OUT OF OFFICE

JAMES BARTY, FOUNDING

PARTNER OF THE KING JAMES GROUP, TELLS US ABOUT SOME OF HIS FAVOURITE THINGS AND HOW HE SPENDS HIS DOWNTIME

WORDS THEMBALETHU ZULU

WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF LUXURY? “ The old adage about the luxury of time is probably very relevant for me. I find the ability to carve out time for myself and my family an enormous luxury. But then I also have the more materialistic view of luxury in the sense of both experiences and things. I see luxury on a number of different dimensions.”

IN A WORLD WHERE WE’RE TECHNICALLY ALWAYS AVAILABLE, HOW DO YOU SEPARATE WORK FROM PERSONAL LIFE? As someone who has run his own business for 25 years, I’ve never been able to do that. In fact, I find it hard to even begin to try because I think it’s more about how you manage the balance. You need to be disciplined in the ability to manage yourself seamlessly through phases when you are required to be less plugged in, and times when you absolutely have to be available. For instance, my family know I’m a better person on holiday if I’ve had an hour in the morning to deal with my email or any urgent matters – then I can be completely focused on the holiday part. So, I don’t separate… I merge and manage.”

WHAT’S THE LONGEST TIME YOU’VE MANAGED TO STAY OFFLINE? “ I can stay offline for a weekend, but never much longer than that. I’ve never been one to go for the big tech detox weekends. I’d rather find a healthy medium.”

IS THERE ONE THING YOU DO AFTER A LONG DAY AT WORK TO HELP YOU UNWIND? “ Pour myself a large Scotch! There’s probably multiple answers to this, but if I’m at home and don’t have a plan to exercise, then yes, a large Scotch. Then, generally, I’ll connect with my wife and family.”

OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME, WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE SPACE? “ We have a wonderful cottage in Langebaan in the West Coast National Park. It’s in Churchhaven, off the grid, beautiful and incredibly peaceful.”

ON A SUNDAY NIGHT, HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR THE WEEK AHEAD? “I try and enjoy my Sunday night and not let the week ahead impact it. I rather push out my planning to very early on Monday morning.”

BEST REASON YOU LAST SWITCHED YOUR PHONE TO AEROPLANE MODE?

For a fantastic week in the Seychelles with my family. I must say, I was very impressed with the level of activity. There’s lots to do. We were quite active, even though you think of the Seychelles as a fly-and-flop destination. We fished, we snorkeled and we hiked.”

Downtime Hotlist

Go-to out-of-office outfit: My cycling kit. Your happy place: My family home in St James, Cape Town, along the False Bay coastline. A book you’d recommend: I’m reading one now which I’m finding very interesting. It’s called The 100-Year Life Hidden gem you love: A little wine bar in Noordhoek called Furny’s. It’s a great little find. A hobby you’d like to get into: I’d love to further my interest in wine and make my own. One luxury that’s actually a necessity: I think treating yourself to a trip to the bush.