During a discussion marking the death of Margaret Thatcher in April 2012, the journalist and broadcaster Andrew Neil turned to Shirley Williams, the Liberal Democrat peer and former Labour Cabinet minister, and asked her why Thatcher had beaten her in the race to become Britain’s first female prime minister. It was a pertinent question because…
Read MoreRichard Ovenden – Curator, Bodleian Library in Oxford
The position of Bodley’s Librarian is one of the top librarian jobs in the world. Richard Ovenden took the job in 2014, becoming the twenty-fifth curator of the legendary Bodleian Library in Oxford. As such, he is responsible for the largest university library in the UK and one of the major research libraries in the…
Read MorePeter Speake-Marin – The Luxury Watch Industry
The watch industry as we see it today is a constantly adapting animal. Born essentially from an innovation one century ago and forever adapting to its place in the world. An explosion of creativity in the first half of the 20th century in design and mechanics surrounding this innovation of the wristwatch gave birth to…
Read MoreFiona Dunlop – In Cáceres with José Pizarro
Sometimes even the best-made plans unspool alarmingly – but when they involve the gregarious chef, José Pizarro, that seems almost par for the course. Fiona Dunlop embarks on a voyage of Extremaduran discovery with the London-based chef. Hyperactive, he moves at lightning speed between his three London restaurants, his home city of Cáceres and finally…
Read MoreRobert Lacey – Model Woman
Between 1947 and 2007 Eileen Ford created the largest and longest lasting model agency the world has ever seen, famed for its blonde and slinky beauties whose thighs would stretch for miles. If you booked a Ford model, you got Ferrari and Porsche glamour—with Rolls-Royce prestige and prices: Jerry Hall, Lauren Hutton, Christie Brinkley, Christie…
Read MoreGisela Stuart MP – The Importance of Anniversaries
Anniversaries are helpful to put things into context. Give or take a year or two it’s 100 years since world war one started, 50 years since Winston Churchill died, 40 years since the UK joined the then Common Market and its been just over 25 years since the Berlin Wall fell. After that the Soviet…
Read MoreD.L Osborne – The Grand Tour, Geneva Region, Switzerland
Orson Welles said Switzerland’s accolades amount to 500 years of peace, brotherly love and the invention of the cuckoo clock. He was a cynic. What Switzerland symbolizes for the 21st century traveller is remarkable. Within this landlocked nation, her incredible natural beauty and peace allow you to be yourself because her prosperity and cleverly developed…
Read MoreTej Kholi – The Business of Philanthropy
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…
Read MorePresident of The USA, Donald J. Trump
As Chairman and President of the enormously successful Trump Organization, how do you see the business evolving over the next ten years or so? For example will you be branching out into other industries to seek growth or stick to your current mainstays? That’s hard to determine. I’m always open to possibilities, and we have…
Read MoreBen Derbyshire, President, RIBA
What exactly does RIBA (The Royal Institute of British Architects) do? The Royal Institute of British Architects is a global professional membership body driving excellence in architecture. We serve our members and society to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. Being inclusive, ethical, environmentally aware and collaborative underpins all that…
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