Business & Philanthropy

In 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…

Where 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?…

Since 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…

Partridges 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…

Betts was founded in 1760 and is now in its third century of trading. Tell us a little about the history of Betts. The business was founded to service the newly developed jewellery industry in Birmingham at the start of the industrial revolution. Obviously a lot has changed since then, with huge technological developments in…

How did you get your start in residential property? I had set my sights on being a lawyer. However, whilst undergoing my law degree, I took a work experience role with a property company and rather surprised myself when I fell in love with the world of property. So after I completed my degree I…

There is a great difference between charity and philanthropy, but it is a difference that is too often ignored. Charity is the act of giving money, any amount, but not actively engaging in the cause. Philanthropy involves giving money, certainly, but also requires personal and proactive involvement. The traditional image of the billionaire philanthropist is…

When I was in my late 20s, I worked with a lady who had recently retired. Virginia (as I will call her) volunteered a few days each week at the public-service organization where I worked. One day, as we were assembling materials for a direct-mail publicity campaign, we began to talk about money. I will…

Have you ever overheard friends or colleagues talking about the great companies they’ve invested in? Or maybe you’ve listened to them bragging about what an amazing return on investment they’ve achieved or how cool the businesses are: a trendy boutique bistro pub, a new micro-brewery, a designer watch company supplying celebrities and famous footballers, the…