I-MAGAZINE has teamed up with coaching and content partnership company Debrett’s to give away three notebooks to three readers, to enter email info@imagazineuk.com with ‘Debrett’s’, in the subject heading AND follow @IMAGAZINE_UK on Twitter if you are not already. Please note if you do not receive a reply you have not been chosen. About Debrett’s…
Read MoreHow did you first become involved with tennis and did you go on to play professionally? I started playing tennis when I was 4 years old while my parents were going to the country club on the weekends and I fell in love with the sport at first sight. I was a very shy and…
Read MoreNo truly global “world order” has ever existed. What passes for order in our time was devised in Western Europe nearly four centuries ago, at a peace conference in the German region of Westphalia, conducted without the involvement or even the awareness of most other continents or civilizations. A century of sectarian conflict and political…
Read MoreI was appointed General Director of Scottish Opera, Scotland’s national opera company and largest performing arts organisation, in 2006. The Company was founded in 1962 by Sir Alexander Gibson, who wanted ‘to lay the treasures of opera at the feet of the people of Scotland’, and inaugurated with a production of Madama Butterfly at the…
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The Amalfi Coast is the pinnacle of the Italian dream. Tucked amongst the lemon blossoms and the bougainvillea is a line of thirteen towns that comprise the Amalfi Coast. Known for its vertical landscape, the villages are only accessible via the Strada Statale 163 — a narrow, winding, cliffside route that while unsettling to traverse,…
Read MoreWhen it comes to very grand hotels, there is no more competitive arena than Paris. Eight hotels in the city now carry the French government-sanctioned “palace” status, the better-than-five star classification introduced in 2010 and granted only to hotels that “symbolise excellence and perfection”, to whose ranks the venerable Ritz and Crillon will surely be…
Read MoreClement Attlee bestrides the twentieth-century history of the Labour Party. Its greatest constructive achievements are his government’s achievements. The British welfare state, including the National Health Service, the nationaliz-ations, independence for India, and the Atlanticism of his government’s foreign policy were all central pillars of British politics for many years after his government left office.…
Read MoreWhat was studying at Cambridge like? Cambridge was an intense bubble, so unlike anything I’d experienced before. Study was rigorous and there was a lot of pressure, but it was the most stimulating environment, and the opportunity to focus solely on nurturing your mind is so unique. I made some really special friendships and got…
Read MoreCan you tell me a bit about how Backes & Strauss began. Backes & Strauss began in 1789 when Mr. Backes registered as a goldsmith in Hanau, Germany. The business prospered and in 1814 his son moved to London to open a workshop in Holborn Viaduct. We have been present in London continuously since that…
Read MoreHow are you feeling as the brand enters its 30th year? It is difficult to be in a celebratory mood when the entire world is coming to a standstill. I had many plans for events during this year to mark this special milestone but it would be a lack of respect to do so in the…
Read MoreThe Wiener Holocaust Library has existed for over 80 years. How much has it changed since its beginnings? Alfred Wiener set up the Library in 1933 living in exile in the Netherlands. Facing the growing Nazi menace, Wiener ultimately chose to ship the organisation and its collections to London, just before the war. Once there,…
Read MoreI believe mental health is the last great taboo in business and breaking it is central to creating a more prosperous and resilient society. If we fail then people will continue to suffer in silence. They will continue to fall back on the ever present self-destructive ‘coping devices’ of alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling and eating…
Read More‘The dial monument at the center of ‘Seven Dials’, Covent Garden is the main focal point of the area, each street leading off the round about hosts a different personality with a fantastic variety of brands on offer. Packed with independent boutiques, international fashion labels, heritage brands, beauty salons, men’s grooming specialists, traditional pubs, cool…
Read MoreJustice of the Supreme Court, Jonathan Sumption talks to I-MAGAZINE’s Henry Hopwood-Phillips about language, history, politics and the fourth volume of his history on the Hundred Years’ War. Any hard won lessons in life? No it’s been terribly cushy. OK—any moderately difficult hurdles sur- mounted? I suppose I was in academia for long enough before…
Read MoreThe Dolder Grand in Zurich was built in 1897 on top of the wooded Adlisberg Mountain in order to provide a place of regeneration. Basel architect Jacques Gros threw open its doors in 1899 and could not have picked a better location. The view from this hotel takes your breath away as the city cascades…
Read MoreHow did you first become involved with interior design? And has it always been a passion of yours? From a young age I’d been obsessed with design and interiors and when I was 16, I got my first big break designing the kitchen of a family friend. It was a big project and I was…
Read MoreThe face of Cardiff has changed dramatically in the past thirty-two years. From Lord Crickhowell leading charge with the creation of the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation (CBDC) in 1987, to the ambitious new-build projects in the city centre, Cardiff appears to be in a constant state of change. Whilst the priorities of Cardiff’s regeneration have…
Read MoreAmong the bustling side streets of Central London on a typical rainy Thursday in autumnal London, lies a hidden gem with a glittering red sign emblazing the word ‘Hakkasan.’ A Michelin star restaurant created by Syra Khan and Alan Yau, founder of Wagamama and Yauatcha. As you enter the door and you’re greeted with the…
Read MoreYou are known as ‘’the best polo player in England’’, what kind of pressure does this bring? And does it affect your performance at all? That’s nice to hear, but it’s not true. There is a group of us – and we are all doing our best to be right at the top of polo…
Read MoreAmal Clooney was a prominent international human rights lawyer long before she acquired a famous name from her husband, Hollywood actor George Clooney, she discusses the plight of her client Mohamed Nasheed, the former president, Democratically elected, of the Maldives, islands in the Indian Ocean, he has since been granted asylum in the UK. The…
Read MoreWhite marble floors glisten throughout the lobby and every Louis XIV style incidental table is adorned with a unique arrangement of freshly cut flowers. There is a garden at the back of the hotel that is large enough to be considered a park by most urban standards. There is a feeling of space and serenity…
Read MoreCan you tell us about your artistic background prior to opening Box Galleries? I started Box Galleries in 2012, having worked in a large commercial gallery and being given enough autonomy to have the belief I could do it myself! Although I studied Law I always had a creative side and, at one point, was…
Read More“I love man as my fellow; but his sceptre, real, or usurped, extends not to me, unless the reason of an individual demands my homage; and even then the submission is to reason, and not to man.” Mary Wollstonecraft, A vindication of the Rights of Woman, written in the year of Marie-Louise’s birth Today, we…
Read MoreI read that you studied sports science at the University of Stirling. You then became a rugby player, fitness coach and then model. How did you get into your career as an actor? I played rugby in a world cup at under 20’s level in Italy. I then studied a Masters Degree and stayed in sport…
Read MoreThe Athenaeum Hotel & Residences on Piccadilly in London’s Mayfair, is a stylish 5-star boutique Hotel, offering comfort with a luxurious touch. Overlooking Green Park, the hotel has a very natural feel, from the views over the park to the visually stunning vertical garden, running up the corner of the building. This “natural” feel is…
Read MoreHoused in the five star hotel, entering Galvin at The Athenaeum is a lavish affair, as we made our way past the comfortable lounge area to the restaurant itself. The restaurant is sleek and classy and hasn’t been over-designed, syncing with the decor of the hotel itself. We were seated at a table for two…
Read MoreWhat do you think is special or unique about the way Channel 4 News delivers the news? We have an hour where most other TV news programmes have to settle for less than half that time. It means that we can go into subjects in depth and interview newsmakers at length. On the night the…
Read MoreTHE ENTOURAGE GROUP is renowned for creating internationally acclaimed food and beverage concepts across the world. Its wide range of expertise has been cultivated extensively through years of hospitality management, operations and fine dining experience. CEO Stephanie Pearson, originally from the UK, and husband, Founder and co-owner Yossi Eliyahoo, have raised the standard in the global hospitality sector, since…
Read MoreHello Henry, you have achieved some remarkable feats. Have you always had an adventurous streak? My parents run a small travel business, so that inquisitive nature was with me from an early age, but it really all began after I left school and travelled to Kenya to work as a guide on a riding safari.…
Read MoreThe phrases ‘corporate hospitality’ and ‘hospitality industry’ make me uncomfortable. They seem to come from the dictionary of double-speak, loaded with contradiction that threatens to pervert our civil society. Hospitality must never be commercial or industrial – quite the reverse. It is generous and intimate: present in the sincerity of a smile, the twinkle of…
Read MoreI received an email from Harvard Business Review recently. They were offering a series of books called ‘How to be human at work’. A six-volume HBR Emotional Intelligence Boxed Set.And a snip at just $99.99. I am not making this up. A lot of people are at it. In fact, you get over a thousand results…
Read MoreIt is at a time of enormous domestic & international geopolitical flux that I reflect on how the UK might become fit for purpose in the 21st Century. One has to be careful distinguishing between what is hoped for & what is likely to happen. For example, wouldn’t it be marvellous if the Korean…
Read MoreCentral banks were often established in the past with the aim of bringing stability in the aftermath of historic episodes. The Bank of England was established during the sovereign debt crisis of 1690, when the government was unable to obtain funding in the market. The Federal Reserve was created after a series of panics that…
Read MoreYou’ve been called the Godfather of Spanish cooking here in the UK, how do you feel about that title and how has the British’s attitude towards Spanish cuisine changed from when you first arrived in London, 20 years ago. That’s very flattering! When I arrived in London 20 years ago I couldn’t speak a word…
Read MoreYou coined the term ‘Youpreneur’, which is also the title of your recent book ‘Rise of the Youpreneur: The Definitive Guide to Becoming the Go-To Leader in Your Industry and Building a Futureproof Business’. What does ‘Youpreneur’ mean? A Youpreneur is someone who builds a profitable business based around themselves, their experience, their personality, and…
Read MoreEvery entrepreneur, at some point in their career, will be faced with the same question: how can I be sure it’s the right time to give up the safety of my job and become a full-time entrepreneur? Making this leap of faith is not a decision to be taken lightly. If your company has reached…
Read MoreSo, does it matter that one of our top Ambassador’s has to resign because of a leaked confidential assessment of Donald Trump and the current US government? Yes – it most certainly does, and it is enormously damaging and not just because President Trump doesn’t take kindly to criticism. It matters because Ambassadors are expected,…
Read MoreIn an age when communication takes place almost exclusively via screens, why should we still value the pen? Handwriting is an important tool for our cognitive development; it’s proven that handwriting has a direct impact on our reading and recall capabilities. Writing by hand, not on a device, provides a complete individuality and freedom to…
Read MoreI have been increasingly concerned over the use of referendums in the United Kingdom. I do not like referendums. I think Britain functions much better under Edmund Burke’s representative democracy model, where MPs and Governments can be thrown out if the electorate so wish. By and large, referendums do more harm than good. There are,…
Read MoreWhy are the WMAs important? The World Media Awards are hosted by the World Media Group, a strategic alliance of the world’s leading international media brands, and together we represent a strong quality environment for advertising going forward. Our role is to be the champion of high quality and trusted journalism. With the back drop…
Read MoreWhat happens if we do bust the 1,000-gigaton carbon budget? We can still bring concentrations of those gases back down to a level that sustains a stable climate. We won’t get back quite the climate of the last 500 years, but we can shoot for one that future generations can adjust to. We have some…
Read MoreI entered the world of executive recruitment with the perspective I gained over twenty years in the boardroom. My journey along the corridors of corporate power demonstrates how tough it has been for the boardroom to reflect the ethnic and gender diversity visible in today’s society. I do not believe this is a deliberate strategy…
Read MoreWhere do you live and spend most of your time? I live in London throughout the year. This is where I’ve lived since I was 8, and though I travel a huge amount, and have a place in Italy, there’s no doubt that I’m a Londoner first and foremost. How important is philanthropy to you?…
Read MoreHow did you get involved with the Gulf? When the late King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, the custodian of the two great Mosques, launched his interfaith initiative in 2008, the then Saudi Ambassador to the United States, Adel al-Jubeir, reached out to invite me to the first interfaith gathering convened by King Abdullah and the…
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Capri, a resort island dating back to the height of the Roman Empire, has long been an extraordinary destination full of ancient charm. Cherished by everyone from physician Axel Munthe, who recommended its clean air to his patients as a cure for bronchitis; to film director Jean-Luc Godard as the setting for his 1963 film…
Read MoreAlexander Johnson is not what you might expect from a man who was, at the age of 23, the youngest CEO on the London Stock Exchange. Softly spoken, with an unassuming air about him, it’s difficult to imagine the former stockbroker playing hardball in business. But having been at the helm of several successful companies, he’s now…
Read MoreThe endless arm wrestling over Brexit has meant that Britain has been eyes down since June 2016, preoccupied with the backstop, the deal or no deal, and the internal agonies of the Conservative Party. The opportunity costs in terms of pressing domestic issues neglected are obvious. Much less discussed has been the long term future…
Read MorePerhaps an apology is needed for inflicting upon the public yet another book on Brexit. Someone has remarked that everything possible about Brexit has already been said, but it has not yet been said by everybody! But my recently published book, Beyond Brexit, is not about the whys and wherefores of Brexit. It seeks instead…
Read MoreWhere to Begin When I was first encouraged to write the book that would one day be Brick by Brick: Success in Business and Life, I was in my early 30’s and felt a bit embarrassed and uncomfortable with the idea. I was busy building my businesses, investing in property and focusing on the future,…
Read MoreSeveral years ago, a friend took me to an auction of old watches in Switzerland. He told me he was keen to buy one made by Breguet; I had no idea what he was talking about, but I went with him to the pre-sale exhibition, and what I saw opened my eyes to a branch…
Read MoreSince Nobu Hospitality moved into the hotel industry five years ago, the luxury lifestyle brand has grown to operate across five continents. On track to operate 20 hotels by 2020, the iconic portfolio will see properties in Barcelona, Los Cabos and Chicago launch this year alone. With a career in luxury hospitality spanning more than…
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Carlos Mota is the mastermind behind the amazing photographs seen in all the top design magazines, including Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, House & Garden, Vanity Fair, Departures, and Interior Design. His gifted and educated eye for selecting furniture, textiles, accessories, and art has produced some memorable imagery. Mota is known for adding color and sophistication…
Read MoreHow did you first become involved in the development industry? After many years of working in the City as a trader for various hedge funds, I realised that I’m more of a people’s person and that a finance career would never be able to fulfill me. I have always had a strong interest in property…
Read MoreWhat was the first work of art you purchased for your collection? Was there a specific moment that was a catalyst for the start of your collecting? About 20 years ago, I went to an auction with a friend. Even though I wasn’t planning to buy an artwork, I took a liking to a small…
Read MorePartridges opened its doors for the first time at 132 Sloane Street on 25th May 1972 at 9am. A former car showroom had been transformed into a delicatessen with the slogan “Good things for the larder”. It was the vision of my older brother Richard who after studying at the LSE with Mick Jagger, among…
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