are opening a centre of dental excellence on Harley Street, ranged over six floors of a refurbished Grade II listed building. Inside we have the very latest state of the art technology, coupled with the elegance of a spa.

The Group’s 18 clinicians are among the very best in their profession, and between them provide the most extensive range of specialties available in London.

What is different about the HSDG service?

Our overarching philosophy is to achieve absolute excellence in all aspects of clinical dentistry and facial aesthetics. Our clinicians provide tailored treatments according the condition and lifestyle of each patient, and achieve outstanding results.

We make sure our patients have a pleasant, pain-free experience, with the highest level of service and comfort, and our locations and interiors are second to none in dentistry.

As dental professionals we also have a deep understanding of facial architecture and have also introduced aesthetic facial treatments to complement the work with achieve rejuvenating patient’s mouths.

Has the cosmetic dentistry industry changed in London over the past decade?

Yes, out of all proportion. The development of new dental technologies and materials has meant that we can create natural looking restorations, which rejuvenate the mouth without looking like anything has been ‘done’.

Where once veneers were the most requested treatment, we now prefer dental implants, adult orthodontics and tooth whitening, which allow us to preserve and enhance a person’s own teeth.

As for the ‘why?’, London has become a world hub of business excellence, and demands from high net worth individuals to find treatments which help them achieve an even better impression have been tantamount to the success of the Harley Street Dental Group.

Has there been a surge in male patients over recent years, and why is this?

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“we have seen an exponentioal increase in male patients in recent years. we attribute this primarily to an increased pressure to impress in the working world “ We have seen an exponential increase in male patients in our practices over recent years. We attribute this to a variety of factors, although it is primarily due to an increased pressure to impress in the working world.

To look good and exude confidence is key in a competitive environment, and this can be achieved when a person looks and feels impressive. We are often judged by our appearance and a first impression takes seconds to form. Adopting the right attire, the right haircut and a pristine smile means that a person can convey the right message even before they speak.

What does a great smile say about someone?

Perceptions may not be accurate, but they are powerful. A great smile gives off positive vibes on first meeting. As well as conveying confidence, it shows a warmness of character and willingness to engage. It also says that the person has a strong attention to detail and cares about the impression that they make. A good smile is a very important social and business asset.

What sort of feedback do your patients tell you about after their treatment has been completed?

Patients tell us that they are surprised that they enjoyed the experience of being treated at our practices, and they are even more delighted when they see the results we achieve for them. At the beginning of the process we ask them for their expectations and we find that we match or exceed these in most cases.

Patients report on an improvement in speech, their ability to eat better, enjoy a boost in confidence, and, in many cases, achieve unexpected successes at work or

in relationships, which they attribute to their willingness to speak, to engage and to an increase in self-assurance.

Which celebrity smiles are the most requested to emulate?

We live in an increasing celebrity-driven culture, and this has meant a surge in requests for us to emulate the smiles of well-known people. Patients admire the smiles of celebrities such as Cheryl Cole, Kate Middleton, and Halle Berry. Will Smith and Tom Cruise smiles are popular with males.

As a result we have a large number of adult patients undergoing orthodontic treatment – which can now be carried out discretely thanks to the introduction of a range of new methods. We are also renowned for our compete mouth makeovers and probably have more expertise in fitting dental implants than anywhere in London.

Is the cliché of British bad teeth now finally over?

Not entirely, sadly. We still have some areas of dental health which we can improve as a nation.

However, more and more people are recognising the benefits of a healthy straight, white smile, and are seeking the necessary treatments to give them the boost, which really does make a difference to their lives.

You see many more attractive smiles around the UK than you could 10 years ago, but there are many people that are still unaware of what dental professionals like us can do for them.

For more information about the Harley Street Dental Group visit www.harleystreetdentalgroup.org

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golfer’s guide

GOLFER’S GUIDE

MoneyMaker’s golf expert Sophie Horn takes us around some of her favourite courses in the world Celtic Manor, South Wales l Designed by European Golf Design

L

ike many other golfers I’m sure, Celtic Manor has been a place I have been dying to visit since watching the magic of the 2010 Ryder Cup. I was really hoping that I wasn’t about to be disappointed, and from the second I walked into the majestic lobby I knew that I wasn’t going to be.

Dragon-carved pillars, sumptuous seating areas, giant trees and columns all add to an imposing, yet still cool frontage that greets you as you take your first steps inside the Celtic Manor resort. It’s not just the golf history that grabs you as you step inside, but also the super-stylish décor and the facilities (including bars, restuarants and designer shops) which are superb.

Another fantastic facility on site is the Forum Spa, voted the Best UK Hotel Spa in 2011. Unsurprisingly therefore my time there was memorable. In fact I’d go beyond that and say it was amazing - a spa lounge area, a steam room, sauna, Jacuzzi, a 20m pool and an impressivesized gym make it a real experience to savour.

There are six different dining options in the hotel and four eateries in the adjoining Manor House sister hotel. I was lucky enough to enjoy a meal in Terry M - The restaurant boasts 3 AA rosettes (more than any restaurant in Cardiff). I had a gorgeous 3 course meal, opting for the rather decadent lobster bisque and sea bass before bowing out with a delicious plum soufflé! Everything from the service

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from the clubhouse later.

to the ambience was simply superb.

After already having an outstanding couple of days away from the city, getting the chance to play the Twenty Ten course was well and truly the icing on the (Welsh) cake.

The first thing you notice when you make your way to the tee is the atmosphere. So often when you play a special course, you can be made to feel quite conscious and uncomfortable both in the clubhouse and on the course. Not at the Twenty Ten though, the feel of the experience was friendly and welcoming - a warm greeting before being shown to your own personalised locker.

I was chauffeured over to the first tee, never having to lift a finger in terms of carrying my golf clubs, they simply appeared on a cart on the tee.

After a quick stretch whilst getting into the Tiger mind set (not that type of mind set - the golf bit) a photographer was ready to take my picture next to the Ryder Cup sign for a souvenir to be collected

With water hazards on half of the holes and no fewer than six signature holes, Twenty Ten represents a serious test of your golf game, and also plenty of riskand-reward challenges. The course is quite American in style, with lots of water and humps surrounding the fairways. Two particular favourites are the Par 5 9th alongside the River Usk, and the Par 4 14th, where you must place your drive carefully before playing to a green across the water.

The last three holes have been cut into the lower slopes of the valley which make for a challenging last few yards to the bar, particularly at the 18th,where you have to decide whether to carry a pond in front of the green with your second shot or lay up and leave a tricky pitch from a downhill lie over water to a raised green. For the pro’s it’s a monster 500yard+ Par 4, although apparently there were players taking a wedge into the green with their second shot. If only…

Upon finishing the round my sticks were whisked off to be cleaned and I was handed customised bag tags before heading into the clubhouse - it’s these touches that really do make this place something very special.

Rafters (the restaurant) is also lovely, the food was superb and the service was of the highest quality. The comfy leather sofas and large crackling fire were a very welcome sight after the chilly wind on the closing stretch.

Would I go back? - In a heartbeat.

SOPHIE’s VIEW The Twenty Ten course is simple a joy to play. It’s certainly one of the best courses in the UK can keep pace with even the best Europe has to offer. It really is a must visit for all UK golf fans.

The halfway house was also very welcoming, and I loved the fact that you could order your food/ drink en route to the par 3 10th.

Everything is ready and waiting for you after holing out so no waiting around.

COURSE:

FACILITIES:

9/10

10/10

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How I Spend It

Warwick Davis Each issue a celebrity gives us an insight on how they would spend an imaginary fortune. This month is the turn of film actor and TV funny man Warwick Davis Perfect Holiday?

Either a holiday house in the Lake District, or an extended break the Florida Keys.

I’ve been to both many times before but I love them and wouldn’t go anywhere else regardless how large my imaginary fortune is. They’re both just great places to relax and be at one with the surrounding area.

Dream Car? I really like the Aston Martin Vanquish, and the new Rapide S. There’s something about Astons that really appeals to me, mostly their luxury feel and iconic British style.

Private Jet or Super Yacht?

quality piece, and still looks as new as the day I bought it. Some of the other more famous brands have become a bit cheesy in my opinion, so I wouldn’t swap it for any other model.

Favourite piece of technology?

I love my Segway, that’s my favourite gadget at the moment. I still look at it and think I must have stolen a piece of alien technology from somewhere, it’s that cool.

And although it felt like a frivolous purchase the time, it’s probably the useful thing I own as well.

I think Super Yacht. I love being on the water, and you could travel in it anywhere and it would still be a home from home.

That’s important for me because I travel a lot for work, and so don’t get as much of a thrill from staying in hotels on holiday as I should. The ocean-going vessels are fantastically kitted out as well.

Spending Weakness?

Favourite luxury accessory?

Most Desirable Extravagant Purchase?

I like my Breitling watch. It’s a great looking,

I’d really like to build a recording studio at

My one real weakness is Apple products, every time a new product is released we tend to end up with more than one in our house. I think I’ve almost got a whole museum dedicated to Apple stored away, I really should think about offloading some of it at some point.

my home. I do a lot of voiceover work for programmes and documentaries, and it would be really useful to be able to record things professionally in my own space at home instead of going to a studio.

New Business Venture?

I’d stay in the entertainment industry, probably involving something in the theatre. I love the West End, so to be able to sit back, watch a production and think ‘I think produced that’ and then take that show around the world and leave a legacy would give me a great sense of achievement.

Giving Back?

I support many charities already, but the charity I have become involved in most recently as a co-founder is Little People UK, a charity that focuses on assisting people with dwarfism and their families. We are a support network offering help and advice, particularly for those whose loved ones have dwarfism.

Warwick Davis is soon to be appearing in a Life’s Too Short special on the bbc, and has recently launched www.thesignatureshop. co.uk, offering fans exclusive autographs and collectibles, including exclusive Harry Potter memorabilia. Warrick’s award-winning smartphone app, PocketWarwick, is also available in all smartphone stores

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I WEAR THE TROUSERS DO YOU LOOK GOOD. PLAY GREAT.

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The Poulter Stride. #WeartheTrousers

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