CITY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2010 by Runwild Media Group

the city magazine s e p t e m b e r 2010

business • current affairs • fashion • health & beauty • travel • food & drink • motoring • uk & international property n

the city m a g a z i n e

MODEL thinking From catwalk to conscience

THE RACING RINGLEADER Bernie Ecclestone, rich lists and the Singapore GP

travel gadgets motoring interiors property september 2010 i s s u e 3 5

feature 10 Market Trader Karyn Ramsay speaks about her role as operations and administration manager at Smithfield Market

12 Model Thinking Talking to Neely Reye, founder of one of the fastest growing modelling agencies in the UK about ethical modelling

m o d e l thinking

contents

interview

feature

With a client list including Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Uniqlo, one of Britain’s fastest growing modelling agencies has just touched down in Soho. Claire Adler talks to the former model and multiple award-winning young entrepreneur who founded it

Above: Daisy de Villeneuve (left) and Neely Reyes (right) Left: Mark H at Sapphires Right: Tiiu at Sapphires

s an ex-model, Neely Reyes kept on meeting models who were fed up with their agencies. So, aged 24 in 2005, she set up Sapphires Model Management in the Midlands, making sure her models were not so much fed up as well-fed, and encouraging strong self-esteem and healthy body weight. Neely went on to win the Inspirational Women Young Entrepreneur award from Business Link, and was recognised as Entrepreneur of the Year by her Chamber of Commerce. Sapphires also became the first model agency outside London or Scotland to represent a finalist at the Scottish Fashion Awards. Five years later, defying the recession, Sapphires is one of the fastest growing agencies in the country, and Neely is just recovering from a late-night party at the Sanderson Hotel to launch her new Soho head office. In true fashion industry style, the goodie bags for models, fashion stylists, editors, film directors, designers and artists who attended, brimmed with beauty products, drinks and clothes. Last year at the Drapers WGSN Fashion Summit, Sapphires catwalk models showcased clothes by the likes of Diane von Furstenberg, Betty Jackson, Giles Deacon, Maria Grachvogel and Matthew Williamson. When Japanese retail giant Uniqlo was looking for a face for its fleece campaign, Sapphires signed up London socialite, designer and illustrator, Daisy de Villeneuve. Perhaps surprisingly, Neely’s

career didn’t quite start in fashion. “I just knew I wanted to run my own business, but I wasn’t sure what,” says Neely, whose first experience of entrepreneurship was selling handpainted mirrors from a stall while she was at university. “I was in the Midlands and I noticed there wasn’t an agency providing the aesthetic and quality control offered by London agencies to the regions. I also met so many models who were fed up with their agencies because they weren’t being treated well. I saw a gap in the market for an ethical agency and that’s how Sapphires was born.” There is still a prevailing mentality that models are “glorified clothes racks to be disposed of when they have served their purpose, regardless of how they feel,” says Neely, who is committed to developing quality models for long and sustained careers. “We don’t put pressure on a model to lose weight on a whim. We sign them based on healthy eating and sensible living, and we aim to promote their self-esteem. The industry is hard enough without agencies browbeating their models.” Every way you look at it, modelling is a fiercely competitive business and a model’s personality comes into the picture at all times. “It’s always the client’s decision whether to use a model or not. Outgoing, bubbly and friendly personalities are always an advantage,” says Neely. In recent years, fashion lovers have made it clear that the image of drastically underweight models is something they have found disturbing, and the industry is now responding with caution. “It’s simply not attractive to see shoulder blades and pelvises sticking out. But customers buy into a brand image and there’s no point using the girl next door to sell a fashion brand. An Audi advert shows a car zipping through an alpine pass, not sitting in traffic on the M25 – who wants to see that?” Neely’s niche from the start – offering high-quality models to new parts of the UK – proved profitable. Soon she teamed up with photographer, now managing partner,

Ian Warren, to open a second branch in London, running national model search competitions. So is all this talk of ethical business more than a fashion trend of its own? “We guarantee our clients a friendly, down-to-earth service without the pretentious attitudes commonly associated with the modelling industry,” says Neely. “We built our business by treating our models well, promoting a sustainable and sensible lifestyle and developing them as longterm models, because we felt it was the right thing to do. Companies are currently falling over themselves to announce themselves as ethical, but Sapphires has been working ethically for the last five years, and before it became the ‘in’ thing to do. We’ll be doing it long after the marketing gurus have discovered another buzzword.” When Neely started in her early 20s, people assumed she was naïve, she says. “I don’t think my thick Brummie accent helped either,” she laughs. “There were plenty of competitors who thought they could try and scare me off what they thought was their turf. But I think my success has come down to my refusal to be intimidated, and sticking to my guns when it came to where I wanted to take my business.” n

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28 The Royal Selangor

Interview with the GM of Royal Selangor, the world’s biggest pewter company

calibre 44 Safety Fast Matthew Carter tries out Volvo’s new- found dynamism with the new S60 saloon

Mr. Classic

48 The Racing Ringleader Formula One ringleader Bernie Ecclestone, the shrewdest business man in sport

Red tartan tie, £50, blue tartan shirt, £80, navy blazer, £450, blue jeans, £100, small green and tan briefcase, £490, burgundy spot silk square, £25

Photographer: Peter Zownir

Fashion Editor:

concierge

sport calibre

62 Fashion

Ranked as one of Britain’s richest residents and ringleader of a sport that generates close to £2 billion per year, Formula 1 ringleader Bernie Ecclestone is a businessman not to be messed with. Lee Brooks profiles one of the shrewdest men in world sport

Quintessentially British menswear

f size were crucial to a business deal, Bernie Ecclestone wouldn’t have much of a look in. The pint-sized Englishman barely measures 5ft 4ins, yet his tiny exterior hides a devilish business instinct that has seen him almost single-handedly transform Formula 1 from a simple motor race into one of the world’s biggest sports. The 79-year-old is one of Britain’s richest residents, with a personal fortune estimated at £1.4bn, and despite his vintage age and heart bypass operation eight years ago, the business tycoon shows no sign of giving up the daily grind in favour of a retirement home and a place on the over-70s bowls team. As president of Formula 1 Management and Formula 1 Administration, he remains the primary force in motor racing. Son of a North Sea trawler man, Suffolk-born Ecclestone left school at 16 to start work at the local gasworks and pursue his hobby of motorcycles, but it wasn’t long before the inner businessman took over, and he set up a car and motorcycle dealership in Bexley, Kent. A dabble in racing cars resulted in a series of crashes, so he moved into driver management and then bought the Brabham Racing Team in 1972, which he ran for 15 years and scored 22 race victories. Ecclestone is something of a perfectionist. During his reign at Brabham, he would often been seen picking up a broom and doing the sweeping himself in a bid to maintain his obsessively high standards of cleanliness. He would also drive the mechanics mad if a sponsorship sticker was even slightly out of line on the rear wing of one of the Brabham cars.

84 Interiors Surrealism inspired style

weddings 70 The Oldfield Occasion Bruce Oldfield OBE, lets us into a few secrets as a top fashion designer

Lucie Dodds

the

racing

The pinT-sized englishman barely measures 5fT 4ins, yeT his Tiny exTerior hides a devilish business insTincT ThaT has seen him almosT single-handedly Transform formula 1 It was during this time, in the mid-1970s, that Ecclestone made his move to transform Formula 1. The sport was hugely popular but lacked the direction to raise its profile. Ecclestone spotted the opportunity and cannily persuaded the other teams to let him negotiate commercial rights on their behalf, as well as organise the races. In return, he would keep a hefty chunk of the profits. Now 35 years on, the 2009 Sunday Times Rich List ranked the tycoon as 24th richest person in the United Kingdom and, while no longer a team boss, he remains in control of one of the biggest businesses in sport. Watching Ecclestone working the Formula 1 paddock is like watching a shepherd presiding over his flock. He glides from team to team in his standard uniform of Emporio Armani white

shirt, dark slacks and perfectly buffed black shoes, ensuring everything is running like clockwork. It’s also been Ecclestone’s foresight to take the sport to emerging new markets that has really boosted his already eye-watering bank balance. So desperate have the likes of Bahrain, China, Abu Dhabi and most recently Korea, been to get a precious spot on the Formula 1 calendar, that they have agreed to pay extortionate amounts of money to win the rights to host a Grand Prix, and then spend hundreds of millions building the most luxurious circuit money can buy. Ecclestone’s talents extend outside of motor racing, too. In 2007, he delved into the world of football when he purchased London-based Championship club Queens Park Rangers, along with good friend and former Renault F1 team boss Flavio Briatore and steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal. He is ranked as the fifth richest hotelier in the world, thanks to his ownership of the prestigious Olden hotel in Gstaad, Switzerland and in 2004, he pulled off one of his shrewdest business dealings to date when he sold the then most expensive house in Britain to his multi-billionaire business associate Mittal for £57m – a £7million profit – despite never having lived in it. He has spent his life hustling and cajoling his way into a position of unconditional power in a sport that tells royalty where to sit and governments how much to spend. But early last year, he almost lost it all. The sport’s teams threatened to leave Formula 1 and set up a rival championship, during which time Ecclestone was busy dealing with the divorce from his wife of 24 years. Slavica Radic, 28 years his junior and nearly ten inches taller, cited “unreasonable behaviour” that had caused her “stress and anxiety” for the divorce. The split is rumoured to have accounted for the £934 million decline in Ecclestone’s fortune, estimated in 2009. Twelve months on, though, and Ecclestone is still standing. The 79-year-old managed to persuade the teams to remain in the sport, while maintaining a healthy looking bank balance in spite of his hefty divorce. Formula 1 without Ecclestone seems an unlikely prospect and, despite his aging years, the billionaire insists he’s not going anywhere. “I’d be happy to die on the job, ” he said. “For me, that’s the only way to go. ” n

SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX 2010 24, 25, 26 SEPTEMBER one of the few street circuits on the formula 1 racing calendar and the only night-time event the singapore grand prix is a definite highlight of the season. Won by alonso in the inaugural year and hamilton last year, can Webber get his first win here and firmly secure his position at the top? www.formula1.com

75 Aisle Style Bridal trends for the autumn/winter season

connoisseur 96 ‘Tis the Season The start of the white truffle season

105 Bohemian Rhapsody A cute cantina in Shoreditch serves up an authentic Mexican

regulars 8 editor’s letter

83 interiors

30 personal finance

87 health & fitness

47 sport

95 travel

54 gadgets

103 food & drink

61 fashion

115 property

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contributors...

RUNWILD M

Editor-in-Chief Lesley Ellwood

Editor

Louisa Castle

Editorial Director Kate Harrison

1. Claire Adler is a London-based freelance journalist specialising in jewellery, watches and luxury brands. Her work has appeared in the Financial Times, The Sunday Times, The Guardian and Harrods magazine. 2. Jamie Carter is a freelance journalist specialising in gadgets and technology. Jamie has written for the likes of T3, Home Cinema Choice and The Guardian as well as a number of websites. 3. David Kuo is one of the UK’s leading

commentators on money matters. He is a director at The Motley Fool as well as providing daily insight and financial news for BBC London’s Breakfast Show.

4. Sim Smith is a freelance journalist and

stylist based in London. A frequent contributor to prestigious publications, Sim has worked with ELLE Decoration, The Telegraph and The Financial Times.

5. Matthew Carter is a London-based freelance journalist who’s been writing about cars for most of his working life. A former editor of Autocar magazine, he is a serial car owner. 6. Martin Bamford is one of the youngest and most successful financial planners in the UK. He runs his own firm of financial advisers – Informed Choice – and regularly contributes to various financial publications. 7. Chelsey Baker is a business advisor and life coach, she has been featured extensively in the national media as a leading entrepreneurand runs her own consultancy firm Success Media. Chelsey is a freelance journalist and motivational speaker. 8. Clare Murray is founder and managing partner of specialist law firm, CM Murray LLP. Clare and her colleagues advise a wide range of companies, professional firms and senior individuals on employment, partnership and business immigration law issues.

Deputy Editor Josephine O’Donoghue

Editorial Assistants Oliver Balcazar Penelope M Walsh

Fashion Editor Lucie Dodds

Senior Designer Hiren Chandarana

Design Assistant Kayze De Silva

Production Manager Dan Hyde

Group Publishing Director Eren Ellwood

Project Manager Ella Kilgarriff

PR & Marketing Manager Rebecca Walton

Managing Director Giles Ellwood

16 Heron Quay, Canary Wharf London E14 4JB T: 020 7987 4320 F: 020 7005 0045 www.runwildmedia.com

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Model Thinking an insight into ethical modelling See page 12 Runwild Media Group Publishers of: Canary Wharf magazine The City magazine, Vicinitee VENUE – The official magazine of The O2

Subscriptions: A free subscription service is available to employees at Canary Wharf offices. E-mail subscribe@runwildmedia.com for further details. For other readers, 6 & 12 month subscriptions are available at £15 & £25 respectively, to cover postage and packaging. For details of subscriptions and advertising, please contact us on 020 7987 4320.

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27/08/2010 09:40

September

from the editor...

’m not sure about April being labelled the month of showers as, right now, as we press print on our September issue, the end of August is giving April a really good run for its money. Where’s that Indian summer we were promised by the weatherman? It’s truly back to business after our summer holidays and our financial pages (p.27) bring you right back up to speed; covering the announcement of cuts and a reorganisation of the Ministry of Defence; an interview with Yong Yoon Li, general manager of Royal Selangor, the largest pewter company in the world about the challenges of running a fourth generation family business; the rise of women investors and the importance of setting goals to get to where you want to be in life and work. I guess it must also be time to reinstate the autumn wardrobe with some inspirational seasonal extras, of course: Take note of our special autumn showers collection of macs (p.20) as I’m predicting we’ll need them more and more: And step back to the

time of the English gentleman with our vintage inspired fashion shoot celebrating the launch of the new Hackett store (p.61). September is also a time when the winter wedding season really gets into full swing, so we’ve got a whole section for you to pore over (p.69); dresses, designs and an in-depth interview with Bruce Oldfield, wedding dress designer to Sarah Cameron, Princess Diana and more; hints on how to propose and choose ‘the’ ring (useful for the other half or for you to point out, just in case); the season’s ultimate trends and some of the best local venues. Stepping out of the country we visit the Piedmont region in Italy, famous for its food and wine but mostly for its White Truffle Festival in October, complete with hunting, tasting and relaxing (p.96). Alternatively, Sophie Armitage visits Bovey Castle, hidden in the beautiful Dartmoor National Park (p.98). Enjoy the read... and don’t forget your umbrella

MARKET

R E D TRA A t 800 years old, the Smithfield Market is an iconic London landmark and is evolving every day. A central driving force behind both the day-to-day running of the market and long-term improvement projects, Karyn tackles a variety of responsibilities in a historic yet hectic environment. I caught up with her a few weeks ago to find out more about her unique job role, and the passion she has for the market: What is your full job title, and what does the role entail? It’s a bit of a mouthful! I’m the operations and administration manager, but it covers a wide range of duties. In a nutshell, it means ensuring that all the departments – including maintenance, security and administration – are working efficiently, as well as looking for ways to improve the way we run the market. It’s a mixture of staff management, such as recruitment and training, and operational management, which includes managing health and safety and working practices. What attracted you to Smithfield Market? The opportunity to operationally manage one of the most famous buildings in London was a great pull. I’ve always been fascinated by the history of the City and I like organising and managing, so it was the perfect combination.

Josephine O’Donoghue talks to Karyn Ramsay about her role as operations and administration manager at Smithfield Market, the day-to-day challenges of the job, and how this famous market is modernising for the 21st century

What do you enjoy about the job? No one day is the same, and I often take the opportunity to get out of the office. One day, I could be in early to take visitors around the market, followed by a traditional Smithfield breakfast, and shortly afterwards find myself negotiating with companies who want to use us for a filming venue. Another day, I could be in the car park, managing the refurbishment project, and then organising a charity fair in Grand Avenue. I’ve had some unusual opportunities since working here, such as accompanying one of our traders to the studio when appearing on Ready Steady Cook, and getting dressed up for the Lord Mayor’s Show. What is your greatest achievement since taking the job at Smithfield Market? It’s great that I’ve had the freedom to work on many projects, which, I think, have made a difference, such as writing a new induction programme for our staff, but I am particularly pleased with the refurbishment of our car park. That may not sound particularly exciting or groundbreaking but, from previously being a dark and confusing place, it’s now a well-lit, safer and more user-friendly environment for customers.

interview

What makes Smithfield Market such a popular market? It’s one of the best-known food markets in the country and somewhere that customers – both retail and wholesale – can buy good value meat at the same time as shopping in a bit of old London. As you head down the Buyer’s Walk, there’s always a bit of banter and a jovial atmosphere – and that’s something you don’t get in your local supermarket!

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How long has the market been running? How do you feel about being part of the market’s modern history? The buildings have been here since 1868, but there has been a market on this site for 800 years. I studied history at university and I’m fascinated by the whole area here. The people who’ve worked here for a long time come out with some fantastic tales about how it used to be. They remember how the market looked when the floor was covered in sawdust and when the market was an open trading hall. I’m proud to be part of it and to be making a contribution to how it is today. It’s quite an achievement for a wholesale market to be operating in the Square Mile. How long do you think the market will continue? There’s been a market on this site for 800 years and I suspect it’ll be here for many years to come. How is Smithfield modernising? As with any food business, you’ve got to move with the times and, in the 1990s, Smithfield underwent a £70 million refurbishment to create a modern market in the Victorian buildings. Last year, all the food businesses here achieved approved EU status, and this saw a dramatic change in working practices, such as how meat is transported through temperature-controlled corridors. It’s our challenge to keep the market up-to-date, and to keep trading going. We’re always looking for ways to promote the market; for example, we helped fund a new website (www.smithfieldmarket.com) for the tenants last year, so that they can advertise the products available in the market. Do the listed buildings at the market require much upkeep? The buildings have been here since 1868 and they do need to be looked after carefully but, then again, the City of London takes great care of all its buildings, regardless of their age. But, as for the market, there’s quite a bit of nifty choreography involved. Fork-lift trucks are moving around the site all the time, as are 40-tonne lorries which back onto the sealed loading bays and we handle 120,000 tonnes of meat here every year, so there’s a lot going on. We’ve got maintenance staff whose job it is to keep the place running, and any repairs and upgrades are carried out with approval from the Planning Authority and English Heritage to ensure that we keep in line with the Listed Building requirements and regulations. What is happening in the future of Smithfield Market? I’m sure that Smithfield will go from strength to strength. It’s true to say that the recession has made things difficult in the UK and Smithfield is no exception, but the meat traders have adapted brilliantly to changing circumstances over the centuries. My work – my mission, if you like – is to help ensure that the market traders have a safe, hygienic and well-maintained place to carry on selling meat. n For further information, visit www.smithfieldmarket.com

m o d e l thinking

interview

feature

Above: Daisy de Villeneuve (left) and Neely Reyes (right) Left: Mark H at Sapphires Right: Tiiu at Sapphires

St Katharine

Super docKS! With a nod to fashion’s nautical trends, St Katharine Docks is becoming a real destination location. With its three large basins brimming with super yachts and plenty of sophisticated spots offering al fresco dining, it’s no wonder the jet set are staying put right here in London. You would be forgiven for assuming that St Katharine Docks was just another corporate pocket of London, but with its historical location next to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge firmly ingrained on the map, it’s certainly time to take a second look. Designed by Thomas Telford in 1825, together with architect Philip Hardwick, they crafted a ‘super dock’, bringing to life the six-storey warehouses, with cast iron window frames and extensive vaults to store thousands of casks of valuable wine, marble and other luxury world goods. As late as the 1930s, St Katharine Docks enjoyed a roaring trade, and was described as a focal point for the world’s greatest concentration of portable wealth. Although the site was a victim of the Blitz, Telford and Hardwick’s visions can still be seen today, in the sympathetically remodelled office blocks designed by Sir Richard Rogers, and luxury apartments in City Quay and the original Ivory House built in 1825, which were among the first to kick off the trend of warehouse apartments.

Right now, St Katharine Docks is the perfect place for a summertime soirée or the ideal backdrop to after-work dinner and drinks. Offering some of the high street’s favourite brands and a number of independent restaurants and bars, there is an array of culinary delights to satisfy almost any appetite. The Docks also boast an enormously popular gourmet food market every Friday, the St Katharine Docks Good Food Market, which encourages the city’s high fliers away from their desks and into the fresh air to enjoy the buzz and scenic backdrop of stunning yachts exuding charm and wealth. It may not guarantee the sunshine of St Tropez, but St Katharine Docks offers a laid-back, old-school glamour and charm, providing an oasis of calm where visitors can relax and enjoy the sophistication of the Med, without the price tag attached. Whilst St Katharine Docks is rapidly becoming a well-known place to work, rest and play, it is also a superb event space providing a variety of venues for corporate summer drinks, product launches and even wedding receptions. Visitors from all over the globe pass through the Docks each week, and we welcome new and exciting propositions as each year passes.

CITYpromotion DOn’t miss: The sT kaTharine docks Good Food MarkeT This superb weekly food market offers a seductive selection of gourmet culinary delights every Friday between 10am and 4pm The ThaMes FesTival 11-12 september Since forming part of the Mayor’s Thames Festival in 2009, St Katharine Docks has become home to the Thames Revival, a floating exhibition of classic sailing boats up to 100 years old. There is a weekend of vintage themed celebrations to help get into the spirit of things. chopin celebraTions 2010 (supported by the polish Tourism agency)

Throughout september As part of the bicentenary celebrations of notably one of the world’s most famous composers, the Fryderyk Chopin, a beautiful tall ship, will be moored for ten days on St Katharine’s Pier – adjacent to Tower Bridge. As part of the celebrations, there will be live performances of Chopin’s music on a grand piano, and two large marquees in Marble Quay (outside the Dickens Inn) offering interactive classes and information about Poland. There are also eight replica grand pianos for the general public to paint dotted about the Docks, aerial ballet performances in the rigging of the Chopin ship, dancing fountains and a Guinness World Record Attempt! FishinG coMpeTiTion seasonal New to the St Katharine Docks agenda is the Hot Rod Competition, which is open to professional anglers. An afternoon is set aside, a space is cleared in Centre Basin and the floating venue is repositioned to give spectators the best view of the catch of the day.

St Katharine Dock

Historic Inn

oysTer FesTival seasonal This low-key affair marks the start of the oyster season, with some traditional snacks and yummy oysters to taste; different oyster fishing boats will race around the coast, finishing at St Katharine Docks, and celebrate by feasting on their English coastal catch. chrisTMas MarkeT december New for 2010, we will be expanding our regular foodie market into a Christmas one-stop shop, offering a week-long gathering of the finest Christmas produce guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit. FrosTbiTe race seasonal: February/March With a ten-year absence from our waters, the St Katharine Docks Frostbite Race is set to return in early 2011. It’s a brilliant way to brush off the cobwebs and kick-start the new sailing season. london MaraThon 17 april 2011 Each year St Katharine Docks hosts the celebrity press calls both before and after the London Marathon, and on Race Day it is always a great place to spot the runners as the pass over the iconic Tower Bridge. Keep up to date on all of our events and restaurant offers by signing up to the St Katharine Docks E-Newsletter through our website, www.skdocks.co.uk

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5/26/2010 2:23:45 PM

current affairs

feature

sugar and spice...

and all things nice?

In a rapidly changing society, it appears that each generation of children is losing a little bit more of their childhood. Josephine O’Donoghue looks at the influence of the media, social networking sites, peer pressure and marketing on the childhood innocence of young girls

ou only have to log on to one of the many existing social networking websites such as Facebook, MySpace or Bebo to see hundreds of provocative and explicit photos of young teenage girls, displayed to the general public without any privacy settings to limit their viewings. Many of these girls, posing in their bikinis or underwear, or flashing their newly developed curves to the camera, are in their early teens – and unfortunately, are not yet mature enough to understand the social, moral or personal ramifications of their actions. Think back to the time when you were 12 or 13 years old, and I bet the picture is rather different from what we see today. Research from Mintel in 2004 showed that most 7–10-year-old girls have started to wear make-up before they even hit their teens – 83 per cent wear nail varnish and 66 per cent use lipstick – and in the six years since then, figures have only increased. Twenty or thirty years ago, it was unheard of that girls wore their first bra until they at least reached

secondary school; today, raunchy underwear and ‘sexy padded’ bikinis are available from 6–7 years. So, are girls as young as 7 years old really aware of the manner in which they dress, or are they simply imitating role models they see within the media? “Girls see celebrities acting and dressing in an overtly sexual way and think that is the best way to get attention”, commented Dr Glenn Wilson (reader in psychology at King’s College London and an expert on exhibitionism) to The Times. Although he believes flirtation and attention seeking to be natural for young girls, he says that: “Wearing items like thongs and revealing clothes sends the message that they are sexually available. It also implies knowledge of sexuality that just isn’t there”. Dr Sharon Lamb, a Professor of Psychology at Vermont University, agrees and thinks that girls are being encouraged by the rise of celebrity culture, badly designed clothing and toymakers. The popular pre-teen craze for Bratz dolls is just one example, popular in both the USA and the UK. These ‘dolls’

are dressed in stilettos or platform shoes, strappy tops, stockings and miniskirts and are painted with lurid ‘make-up’ including plenty of lipstick, eyeliner and huge fake eyelashes. The television adverts show them in scenarios focused on shopping, money, personal appearance and impressing boys. “That’s giving girls the wrong message about what their body means”, says Lamb. Echoing research from Mintel, and from psychological experts, a more recent Girl Guides study in the UK pointed out that premature sexualisation and pressure to grow up too quickly are two of the key influences in anxiety felt by girls. Amongst other things, pressure to wear adult-style clothing and media encouragement to lose weight were marked out as the biggest contributing factors to the early sexualisation of young girls today.

INTERESTING FACT: A study by Dr Barbara Fredrickson at the University of North Carolina reports that girls who view themselves as sexual objects face an increased risk of developing eating disorders, depression and sexual dysfunction.

feature current affairs

Across the Atlantic, where the influence of celebrity culture, media and the internet is comparable to the UK, similar findings are being recorded. The American Psychological Association (APA) reported that “... girls’ fear of social rejection and unpopularity drive them to choose sexualised clothing; and once they are dressed up like that, they feel the urge to perform as adults”. Dr Andrew McCulloch, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation, agrees, saying that by forcing girls to grow up at an unnatural pace, “we are creating a generation under stress”. However, perhaps equally as worrying is the shift in attitude that appears to be tied to the change in pre-teen and teenage looks and fashion. A poll by the Lab TV website asked nearly 1,000 girls who they considered a “good role model”. The results showed that infamous glamour models Abi Titmuss and Jordan topped the list, with successful women such as JK Rowling appearing at the bottom of the results. In that same survey, around one quarter said that lap dancing would be a “good profession” and a whopping 63 per cent aspired to be glamour models rather than doctors or teachers. Justine Roberts, founder of popular website Mumsnet.com, recognises the results in the parenting experiences of her website users. “Intelligence, emotional strength and sporting achievement pale into insignificance when compared with sexiness. And we should all – parents, non-parents, men and women – be up in arms about it. This generation is being sexualised before children reach their teens, with disastrous implications for their self-worth.” This change in attitude and loss of independent ambition is an issue that has been picked up on in schools up and down the country. In 2008, Vicky Tuck (principal of Cheltenham Ladies College) said to The Times Education Editor that parents were concerned that their daughters were growing up too quickly, and were worried that they were being exposed to many negative influences. In response, these parents were increasingly turning to private, single-sex education as an antidote to a society dominated by “botox and bingeing”.

“Worried about a coarsening of society and the toxic cocktail of binge drinking, internet safety and the early sexualisation of girls,” parents were lacking confidence in themselves as parents, said Principal Tuck. “When did we forget the craft of parenting... or that your daughter is not there to be your friend?” Ominously, the long-term effects of the early sexualisation of children are now becoming more apparent as these girls begin to reach adulthood. A report from APA, which looked at research from the past 30 years, concluded that a young girl’s preoccupation with appearance and sexuality can have disturbing consequences for her physical and mental well-being, and unhealthily “a girl’s sense of self-worth hinges on her sexual appeal”. The APA report also featured a 1998 study, in which college-aged girls were asked to try on either a swimsuit or a sweater, assess their appearance, and then perform mathematical tests. The girls asked to wear swimsuits performed significantly worse. “These girls were so hung up on their appearance, they literally didn’t have room in their heads to do maths”, explains Lamb. “They learn that preoccupation from the women they look up to in the media.” Many parents will recognise this problem in their own daughters, and it goes without saying that much of the responsibility lies with the media, the clothing manufacturers and the celebrities that these girls imitate. But essentially, individuals will only really be guided by the additional influences of those at home and at school, as the media will be ever-present in their surroundings. Positive methods of helping girls stay grounded include: presenting a choice of strong, independent and more realistic role models; monitoring internet usage and curbing any inappropriate activities; encouraging hobbies, interests and studies; focusing on the positives of childhood; and discussing peer pressure objectively. “Encourage girls to cast a critical gaze over the media and they will begin to realise that they have a choice about how they are perceived”, says Lamb. n

LET GIRLS BE GIRLS Mumsnet’s Let Girls Be Girls campaign was launched in early 2010, and grew from Mumsnetters’ concern that an increasingly sexualised culture was dripping, toxically, into the lives of children. The campaign aims to curb the premature sexualisation of children by asking retailers to commit not to sell products that play upon, emphasise or exploit their sexuality. The campaign was also backed by Gordon Brown, who was Prime Minister over the launch period. He said, “I’m proud to back Mumsnet’s Let Girls Be Girls campaign, because all of us as parents can recognise there’s something wrong when companies are pushing our kids into acting like little grown-ups when they should be enjoying being children. “Parent power has successfully persuaded retailers to withdraw inappropriate products in the past, and this campaign will send an important message about our determination to set boundaries around childhood.”

INTERESTING FACT After news broke that MySpace barred 29,000 sex offenders from using the site in 2007, Attorney-General of American state North Carolina, Roy Cooper, now wants to enforce a state law that requires parental permission for any child to create a profile and display personal photos on a social networking site.

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1st, 2nd, 3rd October e c i v d A s w le y o t h S S k L Catwa s t n u o c s i D e r o t S e v i Exclus www.mycanarywharf.com CWAutFS-AD-A4.indd 1

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SHOPPING CREATE A STORM Luxury British heritage brand Aquascutum opens their new store at Canary Wharf

Renowned for creating iconic trench coats for everyone from Winston Churchill to Cary Grant, stylish British brand Aquascutum are set to bring their latest collection to Canary Wharf this season with a brand new store opening at Cabot Place. Using luxurious blends of wool, cashmere and silk, beautiful trench coats are paired with soft textured knits to create a collection bursting with future classics. Herringbone and tweed are given a stylish update in simple, unstructured styles that showcase the craftsmanship and elegance the brand is known for . The exquisite pieces are showcased in a campaign inspired by artist Richard Long, whose landscape photography inspires the stormy hues of the colour palette. Â Aquascutum also offers a personal tailoring service, creating made-tomeasure tailoring in an array of fabrics and styles, modified specifically to the individual requirements creating a truly special suit (prices from ÂŁ750).

Cabot Place 020 3069 8790 www.aquascutum.co.uk

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CANARY WHARF Tired of the same social hangouts? Looking for somewhere new to spend the evening or weekend? For all those looking for a change, why not try Canary Wharf for a dizzying choice of restaurants, bars, shops, spas and entertainment, says Claire Saunders

any Londoners assume they know the best of the capital, with ‘inside’ knowledge on where to find the best shops, spas and restaurants – but if you haven’t spent some time in Canary Wharf lately, you might want to stop and challenge your expectations. Although it may not seem the obvious choice, the worldfamous business district of Canary Wharf, on the east side of central London, is the perfect place to spend your weekend and an ideal alternative to other tourist-crowded

hotspots in the capital. From shops and restaurants, to music and cocktails, it has everything you need for a weekend of fun, away from your weekday hangouts. Over the past 19 years it has developed from derelict docks into a sparkling new home for over 200 shops, bars, restaurants, cafes – and over 100 diverse and entertaining events a year, the majority of which are free! From high street style to chic boutique stores, Canary Wharf has world class shopping malls, studded with delicious eateries and tempting bars – what more could you need?

Food & Drink

Arts & Events

Rocket Restaurant & Bar Churchill Place

Canary Wharf hosts an extensive year-round comedy and events programme including world class sport, car shows, art exhibitions, performing arts and concerts. On 29 September London folk duo Turin Brakes kick off a season of acoustic concerts, comedy shows and quiz nights at the spectacular East Wintergarden. Alongside hosting some of the country’s best comedy acts, this venue has also showcased a selection of talented musicians in the Acoustic after Hours events, films in the Starlight Cinema and sporting competitions including the ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic. Other highlights include Motorexpo, the UK’s largest free car show, the London Ice Sculpting Festival, the popular Canary Wharf ice rink, seasonal entertainment for children and a summer full of free live music performances, food festivals, BP Summer Big Screens, Canary Wharf Film Festival, dance events and concerts – from the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra to the Canary Wharf Jazz Festival. Canary Wharf also boasts one of the UK’s largest public art collections, including over 60 sculptures and other artworks by Ron Arad, Martin Richman, Danny Lane, the Window Galleries in Canada Place Mall and the regular ‘Sculpture in the Workplace’ exhibition programme in One Canada Square and Jubilee Park. Upcoming art based events include the eagerly anticipated exhibition from ‘Photographer to the Stars’, Cambridge Jones, entitled Talking Pictures, which is featured in more detail in the following pages.

Canary Wharf has a fast-growing reputation as a culinary hub. In the past year, seven new restaurants and bars have opened to critical acclaim including Jamie’s Italian, inspired by Jamie Oliver, which offers high quality, authentic and affordable Italian food. Next door is Rocket Restaurant & Bar which is perfect for late summer drinks or pre-show meals, enjoying views of the stunning O2 Arena. In the Park Pavilion, Canada Square are the recently opened restaurants Canteen, The Parlour, Wahaca and ROKA. In addition, popular Scottish restaurant Boisdale will open on Burn’s Night 2011 (25 January) and promises an exciting menu of traditional Scottish cuisine. And for something really special, why not try Plateau Restaurant, Bar & Grill. Set in a prime location at the top of the Canada Place building, Plateau offers an attractive modern French menu and two lively bars – perfect for any occasion.

Shopping & Leisure Beneath the glittering office towers of Canary Wharf lives one of London’s largest shopping areas. You’d hardly know it was there from the outside, but hundreds of shops are available for an exceptional weekend of retail therapy, including Zara, Levi Strauss, Gap, Waitrose Food & Home and much more. The current selection of tempting brands will soon be joined in October by Tiffany & Co, the world’s leading diamond jeweller. For women, check out Aspinal of London (for gorgeous luxury leather goods), Karen Millen, Kurt Geiger, LK Bennett, Reiss and Whistles; and for

the very best in men’s shopping, don’t miss Aquascutum, Hackett, Hugo Boss and Massimo Dutti. The very best in luxurious cosmetics and beauty, Canary Wharf is also home to a range of quality brands including Jo Malone, Molton Brown, Space NK, L’Occitane and Toni & Guy.

How to get there Did you know that Canary Wharf is only 12 minutes from Bank Station on the DLR and 11 minutes from Waterloo on the Jubilee line? With such an array of shops, restaurants and entertainment so close, it seems the perfect choice for weekend leisure. For those who prefer to travel by river, the Thames Clipper boat service connects London Bridge and Canary Wharf in around 20 minutes – or you could try out the Docklands Light Railway, which has recently added an extra carriage to the service, boosting capacity by 50 per cent at peak times. n

DON’T MISS ACOUSTIC AFTER HOURS WITH... Mica Paris WEDNESDAY 20 OCTOBER 7:45pm (Doors 7pm)

The second in the acoustic series sees Mica Paris, undoubtedly the UK’s Soul Queen, live at Canary Wharf. East Wintergarden, 43 Bank Street Canary Wharf Tickets £18: www.ticketweb.co.uk

AUTUMN/WINTER SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA 1-3 OCTOBER Showcasing the best of Canary Wharf fashion, great discounts and entertainment throughout the shopping malls Shops will be open 10am to 6pm Saturday and 12noon to 6pm Sunday

Keeping it real

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Carol Cordrey talks politics, photography and leading ladies with Cambridge Jones, portrait photographer who is leading the way in creative negotiation

he name’s Jones. Cambridge Jones. No, he’s not named after his alma mater because that, believe it or not, would have made him Oxford Jones and despite taking on numerous, adventurous commissions around the world, he is unrelated to Indiana Jones. Nonetheless, such a memorable name probably came in handy when, as a Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) graduate, he decided to change tack and make his mark as a professional photographer. Also helpful was the availability of the dark room in his Oxford college where, according to CJ (his preferred sobriquet), he spent most of his time: “I remain fascinated by politics and the political process, but I was always a photographer first and a student second and PPE was my hobby. My tutor will confirm that!” he reflected self-effacingly. David Cameron was a fellow student, which may well account for CJ’s ability to be at ease with the celebrities who have subsequently filled his portfolio: musicians, actors, politicians, famous models, TV personalities and sportspeople who, ironically, have made CJ a celebrity too. He has been compared to the iconic photographer, Annie Leibovitz, though he personally feels influenced by David Bailey, the late Cartier-Bresson and Irving Penn. His portrait photographs are minimalist and either look like spontaneous, flash-of-a-second shots as in the case of Bill Nighy’s portrait, or carefully contrived poses as in the Take That group photograph. Such contrasting results are always distinctive and they depend on what CJ calls “a creative negotiation” between the two people on either side of the lens. “Sometimes what they want to give [me] and what I feel they can give fuses and we fly; sometimes I have to tease it out; sometimes chaos ensues and that can be great too”, he confessed, citing the session with Rhys Ifans as an example of chaos that resulted in a very successful image. The techniques he uses are surprisingly simple, involving chatting to his subjects about everything except their work and photography, “as though we’ve met on a bus”, and unsophisticated lighting involving natural light or no more than three artificial lights. In characteristic modest manner, he considers his style of photography to be quite simple too, “It’s honest. I want the best of people but I want the REAL best, not the fake Hollywood best.” Actually, the sum of his photographic work is far greater than its parts, for his portfolio is packed with unique images which reveal either a new, real facet of each person or emphasise a characteristic already familiar to us. Mostly in monochrome, which eliminates the distraction, even confusion of varied colouring, they focus the viewer’s attention on each subject’s face or body language, aided occasionally by the odd prop. For example, CJ’s new portrait of Damian Lewis in his exhibition at One Canada Square has an hypnotic,

almost sinister, stare that mirrors his pose with a swinging pocket watch. This Talking Pictures exhibition features people with Welsh connections – rather appropriate for a photographer called Jones – so it will also include the musician Duffy, the actor Anthony Hopkins, and Katherine Jenkins who is portrayed anew as a soft, barefoot but most alluring of divas in a gorgeous, notso-little black number. Michael Sheen, who shot to fame playing Tony Blair, will also be there but in the totally different guise of gangster rather than smooth, fakesmiling politician. Even more interestingly, each of the photographs really will talk, as they are accompanied by audio recordings in which the subjects talk about the inspiration for their individual success. The numerous real politicians CJ has worked with have, apparently, proved quite tricky when it comes to creating interesting portraits: “They think they are very good at it, but actually they have a very narrow range of what they will do”, he revealed, “whereas musicians are free, confident and creative and understand that pictures create their image, so they will go the full hog.” This may well present CJ with a few challenges later this year, because he’s been commissioned to create Tony Blair’s Christmas card and an exhibition of David Cameron’s Conservatives. In addition to these high-profile commitments, he will be continuing his work with people at the other end of the social spectrum in his roles as ambassador for The Prince’s Trust and for the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, which helps women in business, especially in the Middle East. Celebrities of all types lead very busy lives and, clearly, Cambridge Jones is no exception. n Talking Pictures Lobby, One Canada Square Canary Wharf 14 September–1 October www.mycanarywharf.com

Opposite: Damian Lewis Top: Cambridge Jones Left: Katherine Jenkins

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Liam Fox has called for significant cuts and reorganisation of the Ministry of Defence, but will this lead to a leaner, meaner military?

ritain’s Defence Secretary, Dr Liam Fox, has called for a cultural shift in the way the Ministry of Defence is organised and run, arguing that it needs to be made less centralised and more efficient. Fox has admitted that this move would not be an easy one, terming it “painful”, with the MoD looking at cuts to its budget of around 10 to 20 per cent. Whilst in opposition, Fox attacked the Labour government for creating a situation whereby the military contained 85,000 civil servants compared with only 100,000 soldiers,

pushing for a cut of as much as 25 per cent in the department’s running cost. The cuts would involve reducing the number of senior officers and civil servants. This announcement also comes in the wake of claims that the MoD and the Treasury are currently in the midst of a disagreement over which department is responsible for the £20 billion cost of renewing Trident, Britain’s submarine-based nuclear missile system. A strategic defence and security review is expected to detail the cuts further in a report due in October. n

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The headquarters of Royal Selangor, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest pewter company, is a top-three tourist attraction in Malaysia. Claire Adler talks to general manager Yong Yoon Li, about the challenges of running a fourth generation family business â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and recognising famous visitors

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he first time Mel Gibson showed up at Royal Selangor’s Visitor Centre in Kuala Lumpur, the staff member who welcomed him had no clue who he was. Luckily, he didn’t seem to mind. “Several years later, while decorating his house in the Caribbean, he dropped in again for a spot of shopping, on the look-out for pewter tiles,” says Yong Yoon Li, general manager of Royal Selangor and the great grandson of its founder. Gibson is far from the only famous face to have graced Royal Selangor’s premises. This 125-year-old family business – whose pewter wine accessories and homewares can be found in Harrods and John Lewis in the UK, and in 20 countries worldwide – is no stranger to celebrity guests. Welcoming on average 150,000 visitors each year, Royal Selangor’s past guests range from Prince William, to Prince Edward, Bill Clinton and Queen Rania of Jordan. Royal Selangor general manager Yong Yoon Li joined the company five years ago, having studied manufacturing at Birmingham University and done an MBA in Lausanne. He worked for Team Lotus International, Nissan Motor Sports and then established a manufacturing plant for TVR in Malaysia, before settling into the family business. “For Royal Selangor’s 125th anniversary this year, we’ve been hosting even more visitors than usual,” he enthuses. Royal Selangor’s designers recently teamed up with London’s Victoria & Albert Museum to come up with a new collection inspired by historical decorative art. The company is also a Guinness World record-breaker. For its centenary year, it created the world’s largest tankard, weighing in at 1,557kg, standing over six feet tall and – importantly to some – able to hold 4,920 pints of beer. Currently installed outside the company HQ in Kuala Lumpur, the supersized tankard has previously been on display in Canada, China and Australia. The Visitor Centre is also home to a replica of the Petronas Towers – the world’s tallest twin towers, made up of over 7,000 of Royal Selangor’s tankards. Pewter may not be as valuable as gold or silver, but this hasn’t stopped

Royal Selangor collaborating with some of the biggest names in luxury to create trophies and collector’s items – whether it be branded tankards and champagne buckets for Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot, Krug and Moët & Chandon, or trophies for the Malaysia and Singapore Formula One Grand Prix and the Shanghai ATP Masters tennis tournament. Royal Selangor used to be called Selangor Pewter but in the 1970s, the Sultan of Selangor had been an occasional customer, buying pewter tea sets for visiting heads of state and gifts for overseas trips. In the late 1970s, the Sultan travelled to Perth, Australia, where he had a house. In a large department store with his entourage in tow, some sales assistants asked where he was from. “Selangor,” he said. “Ah, Selangor Pewter,” the sales staff responded. Amused that the Australians had heard of Selangor Pewter, but not of the state of Selangor, nor of the Sultan of Selangor, the Sultan decided the company should have royal status. In 1979, he bestowed a Royal Warrant on the company. When he celebrated 25 years on the throne, he ordered 350,000 pewter badges and gave them to every schoolchild in the state. In 1992, the company officially changed its name to Royal Selangor. “Precious metals are perceived as more valuable, but the French actually insist that pewter is the best material for wine coolers and the Chinese believe the best tea caddies are made of pewter,” says Yong Yoon Li, explaining the appeal of the metal. The story of Royal Selangor and the development of the pewter objects it continues to design and produce are inextricably linked to the history of the region. Just as gold lured thousands of Chinese to California in the 19th century, so the discovery of tin brought thousands of others to Malaysia. Among them was a pewtersmith named Yong Koon Seong who travelled to Kuala Lumpur and began a business with his brothers. “My great grandfather came to Kuala Lumpur in 1885 when it was like a wild West,” explains Yong Yoon Li. “Kuala Lumpur means muddy estuary and that’s what it was.” But Kuala Lumpur was entering a period of frenzied construction – a railway

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But conflict is good. It means people can voice opinions and that’s good as long as it’s managed properly. Conflict can lead to great ideas line, telegraph line, British government offices and the first newspaper all appeared in the following decade. Pewter contains 90 per cent tin and the Yong brothers began by making pewter temple ware – incense burners, joss stick holders and candle stands for Chinese worshippers. “When the British colonised Malaysia, the objects became more Westernised,” says Yong Yoo Li. “There were tea sets, ashtrays, cigarette holders for the British. Then came Japanese occupation and after the war, we catered for the British and Australian forces that were left behind, crafting tankards and bottle coasters. After Malaysian independence in 1957, the administration left and our business became much more tourist focused.” Royal Selangor began exporting in the 1990s and today Yong Yoon Li works alongside his father, uncle and two aunts, brother, and three cousins, focusing on the company’s production of tea sets, photo frames, vases and drinkware, and managing 1,000 employees worldwide. Its strongest market is currently China. To celebrate Royal Selangor’s 125th anniversary, the company has begun offering a series of free classes throughout the year in sculpting, handdecorating and engraving pewter in its very own School of Hard Knocks. But with that many family members involved, does everyone always get on? Yong Yoon Li is unequivocally upbeat about the future of the business. “The younger generation communicates more openly and quickly,” says Yoon Li, who studied manufacturing at Birmingham University. “I’m sure we will have conflict. But conflict is good. It means people can voice opinions and that’s good as long as it’s managed properly. Conflict can lead to great ideas.”n

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GETTING ON THE PROPERTY LADDER The availability of mortgages has experienced a sharp fall; what a change in ten years, says Martin Bamford I still remember the day I made an offer on my first property. It was shortly after the millennium, when house prices had displayed some healthy growth for a couple of years and mortgage lending was incredibly easy to obtain. Although I had only been in employment for a year, after graduating, and had only managed to save up a small deposit, there was no shortage of mortgage lenders keen to make me a customer. This was back in the days when a little over £100,000 would buy you an upmarket one-bedroom apartment in a southeast market town and the bank rate was hovering around the 4 per cent level, having fallen from 6 per cent a couple of years earlier. Looking on the internet now, a similar property is on the market for 80 per cent more than the price not even ten years ago, and that is after the house price falls we have witnessed in recent years. The property market enabled me to trade up to a twobedroom house and then, shortly afterwards, an even larger house, simply by cashing in the ‘profit’ made on the sale proceeds. In fact, for a number of years, I managed to supplement my salary with healthy house price inflation; those were certainly the good times. Things have changed radically since then. The bank rate has fallen to an historic low of 0.5 per cent and remained there for over a year. With the UK economy still in a fragile state, there are no clear signs that it will increase again quickly in the near future. New mortgage lending remains near to impossible to obtain, particularly for first-time buyers with smaller deposits. Even with regular calls from the Government to increase lending, the banks remain very tight with what cash they have, preferring instead to shore up their balance sheets.

The property market itself remains in a febrile state. Whilst average house prices have been slowly recovering over the past year, supply and demand remains at reduced levels, which makes some of the figures we see being published quite artificial. A new report from the Chartered Institute of Housing has claimed that the ‘golden age’ of home ownership has come to an end. As a result, more people need help becoming homeowners in the future. Home ownership and getting on the property ladder remains a big focus for many people in the UK. Unlike our neighbours in continental Europe, ownership rather than renting is favoured by the majority. This desire to own the property in which we live can place a big strain on meeting our other financial objectives, particularly when we are not prepared to sacrifice elements of our expenditure to get in the best financial position to make a property purchase. There are no signs that the golden age of home ownership will ever return. In fact, without substantial parental support to get onto the housing ladder, it is difficult to see how young people today will ever realistically afford to become homeowners until much later in life. This could result in a big cultural shift, with adult children remaining at home for longer, or choosing to rent property rather than buy. It could also prompt parents to consider advancing their inheritance, so money is made available during their lifetime rather than after death. Regardless of the methods used to assist with home ownership, it will require careful financial planning to consider all of the options and make the best choices. n

Martin Bamford is a chartered financial planner at Informed Choice (www.icl-ifa.co.uk) and author of several best-selling personal finance books

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Investor attitudes Women make better investors, so why don’t more of them do it? Sonia Rehill from the financial website The Motley Fool discusses More women are now investing in shares, according to recent reports in the national media. It seems that the days when online investing as an activity dominated by men may be over. However, women may still have some way to go before they can claim to have overtaken men in the stock market stakes. According to The Motley Fool’s share-dealing service, around eight out of ten of its customers are still men.

But why are so many women reluctant to buy shares? After talking to some friends, it seems that many women prefer investing in property rather than shares. The general feeling is that property is tangible – it is something you can see, touch and feel. What’s more, if the property market should flop, they would still have a roof over their heads. No one can possibly argue with that kind of logic, and nor should anyone try. However, now that Capital Gains Tax has been increased to 28 per cent for higher rate tax payers, investing in a second home, a holiday home, or a buy-to-let property may not be as attractive an option as before. It is also important to remember that, just because house prices have gone up in leaps and bounds before, doesn’t necessarily mean they will do so again in the future. That said, some of my other friends are acutely aware that putting all their ‘investing’ eggs into one ‘property’ basket can be risky. Consequently, they are mindful that spreading their risk by investing in other assets such as shares is something they might get round to eventually. By and large, these women enjoy a few of life’s little luxuries, they are savvy savers and they have considered investing. But what they lack is the confidence to do so. Some don’t even know how or where to begin. However, doing something other than leaving your money in the bank is vital. Just look around at the lousy savings rates on offer at the moment. It is nigh on impossible to protect your savings from inflation if it is invested solely in cash.

Historically, cash has never done that well against inflation, anyway. But when savings rates are clustered around 0.1 per cent and inflation is running at between 3 and 5 per cent, it is easy to see why leaving your savings in the bank is a terrible idea... unless, you need the money immediately. That aside, given that many of us have a desire to generate some wealth for ourselves, you would think that more women investors would be coming to the fore. But where exactly are they? This is indeed puzzling, especially since several surveys have suggested that women are quite good investors. In fact, they are consistently better at investing in shares than men. It has been also suggested that the reason for this is because women tend to build balanced portfolios, instead of betting on more risky stocks that are favoured by men. Here’s another thing, according to a survey by consultancy company MDRC; the number of rich women outnumbered men in Britain for the first time last year, boosted because they live longer and have an aversion to risky investments. Women are clearly different from men in their approach to investing. They do it for different reasons and have different motivations at different stages in their lives. In fact, for some women it may even take a life-changing moment such as divorce or bereavement to force them to get into the driving seat and prepare for a financially secure future. For others, it has more to do with whether it is the man or the woman in a relationship that plays the main role in managing the household finances. Whatever the reason, investing in equities can be intimidating and time consuming, too, especially if you are just starting out. But if you’re already financially independent, it should be less daunting. So next time you have some spare cash, try to resist the urge to put it towards your next handbag, and instead consider putting it towards a basket of shares. You never know, you may find yourself in a better financial position later on and treat yourself to two! n

Sonia Rehill, director at the popular financial website The Motley Fool www.Fool.co.uk

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ECONOMIC MIGRATION IMPACTS INDUSTRY Clare Murray examines the impact on businesses of the coalition government’s new cap on economic migration

The new limits on corporate immigration are likely to affect your organisation if it currently employs individuals from outside the EEA (European Economic Area) and Switzerland, or plans to do so. Most UK employers hiring such individuals use Tier 2 of the current points-based system (PBS). This is a route for skilled individuals with an existing job offer to come to the UK to work. If your organisation is a licensed sponsor, it could make such a job offer and issue the individual with a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS). Full implementation of the coalition government’s new immigration quotas is due to take place in April 2011, but interim measures are now in place, from 19 July 2010 until 31 March 2011. These relate to all Tier 2 sponsors, as there is now a limit on the number of COS that can be issued during this period.

All Tier 2 (General) employees are included in this allocation limit, whether they are currently in the UK and extending their leave to remain, or are arriving in the UK for the first time. Intra-company transfers, from international group companies will not, however, be affected by the interim cap. The new limits mean that careful planning is important when it comes to managing migrant workers within your organisation. Is your organisation’s new interim COS allocation sufficient to meet the needs of the business? If your company has a pressing need for more COS than their assigned number between now and 31 March 2011 (for example, for employees whose leave to remain will soon expire), you must apply for exceptional approval. The new limits mean less flexibility regarding recruitment and retention of employees, and there are likely to be employment law issues that arise as a result. It is a criminal offence to knowingly employ an individual without appropriate permission to work in the UK. Although illegality may be a potentially fair reason for a migrant worker’s dismissal, businesses must ensure that a proper procedure is followed where a decision is made to dismiss due to a shortage of COS, to help reduce the risk of potential unfair dismissal claims. If COS allocation means the continued sponsorship of one migrant employee must be chosen over another, any selection process should be carried out objectively and in good faith, to avoid any issues of discrimination (for example in relation to sex, race or age). Consultations are currently underway to gather views on appropriate levels and mechanics of the new system due to come into effect in April 2011. If you wish to get involved in these consultations or learn more about the PBS, you can find further details on the UK Border Agency website at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk n

Clare Murray is managing partner at employment law firm, CM Murray LLP; email: clare.murray@cm-murray.com The contents of this column are for general purposes only. Specialist legal advice should be taken regarding specific circumstances.

human resources

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Goal. Set. Win Chelsey Baker, business advisor and life coach, looks at the importance of goal setting

f every achievement in life is preceded by a goal, it follows that enhancing your ability to set yourself appropriate goals will be fundamental to your future success. Goal setting is, in effect, acquiring a target together with the means of reaching it; a method of keeping yourself motivated and focused. The true purpose of a goal is to help you grow and to bring out a little something extra along the way such as courage, confidence and selfbelief. It is often who you become on the journey that is the true purpose of setting and achieving a goal; the actual attainment of it is often just the cherry on the cake!

There are three basic levels of goal setting: Level 1: is when you set a goal for what you know you can do based on past experience i.e. ‘a dead cert’. Level 2:

is when you set a goal for what you believe you should be able to do; usually based on a small step just past what you know you can already do – a kind of ‘safety’ goal.

Level 3

is where you set a goal based on what you hope you might be able to do, this is the most powerful level where you begin to use your passion, desire and most of all your imagination!

The more imaginative you can be the better because you need to visualise in your mind’s eye what it is that would most motivate you in a specific direction. If this were an easy or unconscious process, goal attainment would be effortless and unremarkable! Most people unconsciously, and quite incorrectly, go straight for Level 1 or, at a push, Level 2, only to end up pondering why their results are not quite what they hoped for; it invariably leaves them feeling dispirited and unfulfilled. It’s a fact that if you were to ask a random handful of people what it is that they truly want, they will actually end up telling you all the things they don’t want in their lives. It’s as if we carry an inbuilt programme to only focus on the negative. This is simply because most people just react to life as it unfolds and rarely take the time to sit down and decide exactly what it is they want to be, do or attain – a process that should be revisited at intervals throughout our lives and not just at the beginning of adulthood! The fact of the matter is that achieving the goals we want is not that difficult; it is the actual process of deciding that can take a while. People from all walks of life have achieved extraordinary outcomes when they focus their mind and are committed to their vision. You never know what you can really achieve unless you try. Invest some time in writing a list of your goals and create a visual image of your intended goal. This list will act as a constant reminder of what you have consciously chosen and will direct your subconscious towards your desired results and its effects can be immediately rewarding. Just by looking at your list you’ll soon start to see ways in which you can actually achieve your goal. Make sure your list includes a timeline of what you want, why you want it and when you want it. One of the most successful methods of reaching your goal faster is to recall that elusive and oh so rewarding sensation of euphoria we experience when a really difficult or profoundly important goal is finally attained, particularly if it comes after a long or arduous journey. To a very real extent that euphoria is its own reward and once experienced, it remains a tremendous motivating agent. Couple that with the knowledge that we have been successful in the past so could be again if we really put our minds to it and you have a sure fire recipe for potential success. n

CITYpromotion

Fractional Life Expo

September 13 to 15 sees the return to Broadgate Arena of the Fractional Life Expo, Europe’s largest fractional ownership consumer exhibition

Fractional ownership, or asset sharing as it is also known, is an increasingly popular way to enjoy a luxury lifestyle for a much lower price than traditional whole ownership routes. It is rapidly gaining momentum in the holiday home, private jet and yacht markets, as well as being applied to other, slightly quirkier market sectors, many of which will be represented at the Fractional Life Expo. With many people still very cautious about spending large sums of money on holiday homes, fractional ownership is an ideal solution – allowing access to better quality properties for a lower price point than whole ownership. Buyers typically purchase a fraction – ranging in size from a twelfth (four weeks use per year) to a quarter (12 weeks use per year) – of a property’s freehold. This can be sold in the future, benefiting from any increase in the property’s value. Research has shown that most owners of overseas holiday homes typically use them for an average of three weeks per year. With fractional ownership you could, for example, pay 150,000 for an eighth share of a stunning four-bedroom villa, entitling you to six weeks use per year, in a resort where whole ownership of a one-bedroom apartment might cost twice that. You are also spared the hassle of property maintenance. Another advantage is that many quality fractional developments are members of international exchange programmes, allowing buyers to swap some of their allocated weeks for breaks in a wide range of worldwide locations. At Fractional Life Expo, there will be some of the finest fractional property on display, including homes in Spain (Arcos Gardens), Italy (Villa Bossi Pucci), Ireland (Firstlight the K Club), the Seychelles (Zyl Pasyon) and the UK (47 Park Street, De Vere, Diamond Club and Kingfisher Apartments). Other areas where fractional ownership has taken off is in the private jet and superyacht sectors. Fractional jets have been popularised by Warren Buffett’s NetJets, while iconic architect Lord Norman Foster has recently designed some futuristic superyachts for fractional operator Yachtplus. Supercar clubs are another area where the asset sharing concept has taken off. Why pay a fortune for a Ferrari or a Lamborghini (which you might only drive once a month) when you can join a club which offers you access to a whole range of dream machines any time you like? Fans of the latest sports cars will get a chance to drool over the new Ferrari 425 Italia, one of just ten in the country, courtesy of ecurie25. But it’s not just toys for the boys. The Expo will also feature a daily fashion show featuring the latest couture from Chloé, Missoni and Yves St Laurent; and designer dress hire club

Girl Meets Dress, and must-have handbags from Designer Handbag Hire. There will also be an interactive golf zone where visitors will be able to test their skills at the driving simulator and putting green. And as if that wasn’t incentive enough, there is a stunning range of competition prizes on offer, including holidays, a truffle tree, and a driving day in the aforementioned Ferrari, 425.

The Fractional Life Expo takes place at Broadgate Event Venues on September 13 to 15. It is FREE to attend. Visit www.fractionallife.com or www.fractionallifeexpo.com for more information.

EXPAT POWER 50 There is one region in the world that certainly recognises the contribution of expatriates: The Arabian Gulf. The business magazine, Arabian Business, has revealed the second annual Expat Power 50, the list of the most influential expatriates living and working in the Gulf today. This list runs alongside the annual Arab Power list. Power is defined as influence. The more impact the higher the power. Nationalities represented on the list of the expat high and mighty in the Gulf offer an interesting insight into the changing global economy. It is significant that the number of Westerners has declined since 2009. The US leads the field with 12 top power brokers closely followed by India and the UK with 9 each. Other EU countries make up a total of 8 between them with Japan and Singapore achieving one apiece. In terms of sectors, finance has the largest number of names on the list with 12, followed by transport(8), media and marketing(6) and retail(6). Topping the list from the US is Anthony Armstrong, head of M&A at the Qatar Investment Authority which is set to invest $32 billion in 2010. It was Armstrong that led the team that bought Harrods earlier in the year. Coming in second is Briton Aidan Birkett of Deloitte who is responsible for the restructuring of Dubai World and in third place is Jean Paul Villain. The Frenchman is described as the strategic mastermind behind the world’s second largest sovereign wealth fund, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA).

ESSENTIAL APPS Owners of iphones and Blackberries who are also expatriates may be interested to know of essential apps for their usage. The most essential must indubitably be www.sitorsquat.com. This is a site that is “dedicated to telling you where the closest place to relieve yourself is and whether or not that place is worth even sitting or squatting (or standing) at.” The site currently has reviews of more than 95,000 toilets around the world. Caught short in Manhattan? Not a problem if you have your iphone with you. Next in line is a currency conversion tool offered by www.oanda.com. The app, which is free, can convert amounts for over 180 currencies and four metals. It is available on iphone, Blackberry and Android platforms. Also of interest will be the app for the Lonely Planet. Lonely Planet guides are now available on your iPhone or iPod Touch. Their location-aware technology gives hundreds of reviews, striking images and interactive maps – all searchable, portable and easily personalised. www.lonelyplanet.com Inevitably in an expat’s life there is always the need to keep in touch yet avoid high roaming charges on calls. Thankfully Skype is now available and can be used over wifi or 3G. Free Skype-to-Skype calls can be made from any WiFi zone and you can also see who›s online and send and receive instant messages on the move. www.skype.com We will be featuring more apps useful for our nomadic readership in the future.

The Forum for Expatriate Management is holding hold a Global Mobility Summit in London, 15 November 2010 in association with The Telegraph. The Summit includes a full conference program with high quality speakers from leading corporates, an exhibition, plus a Gala Awards dinner to present the EMMAs (Expatriate Management and Mobility Awards).at the Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square. For more information, please visit www.totallyexpat.com

global living

the

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RISE OF GLOBAL

MOBILITY

For global living international executives keeping up to date with the latest news is important

The Best Person

for the job

Earlier this year, Brian Friedman wrote that global companies will now frequently select the best candidates for a particular role without giving any consideration to physical location, today he continues the discussion

his is a reality of business even if national governments struggle with the concept and nowhere is this more obvious than in immigration policies. In the UK, the previous Labour government achieved the feat of facing both ways on immigration. It placated its non-metropolitan supporters, concerned that rising immigration led to higher domestic unemployment. They did this by introducing apparently stricter controls on different categories of immigrant. At the same it sought to re-assure the UK business community that the skilled people it required would still be allowed to come and live in the UK. The new ConDem Coalition is taking a firmer line all round. At the time of writing, we are coming to the end of “a period of consultation” about the introduction of quotas for non-EU nationals coming to the UK. (The period helpfully coincided with peak holiday months in Europe.) Major companies in the City and elsewhere in the UK have been told that they will have to survive

with importing far fewer non-EU nationals than in previous years. Some of them have made it plain via various employers’ bodies and advisors that they are distinctly unhappy about the prospect. It was significant that on David Cameron’s recent visit to India the major concern of his hosts was a limit on immigration to the UK. Barack Obama is likely to get a similar treatment when he visits India as the Indians have criticised a recent hike in visa fees by the US government. Rigid control of immigration for business is seen by some commentators as a potential first step toward protectionism All this is important on a geopolitical level because immigration policy can be seen as a measure of how open or closed an economy is. Rigid control of immigration for business is seen by some commentators as a potential first step toward protectionism. This view is not necessarily born out of fact. Some of the more successful economies on the world stage such as Germany, France, China and

Singapore have considerably tighter immigration regimes than the UK. The US has had a quota system of working visas for many years. Equally, on the macro-front in a developed economy there does not appear to be a direct co-relation between liberal immigration laws and unemployment. On the micro front, it is very easy for governments and companies to fall out with each other. Any casual reading of the history of the TNK-BP saga in Russia in 2008 will note that the immigration status of BP executives played a key role in the dispute. Similarly there was a very messy recent spat between the governments of Switzerland and Libya. Two Swiss citizens were detained in Libya for some time on visas offences. This coincided with the arrest of one of the Libyan leader’s sons for an alleged incident in a hotel in Geneva. On immigration, steps always need carefully watching. n Brian Friedman is the contributing editor of Global Life and founder of The Forum for Expatriate Management. Founded in 2008, the Forum already has over 4,000 members who collectively manage over one million expatriate moves. Members come from the leading blue-chip employers of international assignees both in the UK and globally.

GREEN

REVOLUTION As London welcomes the European Future Energy Forum next month (19-21 October), Claire Saunders finds out more about the government ministers and companies getting involved, the future of clean energy technology in Europe, and the ‘green goals’ of the three-day event Last year, the Bilbao Exhibition Centre in

decreasing its global carbon footprint. By

Spain enjoyed huge success as the host

bringing EFEF2010 to the UK we will create a

of the inaugural European Future Energy

vibrant environment where high-level debate

Summit 2010 (EFEF2010) showing that there

can take place.”

is a large demand for high-level discussion

Industry leaders due to attend include

surrounding future energy solutions.

Dr Sultan Al Jabar (CEO, Masdar), Kumi

This year, the European spin-off of the World

Naidoo (Executive Director, Greenpeace),

Future Energy Forum (held annually at the

Anne Lauvergeon (CEO, Areva), Philip Lowe

Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre will

(European Energy Director General), Chris

be based right here in London, from 19-21

Huhne (UK Energy and Climate Change

October and will build on the support already

secretary), Christine Lins (Secretary General

shown by UK leaders in debating the many

EREC – European Renewable Energy Council)

issues and opportunities that exist within this

and Boris Johnson (Mayor of London).

growing market.

EFEF2010 is an initiative developed with

With a dynamic mix of energy and climate

Masdar – Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted, multi-

government ministers, utility chiefs,

billion dollar investment in the development

manufacturing giants, commissioners,

and commercialisation of innovative

regulators, NGOs and journalists, EFEF2010

technologies in renewable, alternative and

is a unique experience, offering a rare

sustainable energies – which has already

opportunity for the European community to

invested heavily in the European renewable

discuss energy issues for the future.

market including their commitment to the

“With previous Future Energy event speakers

London Array Offshore Wind Project.

including HRH the Prince of Wales, HRH the

“In the last two years, the World Future Energy

Duke of York, Former Prime Minister Tony

Summit has driven collaboration and dialogue

Blair, Lord Foster, Lord Browne, Lady Judge

around renewable energy policy, investment

and Jonathan Porritt CBE, we are confident

and innovation,” said Dr Sultan Al Jabar

of the level of support and debate that will be

(CEO of Masdar). “We now look forward to

achieved by bringing EFEF2010 to London,”

building on this platform in the UK in October,

says Richard Hease, chairman of Turret Middle

where we will take the opportunity to share

East, who are co-organisers of the forum.

knowledge, advance solutions and explore

“The UK government has set ambitious

partnerships within a European market.”

targets and is set to make major strides in

Hosted by Masdar, EFEF2010 will comprise

a high-level conference, detailed roundtable debates, an international exhibition and an abundance of interactive features, international pavilions and networking opportunities centred on renewable energy and clean technology markets. The event will also be supported by the UK government’s international trade promotion arm, UK Trade and Investment, bringing together the renewable energy and clean technology industry to explore business opportunities and showcase the latest technological innovations. Set to be the first showcase of the new government’s renewable energy policy, the forum will be providing a global leadership platform for energy ministers, heads of state and international renewable energy manufacturers, investors and service providers to debate the policy, financing and infrastructure required to ensure energy security and sustainability throughout Europe. “We are expecting an exciting debate and numerous business opportunities with political visions from around the world, industry reality checks, environmental campaigners and financial collaborations,” says Jo Tyler, Forum Event Director. “This is a chance to bring people together to really make a difference in the future.” For more information visit www.europeanfutureenergyforum.com

CITYpromotion

news NEW UK GOVERNMENT POLICY ON ENERGY & CLIMATE CHANGE The new UK government is pushing for 30 per cent emissions cuts in Europe in addition to revealing hotly anticipated domestic energy policy. Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Chris Huhne will be speaking in the ‘Future Energy Movers and Shakers Panel Discussion: Where is the money coming from to fund the new energy revolution?’. He says “Climate change is the greatest threat to our common future, we must now go further and faster to turn climate change targets into real action. We also know that energy investors need certainty to make the substantial investment decisions that are required to decarbonise the energy sector. A meaningful carbon price would drive the deployment of clean energy technology and help secure our future energy supplies”.

EU COMMISSION ANNOUNCES €2.3BN FOR EUROPEAN ENERGY NETWORK The EU Commission has announced funding of €2.3bn for 31 gas and 12 electricity projects, the remains of the €4bn economic recovery fund, created in 2008 in response to the economic crisis. “Never before has the Commission agreed such an important amount for energy projects,” says Günther Oettinger, EU Energy Commissioner. “We have selected key projects which will help create a more integrated energy network in Europe.” The EU will fund up to 50 per cent of total project costs, leaving the rest to be leveraged on a national and private level. The announcement comes after the initial €1.5bn of recovery money allocation to 15 carbon capture and storage (CCS) and off-shore wind projects in 2009. These sectors require large and risky investments; the bold financial moves by the EU have been taken to give confidence to market players that the projects remain on track.

THE FUTURE ENERGY EXHIBITION Alongside the conference, EFEF2010 will feature a prestigious exhibition that will accommodate thousands of visitors and offer up to 200 of the region’s leading renewable energy suppliers, space to demonstrate solutions and business opportunities for the environmental technology market. The exhibition hall is also the meeting place for round table sessions, networking lunches, refreshment breaks and private business meetings.

ABU DHABI INVESTMENT FORUM Running alongside EFEF2010 will be the third annual Abu Dhabi Investment Forum jointly organised by the Abu Dhabi Department for Economic Development and the Institutional Investor. The investment forum will focus on the extensive trade and investment opportunities that Abu Dhabi is making available to the global investment community, showcasing together with EFEF2010, the Emirate’s economic competitiveness and increasing role as a clean technology hub.

CITYpromotion

DR ROBERT SORRELL, BP INTERNATIONAL Speaking at Technology, Research & Development: delivering a low carbon future Why is it significant that the EFEF is being held in the UK this year, and what can BP International bring to this event? The UK has a track record of innovation with UK Research & Development R&D second only to the US. The UK needs to translate R&D innovation into new business opportunities in order to meet the challenge of reducing CO2 emissions by 80 per cent by 2050. 45 per cent of BP’s R&D investment is in the UK and we are actively engaged in public partnerships like the Energy Technology Institute which is focused on accelerating the development and deployment of low carbon technologies Why was it important for BP International to get involved in the forum and exhibition? BP is a major UK Energy Company with significant investments in the Alternative Energy business and we are keen to engage around the transition to a more sustainable energy future. What are the company’s ‘green goals’ for energy in the future – where do you, as a company, fit into the ‘low-carbon’ future mentioned in the EFEF literature? BP made a commitment to invest $8bn in Alternative Energy at its launch at the end of 2005, we have over 30 years experience in the Solar Business and over 1.3 GW of spinning wind capacity in the US. We have a growing bio-fuels business and are involved in CCS with hydrogen energy plants planned in California and Abu Dhabi. Can you give us an example of the low-carbon technologies BP researchers have developed, and explain how it might be applied in future? BP has been involved in the solar business for over 30 years and we are heavily involved in the bio-fuels area through a series of partnerships to develop the next generation of bio-fuels technology. A UK example is the bio-fuels demonstration plant we have in Hull in partnership with Du Pont and British Sugar. Is it realistic to move these ideas/concepts from the lab into everyday/commercial settings? Relentless innovation underpins the Oil & Gas Industry; large companies like BP have the expertise in managing large and complex projects to bring technology to market either on our own or through our extensive experience of partnerships and joint ventures.

R-50-TN-AJ

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motoring interview gadgets

vOLvO s60 BErNiE ECCLEsTONE ................................ LATEsT & GrEATEsT .......................................................................

...................

ALL ABOUT THE BALANCE

I The balance spring is at the heart of movement precision in timepieces. Today, Breguet takes it one step further

1795, Breguet Breguet conceived conceived the the ‘Breguet ‘Breguet n 1795, overcoil’ spring spring when when A-L A-L Breguet Breguet got got the the overcoil’ of altering altering the the balance balance of of the the spring’s spring’s idea of terminal curve by raising its end and bending it slightly. It remains the point of reference in the finest watch houses today. When Breguet first introduced wristwatches in 2006, it was with flat silicon balance springs and escapements, combining all of the advantages and qualities of earlier discoveries and innovations.Ever innovations. at theatforefront of advancing technologies, the next Ever the forefront of advancing technologies, the challenge was to create silicon balance springs with next challenge was to create silicon balance springs the Breguet terminal curve.curve. withcelebrated the celebrated Breguet terminal

Usually getting thethe silicon Usually cut cutfrom fromflat flatwafers, wafers, getting to formto a bend uprising from the a silicon formrising a bend up coil fromrequired the complete rethinking of therethinking productionof process. coil required a complete the Today, theprocess. new Breguet silicon balance spring production features thenew Breguet Tradition 7047 with spring Today,inthe Breguet silicon balance tourbillion fuse-and-chain transmission features in and the Breguet Tradition 7047 with– the pride of Manufacture Breguet – and from now–on tourbillion and fuse-and-chain transmission will be adding its specific advantages allfrom Breguet the pride of Manufacture Breguet – to and movements, basic configuration. now on will whatever be addingtheir its specific advantages n to all Breguet movements, whatever their basic For further information, visit www.breguet.com configuration. n or the Breguet Boutique at 10A New Bond Street, 020 further 7355 1735 For information, visit www.breguet.com

fast

Safety

Volvo is trying to replace a ‘safe’ image with new-found dynamism, as displayed in the new S60 saloon. But, asks Matthew Carter, why is Volvo so keen to dump its traditional strengths?

nocking over an innocent pedestrian is harder than it looks. With about 20 mph on the clock, an errant jaywalker suddenly hoves into view slap-bang in front of the car. Normally you or I would brake, sound the horn and expect him or her to jump out of the way. Not this time. My passenger told me not to do a thing and certainly not to touch the brakes. Just drive straight at the ‘target’ and see what happens. I did as I was told. It took all my willpower not to dab the brakes and just before the point of impact, I had to look away to avoid the pleading look of horror and shock on my victim’s face when he realised what was about to happen.

Stupid really. My victim was a static dummy, I was on a test track and the new Volvo S60 I was driving was equipped with Pedestrian Detection and Full Auto Brake. I knew no one was going to get hurt. Sure enough, once the car’s brain finally realised I wasn’t going to do anything about the impending accident, it jammed on the brakes and the car stopped about two inches short of breaking the dummy’s legs. I was, literally, no more than a passenger. The system uses radar and a digital camera mounted high in the windscreen, which determine what the pedestrian is up to. If it’s a moving target, for example, there’s a good chance the system will not operate at all, reckoning that if there’s not going to be an accident because the

pedestrian is jumping out of the way, there’s no point in jamming on the brakes and having the car behind slam into the boot of the Volvo. It’s exceedingly clever and exceedingly Volvo. All of which makes the company’s decision to promote the new S60 as ‘the most dynamic Volvo yet’ something of a puzzle. I mean, looking back at some of the less-thandynamic Volvos of the recent past, some might think that tag is damning the S60 with faint praise. As it turns out, it’s not a bad drive… just don’t go expecting BMW 3-Series levels of involvement. And neither is that damning the Volvo with faint praise. The point about the new S60 is that it’s good to drive without being overtly sporting. And as anyone

motoring

who has suffered a typically Germanic boneshaker ride will know, that’s a genuine blessing. Volvo, now under Chinese ownership, reckons the S60 is a fourdoor coupé, which might be stretching the point a little. The roofline does tumble away at the rear, but there’s still enough headroom in the back for most people: think of it as a saloon with some style, rather than a fauxcoupé, and you’d be nearer the truth. So, rather than calling it the most dynamic Volvo ever, they’d be better off saying it’s the most stylish Volvo ever. Swooping lines, a large grille and plenty of neat design touches give it more character than you might expect from a sensible Swede… though the clean, simple interior is pure Scandinavian. The wafer-thin centre console, for example, is clever and sophisticated at the same time. All in all, it’s a great combination. Volvo is claiming the S60’s dynamic prowess comes from “the sportiest suspension we have ever offered”. Possibly. But the really good news is that the chassis tuning was undertaken in the UK, where we are blessed with some of the worst B-roads in Europe. If the car can cope here, goes the theory, it can cope anywhere. The positive result is a car that handles well enough, but that rides exceptionally well. There’s a choice of two diesels and one turbo petrol just now, with other engines – including a frugal 1.6-litre petrol – due later. The 3.0-litre 304 hp petrol wasn’t available on the launch drive, but the two diesels were. Both are five cylinder units, with the 2.0-litre D3 delivering 163 hp and the 2.4-litre D5 producing 205 hp. While a 40 hp difference sounds a lot, performance-wise in everyday use, there’s precious little between the D3 and D5, though the smaller engine is much more economical. That’s the one I’d go for. I’d also plump for the SE Lux Premium grade, which has full leather, satnav, DAB radio and headlights that bend around corners, in addition to the expected equipment such as air conditioning, Bluetooth, alloys and cruise control. And you do get plenty of safety equipment as standard, including City Safety, which monitors the

calibre

road ahead and if the driver fails to spot an obstacle – a line of stationary traffic for example – it will automatically take over braking duties to lessen the impact, if a collision is unavoidable. Sadly, the Pedestrian Avoidance system is an optional extra, so if you’re a jaywalker, don’t assume you’ll be safe walking out in front of every new S60… n

IN BRIEF Car: Volvo S60 D3 SE Lux Premium Price: £28,345 Engine: 1985cc turbocharged fivecylinder petrol Power: 163 hp Drive: Front-wheel drive

sport

calibre

Whole In One

sports

news RUN BIKE RUN

Golfers travelling to European Airports are welcoming the arrival of Clubs to Hire, a new company offering the convenience of booking golf clubs online with instant pick-up at your airport of choice. Avoid the hefty carriage costs of lugging clubs on your flight with this quick and easy service available at the arrival hall of leading international airports. www.clubstohire.com

The London Duathlon is the world’s largest duathlon held annually in Richmond Park, combining running or cycling. Within the confines of the Royal Park, which is closed to traffic for the day, it offers athletes of all abilities the chance to race in a unique environment. This year, the event now offers a New Ultra Distance challenge that will appeal to the thousands of athletes focusing on longer distance racing. The 20km, 80km, 10km event is one of the few opportunities to race at these distances in the UK, so prepare yourself for a tough challenge. www.thelondonduathlon.co.uk

Say what?

Hopefully we can show the fans we are a good team. I’m desperate to make them happy in the future. I’m hurting as a player and I’m sure the rest of the lads are as well

England Captain, Steven Gerard on the new squad’s future

How to:

Sail Away City Sailing 2010 by LynxSports will bring the speed and excitement of sail racing into the heart of London at The Royal Victoria Docks throughout September. Sail racing has been shown to be an exhilarating spectacle at events such as the iShares Cup, the BMW City Challenge and the King of the Docklands in Sydney. With the 2012 Olympic Games fast approaching, an entire fleet of Laser SB3 racing yachts will bring sailing back to the city. Be inspired by the commitment and skill of sailors, including British gold medallist Sarah Ayton in their quest for Gold in 2012. www.lynxsports.co.uk

PERFECT YOUR GOLF SWING 1. Choose the correct golf club Take a four-iron instead of a five-iron or a three-wood instead of a five-wood, and so on. Your shots will feel solid and ultimately yield better results 2. It’s not all about your arms Try to think of a back swing as turning your back to the target, as if winding up a spring, before releasing the club from behind you 3. Coil your body Resistance is created between the turning of the upper body and shoulders, and decreased turning of the hips and lower body. Practice this movement for a more accurate direction on the golf ball 4. Don’t be hasty Any time a swing begins to break down, the first correction is usually to slow down your backswing and take your time 5. Don’t grip too tight On a scale of one to ten, with ten being as tight as you can hold the club, try a grip pressure of about four

the

racing

sport

calibre

The pint-sized Englishman barely measures 5ft 4ins, yet his tiny exterior hides a devilish business instinct that has seen him almost single-handedly transform Formula 1 It was during this time, in the mid-1970s, that Ecclestone made his move to transform Formula 1. The sport was hugely popular but lacked the direction to raise its profile. Ecclestone spotted the opportunity and cannily persuaded the other teams to let him negotiate commercial rights on their behalf, as well as organise the races. In return, he would keep a hefty chunk of the profits. Now 35 years on, the 2009 Sunday Times Rich List ranked the tycoon as 24th richest person in the United Kingdom and, while no longer a team boss, he remains in control of one of the biggest businesses in sport. Watching Ecclestone working the Formula 1 paddock is like watching a shepherd presiding over his flock. He glides from team to team in his standard uniform of Emporio Armani white

SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX 2010 24, 25, 26 SEPTEMBER One of the few street circuits on the Formula 1 racing calendar and the only night-time event the Singapore Grand Prix is a definite highlight of the season. Won by Alonso in the inaugural year and Hamilton last year, can Webber get his first win here and firmly secure his position at the top? www.formula1.com

CITYpromotion

A couple of city workers enjoying the evening

A group of city workers at the RfC ownership evening at Sandown

taking ownership On Wednesday 28 July, the city magazine and Racing for Change held an exclusive event at Sandown Park racecourse

Trainer Jamie Osborne with the host for the evening, Emma Spencer

Hosted by Channel 4 Racing’s Emma Spencer, the event was a sell out, with over 130 of our readers buying tickets to enjoy the evening’s horseracing and to learn more about racehorse ownership. Hospitality was provided in Sandown’s Park View suite, with a champagne reception courtesy of Lanson. In order to bring the guests closer to the sport, trainers Jim Boyle, Amy Weaver, Jamie Osborne, Stuart Williams and Jamie Osborne attended to network with prospective owners, and guests were treated to appearances from jockeys including Seb Sanders, William Buick, Richard Hills, Sophie Doyle and Hayley Turner. There were also representatives from the racing industry who talked to

Jamie Snowden chats to some prospective owners

guests about the excitement of ownership and how to get involved. If you’re interested in finding out more about the thrill of horseracing, visit www.lovetheraces.com or e-mail info@racingenterpriseslimited.co.uk for a free booklet on racehorse ownership.

England v pakistan (20th September 2010) NatWest Series ODI – Day/Night match Here’s to the last day of English summer at Lord’s. To fine dining, excellent wine, and exceptional service. Exhilarating sport and exhilarating surroundings. Inspiring occasions. Here’s to you and your clients, and a day out to remember . . . nursEry pavilion packagEs This magnificent light-filled restaurant overlooks the picturesque Nursery Ground, where players warm up before the match, and with reserved Mound Stand seats just a short distance away – you are sure not to miss any of the day’s action. The perfect way to entertain or simply enjoy your day at the Home of Cricket. Nursery Pavilion packages include: Cricketing celebrity speakers; a glass of champagne on arrival; three-course lunch accompanied by specially selected wines and followed by coffee and chocolates; complimentary bar throughout the day whilst in the Nursery Pavilion (excluding champagne) and afternoon tea.

Package price: £325 (+ vat ) per person

Book your hospitality now email: hospitality@lords.org tel: +44 (0)20 7616 8598 www.lords.org/hospitality

Lord's ODI packages(final).indd 1

18/08/2010 16:06:14

AND THE WINNER IS…

The Challenger World London Triathlon 2010 took place on 8 August, with this year’s event being the biggest and best yet. We take a look at the winners and results from this great event

Now in its fourteenth year, the London Triathlon raises millions of pounds for charity each year. This year’s event took place under the watchful and excited eyes of a staggering 55,000 spectators, who lined the streets of London to be a part of the world’s most popular triathlon. The event is aimed at all levels of expertise, featuring a race for elite athletes, as well as several great corporate challenges. This year saw record breaking numbers of businesses from both Canary Wharf and the City take part in corporate challenges, with industries such as legal, insurance, finance and media playing a big part in this year’s event. Overall, around 13,000 athletes took part, including celebrity athletes such as Formula One World Champion Jenson Button and TV presenter Vernon Kay. This year was Button’s second successive year at the London Triathlon, finishing with a respectable time of 02:14:15. The elite race saw Australian Courtney Atkinson take the men’s gold with a time of 01:49:03, whilst British Olympian Helen Jenkins took gold for the second consecutive year with an impressive time of 02:01:01.

THE RESULTS: The Elite Race MALE

SWIM

BIKE

RUN

TOTAL

Courtney Atkinson (AUS)

00:17:59

00:55:25

00:32:49

01:49:03

Tim Don (GB)

00:17:57

00:55:30

00:32:50

01:49:08

Jarrod Shoemaker (USA)

00:18:03

00:55:15

00:32:53

01:49:15

FEMALE

SWIM

BIKE

RUN

TOTAL

Helen Jenkins

00:18:52

01:01:05

00:37:03

02:01:01

Jodie Stimpson

00:19:28

0101:23

00:37:50

02:01:47

Liz Blatchford

00:19:05

01:01:40

00:38:39

02:02:39

Settling the old Canary Wharf v The City rivalry Pinsent Masons took the honours for the City in the Sprint Distance, with a time of 01:15:59, and Deloitte also did the City proud, winning the Olympic Distance Team Relay with a time of 02:16:44. We take a look at some of the other corporate race events, seeing how the times fare across different industries such as legal and finance, and speak to some of the members of the winning teams to see how they enjoyed the day.

Team Relay and Cups Olympic Distance Insurance

Olympic Distance Finance Position

Team Name

Total Time

Position

Team Name

Total Time

DTRB Manchester 2