Alchemy Magazine - Volume 13 by Toast Design

Alchemy

Where Next For Private Aviation?

•

VIP Protection

•

Sea Eagles Return

•

Summer Sailing

Palatial Hotels • Falcon 7X Profile • An Asset Manager’s Day • Johnny Paravicini ‘Mr Fixer’ Interview

Bespoke, quality financial solutions

About Us Midwood Consulting is a successful, bespoke financial practice established for over 25 years. Our core values and principles are at the heart of our business. We are committed to achieving excellence and take pride in the quality of our service. Our clients benefit from both the individual, bespoke service offered by Midwood Consulting, and the security gained through our membership of Openwork, one of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest financial advice networks.

Wealth Management Our advisers operate across the UK, meeting clients at locations suitable for them. We work closely with both private and corporate clients to encourage the development and protection of their assets and estates. Wealth accumulation and preservation advice includes in-depth discussions regarding investments, pensions and financial protection. Midwood Consulting applies the same bespoke, in-depth financial advice to small and large businesses alike, equipping them to deal with the particular financial challenges they face.

Ashbrook House | Church Minshull | Nantwich | Cheshire | CW5 6EA Tel: 01270 522830 | Fax: 01270 522095 | Email: enquiry@midwoodconsulting.com | www.midwoodconsulting.com Midwood Consulting is a trade name of Hazel Winifrede Midwood who is an appointed representative of Openwork Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Foreword

Alchemy

SUMMER EDITION - VOLUME THIRTEEN

The reality of today’s new economy In this difficult economic environment a strong brand, with consistent and unshakable qualities that are practised through the good times and the bad, can add real confidence to business dealings. Unlike today’s ever-present ‘boom and bust’ aviation upstarts, Air Partner traces its history back almost 50 years to the dawn of the commercial jet era. Founded by a post-war pilot, we have striven to deliver excellence to corporate and private clients, governments and the military for half a century. Today our values remain the same: quality, dependability, diversity and longevity; values we believe are more relevant now than ever before. Indeed, these values define the very essence of our team, a team of some 250 professionals delivering aeronautical, technical, and logistical excellence, which our clients tell us they recognise and value, week in, week out. It’s therefore no coincidence that we hold a Royal Warrant from Her Majesty the Queen, or that after £500 million worth of business from just one client, that client, when describing Air Partner’s capabilities, said, “They deliver the impossible as a matter of routine.”

Air Partner’s brand is discrete, but is trusted by thousands of clients from the four corners of the globe, and almost everywhere in between. So, while we pass through the mother of all recessions, our clients can remain confident in Air Partner’s professional excellence, as much as our financial security. Newer names come and go, but the trusted partner remains, in the bad times as well as the good.

DAVID SAVILE Chief Executive Air Partner

Air Partner is listed on the London Stock Exchange and has a market capitalisation of £50m, a 3A1 credit rating, is profitable, with strong cash reserves and has no debt.

Alchemy Volume 13

Contents

Contents 38 44 20

Alchemy Volume 13

30 46

Contents

Where next for private aviation?

Dassualt Falcon 7X

The Ryder Cup

Best Company profile

Air Partner JetCard

Le Mans

Palaces with a place in history

A day in the life of a private jet user

Summer Sailing - the insiderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide

Interview with Johnny Paravicini

Top private jet destinations

Le Manoir aux Quatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Saisons

VIP Ironside protection

Swan 90

Sea eagles return

Philanthropy - a question of give and take

A diamond journey

For advertising or editorial enquiries please contact: Sue Broom 01869 321822 sue@synergy-publishing.co.uk Ross McPherson 01803 295353 ross@synergy-publishing.co.uk

Published by Synergy Publishing Ltd Head Office: Suite 8, The White House, 42-44 The Terrace, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 1DD Tel: 01869 321822 Fax: 01869 321832 www.alchemymagazine.co.uk E-mail: alchemy@synergy-publishing.co.uk Printed by Aldridge Print Group Design by Toast Design - www.toastdesign.co.uk Copyright Synergy Publishing Ltd 2009 All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the publisher. Whilst every effort has been made to check all information contained herein, the publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions. Readers are advised to seek professional advice before entering into any agreements. This magazine is a service to Air Partner and must not be resold.

Alchemy Volume 13

By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Supplier of Aircraft Charter Crawley, West Sussex

Four client visits, three contracts secured, two new opportunities... all in one day

0640 0845 1135 1520 1835

London Dusseldorf Poznan Stuttgart Home

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Alchemy Volume 13

+44 (0)207 538 2273 www.airpartner.com

Alchemy Volume 13

Where next for private aviation?

Where next

for

private

aviation? David Savile, Chief Executive, Air Partner plc

t the start of the year, as Robert Peston unveiled each breaking news story, the ‘£ millions’ we were once comfortable with quickly became Monopoly-like ‘£ billions’ and then ‘£ trillions’ that we couldn’t even write down. Concurrently, the perception of corporate excess became epitomised on one side of the Atlantic by the Big Three car chiefs flying in separate private jets from Detroit to Washington (begging bowls outstretched to Congress), and on this side by several high-profile bankers (with an obsession for private jets) being rewarded for failure with taxpayers’ money.

Sure, you will always find examples of private jet abuse, but as you focus on any one event you will probably overlook the multitude of other uses for the same jet, for example:

Against this backdrop, we thought it only fair that the other side of private jet use be given some profile. After all, the Detroit Three’s insensitive choice of transport became the fodder for every talk show host on US TV for a week, and when the President of jet manufacturer Cessna dared to defend the utility of his products, even The Times described his actions as “a misreading of the zeitgeist of almost Marie Antoinette proportions”. Defending private jets has become not PC... and PC really matters today, doesn’t it?

• the air ambulance that saved the life of a tourist who fell off his hotel balcony in Turkey yesterday evening;

So has the death knell tolled for a manufacturing and service sector that directly contributes over $200 bn to the global economy? One that directly and indirectly employs over two million people worldwide, and is one of our great high-skill industries whose R&D produces technological innovations that our grandchildren might one day depend on?

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• the senior manager who jetted off at dawn to stay in contact with some remote factory location, where they are the only local employer for miles around;

• the organ transplant flight that brought donor heart and lungs from Exeter to the recipient in Inverness last night; and • the diplomat who covered five Middle Eastern cities in two days as part of his diplomatic peace mission. Indeed, the classic example of good use of private jets came at the height of the witch hunt: a few inches of overnight snow in February grounded nearly all the main airlines, but private jets kept the ‘movers and shakers’ still moving... if not shaking.

Where next for private aviation?

Quantifiable value

Moderation in all things

Private aviation is primarily about efficiency of people whose time is of quantifiable value. Using a jet productively will save senior executive time, achieving in a day or two what could otherwise consume a whole business week.

Perhaps we need to castigate the misuse of private jets, but reward corporate efficiency and effectiveness. And maybe it is acceptable in the free world to allow private wealth to be spent on luxury goods and transportation, if for no other reason than it provides jobs, wealth and prosperity to a much wider segment of the population than we might have thought possible.

Jets can be rented at under £250 per seat per hour, flying direct to the final destination, avoiding queues and holding private meetings on board, saving some corporations tens of thousands of pounds per person per day in lost time and production. They also ensure corporate security. Hence, we should pose the question whether shareholders – yes, and taxpayers at large – really want to force our country’s wealth generators to spend hours at congested airports, when our national economy, employment opportunities and pension values depend now, more than ever before, on these entrepreneurs going out to win back our depleted economic balances.

Please feel free to share your views at ceo@airpartner.com

Alchemy Volume 13

Dassault Falcon 7X

Dassault

Falcon 7X Unquestionably THE most efficient and advanced high-speed

business jet in its class.

Alchemy Volume 13

Dassault Falcon 7X

he new Falcon 7X is Dassault’s flagship business jet and the much anticipated, long awaited successor to the Falcon 900. This large-cabin, long range business aircraft combines Dassault’s passion for innovation, fighter jet prowess and advanced research resources and the result is a jet with a breakthrough design and extraordinary capabilities. Dassault has always made great aircraft and the Falcon 7X, regarded by many as the manufacturer’s finest yet, is no exception. This three-engine long range private jet offers comfort levels that are really remarkable. The large and ultra-plush leather-clad cabin is very bright and features a fantastic new air conditioning system (including a humidifier) the lowest cabin pressure and extremely low noise level. Thanks to the Digital Flight Control System passenger comfort is also increased through exceptional aircraft stability. Here exists a jet that is competitively priced while retaining comfort, practicality and superior performance and efficiency. The Falcon 7X can accommodate up to 12 passengers and with a top speed of Mach .90 it’s fast, very fast. With a payload of eight passengers plus the crew, it is designed to fly almost 6,000 nautical miles linking virtually all of the most desired city-pairs. Most business jets don’t achieve anywhere near their maximum range travelling at top speed. The Dassault Falcon 7X is the exception. Its long, slender wings suffer less drag at high speeds than other wing designs and help lift it to 51,000 feet even when fully loaded (other jets must burn significant amounts of fuel to reach similar altitudes). Advanced flaps and slats let the Falcon7X land at slow speeds and on shorter runways – even London City Airport is no problem.

X = extra performance, efficiency, range and technology The Falcon 7X, one of only two trijets currently in production, is the first fully fly-by-wire business jet equipped with the Dassault’s acclaimed Enhanced Avionics System (EASy). It is the first ‘all new’ Falcon to be unveiled since the three-engine model 50 was developed in the 1970s and led to the derivative large cabin Falcon 900 and the twin engine 2000 families. Dassault has pioneered the use of computer aided design and technology has been used in every phase of the Falcon 7X’s creation to optimise the jet’s performance and weight. Additionally, the manufacturing process has been streamlined and maintenance requirements simplified and reduced. This aircraft takes a huge leap forward in advanced aeronautical technology and for good reason. The intuitive EASy flight deck technology, designed in conjunction with Honeywell, displays information on four 14in flat-panel screens and allows pilots to make ‘heads up’ data entry using a cursor control device and menu-driven selections. Pilots, aviation authorities and safety experts were all consulted during the flight deck’s development and the outcome has helped to improve crew coordination, provide unsurpassed situational awareness and simplify flight management tasks.

Alchemy Volume 13

Dassault Falcon 7X

The Digital Flight Control System was created from generations of experience on fighters such as the Mirage 2000 and because of this the Falcon 7X is the first business jet offering a range of additional benefits including exceptional response and controls such as automatic trim adjustments and precise flight path control. In instances such as wind shear encounters or collision avoidance manoeuvres, pilots are able to obtain maximum aircraft performance without worrying about overstressing the aircraft or stalling.

Pilot, co-pilot, 1 cabin crew

Capacity:

Up to 12 passengers

Length:

76ft 1in

Wingspan:

86 ft

Cabin Height:

6ft 2in

Dassault is justifiably proud of the jet’s increased passenger safety and enhanced easy-to-use pilot controls, increased short field performance and longer-range cruise ability, which makes it an industry leader in large cabin, long range executive jets.

Cabin Width:

7ft 7in

Cabin Length:

39ft

Baggage:

157 cu ft

Engines:

3 Pratt & Whitney Canada PW307A turbofans

The Falcon 7X is testament to innovative thinking and a desire to design an aircraft inspired by private jet customers the world over.

Maximum speed:

953 km/h (515 knots, 593 mph)

Cruise speed:

900 km/h (486knots, 559mph)

Faster and fuel efficient

Range:

11,019 km (5,950 nm) with 8 passengers

The Falcon 7X is Dassault’s answer to Bombardier’s Global 5000 and fills a gap in the market between the Gulfstream 4/Challenger class of aircraft and the Gulfstream 5/Global Express class. It can fly faster that a Gulfstream 4 or Challenger and for longer distances, being able to reach 98 per cent of the most popular business city pairs. Yet it is smaller and lighter than a Gulfstream 5 or Global Express which makes it much more fuel efficient and able to access a greater number of smaller airports, which in turn reduces navigation and landing costs. Indeed, its performance at maximum takeoff weight is calculated to be better than that of its Falcon 900EX.

Maximum cruising height:

51,000 ft (15,545 m)

As final proof that aviation is now a complete and total global enterprise, all original documentation of the 7X was done in English, a big step for the French. A truly remarkable aircraft, now available through Air Partner. The Falcon 7X offers a calming and stylish environment in which to work or relax. The Falcon 7X is notable for its extensive use of computer-aided design. Manufacturer Dassault describes it as the “first aircraft to be designed entirely on a virtual platform”.

Characteristics Crew:

Alchemy Volume 13

From London, the Falcon 7X is able to fly non-stop to a wide range of destinations including Los Angeles, New York, Johannesburg, the Bahamas, New Deli, Muscat and Dubai.

Estates of Distinction Ontario Canada

Superb Wilderness Selection ENJOY 2,000 ACRES of hardwood maple forest surrounding 5 miles of shoreline on a deep private lake.

ANDY PRISTOL, Sales Associate Serving Wilderness Lake Properties ONTARIO, CANADA RE/MAX Haliburton Highlands Realty Ltd., Brokerage 705.257.8045 andyp@algomatimberlakescorp.com

This is an exclusive, privately managed wildlife reserve, second to none in Canada. The fishing is outstanding Large and small game is adundant. Gated road access to this selection ensures extreme privacy. Located near a beautiful resort village. Offered at $4,800,000.

Alchemy Volume 13

The Ryder Cup

Watch out

world

Wales is on the march! The Ryder Cup epitomises the greatest traditions of international sporting competition. Every two years the leading players from Europe and the United States entertain thousands of spectators and millions of television viewers worldwide in golfâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most prestigious team event. No other golfing competition comes close to the emotion, intensity and atmosphere of The Ryder Cup. 14

Alchemy Volume 13

The Ryder Cup

The first Ryder Cup was held at Worcester Country Club, Massachusetts, in 1927 and since then the biennial contest has become the most eagerly anticipated spectacle in golf. The honour remains to compete for the game’s most cherished team trophy – an elegant golden chalice – and for the glory of winning. The 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club, Kentucky, saw The American Team seal an emotional victory following on from three successive defeats. In 2010 the eyes of the sporting world will focus on Wales where at The Celtic Manor Resort, City of Newport, the 38th edition of this remarkable match will unfold. Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin, the Team Captains, will have 24 of the finest golfers in the world as members of their Teams, guaranteeing high octane golf and great drama. As a destination, Wales may not be the first name on the lips of golfing tourists when they reach the shores of the UK and Ireland, but the wind of change is blowing through the world of Welsh golf thanks to an initiative which can be traced directly to the country’s successful bid to host The 2010 Ryder Cup.

Even though The Ryder Cup is 16 months in the future, the moves to reposition Wales as a lead player in the golfing tourism stakes rather than in a bit-part role are going ahead at breakneck pace. A £2 million Legacy Fund provided by the Welsh Assembly Government, administered by the Sports Council for Wales, is currently supporting over 40 projects which will create over 200 new holes across Wales. Those golf holes dovetail perfectly with the best that Wales can offer in terms of spectacular scenery, charming villages, glorious views and a diversity of courses providing outstanding visitor appeal. John Jermine, Chairman of Ryder Cup Wales, explained the rationale behind his organisation’s desire to bring Wales into line alongside England, Ireland and Scotland as ‘must see’ locations on the golfing gazetteer.

Alchemy Volume 13

The Ryder Cup

Jermine said: “We want tourists to visit our shores, to see first-hand a wonderfully diverse, interesting and charming country which also possesses wonderful golf courses. Certainly The Ryder Cup will have a massive impact. The Celtic Manor Resort will be seen the world over. Naturally, people will want to play The Twenty Ten Course and walk in the footsteps of the world’s greatest players, but that is only the beginning of the story. “By driving about 40 miles from The Celtic Manor Resort visitors to Wales can play Pyle and Kenfig, Royal Porthcawl and Southerndown. Just head down the road a bit further and you can play a lovely course like Pennard. The country has an abundance of great and varied golf courses.” The catalyst is, of course, The 2010 Ryder Cup which will unfold over The Twenty Ten Course, the first course specifically designed to host The Ryder Cup, from 1-3 October, 2010. Applications for the ticket ballot opened at the end of April and are well on track to meet targets and corporate hospitality sales are also progressing well. Co-ordinated by Ryder Cup Hospitality 2010 Ltd, the plans involve the construction of several multi-storey hospitality structures on specially-created sites overlooking the 16th and 17th holes. David Watt, Ryder Cup Hospitality Sales Manager, said: “In such an intoxicating atmosphere of high drama and great theatre it is easy to understand why more and more people see Ryder Cup hospitality as the ‘must- have’ corporate ticket and the best way to entertain top clients. The level of service is unparalleled and Ryder Cup Europe prides itself on offering the finest quality food and wine to further enhance the whole experience and ensure and exceptional day of sporting entertainment.”

Alchemy Volume 13

For further information of hospitality packages or ticket options, visit www.rydercup.com or call +44 (0) 1344 840483.

...where will you be?

The world leader in all weather golf greens Tour Greens Europe is the world leader in the design and installation of all weather short game practice areas and golf greens. With a proven track record for quality and service we build the finest facilities for discerning clients worldwide whether domestic or commercial.

ALL

Miguel Angel Jimenez “ My all weather golf green built at my home by Tour Greens Europe has been the best investment I have ever made in my golf game or as a recreation area for my family and myself. I include my Ferrari in that statement.”

Ian Poulter “I selected Tour Greens Europe to design and build my golf green installation because they have a quality product. Their energy, enthusiasm and design skills are unmatched in the business.”

Contact: Tony Hynes 3 Oaklands Park, Sandymount, Dublin 4, Ireland T: +353 87 238 9800 E: tony@tourgreens-europe.com

Jose Maria Olazabal “When I wanted an all weather short game practice area at my home course San Sebastian G.C. in Spain I chose Tour Greens Europe to do it for me. I am really happy with what they did there. It is perfect.”

WEATHER

Ross Fisher “The guys at Tour Greens Europe are golfers that build short game practice areas. They understand what makes a great practice facility. They know all the shots that one should practice and they create beautiful practice greens that blend into any natural surrounds.”

GOLF

GREENS

Rory McIlroy “The Tour Greens Europe product is as good a surface as you can get to practice and play on. They built a great facility at my parents home when I was an amateur. It has been hugely beneficial to my development as a golfer. I recommend Tour Greens Europe highly.”

www.tourgreens-europe.com

Alchemy Volume 13

OUR DESTINATIONS INCLUDE: 18

BEACHES & SHORES Abaco, Bahamas Big Island, Hawaii British Virgin Islands Yacht Candlewood Lake, Connecticut Delray Beach, Florida Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos Hopkins Village, Belize Indian Rocks Beach, Florida Key West, Florida Los Cabos, Mexico Maui, Hawaii Miami Beach, Florida Nevis, West Indies

Alchemy Volume 13

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Punta Mita, Mexico Reserva Conchal, Costa Rica St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands WaterColor, Florida

METROPOLITAN Chicago, Illinois London, England New York City, New York Paris, France

MOUNTAINS & TRAILS

GOLF & LEISURE

Beaver Creek, Colorado Breckenridge, Colorado Copper Mountain, Colorado Deer Valley, Utah Jackson Hole, Wyoming Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada Steamboat Springs, Colorado Stowe, Vermont Sun Valley, Idaho Telluride, Colorado

Bend, Oregon Boca Raton, Florida Fox Acres, Colorado Kiawah Island, South Carolina La Costa, California La Quinta, California Lake George, New York Lake Las Vegas, Nevada Naples, Florida Orlando, Florida Outer Banks, North Carolina Reynolds Plantation, Georgia Scottsdale, Arizona Tuscany, Italy

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DON’T WAIT! Learn how you can qualify for a complimentary 3-Night Ultimate Home Stay at UltimateEscapes.com/stay. Or call a Membership Director at 001.877.955.1900 or 001.407.483.1903 today.

VIEW OUR HOMES AND DESTINATIONS AT ULTIMATEESCAPES.COM

Ultimate Escapes is a registered trademark of Ultimate Resort Holdings, LLC, in the United States and/or other countries. Ultimate Resort, LLC, is registered with the State of Florida as a Seller of Travel. Registration No. ST36413.

Alchemy Volume 13

Company Profile

Best Company moves into fuel

Air Partner has a mission, a mission to offer the widest range of aviation products and services across the broadest geographical area.

The company continues to diversify to open up new revenue streams and in May launched its latest division, Air Partner Fuel. In additional to being another USP for the Air Partner Group, this new trading arm opens up a potentially huge client base. The emergence of Air Partner Fuel was the result of an in-depth feasibility study into how the concept could work, undertaken on the back of several ad hoc fuel purchasing contracts. The aim is to offer competitive fuel supply, prices and service quality by having a presence at 1,500 airports within the next six months and ultimately expanding worldwide. Based on traditional Air Partner ethics, fuel suppliers are being specially selected based on their location portfolio and ability to serve clients. Carriers receive all the latest information they require via the company’s real-time database of fuel prices, taxes and other charges, fuel location and government restrictions.

First class status But it’s not just clients that Air Partner serves well. On its first attempt at gaining Best Companies accreditation for employer excellence, the company has qualified for ‘first class’ star status in the nationwide scheme. Mark Briffa, Chief Operating Officer, declared: “We take the health of the company very seriously and this is a great endorsement for the work we have undertaken over recent years to provide the best possible career and development opportunities, as well as a team spirited and fun environment, for every member of the team.” Best Companies surveyed Air Partner’s UK staff through a confidential and voluntary questionnaire which provided comprehensive feedback across eight critical areas of workplace performance and practice.

Alchemy Volume 13

The Best Companies Guide is published by Best Companies Ltd., the company behind the prestigious Sunday Times list of 100 Best Companies to Work For. The model for employee engagement is based on a survey system that has been rigorously developed over the past seven years.

Global recognition Air Partner is a world-class provider of aviation services to industry, commerce, governments and individuals worldwide. The company has earned global recognition as a leading broker and organises ad hoc charters of aircraft of every size for any reason, dispatching more than 40,000 flights a year. Its main divisions, supported by a host of support teams, comprise Air Partner Commercial Jets, Air Partner Private Jets, Air Partner Freight and now Air Partner Fuel. The Commercial Jets division charters large airliners with 20 to 500 seats for groups of every size. Private Jets offers the full range of private jet products and services including the company’s unique pre-paid JetCard scheme, on-demand charter and management of Europe’s largest fleet of modern Learjets. With its headquarters in the UK, Air Partner operates 24/7 year-round from 22 offices spanning Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America. The Group was formed nearly 50 years ago, is fully listed on the London Stock Exchange and employs a 250-strong team of aviation professionals. For further information on the benefits of private jet charter, contact Air Partner Private Jets on +44 (0)207 538 2273 or e-mail: alchemy@airpartner.com

Performance matters to us too You expect your car to perform, so you should expect no less from your insurance company. Most insurers will treat you as just another customer – Aon treats you as an individual. As a traditional insurance broker offering a first class standard of care, we will provide a car insurance policy that perfectly complements your unique driving needs.

Whether you’re covering a luxury, classic, sports or everyday car, our Client Managers will deliver a professional insurance solution that’s tailored to your specific requirements.

To discuss your requirements further, please call us on:

0845 026 4386 private-clients@aon.co.uk www.privateclients.aon.co.uk

4QFDJBMJTU $BST t )JHI 7BMVF )PNF t *OWFTUNFOU 1SPQFSUZ t )PMJEBZ )PNF Aon Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority in respect of insurance mediation activities only. Telephone calls may be recorded or monitored. FP5277-BROUGHTONS-1208

Alchemy Volume 13

The Air Partner JetCard

Riding the

storm

Cost and cost control. Every business, every individual, has adopted a magnifying glass approach to examining how, where and why they spend their money as the downward economic climate continues unabated. OK, so this is now old and repetitive news. What is news, however, and is somewhat of a surprise to the company, is that Air Partner’s JetCard membership scheme is riding the storm virtually unscathed. “When the recession hit we thought there might be a massive exodus, but we saw less than a five per cent dropout rate,” declared David Macdonald, Director of Air Partner Private Jets. “This clearly demonstrates that clients are happy with the service and flexibility provided and that we are selling the right product to the right people.” Even more positive has been the success over recent months of the launch of JetCard across the US, Europe and Middle East with particular interest from Germany, France, Russia and Dubai.

Flexibility and Security are key

Stability in a time of change

Feedback has revealed that many new clients and prospects are attracted by the total flexibility of the Air Partner JetCard as they seek to exit from a rival offering to which they are contractually tied for several years, or wish to renew with a more innovative and financially sound provider.

In an era of change, it is more important than ever to obtain independent advice when investing in a jet card and value is added by a company such as Air Partner that offers contractual security. In the last 6-12 months, a number of small aircraft brokers and private jet companies, and some large ones too, have vanished. Potential cardholders need to be aware of this when considering which scheme to join in the future.

“Flexibility and financial security are the key drivers behind the success and appeal of the Air Partner JetCard,” added Mr Macdonald. “In the last few months we have seen people re-evaluating their current arrangements, which in most cases have involved them being locked into rigid, more expensive programmes. “One new customer commented that signing a five-year arrangement with a supplier seemed sensible a few years ago. Today, it’s not such a wise move. Other customers have found that with rival schemes the flexibility and cost they were promised at the point of sale have not rung true in reality.” All Air Partner card members have the right to terminate their contract at any time with a full refund of unused funds. They can increase or decrease their spending, change aircraft size and fly more or less completely at will. Plus, there are no hidden extras whatsoever – one transparent price covers everything. Purchasers also want to deal with a financially strong company. For the six months ended 31 January, Air Partner’s accounts showed that the Group was debt free and has £22million cash.

Alchemy Volume 13

“This disturbed private jet users. They are now much more cautious about who they give their money to and who they fly with,” added Mr Macdonald. “They also want reassurance that they are dealing with a supplier that will find the right aircraft for them in a market in turmoil. A number of aircraft that were available for charter are no longer accessible and many of the headline grabbing aircraft orders trumpeted in the press last year have been reduced and downgraded, and some may not even come to fruition. People who would previously have purchased aircraft are no longer thinking about making such a financial commitment.”

The Air Partner JetCard

“

Flexibility and financial security are

the key drivers behind the success

”

and appeal of the Air Partner JetCard, added Mr Macdonald.

European service area price structure for the 25hr Air Partner JetCard Aircraft

Seating

Cost

Hourly rate Range

Light jet

128,000

€5,120

1,600nm

Midsize jet

181,000

€7,240

1,800-2,000nm

Large jet

282,000

€11,280

3,450nm

Global jet

385,000

€15,400

5,200nm

Key benefits of the Air Partner JetCard: • Better value and better quality than similar products • The most flexible card available in today’s environment • One simple competitive all-inclusive price for 25+ hours of flight time • No hidden extras • Guaranteed aircraft cabin upgrades or downgrades • Direct access to broadest range of new-generation jets • Aircraft availability guaranteed at 24 hours’ notice • Personal account management 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For further information on the benefits of the Air Partner JetCard, please telephone +44 (0)207 538 2273 or e-mail: alchemy@airpartner.com

Alchemy Volume 13

Le Mans

Alchemy goes to

Le Mans! by Kevin Haggarthy

The Le Mans 24hr race is the stuff of motor racing legend. To motor racing buffs it’s at least as important as Formula 1, and to some even more. Yet there are ways of adding spice even to the great Le Mans experience; namely, the car YOU drive . The journey to Le Mans itself is a travelling motor show of the first degree, witnessed by endless examples of sporting exotica; it feels like half of England are attending.

Le Mans - by Ferrari So what better way to join the Le Mans ‘Eurotunnel Convoy’ than by Ferrari – in our case the very latest Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano – and before you ask it has a top speed of 205 mph, and 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds – all courtesy of a sweet sounding 6 litre V12 engine, generating a whopping 612 brake horsepower. Phew - now sweat even more - for its yours for a cool £218,000. No one had to remind us to ‘drive carefully’ And there’s more; for the ‘lottery win’ way to ‘do’ Le Mans is to go as a guest of a competing race team. Alchemy got lucky again courtesy of Team Modena, the highly successful High Wycombe based sports GT race team owned and run by local entrepreneur Graham Schultz; and a team that involves ex Formula 1 World Champion Nigel Mansell on its board and his son, the young Leo Mansell, as a works driver. That means we got to be part of the action, getting into the pits mixing it with drivers and crew. Le Mans: Spectacular race, spectacular crowd.

Graham Shultz, Team Principal/Owner. Aiming for a fourth successful Le Mans finish.

Ex-F1 Champ Nigel Mansell. Has high hopes for his son.

Leo Mansell. First Le Mans finish debut.

Opposite: Team work, the recipe for success.

Alchemy Volume 13

Le Mans

Alchemy Volume 13

Le Mans

Super spectacle, 599GTB takes part in the super car run.

First class travel: The 599GTB and Scuderia partner the drive to Le Mans.

150,000 people line the streets for the super car run.

The young Mansell, Russian driver Roman Rusinov and ‘gentleman driver’ Pierre Ehret pose for the crowds.

Red means ‘go’ Whilst the race ran over the sweltering weekend of 12th and 13th July, for us it began with an early drive down the Thursday before. Even on the brief motorway trek to the ‘tunnel, the 599 was already proving itself a GT of the first order; forget all the old stuff about Ferrari reliability, build quality, noise, and refinement. These are truly dead myths of yesteryear. Today, Ferrari build quality is second to none, the car feeling refined and reassuringly well made, its noise rising to a howl of the first order when the devil takes you, which in our case proved to be mighty often! This ‘big GT’ does it all – yet always feels ‘like a Ferrari’, no ordinary tool, but a supercar of the first degree…and more.

Photographers Jason Harris John Brooks

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After some 8 hours behind the wheel, tiredness was displaced by reflective admiration, leaving the seat of the 599 GTB feeling refreshed and relaxed - testimony to the high speed comfort of this amazing car. The 599 will catch vehicles ahead travelling at any speed, overtake them (at any speed), settle, move on to the next target and do the same again - resulting in hundreds of miles of engaging driving pleasure. What’s more, the 599 was a hit with the public, a subject of love and admiration throughout– always marking an occasion for the locals. And no less so than on the Friday prior to the race when we took part in the amazing Supercar run in the town. 150,000 people lined upto four abreast to stand, watch, and encourage some of the world’s greatest supercars to rev the hell out of their engines. And of course we obliged …and we’d be lying if we said grudgingly.

Le Mans

Team Modena Ferrari performed faultlessly.

Teams on display: The famous Le mans starting ritual.

Grueling shifts: Team Modena engineers work through the night.

Pitstop strategy plays crucial role.

Race weekend The sun is shining. Nature loves Le Mans too. It’s Saturday and race day with Team Modena. Graham Schultz, CEO and Team Modena Principal was in good spirits for the race “We re all ready, Schultz told us – its our 4th consecutive year as Team Modena at Le Mans and so far we’ve finished every time. We hope we can match the record for another year!” Meanwhile Team Modena’s advisor, Mr ex -Formula 1 World Champion Nigel Mansell, was biding his son. At 24, Leo Mansell is on a charge, sharing the drive with young Russian driver Roman Rusinov and experienced ‘gentleman driver’ Pierre Ehret. Its 3pm and the race is on to a rolling start and a spectacle of applause. Meanwhile, the Team Modena engineers knuckle to the grind, monitoring this and that, checking, eyes glued to the screen whilst Hans Muelhbauer the team manager, communicates with the driver. You can see why drivers pay tribute to the team after a race; it’s is no hype, but a total team thing.

And no more so than through the night; some spectators slept and others (like us) persevered Zombie –like to stay awake. Zzzzzzz…We failed. Miserably. Meanwhile, the Team Modena engineers and race crew were bright and buzzing. How do they do it? Apart from two inconsiderate LMP racers knocking team Modena’s Leo, and then co driver Roman off the circuit, Team Modena’s Ferrari 430 GT performed without missing a beat. Roll on 3 pm Sunday and the finish of the race. As it did, so did Leo Mansell, finishing the race seventh overall in the GT2 class, and crossing the line smack in the middle of the two winning LMP1 Peugeots! A time for great celebration as Team Modena achieved their 100% success record, finishing once again the greatest endurance race of all time.

Alchemy Volume 13

Le Mans

The Team Modena car makes its mark under the winning LMS P1 Peugeots.

A great time was to be had by all at the Team Modena hospitality. Nigel Mansell ushered in Prince Michael of Kent to congratulate the team on the race– Champagne and a great sense of achievement overwhelming us all. Yes, it was a tremendous performance by Team Modena, its drivers, and the amazing Ferrari 430 GT, making the prospect of driving home in the 599 even more exciting. Every single spectator looked tired, no doubt aiming for the shortest route home. Sat behind the wheel of the 599, turning the ignition key, pressing that bold red starter button again… listening to that engine ; they can take the direct route home if they want; we re off to the hills………..

Team Modena’s Race results Class Position: 7th (17 starters in LM GT2) Overall Position: 27th (from 55 starters) Laps: 314 Distance Completed: 4,279.5km (2,658.8 miles, or London to Baghdad, with another 100 miles of driving left) Fastest Lap: 4m09.036s Average Race Speed: 178.091kmh Pit Stops: 28 Total Time in Pits: 1h00m17.392s Longest Stop: 11m33s (after Roman Rusinov was hit from behind and fired off circuit at 3am Sunday Morning) Prince Michael of Kent congratulates Graham Shultz and Mr and Mrs Mansell on the teams success. Anticipating an exciting trip home, the 599GTB awaits.

Ferrari 599GTB Fiorano Model: 599 GTB Fiorano F1 Exterior: Grigio Ferro Metallic 0-62 mph 3.7 secs Top Speed - 205 mph Average consumption 15.8 mpg Model tested OTR Price = £218,604.64 (with optional fitted spec on test car)

Alchemy Volume 13

EXTREME GLASS

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Alchemy Volume 13

Palaces with a place in history

While many hotels may have the word “palace” in their names, several members of The Leading Hotels of the World really were built as palaces or castles… and what stories they can tell!

Alchemy Volume 13

Palaces with a place in history Once upon a time in Paris… Hôtel de Crillon, Paris, France Commissioned by Louis XV, the Hôtel de Crillon was built in 1758 by noted architect Jacques-Ange Gabriel for Louis François Trouard. For a time, he rented it to the Duke d’Aumont, before it passed to the Crillon family, who retained ownership until 1907. In 1909 it began its illustrious era as a hotel. From its beginnings, the Crillon has played a part in French history: Marie Antoinette took piano lessons in one of the large, first-floor suites, now named the Marie Antoinette Suite; all the meetings leading up to the formation of the League of Nations in 1919

took place at the hotel; it served as the Allied headquarters in the First World War and as the residence for the commanders of the French and British forces in the Second World War. After the Liberation in 1944, it became the base for American military commanders and diplomats on missions to Paris. Hints of its aristocratic past can still be seen in the Wedgwood porcelain medallions in the ceiling of the Salon des Aigles; and in Les Ambassadeurs restaurant – once the ballroom of the home – with its crystal chandeliers and marble floor.

Up from the ashes - Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Dresden, Germany In 1705 the Taschenbergpalais was built by the Elector of Saxony and King of Poland August the Strong for his favourite mistress, Anna Constantia, Countess of Cosel. After the two quarrelled in 1713, the palace was used variously as a residence for the heir apparent, Saxon Electors and the Wettin Crown Princes. Always considered to be one of the most beautiful baroque buildings in the capital city of Saxony, the palace played an integral part in Dresden life and culture, with a number of different tenants, many of whom helped shape the region’s history.

The original palace survived until February 1945, when it was destroyed during the bombing of Dresden. Half a century later, it was lovingly rebuilt, at a cost of €130 million. Historic parts of the palace were skilfully connected with modern structures, which resulted in a magnificent period reincarnation. Different sculptures and figures made from sandstone were excavated from the ruins of the original palace to be painstakingly restored, and they now decorate the main entrance of the Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Dresden.

An Emerald Isle gem - Ashford Castle, Cong, County Mayo, Ireland Dating back to the 13th century, Ashford Castle was originally built by the AngloNorman de Burgos family as a monastery. It later became a home of Lord and Lady Ardilaun, and in 1855 Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness, of the brewing dynasty, purchased the estate and it became the family’s country residence. Its rambling structure speaks to its expansion across the years, and today guests will find turrets, massive fireplaces, passageways and cellars. Not surprisingly, no two rooms are alike. The castle is filled with antiques and much of the original architecture is intact. In 1939, hotelier Noel Huggard purchased Ashford Castle and established it as a hotel catering for guests who wanted to fish, as some of the best brown trout fishing in Europe was found on Lough Corrib. Through its history, Ashford has hosted

world leaders, political figures and celebrities including Prince Edward, George V of England, President Ronald Reagan, Senator Edward Kennedy, Prime Ministers Tony Blair and John Major, U2, Rod Stewart, John Travolta, Omar Sharif, Bob Hope, Sharon Stone, Brad Pitt, Barbra Streisand, James

“The castle is filled with antiques and much of the original architecture is intact” Brolin and Pierce Brosnan, who held his 2001 wedding at Ashford. 2009 is Ashford’s 70th anniversary and celebratory events and programmes will unfold throughout the year.

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Palaces with a place in history In Tsar Peter’s Imperial City - Taleon Imperial Hotel, St. Petersburg, Russia The Taleon Imperial Hotel in St. Petersburg can trace its roots to a late 18th-century palace built as a temporary residence for Elizabeth, the daughter of Tsar Peter

“Decorated in Empire and Louis XVI styles” the Great. It later passed as a gift from Catherine the Great to Nikolas Chicherin, General of Police. Following his death, it belonged to several significant individuals in St. Petersburg society: Duke Kurakin, the merchants Perets and Kosikovsky, and

the banker Stepan Eliseev. It passed out of private hands to become everything from a choreographic institute to the MarxismLeninism University to a cinema, reopening as a hotel in 2003. Vestiges of its illustrious past: the Eliseev suite – with original furnishings and restored wall paintings – was the master bedroom of the Eliseevs; the Taleon restaurant – decorated in Empire and Louis XVI styles – was the waiting room and former study; the casino was the ballroom; the cigar lounge was used as a dining room; and the Eliseev family library still exists, although the original ceiling was lost.

Home is a medieval town in Tuscany - Grand Hotel Continental, Siena, Tuscany, Italy Built by order of Pope Alexander VII in the 17th century for his niece on her marriage, Palazzo Gori Pannilini in Siena evolved in the early 20th century to become a hotel called the Continental – today the Grand Hotel Continental. The majestic façade features a great portal crowned with the Gori coat of arms. In the hall, guests can admire the high frescoed ceilings of the palazzo, lit now with 18th-century-style lantern-shaped lamps. The magnificent Salone delle Feste is frescoed throughout with monochromatic 18th-century trompe l’oeil decorations of pastoral landscapes and imaginary architectural views, culminating in the crest of the Gori Pannilini family. Other points of interest include the two-room San Cristoforo

suite featuring a 15th-century wall painting of the Sienese school depicting St. Christopher, which was discovered and restored during the renovation work, while the five rooms

“The majestic façade features a great portal crowned with the Gori coat of arms” overlooking Via dei Termini on the opposite side have ceilings decorated by the 18thcentury Sienese painter Giovanni Battista Marchetti.

On the shores of the Bosphorus - Ciragan Palace, Kempinski Istanbul, Turkey The colourful past of the Ciragan Palace reaches back to the 17th-century Kazancioglu Gardens which stretched from Besiktas to Ortakoy. The first waterside villa was built in these gardens in 1719 by Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasha of Nevsehir for his wife Fatma Sultan. In 1834, Sultan Mahmut II

“...it was selected as the site for a meeting of the Turkish Parliament” decided to tear down the villa and replace it with an entirely new palace. This structure was destroyed in 1857 by Sultan Abdülmecid in preparation for yet another new palace,

Alchemy Volume 13

but he died in 1861 without completing the project. His brother, Sultan Abdülaziz, continued his brother's dream of expansion, and the construction of the Ciragan Palace, which began in 1863, was completed in 1871. The Palace remained a royal residence until the early 1900s. In 1909, it was selected as the site for a meeting of the Turkish Parliament. Shortly after the conclusion of the meeting in January 1910, a fire started in the attic, and destroyed the interior of the Palace including significant antiques, artworks and books. At the end of the First World War, during the occupation of Istanbul, the ruined Palace was used as “Bizo Barrack” by the French military field corps engineers. In 1987, restoration was begun, as was the construction of an adjacent hotel, which opened in 1990.

Palaces with a place in history Jewels in the crown - Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India Once the residence of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II and his beautiful queen, Rajmata Gayatri Devi, Rambagh Palace is a living legend of Rajputana history. Built in 1835 on a modest scale for the queen’s favourite handmaiden, and later refurbished as a royal guesthouse, the mansion was renamed Rambagh, after the then-reigning Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II. His grandson, prince Sawai Man Singh II, was brought here on his accession in 1910. He later went to England to finish his studies. While there he dreamt of making Rambagh his official residence. On his return to India, he began actualising his dream, and in 1925, Rambagh Palace became the permanent residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur. It remained the home

of Rajasthan’s royalty until 1957, when it was first converted into a luxury hotel run by the royal family. In 1972, the palace’s management was handed over to Taj Hotels

“The Suryavanshi Suite was part of the personal chambers of the royal family” Resorts and Palaces. The Suryavanshi Suite was part of the personal chambers of the royal family, and Suvarna Mahal, the original renaissance-style banquet hall, is now the fine dining room.

Jewels in the crown - Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India Built in 1754 by Maharana Jagat Singh II, the Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur is his most notable achievement. It is said that the Maharana took umbrage at his father’s refusal to allow him to have moonlit picnics with the ladies of his Zenana (women’s quarters) at the neighbouring island palace, Jag Mandir. As soon as he assumed the throne,

“While staying at the hotel, guests can learn the ancient Rajasthani art of miniature painting”

he commissioned the construction of the Lake Palace, which remained the summer residence of the rulers of Mewar for 200 years. The Sajjan Niwas Suite, built around 1880 by Maharana Sajjan Singhji, retains an old-world charm with traditional cloth fans, intricate mirror-work on the doors and fine glass mosaic inlay; while the stylish Amrit Sagar Bar was once the private audience hall of the Maharana. While staying at the hotel, guests can learn the ancient Rajasthani art of miniature painting, take cooking lessons and participate in live demonstrations in the Palace kitchens.

Historic artefacts galore - Castello del Nero Hotel & Spa, Florence, Tavarnelle, Italy Castello del Nero traces its origins to the 12th century when it became the country residence of the Florentine noble family, whose coat of arms can still be seen along with frescoes that were painted during various periods of the hotel’s history. Among its other distinctive features are a clock tower, three huge fireplaces, secret doors, passageways, and two different family crests. The private chapel, dedicated to San Michele and San Filippo Neri, was built in the late 1700s, at about the time that the mechanism in the clock tower was installed. After the Del

Nero family line died out, the estate was taken over by the Torrigiani family. Carlo Torrigiani put great efforts into increasing the activities of the estate farm, and his American wife Anna Frey was so devoted to the Castello that she asked to be buried in the chapel following her death in 1917. In 2006, the property reopened as a hotel, and it proudly displays a number of artefacts from the castle days: furniture, lamps, paintings, and a library of accounting registers from the 18th century pertaining to the estate’s farm land.

Alchemy Volume 13

Palaces with a place in history Risen from the ruins - Hotel Caruso, Ravello, Amalfi Coast, Italy The Hotel Caruso in Ravello was built in the 11th century by a patrician Roman family. The original palace was largely destroyed by the Republic of Pisa, and lay deserted until the mid-1500s, when a period of reconstruction began. The present palace was completed in the 1600s. A further period of neglect followed until 1893, when Pantaleone Caruso and his wife Emilia Cicalese rented five rooms in one of the wings of the palace. They opened as the Pensione Belvedere, referencing the splendid view of the hanging garden plunging down the mountainside to the sea. In 1903 a New York Times journalist visited, and his article inspired many wealthy Americans wintering

on the European Rivieras to visit. The hotel came to occupy the entire palazzo, and was renamed Hotel Caruso Belvedere. During Caruso’s restructuring, traces of 18th-century frescoes were revealed, and the paintings were uncovered and restored. Of particular interest is the ceiling in the hall, which has a pair of griffins facing each other, almost as if guarding four frescoes depicting Ravello. There is also a chapel, which has a stone altar in baroque style, painted with a marbled tempera and decorated with a stucco relief. Both sides of the chapel above the altar have stucco relief carvings, with images of saints in prayer.

A Sun City wonder - Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India Perched high above the capital of Jodhpur, Umaid Bhawan Palace, the last of India’s great palaces, was also one of the largest royal residences in the world when it opened its doors in 1943. Built entirely in golden yellow sandstone, it was designed by Edwardian architect Henry Vaughan Lanchester. The sumptuous interiors were done in Art Deco, which was then the rage in Europe and America. Sixty years on, with the public areas and the Regal and Vice-Regal Suites essentially untouched, the palace is perhaps one of the largest and bestpreserved showcases of the Art Deco style.

Set amidst 26 acres of land, Umaid Bhawan Palace was converted into a hotel in 1977, its suites and rooms retaining the original Art Deco interiors. The spectacular Central Rotunda, whose cupola rises to 105 feet; an oval staircase hall, flanked by the impressive Ballroom and Banquet Hall on either side; and the Throne Room with its exquisite Ramayana murals reaffirm the grandeur of this remarkable palace. The present Maharaja of Jodhpur, His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh, and the royal family continue to reside in what was formerly the Zenana, a private wing for the ladies of the royal household.

Nestled in a valley - Schlosshotel Hugenpoet, Düsseldorf, Essen, Germany Schlosshotel Hugenpoet is a moated castle situated in Germany’s Ruhr Valley. The first owners were the Barons of Nesselrode, called Hugenpoet. They, like many other knights of their times, were frequently embroiled in feuds and ambushed the heavily armed wagons loaded with merchandise which passed by. Hugenpoet was not spared either during the troubled times in the Middle Ages. In 1478 the castle was taken by storm and burnt down; only parts of it remained standing until 1756. Interior features of note include the magnificent staircase, carved from the finest black marble, as well as three fireplaces, installed in the early 19th century. Made of Bamberg sandstone, they were created between 1577 and 1578 and are

deemed to be among the most splendid works of the Late Renaissance based on paintings of Rafael. After the Second World War, the ground floor of the castle was leased by the Folkwang Museum, whose building had been destroyed by bombs. Part of the museum’s renowned collection was displayed there until the museum returned to Essen in 1954. That same year, Düsseldorf hotelier Kurt Neumann was persuaded to join the project of turning the castle into a hotel, and it opened for Easter in 1955. Over the years, meetings and conferences of political importance have taken place at Hugenpoet, the most important one being the G7 Summit in 1994.

For further information on Leading Hotels of the World, which represents more than 450 of the world’s finest hotels, resorts and spas, telephone +44 (0)20 7290 1010 or email soeren.huber@leadinggroupsales.com Fly with Air Partner Private Jets to any of the above properties using the nearest local airports. Cost-effective schedules on the most suitable high-quality private aircraft for your needs will be arranged around your timetable.

Alchemy Volume 13

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Alchemy Volume 13

A day in the life of a private jet user

DAY IN THE LIFE

OF A PRIVATE JET USER Brian Stewart, CEO of Stewart Asset Management

Alchemy Volume 13

A day in the life of a private jet user

private jets to be an absolutely vital part of our business model. “In Ianyconsider given week I will regularly need to be in four different places and this would be physically impossible, as well as financially inefficient, if I used commercial aviation. ”

Whether he’s at home in Glasgow or abroad, Brian Stewart has been rising with the larks at 5.30 am every working day for the best part of 30 years and immediately launches into training mode. If possible, this involves running five miles on a treadmill followed by around 200 sit-and press-ups. Next on his agenda is the dawn catch-up on outstanding emails and text messages before construction begins on a daily to-do list which on completion is electronically relayed to his nine-strong support team. Brian is CEO of Stewart Asset Management, an international independent advisory tax and wealth management group with a strong belief in providing a personal service and giving clients access to unique structures and products. Nine years ago he purchased the company’s headquarters, an old Georgian townhouse in the park area of Glasgow (sometimes referred to as the ‘professional district’) and has led the company’s expansion into London, Guernsey and Monaco. Brian usually arrives at the office at 9 am after driving his young son and daughter to school, which he says normally stresses him more than the day ahead, and almost immediately holds a catch-up meeting with his managing director and financial controller. This is followed by client meetings and conference calls and in a typical day he expects to hold 30 to 40 telephone conversations, to send 20 text messages and 70 emails, and to attend at least one face-to-face client meeting. His favourite part of the day arrives at 10.30 am. Brian explains: “I slip out for a café latte and scrambled eggs on toast at an Italian café. This is my 20 minutes of ‘down time’ when I relax and read the paper. Even when I am travelling, I try to take this time out as by then I’ve already been working for five hours.” Travelling plays a huge role in Brian’s life and he usually spends three days a week moving between the group’s other offices as well as the Isle of Man, where the company is heavily involved in the marketing, promotion and distribution of a just-launched legal litigation investment fund. Without fail, he always flies by private jet.

Brian explains: “I consider private jets to be an absolutely vital part of our business model. In any given week I will regularly need to be in four different places and this would be physically impossible, as well as financially inefficient, if I used commercial aviation. “The time wasted kicking my heels in departure lounges and standing around in security queues would lose me the equivalent of a day a week, four days a month, or indeed 48 days a year. If I calculate the cost in terms of new business alone, it would cover the cost of flying private five times over. “Moreover, the high level of personal service and privacy enables me to work in comfort throughout my journeys, optimises my use of time and enables me to have meetings or open discussions in a quiet and confidential environment. We joined Air Partner recently after three years with a competitor that, frankly, was far less flexible and much more expensive.” Time is a valuable commodity for Brian and for this reason lunch is a snack at the desk while working to keep on track with report deadlines, correspondence and travel arrangements. Every day, the company’s business plan is affected and influenced by stock market movements, interest rates and currency fluctuations which means that, in order to keep abreast of developments, the financial press must be studied and the online markets watched... constantly. One consequence of this is that Brian rarely lunches with clients because “it just doesn’t seem to be something that there is either time or good reason for nowadays”. Normally, Brian clocks off and heads home at 4.30 pm… but clocks on again at around 10 pm to write that last email, make one more client call or speak with the heads of his other offices. Why? “Because I enjoy the freedom of decision making and the challenge of building a successful internationally based private business empire in today’s highly competitive world.” And so to bed for some much-needed snzzzz.

www.samgplc.com

Alchemy Volume 13

Summer Sailing - the insider’s guide

Summer

Sailing The insider’s guide

You’ve chartered a yacht. Now where do you go? It’s a decision that deserves just as much thought as which yacht to book. Within each cruising area there are a multitude of itinerary options and this is where the invaluable knowledge and experience of a good charter brokerage like Burgess comes into its own. Burgess clients are able to draw on an unrivalled breadth of worldwide cruising knowledge from a team of highly experienced brokers. The company customises every charter, from planning realistic passage times to arranging the best table at the best restaurant in town. In this profile of favourite destinations, Burgess presents a real insider’s view about where to go and what to do.

Alchemy Volume 13

Summer Sailing - the insider’s guide

French and Italian Rivieras When chartering a superyacht, cruising the French and Italian Rivieras can easily be combined in one itinerary. The Côte d’Azur has always been wonderful cruising territory. Short hops between ports makes it easy to put together a relaxing itinerary and as you head east to the Italian coastline, the only longer crossing is overnight from Monaco or San Remo to Portofino. On the other hand, every port is packed in high season, so there is certainly a need to book berths in advance. Burgess often helps clients make the most of what’s available ashore – whether that means booking tickets for a concert at Monaco’s Salle d’Etoiles or the Juan les Pins Jazz Festival, a round of golf at a member’s only club or a pampering afternoon at a world leading spa.

Fly with Air Partner from London to Nice non-stop from £7,500 on a six seat private jet.

Understanding what kind of experience a charter party is looking for means clients can be briefed on a few local secrets of interest - like the Provençal food market of Forville in Cannes or the flower and antique markets on the Cours Saleya in Nice. Advice is freely given on where to try paragliding or scuba diving and multilingual guides can be provided if required. For authentic simplicity, the unspoilt Porquerolles Islands with their Marine Reserve or the UNESCO world heritage site of the Cinque Terre’s five villages should not be missed.

Sardinia and Corsica These islands, with their contrasting cultures and geographies, have so much to offer that it is no wonder people love to charter here again and again, finding something new every time. Sardinia’s best cruising is around the manicured Costa Smeralda with Porto Cervo at its heart and Cala di Volpe just around the corner. The bar at the Hotel Cala di Volpe, the jewel in the Aga Khan’s vision for this coastline, is not to be missed, while Porto Cervo’s Cipriani restaurant is part of the Billionaire Club – one of the most exclusive summer nightclubs in the world. For clients who like to party, Nikki Beach and Sottovento are always lively until the early hours. Although Sardinia does luxury exceptionally well, there are many delightfully secluded beaches that are tough or impossible to reach by land but perfectly accessible by yacht. It is not for nothing that the Costa Smeralda is called the Emerald Coast and the stunning seascapes are among the most awesome in the Mediterranean. Mountainous Corsica, just a couple of hours away, is more relaxed. This French island offers plenty of great dining from full gourmet experiences to seafood char-grilled over a wooden fire on the beach. Corsica is not known for its nightlife and club scene, although Via Notte, just south of Porto Vecchio, has a reputation as a glam alternative to Ibiza. Fly with Air Partner from London to Olbia non-stop from £10,500 on an eight-seat private jet.

An absolute highlight of any charter in Corsica is the amazing natural harbour of Bonifacio with its dramatic steep limestone cliffs and unforgettable views from the perched Citadel.

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Summer Sailing - the insider’s guide

Southern Italy There is something passionate and fiery about Southern Italy that calls for life to be lived to the full, and in the best possible taste. For an authentic experience you don’t get any more Italian than the Neapolitan Coast and the islands of Southern Italy. Aside from headline attractions such as Pompeii, the key to an unforgettable visit is about getting the best table for lunch at Palazzo Sasso in Ravello, followed by tickets for one of the great concerts at Villa Rufolo. It’s about organising a drive along the spectacular Amalfi Coast drive, and suggesting the best places to dine ashore in Positano, such as the terrace at Le

Sirenuse. Capri has to be seen, and is best enjoyed from the privacy of a superyacht. Everyone goes to the Blue Grotto, but it’s also worth visiting Villa Jovis, the ruined home of the Roman Emperor Tiberius, or taking the chairlift to the highest point on the island, Mount Solaro (1932 feet). Any guide could recommend the Faraglioni Rocks, but Burgess would also schedule in a stop at Da Luigi for a glass of wine and a plate of olives. Dining on the terrace at the elegant L’Olivio restaurant in the Capri Palace Hotel in Anacapri, Capri’s second town, is an experience not to be missed.

The ideal itinerary would also take in the more northerly Pontine Islands. Ponza is ideal for waterfront dining and uninhabited Palmarola for the most pristine, peaceful anchorage. And, saving the best to last, the gloriously simple Aeolian (or Lipari) Islands should not be missed for a complimentary firework display from the erupting volcano on Stromboli, the freshest seafood at Kasbah on Lipari or the opportunity to acquire a unique gift from Hotel Raya’s boutique.

Fly with Air Partner from London to Naples nonstop from £11,500 on an eight-seat private jet.

Croatia With over 1,000 islands providing a multitude of coves, great anchorages, inlets and islets, the Croatian Adriatic offers relaxing and peaceful cruising. Visitors are spoilt for choice and it is always possible to find a quiet anchorage or a berth stern-to on the local town quayside. A cruise around the spectacularly scenic Dalmatian islands combines picturesque villages, quiet bays and deserted beaches with crystal clear waters, wooded islands and an unforgettable mountainous backdrop on the mainland.

Heading south, the scenery becomes even more breathtaking. Croatia’s geography ensures shelter among the islands whatever the weather, while its archaeology and history combines influences from Greek, Roman and Venetian cultures. However, tranquillity and scenery are not the only attractions. For those looking for a buzz there are many towns with plenty to do ashore, notably Hvar, Split and Dubrovnik with good restaurants, shops and nightlife. Croatia is a memorable cruising ground and always exceeds the expectations of Burgess clients, many of whom return summer after summer”.

Turkey & Greece Turkey’s southern coast offers a marvellous combination of small picturesque towns, quiet beautiful bays and rich archaeological sites that give the place a timeless quality. When planning a cruising itinerary, Burgess often suggests exploring the many inlets in the Gulf of Fethiye, or venturing up the Dalyan River past the dramatic Lycian rock tombs to the site of Ancient Caunos and the hot sulphur mud baths upstream. Other highlights include the ruined city of Ancient Knidos, the imposing Castle of St Peter in Bodrum with its museum of underwater

archaeology, and snorkelling among the ruins off the spectacular island of Kekova. Göçek is a good starting point for a Turkish coast cruise, while boarding in Kuşadasi enables a convenient visit to magnificent Ephesus and is ideal for combining Turkey with island hopping through the nearby Dodecanese Islands of Greece such as Samos, Patmos, Leros, Kalymnos and Kos. For a purely Greek experience, departures from Athens can take in (amongst others) the fabled islands of Hydra, Mykonos, Paros, Ios and Santorini.

The Ionian Islands are good places to visit in July and August as they offer good shelter from the prevailing Aegean winds. Start in Corfu, with its endless sandy beaches in the south and quiet, unspoilt villages in the north. Don’t miss the islands of Paxos and Anti-Paxos with their lovely harbours, and visit Ithaca, Cephalonia and Zakinthos for a range of culture, beaches and villages with really good seafront tavernas.

Fly with Air Partner from London to Athens nonstop from £16,000 on an eight-seat private jet.

So, when deciding to charter a yacht in the Mediterranean, or anywhere else in the world, consulting an experienced luxury yacht charter brokerage is the only way to guarantee an experience of a lifetime. For further information on Burgess, the global superyacht industry leader, telephone +44 (0)207 7664300 or email: airpartner@burgessyachts.com.

Alchemy Volume 13

YO U R STAY. OUR SPI RI T.

«Majestic and elegant – situated in the centre of St. Moritz

and in the centre of life within the Swiss Alps.

L e g e n d a r y, u n i q u e a n d d i s t i n c t i v e ! Enjoy memorable moments – welcome to the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel. »

Badrutt's Palace Hotel, Via Serlas 27, 7500 St. Moritz, Switzerland

Telephone: +41 (0)81 837 1000, Telefax: +41 (0)81 837 2999, Reservations: +41 (0)81 837 1100 reservations@badruttspalace.com, www.badruttspalace.com

Alchemy Volume 13

Johnny Paravicini

A foot in every door Johnny Paravicini is as secretive about his clients as he is open and honest about everything else. But he has to be. As the founding director of a lifestyle solutions consultancy serving international clients who can ask for anything â&#x20AC;&#x153;as long as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legal and moralâ&#x20AC;?, confidentiality is the name of his game.

Alchemy Volume 13

Johnny Paravicini

Johnny Paravicini is a firm supporter of private jets. “I’m not surprised the private jet culture has grown enormously. From a corporate perspective, you don’t want high powered executives standing in airport queues when they could be actively building business, which is only possible when executive jets are used. From the leisure perspective, many people who work incredibly hard want to spend as much time as possible with their families and there is huge contrast between flying private and hanging around at Gatwick. When recommending a private aviation company, I always advocate Air Partner because they always deliver... discreetly.”

Johnny’s Peninsula Consulting business primarily concentrates on helping international High Net Worths to strengthen their cultural or commercial ties with the UK. Unlike concierge companies, Peninsula bypasses the minutiae of people’s lives. It’s no use asking Johnny, as The Spectator Business reported, to secure tickets for a West End hit show or get an under-age partygoer into a fashionable nightclub. However, he will find an exclusive property or a fund manager, rare piece of art, private jet and elite boarding school place as part of his broad “family office service”. Services for corporates include assistance with office relocations and roadshows, and arranging introductions with influential business leaders. Recently, Johnny has been advising East European governments on organic food production research and Olympic Games bid preparations.

Only the best will do So, with such a breadth of complex services, how does Johnny guarantee expertise? “I don’t pretend to be an authority at anything. My role is to provide easy access to true experts, the very best in their specialist fields.” Thanks to a varied career in aviation, fine art and estate management, Johnny has established an enviable network of contacts and says his experience has enabled him to build long-standing relationships and a reputation for trust and reliability which, in his business, is “absolutely crucial”.

Are there any examples of how he has helped a client he is able to talk about? “I was asked to find a house to rent for an ‘A’ list Hollywood actress and her screenwriter husband. They needed a secure and secluded property within commuting distance of Pinewood Studios with private river fishing. These properties are like gold dust – and the people who own them don’t need to rent. In the end, the only way I could meet the request was by persuading the owner of probably the finest property of its kind to move out for six months.” There was also the New Orleans client who asked for a London black cab for his wife so that she could “collect her lunch guests in it”. However, Johnny is quick to point out “most of the requests I receive are very business-like”.

Silence is golden He told Alchemy: “I get huge satisfaction from delivering, whether it’s a feasibility project for a government or helping to establish a complete home and lifestyle package. Yes, I am paid for it but fundamentally, I’m helping people.” Johnny Paravicini (www.peninsulaconsulting. com) clearly puts client needs before glamour or fame. While he might scour the country for multi-million pound homes or private collections for an obscure piece of art, his customers know confidentiality is guaranteed because “you’re dead in the water if you can’t honour their privacy”.

Johnny Paravicini CV Born: 1952 Nationality: Dual – British and Swiss Education: Milton Abbey School Employment history: Christie’s: Impressionist and Modern Pictures Dept Nutley Manor Farms Ltd: Owner Duke of Wellington Farms: Farms Manager John Paravicini Ltd Fine Art: Owner and Managing Director Aid-Call plc: Divisional Sales Director Lynton Aviation: Commercial Director Peninsula Consulting: Owner Family: Married with four grown-up children Hobbies: Skiing, golf, cooking, boating on Lake Geneva and walking in the mountains

Alchemy Volume 13

Top private jet destinations

Easy does it... Original Travel is a specialist tour operator whose clients enjoy tailormade holidays, from adventure trips to beachfront getaways and opulent city breaks. Here, the company profiles four destinations popular among private jet users.

top private jet destinations

Ibiza It’s an eternal mystery as to why Europe’s premium party island should be so difficult to get to. Scheduled flight times are so anti-social that Ibiza has become – almost by default – the ultimate private jet destination. At Original Travel we field an ever-increasing number of enquiries for private jets from groups of friends looking to maximise their time on the ground over a long weekend.

Alchemy Volume 13

Once they’re in situ, we are able to help out with everything from making restaurant bookings to obtaining VIP access to the hottest night spots in town.

and along the dramatic northern coastline. Alternatively, visitors can rent a superstar DJ-style villa and throw their own pool terrace party.

While there used to be a lack of quality boutique hotels on the island, this is changing. Several new hacienda conversions have appeared away from the hubbub of Ibiza Town in the tranquil hills of the interior

Original’s favourite options? Benirras beach for chilling, KM5 bar for lounging, Trattoria del Sole for dinner, Formentera by private boat for lunch and the inevitable terrace at Space for a boogie.

Top private jet destinations Maldives The desert island destination of Maldives is also surprisingly difficult to get to by scheduled services. At present, only SriLankan Airlines flies direct from the UK, and that’s not every day, so creating the bizarre situation where even business class is often sold out many months in advance. Consequently Maldives is another serious private jet contender.

Although the number of hotels may be approaching saturation level, at the top end they are of resounding good quality whether clients want barefoot Crusoe-style luxury or the mod cons of a hip urban hangout transported to a desert hideaway. The new W Retreat and Spa looks set to challenge competitors with its Whatever/Whenever service, providing almost anything to pamper its guests.

Some of the hotel house reefs – particularly the one at Baros – are superb for diving. For the truly dedicated diver, the Four Seasons Explorer live-aboard dive boat is a must, as it spends three or four days at a time exploring the less visited islands of the outer atolls.

sun and a place to flop as to the more active traveller seeking adventures from caving to diving.

For a more pampered experience in Muscat, the Chedi hotel is an elegant contemporary gem, the Shangri-La Barr al Jissah caters superbly for families and the newly refurbished Al Bustan has a fine garden and beachfront setting. The Zighy Bay hideaway hotel, which opened last year in the remote

Whichever island a visitor settles on, the quintessential palm-fringed, white sand, turquoise ocean experience is guaranteed. And the innate charm of the locals is the icing on a particularly tempting cake.

Oman Oman opened its doors and began issuing visas to tourists in 1987. Travel outside the capital Muscat and you find one of the most breathtaking, traditional and deserted locations on earth. No wonder the eternally itinerant explorer Sir Wilfred Thesiger found himself returning, drawn by the dramatic landscapes and the locals’ life in the raw. Life is changing fast in Oman. Some excellent five-star hotels and new on-going tourism infrastructures have emerged. Attractions already on offer are wonderfully varied, appealing as much to the stressed-out Western executive looking for guaranteed

Oman boasts magnificent mountain ranges, and a 4×4 drive to Nizwa through dramatic wadis and past ancient forts is a particular highlight. There are also deserts aplenty from the Wahiba Sands to the supremely evocative Empty Quarter, the largest sand sea in the world. The Quarter is also the site of an Original Travel exclusive – a pitched private luxury camp in the shadows of dunes, sometimes over 100 metres high.

north-eastern Musandam Peninsula, offers top-notch restaurants, a bar and wine cellar, private beach and pools, a spa, diving and paragliding.

Morocco Morocco has to be the most exotic destination in close proximity to the UK, but it too suffers from a lack of decent direct flights that don’t form part of packages. The proliferation of low-cost airlines or indirect flights means the private jet option is increasingly attractive. The main attraction is Marrakech. The city’s beating heart, the Djemaa el-Fna square, feels almost medieval at dusk as soothsayers, apothecaries, musicians and acrobats entertain crowds of locals and tourists, and food stalls spring out of nowhere. The number of sophisticated authentic properties (riads) hidden down tiny alleys seems to

grow almost daily and an Original Traveller visits at least annually to research the newest properties available. Studies into the latest hip hangouts in this increasingly nightlife-heavy city are also undertaken. Marrakech now boasts Pasha and Nikki Beach hotels, which offer traditional hamman spa and detox experiences. Just 40 miles beyond the ochre-coloured walls of the city lie the snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas Mountains offering yet more immaculate accommodation and incredible trekking routes. Guided ascents of Jebel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, are popular, but more sedate treks are also

readily available. The ‘in’ places to stay are Branson’s Kasbah Tamadot, the charming Kasbah Toubkal or the cool new Kasbah Bab Ourika, all ideal locations in which to reflect over a cup of mint tea on a day’s visit to the surrounding Berber villages. The charming seafront town of Essaouira, where the windy beach is hugely popular with kite and windsurfers alike, boasts charming family-run boutique properties. Conventional surfing can be enjoyed along the coast at Sidi Kaouki but accommodation here is a little more rustic.

Original Travel (www.originaltravel.co.uk) works with Air Partner to provide private jet travel to all the destinations featured, and more. For further information tel: +44 (0)20 7978 7333 or email: info@originaltravel.co.uk.

Alchemy Volume 13

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons

Raymond Blanc’s

Le Manoir

aux Quat’Saisons, in Oxfordshire, celebrate their

25th Anniversary. This year Raymond Blanc O.B.E and his team at Le Manoir celebrate their 25 birthday – His renowned hotel and restaurant continues to flourish after a quarter of a century. Of course when Raymond opened on St Patrick’s Day, 17th March 1984, though he hoped to still be here in 25 years, he never dreamed of the success it would attain or the increased numbers of guests he and his team would serve.

Alchemy Volume 13

Le Manoir aux Quatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Saisons

Le Manoir aux Quatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Saisons is the fulfilment of Raymondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal vision, a dream that one day he would create a hotel and restaurant, where guests would find perfection in food, comfort, service and welcome. One thing he did intend from the very beginning, and still believe now, is that coming to Le Manoir, whether for a single meal or to stay for a week, must be a very special experience, one that guests will always remember with pleasure. Since opening Le Manoir has achieved the highest awards and accolades of any restaurant and country house hotel in Great Britain and is regarded as one of the very best in Europe. One of the few restaurants in the world to retain 2 Michelin stars for 25 years, Le Manoir remains a mecca for gourmets the world over.

Alchemy Volume 13

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons

The menus have been described as ‘a twist of imaginative genius’ and constantly evolve through reflection, desire and curiosity as Raymond and the team search for the finest ingredients. The quality of the food stems from the freshness and purity of its ingredients. The two-acre kitchen garden produces 90 types of vegetable and over 70 varieties of herbs, which are used in Le Manoir’s kitchen. Monsieur Blanc has been a champion of the organic movement for the last 20 years and comments that ‘flavour alone would be a reason to buy organic food, quite apart from its freedom from additives’. Guests will have a different, yet equally luxurious experience each time they stay in one of Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons’ 32 rooms and suites. With names that draw on the senses, each of the suites has been lovingly designed, creating individual and unique spaces. Throughout 2009 Le Manoir invites guests to enjoy a luxury midweek escape. Arrive during the afternoon to explore the magnificent gardens before indulging in Raymond Blanc’s celebrated ‘Les Classiques du Manoir aux Quat’Saisons’ dinner. Stay in one of the individually designed deluxe bedrooms and wake up to a leisurely to French breakfast. Midweek escapes are available from Sunday to Thursday evening and are priced from £640.00 per night, based on two guests sharing a room. Subject to availability.

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Church Road, Great Milton, Oxford, OX44 7PD. Telephone 01844 278881 Email lemanoir @blanc.co.uk www.manoir.com

Alchemy Volume 13

Captivating Cyprus

With year-round sunshine and only a four hour flight away, Cyprus boasts plenty to tempt all tastes including culture vultures, nature lovers, adventure seekers, foodies, families or spa fans. The island has spectacular scenery encompassing picturesque fishing villages, mountain retreats and, of course, coastal resorts and Blue Flag beaches for those seeking sun and sand. Located on the island’s west coast, Paphos is a long time favourite with British holidaymakers thanks to a winning combination of pristine beaches, sporting activities and a thriving cultural life. The city’s so full of archaeological treasures that is has been granted UNESCO status. Top sites include the Paphos Roman Mosaics, which are often described as some of the finest mosaics in the world. They depict key mythological episodes including Dionysos’ gift of wine to man. Other main landmarks include the Tombs of the Kings, an impressive necropolis dating back to the 3rd Century BC, which was the final resting place of about 100 local Ptolemaic aristocrats.

Alchemy Volume 13

With three top-quality golf courses located in the vicinity, Paphos is an excellent base for novice and experienced golfers. The award-winning Aphrodite Hills Golf Course, which is situated east of the city, boasts a course designed by Cabell Robinson overlooking the legendary sea-birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite. The nearby Secret Valley Golf Course lies in a scenic valley with grand trees and beautiful sculptured rock formations all round whilst the Minthis Hills Course designed by Donald Steel, is built on the grounds of a 12th century monastery in a gentle picturesque valley. Relaxation and rejuvenation are also on the menu with top hotel spas offering treatments to relax the body and mind. World-class spas including the Anagenis at Thalassa, the Opium at the Elysium and the Asphotel Spa atthe Azia boast a large range of treatments available to hotel guests and the general public.

Paphos hosts a large number of sporting and cultural events including the Paphos Aphrodite Festival, an opera festival taking place early September with Paphos Medieval Castle as a backdrop. Whether you’re looking for culture, relaxation or exciting activities, Cyprus is just the ticket for a break under the sunshine just over four hours from the UK.

For further information on Cyprus, contact the Cyprus Tourism Organisation on 020 7569 8800 or visit www.visitcyprus.com

Brand New Luxury Villa For Sale Seaviews, Underfloor Heating, Pool & Terrace Euro 1,350,000

The villa is on a hill looking down over Paphos town. The harbour, shops, beaches and restaurants are all within a 15 minute drive away. The villa has 4/5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms plus a cloakroom. Open plan kitchen/dining, lounge with beautiful picture doors opening onto a large terrace and a kidney shaped infinity pool. The property boasts 180 degree views of the sea and all bedrooms have stunning sea views. As Olympus village is approx 750 feet above sea level the property is above the humidity levels in summer, and you will enjoy a welcome warm breeze most days. The villa has under floor heating, a car port and covered terrace. The total covered area is approximately 250m2 and the property sits on a prime plot of 800m2.

Contact: mail@judithmoreton.com

Alchemy Volume 13

Z en V ida mallorca

Spectacular state of the art mansion elevated in the hills of Son Vida. Sweeping views of the bay of Palma Finished with finest imported materials State of the art technology throughout Exceptionally private and secure 5 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms

Alchemy Volume 13

Price on application through Savills International T 020 7016 3740 www.savills.co.uk/abroad www.zenvida.com

Description

Accommodation

Spectacular state of the art mansion with captivating views across the Mediterranean

5 Bedrooms

Sea and Palma. The Asian inspired design of this property creates a timeless elegance,

6 Bathrooms

while extensive use of the finest granite, marble and tropical hardwoods, which

Plot size 2,040 m²

have been imported from around the world, will assure the long-lasting value of this

Built area 800 m²

magnificent property.

2 living rooms Dining room

Zen Vida offers five spacious bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, a home office, two

Three outside dining areas

living rooms, a dining room, three outside dining areas and a superb designer kitchen

Designer kitchen

by Siematic with Gaggenau appliances and adjacent butler’s pantry. The property also

Home office

benefits from two garages for five cars and a separate entrance for staff ensures owners

Staff quarters

privacy. This unique property is equipped with the latest technology throughout from discrete, state of the art security, to a centralised climate system. For more information on this special property and its many impressive features, please contact us for a brochure.

Alchemy Volume 13

VIP Ironside protection

Self-preservation is everything in a

dangerous world Public and high-profile figures have become ever more vulnerable and fearful for the safety of themselves, their families and their possessions.

In the UK, fat-cat bankers stepped up their personal security arrangements (amid fears of a campaign against those blamed for he collapse in the financial system) following the March attack on the home of former RBS boss Sir Fred Goodwin. Mayhem erupted at the G20 summit in London in April, animal rights and other antagonists frequently hit the headlines, and the threat from political terrorists and assassins is ever present. Add to this the launch of Google Street View, which has aroused significant criticism in this digital age for its ability to ‘spy’ on people and property, and the need for enhanced safety and security measures among those with accelerated lifestyles becomes crystal clear.

VIP close protection No wonder, then, that specialist security companies are in demand, with a noticeable increase in specialist VIP close protection services being purchased by individuals and organisations with corporate responsibility to protect key executives. One such company is Ironside Associates, a relative newcomer in the protection market having been founded in 2006 by military stalwart Keith Simpson MBE in response to increasing demand for high-calibre speciality security across the globe.

Alchemy Volume 13

The consultancy’s services span Europe, North America, Middle East and Asia. Its aim is to provide highly experienced and rigorously trained personnel allowing customers to experience the freedom to enjoy their pursuits with absolute confidence, safe in the knowledge that their lives and assets are being safeguarded. Ironside’s VIP close protection officers (CPOs) are committed, highly trained and carefully vetted individuals with international experience, having hailed from the UK Police or Special Forces. Male and female, all are weapons-trained, skilled in surveillance and counter-surveillance techniques and hold Security Industry Authority licences. They work discreetly in an understated way or as a visible force to be reckoned with – the client decides. Mr Simpson, a former Regimental Sergeant Major with the Special Boat Service division of the UK Special Forces, explained: “Our role is to prioritise a client’s needs and to create and maintain an environment in which they can conduct their business free from threat, harassment or embarrassment while ensuring confidentiality at all times.”

VIP Ironside protection

“The behind-the-scenes logistics of Ironside’s activities are immense,” added Mr Simpson. “We plot and plan every detail to ensure that all our specialist security personnel are on top form in every respect. Our priority is to our clients, to protect them and their property. Our aim is to quash any criminal attempt to disrupt this equilibrium.”

Superyacht security

Maintaining the equilibrium

Providing protection for superyachts sailing around the world is a key area of growing business.

Ironside has just completed a VIP anti-piracy task for one yacht owner cruising the outer islands of the Seychelles. In light of the fact that Somali pirates have been attacking ships within 200 nautical miles of these idyllic atolls, he wanted reassurance that his property and family would be as safe as possible. “Superyacht owners are of high wealth and often prominent figures, celebrities or royalty. Hence, VIP protection and superyachts go hand-in-hand around the globe,” said Mr Simpson. “Confidentiality is another factor as many clients wish to remain out of sight of the media. Ironside operates with complete discretion and client confidentiality is paramount.” Piracy off the coast of Somalia alone cost more than $30 million in ransoms last year and attempts to hijack shipping more than doubled. Anti-piracy techniques and fire drills are always undertaken prior to entering pirate-infested danger zones and only recently evasive defensive action was necessary when an imminent attack was detected during a superyacht delivery mission that involved sailing through the infamous Gulf of Aden.

Other services offered by Ironside include security consultancy, corporate security, surveillance, general personal and home security, and marine asset protection. For further information on Ironside Associates telephone +44 (0)1603 702930 or email info@ironsideassociates.co.uk.

Ironside has selected Air Partner Travel Consultants (email: travel@airpartner.com) as its on-call travel agency to ensure that its protection officers arrive at superyacht departure locations worldwide on time and refreshed, ready for the task ahead. Air Partner’s 24/7 involvement has proved to be essential as not only are many yachting destinations remote, but complicated flight schedules frequently need planning or altering with little warning.

Alchemy Volume 13

Swan 90

Swan

90 Racing in international competition or cruising in the Med, the Swan 90 is the all-round winning combination.

Alchemy Volume 13

Swan 90

Sleek and sophisticated, Nautor’s elegant Swan 90 is guaranteed to cut a dash as it slices its way through the ocean waves.

ith its smooth, clean lines, revolutionary technology and luxurious interior, the Swan 90 is the latest vessel from a long line of high quality performance cruising yachts to be launched from Nautor’s boatyard in Finland and marks a new era in the continuing evolution of the range Versatility is the key to designer German Frer’s innovative concept. This streamlined craft, with its array of hydraulic equipment and push-button control, is as easy to handle by a crew of just two or three for leisure cruising as it is by 20 sailors in full racing mode. Little wonder that the 90 has already established itself as Swan line’s benchmark, the proverbial jewel in Nautor’s maritime crown. Inside, the designer has combined practicality with the superior comfort that is a Swan hallmark and which today’s seafarers demand for long, relaxed sailing trips. The luxurious main saloon is spacious and stylish, where people can socialise, sit and relax, and enjoy a convivial drink or two when not on deck.

The 90FD has a forward cockpit linked by a bridge deck to a steering cockpit from which there is access to the crew area and a roomy navigation station. Access to the main saloon is from the forward cockpit. The 90S model differs in that it has just the one cockpit which extends from the saloon entrance to the helm. Without a bridge deck, there is more space in the saloon and outside. Talking technical, the hull – produced in Nautor’s high-tech workshop in Kallby – is a female moulded carbon fibre laminate with unidirectional carbon reinforcements in selected areas. It has a monolithic structure up to the waterline and carbon fibre sandwich structure for the topsides, with excellent strength and fatigue properties due to a high proportion of unidirectional fibre in the laminate stack. A full carbon hull is an optional.

“The décor throughout is smart and elegant with light teak woodwork, varnished and rubbed to give an attractive satin finish.”

The hull waterline measures 24.55m and draws 4.4m which equates to a light displacement of 53 tons for the FD version.

Cabins are well-appointed and tastefully decorated, each with ensuite bathroom and separate shower. The fitted galley is equipped with the necessary appliances to create all kinds of gastronomic delights. The décor throughout is smart and elegant with light teak woodwork, varnished and rubbed to give an attractive satin finish.

On board accommodation is deceptively spacious, the designer optimising every nook and cranny to maximum effect. The sleeping area features a large owner’s cabin that sleeps two plus three guest cabins, each sleeping two people. In the crew area, there are two cabins with bunk beds and a bathroom for sharing.

The yacht is available in two versions, the Flush Deck (FD) and the Semi Raised Saloon (S), the layout varying between the two models to allow a choice of deck configurations and to make best use of the space.

The 90FD version places the owner’s cabin towards the yacht’s bow and the crew towards the stern. On the 90S, the extra space in the saloon also allows the owner’s cabin to move aft. Since the company was created in 1966, the Swan brand has dominated the market in fibre-glass technology – around 2,000 have been built and most are still sailing today. The yachts have achieved glory in international racing, including the Whitbread trophy races and their elegant interiors appreciated by both the racing and leisure sailing communities. The Swan 90 continues that tradition.

Interested in a Swan 90? For further information telephone Nautor’s Swan on +358 6 760 1111 or email info@nautorswan.com. www.nautorswan.com

Alchemy Volume 13

Sea eagles return

Sea eagles return to

East Scotland With a wingspan of up to 8 ft, it’s no surprise that the UK’s largest raptor has earned the nickname ‘flying barn door’. It is bigger than a golden eagle, can weigh up to 15 lbs and has often been mistaken for a condor, the world’s largest bird of prey.

espite being widespread all over the country before human persecution drove it to extinction around 90 years ago, this majestic feathered vertebrate is slowly becoming a recognisable feature of the wild Scottish landscape and has even been spotted across the border in England.

The East Scotland Sea Eagles (ESSE) project, a partnership project between RSPB Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and Forestry Commission Scotland, looks set to be as big and bold as the archetypal flying barn door.

So who is the star of this show? Answer: the white-tailed sea eagle. A five-year project to introduce these spectacular birds to eastern Scotland began two years ago and every summer 15 chicks aged five to eight weeks are being flown from Norway to Fife for release into the wild two months later. Confidence in the project flies on the back of the successful reintroduction of sea eagles on the west coast, where rare breeding grounds are now established. “Until recently, you’d have to travel to remote parts of the Western Highlands and Islands to catch a glimpse of a sea eagle, but the hope is that in years to come people will have a good chance of spotting them in eastern and central Scotland too,” said a spokesman for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). “Eastern and western birds have already been spotted mingling, which bodes well for the future of the species.” Tracking the birds is key to information gathering on their movements and habits and all are tagged or ringed and fitted with a radio backpack. During their first few months of freedom, while they are learning to hunt and scavenge for themselves, food is made available to ensure their survival. Although sea eagles don’t normally breed until they are five years old, they start to settle on territories when they are three. Until then, they wander hither and thither to the delight of local birdwatchers who, according to the RSPB, are “amazed by how graceful and big they are”.

Alchemy Volume 13

Air Partner Freight played a crucial role in the reintroduction programme when a clutch of chicks was flown from Norway to Edinburgh on a chartered turboprop... with the aircraft cabin temperature maintained at 20 °C throughout the two-hour flight.

photography by widervue.co.uk

Three Hours from the

Madness of the City

Journey West and take a respite from your frantic 24/7 lifestyle. Escape to the tranquility that is â&#x20AC;Ś Roxedge a magnificent marine residence

a further bathroom and large study area

set in a cliff top location in the heart of the

with sea views.

English Riviera, Torquay, with breathtaking panoramic views across Lyme Bay towards

The house is a paradise for any resident

Portland and beyond.

or visiting children with an exceptional custom built jungle playroom with tree

This unique home enjoying a premier

house, balcony, slide, jungle scenes and

residential location sought after for its

a built in fish tank. Outside in the large

proximity to local amenities, including

garden is another unique play area with

St Marychurch golf course, offers six

sunken trampoline, climbing walls, monkey

bedroom, three bathroom accommodation

bars, zip wire, swings, drop slide and two

with large gardens in a secluded road.

storey play house.

A stunningly individual and contemporary

An extensive decking area to the bottom of

home, completely refurbished to a high

the garden is designed for the enjoyment

specification with solid bamboo flooring

of al-fresco living.

and oak skirting throughout the downstairs living area. Roxedge also includes at

A garden gate leads onto Petitor Downs

entrance level a remarkable playroom,

and the South West Coast Path from which

three bedrooms, luxury bathroom with

local beaches can be reached, the closest

underfloor heating, whirlpool bath and

Oddicombe within five minutes.

separate multijet shower, living room, large conservatory taking in views over the sea

The front garden incorporates a lawned

and garden, dining room with French doors

area and large block paving driveway with

onto front patio area, utility room and

parking behind electric gates for up to six

kitchen. To the first floor are three further

vehicles.

bedrooms, including master suite with balcony, luxury en-suite with Jacuzzi bath,

Contact for more info: 01803 328131

multijet shower and walk in wardrobe,

or 07968 744358 Price ÂŁ849,950

Alchemy Volume 13

Philanthropy

a question of give and take Fiona Courtenay-Evans provides specialised consultancy and training for high net worth individuals and businesses interested in investing in social and charitable projects. She is the founder of Philanthropy Plus and has worldwide experience of the private, public and voluntary sector.

ver the last 20 years, the source of wealth in Britain has changed substantially. According to the BBC, in 1989 just a quarter of those named in The Sunday Times Rich List were ‘self-made’; today that number is around 75 per cent. Many of these newly wealthy individuals have established fortunes through a successful business career, so when they become involved in philanthropy their commercial experience is leading to a more demanding and business-like approach to giving. Those who give serious sums, quite legitimately, want to know the impact of their contributions - which may explain why a recent University of Indiana and Bank of America survey found 46 per cent of philanthropists felt their donations had a “greater impact on their own personal fulfilment than on those who receive their gifts”. If the widespread campaign to increase global philanthropy is to succeed, it makes absolute sense for donors to identify what they can achieve – for themselves, their businesses and beneficiaries – and to structure their giving accordingly. When giving hundreds of thousands of pounds, it is reasonable to demand more than merely the personal satisfaction of receiving a generic ‘Dear Donor’-style thank-you letter.

Alchemy Volume 13

The rise of corporate social responsibility (CSR)-generated giving also has a significant role to play in this more donor-oriented giving trend. Donations framed within a CSR strategy need to be justified to the business’s management whose primary focus is normally the bottom line. This can include more extensive reporting, alignment of the charitable project to the business’s agenda, PR and networking opportunities and creative ways to engage customers, regulators and employees. It can present real challenges to define just where to draw the line between running a high-impact, outcome-oriented, donation programme, on the one hand, and funding projects so driven by a Western or corporate donor’s ideals they do nothing more than tie the beneficiary charity up in knots. Misguided attempts to apply Western solutions and ideologies in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, insufficient consultation with target beneficiaries and their local communities and excessive adherence to a powerful donor’s giving criteria, will consistently lead to ineffectual and damaging projects. With almost 200,000 charities in the UK alone and the same again in other jurisdictions, preparing for philanthropy requires diplomacy, planning and experience.

Philanthropy

Teaching in action in Tamil Nadu, India.

Today, there is advice on offer from a new breed of experienced philanthropy consultants. Indeed, both individuals and businesses are increasingly identifying the need for professional help when it comes to researching and navigating through this complex sector, assessing what administrative costs are acceptable and how much they can reasonably ask a charity to deliver in return for their donation. Philanthropy Plus is one specialist in this field, offering clients access to a broad range of consultants who enhance the value of charitable contributions with business rigour, using the latest academic research and extensive CSR and third sector expertise. Consultants work directly with donors to guide them through the giving experience from conception to actually implementing and evaluating the philanthropy so that nothing is wasted and the fine balance between altruistic and more donor-oriented giving is negotiated with real diplomacy.

A Thai housing project.

Alchemy Volume 13

A diamond journey

From the depths of Africa to the glamorous cocktail ring on your finger, the journey of the diamond is truly astounding. Sourced in approximately 35 different countries across the globe, the diamond is one of the rarest naturally discovered gems in the world. Havva Murat discovers the tricks of the trade from the horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mouth, luxury jeweller, David Marshall.

Alchemy Volume 13

A diamond journey

Natural diamonds are formed deep within the earth’s core. Fierce volcanic activity brings them closer to the earth’s surface, allowing miners to extract the precious and rare stones.The diamond mines in South Africa and Russia are amongst the most reliable quality diamond sources, yielding the very finest rough diamonds from the soil. Rough diamonds are rated as one of the hardest materials on earth, yet their appealing nature goes far beyond resilience.

Aura of Authenticity In recent years, much attention has been given to the so-called ‘blood diamonds’, which are sourced under oppressive regimes. Reputable jewellers should always choose to buy diamonds from highly trustworthy sources in order to produce authentic jewels. David Marshall London, a contemporary British luxury jeweller in London, emphasises the importance of buying diamonds from conflict-free, reputable sources. “We take great pride in the authenticity and quality of our diamonds. All of our jewels are resourced through legitimate sources providing our customers with the very finest and genuine jewels, “says David Marshall, the designer behind the brand.

Quantifying Quality Diamonds are commonly judged by the 4 ‘C’s – carat, clarity, colour and cut – a general foundation to assess the quality and pricing of each stone. No two diamonds are the same. The colour of a diamond is graded from D (exceptional white or colourless) to Z coloured. The closer to D a diamond is ranked the more highly it will be considered and therefore priced. The carat of a diamond refers to the unit of mass, with one carat referring to 0.20g in actual weight. Larger diamonds with a high carat weight would be priced higher than a smaller diamond with the same quality purely because larger diamonds are rare to find and therefore higher in demand.

Alchemy Volume 13

A diamond journey

The clarity of a diamond can be evaluated by how clean or clear it is. Diamonds naturally contain “inclusions” or blemishes which can affect their value. Crystalline cloudiness or carbon spots are natural imperfections found in every diamond, yet it is the extent of these blemishes which marks the diamond’s worth. The more imperfections a diamond contains the less highly it will be priced. Flawless diamonds are very rarely found, meaning that the best grades given are flawless (F), or very very slightly imperfect (VVS).Diamonds have been around for centuries, but with time their connotations have changed. The ancient Greeks believed that they were the tears of the Greek Gods whilst the Romans cherished them as splinters from the stars. Through the Renaissance period diamonds were worn with the belief that they would enchant the wearer with magical powers. This myth formed a foundation that was to convey the diamond as a symbol of power.Today, diamonds are treasured for their natural beauty and

incomparable uniqueness. Jewellers dedicate a great deal of time and effort sourcing and crafting the perfect diamond treasures. Finding the right kind of diamond can take several months, or even years. The stones in the Par excellence diamond bracelet took over a year to collect. The piece comprises an incredible row of perfectly matched D VVS Asscher-cut diamonds totalling 30.77ct. Combining the traditions of craftsmanship with the most up-todate technology, jewellers can now transform the rough diamonds extracted from miles within the earth’s hemisphere into an astounding piece of bespoke or ready-to-wear jewellery. So whether it is showcased in a sparkling cocktail ring or glittering necklace, each and every gem has its own story, just as unique as its wearer. www.davidmarshalllondon.com +44(0)20 7269 9944

Alchemy Volume 13

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Alchemy Volume 13

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Alchemy Volume 13