Heading stateside
Perfecting the art of shooting since 1835.
HAMISH MACKIE SCULPTURE
LIFE IN BRONZE
Providing a co-ordinated and centralised suite of regulated professional services to our discerning clients across the globe.
Drawn from lawyers, accountants, wealth managers, tax and fiduciary advisors and other experts across the globe, we come together to provide a seamless service for all our clients’ business and personal needs. With a history dating back to the 1770s, and Headquartered in the heart of London’s West End, we also have representative offices in Almaty, Geneva, Gibraltar and Malta and a wider international reach through our trusted professional partners.
PROFESSIONAL SOLUTIONS
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T: +44 (0) 20 7529 5420 • E: info@burlingtons.group
www.burlingtons.group
CEO
Deborah
Mills
CEO Burlingtons Group (deborah.mills@burlingtons.group)
We are living in a time of great change and turmoil, marked by general elections taking place around the world, including in the UK prior to this Summer issue of Burlingtons going to press, as well as in America in November.
In this issue, Alistair Muscat, Head of Wealth Management at Integra, takes a closer look at the challenges of wealth management during such uncertain times (pages 36-39). We also offer some expert advice from two members of our Burlingtons legal team – head of litigation Dominic Holden and senior associate solicitor Oliver Subhedar – and on how organisations can protect themselves against cyberattacks (pages 50-54).
As always, we have had a busy few months at Burlingtons, as I outline in my CEO’s Diary on pages 16-19. Perhaps our most exciting development is a new strategic partnership with Auxana Holdings and its group, including the US law firm Practus. This is a hugely exciting opportunity for both Burlingtons and Auxana, benefiting our clients on both sides of the Atlantic. Turn to pages 20-23 to learn more.
As well as these insights into the work of Burlingtons and just what we can do to support you, our clients, we offer our usual range of luxury lifestyle features.
Learn more about the Cowes Regatta (pages 60-65), meet some of the rising young stars of the opera scene (30-35), take a closer look at some of the most luxurious eco safaris (pages 72-78), and don’t miss out on the very best that money can buy in The Ultimate (pages 66-71).
As we all look to the future, the Burlingtons team is always on hand to assist you with your plans. We look forward to hearing from you.
Deborah Mills Chief executive officer Burlingtons
Group Limited
Articles and other contributions published in this journal may be reproduced only with special permission from the Burlingtons Group. Burlingtons Group and the publishers (CPL One) accept no responsibility for any views or statements made in the articles and other contributions reproduced from any other source. No responsibility is accepted for the claims in advertisements appearing in this journal and the publishers reserve the right to accept or refuse advertisements at their discretion.
Burlingtons magazine is published by CPL One Ltd. www.cplone.co.uk
BURLINGTONS GROUP
Deborah Mills CEO Burlingtons Group (deborah.mills@burlingtons.group)
Katie Archer Office Manager (katie.archer@burlingtons.legal)
Rob Prince Managing Director of Real Estate (rob.prince@burlingtons.realestate)
Alistair Muscat Head of Wealth Management (am@integra-pw.com)
Burlingtons magazine is published by CPL One
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EDITORIAL
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Editor: Amy Bennett Sub Editor: Phil Minett
Contributors: Amy Bennett, Kayleigh Dray, Dominic Holden, Andy Morris, Alistair Muscat, Oliver Subhedar, Peter Taylor-Whiffen & Mike Williams
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THE SEASON
Plan your visit to some of the top arts, cultural and sporting events this summer
To see how we can help with our wide range of professional services, please go to our website, available on your computer, tablet or smartphone, at www.burlingtons.group 12
ALL ABOARD
Discover more about the iconic event that starts the summer season in Britain
CEO’S DIARY
Deborah Mills reflects on a busy few months and introduces some new team members
BOODLES
The family-run luxury jeweller that simply wants its customers to have a jolly nice time
The past is present in Washington DC’s best bars and restaurants
Navigating wealth management in a turbulent world
Meet Burlingtons’ family law specialist who offers support to the police and armed forces
The expected highlights and history of this eight-week classical music extravaganza
Rising stars ensuring the classical art form stays centre stage
The experiences and purchases that are the pick of the season
How companies can protect themselves from the rising threat of cybercrime
Luxurious walks on the wild side with conservation at their heart
THE SEASON
Essential dates for the diary
JULY
■ 19 JULY – FIRST NIGHT OF THE PROMS
Last Night of the Proms might get all the glory, but the First Night marks the start of more than 50 days of world-class music from London’s Royal Albert Hall, as well as venues around Britain. Watch conductor Elim Chan make her First Night of the Proms debut, conducting music including Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks, as well as soloist Isata Kanneh-Mason, featured in the Autumn 2023 issue of Burlingtons
■ 27 JULY-2 AUGUST –COWES WEEK
Set sail for one of the oldest regattas in the world, with a history stretching back to 1826. With more than 5,000 competitors, the event draws crowds in excess of 60,000. Make sure you get close to the action by enjoying lavish hospitality aboard a chartered superyacht. You and up to 12 guests can enjoy a champagne breakfast, followed by a sumptuous three-course lunch and afternoon tea, all while enjoying the thrilling action on the water.
■ 26 JULY-11 AUGUST –OLYMPIC GAMES, PARIS
Buckle in for 16 days of the very best in sport, as the world’s elite clash at the XXXIII Olympiad. Don’t miss the opening ceremony, taking place along the banks of the Seine. Book one of the lavish suites at the George V hotel to ensure you’re fully rested for the following day’s events, or take a trip to the Ritz to enjoy a refreshing cocktail at Bar Hemingway.
■ 30 JULY-3 AUGUST – GLORIOUS GOODWOOD
A truly iconic event, Glorious Goodwood is less formal than Royal Ascot, but no less prestigious. Don your best Panama hat, pack up a picnic and journey to the South Downs to enjoy world-class horseracing against one of the most beautiful backdrops in Britain. With Group 1 action throughout the five days, there is plenty to enjoy, but why not put on your finery and revel in Ladies’ Day on 1 August, where high fashion and high stakes come together.
AUG
■ 22-25 AUGUST – HUBLOT POLO GOLD CUP, GSTAAD
A truly unique sporting event, the Hublot Polo Gold Cup takes place in the unlikely venue of Gstaad/Saanen airport in the Swiss Alps, at an altitude of 1,100m. Transformed for four days into a lavish polo pitch, flanked by breathtaking mountains, the airfield plays hosts to some of the world’s top polo players. Settle into the historic Gstaad Palace Hotel to enjoy stunning views and the finest dining.
■ 12 AUGUST –GLORIOUS TWELFTH
Ready the guns as the Glorious Twelfth signals the start of the grouse-shooting season in the UK. Book a place on a shoot on the Phoines Estate, which covers 22,000 acres in the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands. It offers driven and walk-up shooting on one of the country’s most challenging grouse moors. Book a day in one of the estate’s 200-year-old grouse butts or join the guns across the varied terrain leading down to the River Spey.
■ 26 AUGUST-8 SEPTEMBER – US OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
With a capacity of 23,771, how do you secure the best seat in the Arthur Ashe Stadium from which to enjoy every volley of the US Open Championship? Make sure you opt for the Courtside Premier package, to get prime courtside seats, an in-seat drinks service, an onsite concierge service, and exclusive access to practice courts.
■ 28-31 AUGUST – SALON PRIV É
What Royal Ascot is to racing and the Henley Regatta is to rowing, Salon Privé is to luxury cars. From vintage to modern classics and supercars, there is something for everyone at this event, which takes place in the spectacular grounds of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. Take a break from viewing the superlative horsepower to enjoy fine dining in the Glass House. With views over the Water Terraces, sample the bespoke three-course menu, paired with the finest champagne and followed up with afternoon tea.
SEPT
■ 5-8 SEPTEMBER – BURGHLEY HORSE TRIALS
Don wellies and tweed to revel in one of the world’s most iconic five-star equestrian occasions. This three-day event also boasts one of the finest stages, taking place against the spectacular backdrop of the historic Burghley House, near Stamford, Lincolnshire. Two days of elegant dressage competition are followed by the demands of the four-mile cross-country course, and a final day of showjumping, after which a champion is crowned.
■ 2-15 SEPTEMBER – THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO
As the Royal Opera House starts its autumn season in Covent Garden, the timeless music of Mozart takes centre stage with the comic opera
The Marriage of Figaro
Finish your evening with a nightcap at NoMad Hotel’s Atrium Bar on Bow Street, and sample the late-night snacks menu, featuring delicacies such as caviar on griddled potato bread or oysters with a hibiscus mignonette.
■ 17-22 SEPTEMBER – BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
The historic West Course at Wentworth Club in Virginia Water, Surrey, hosts The Festival of Golf – four days of the finest action from the world’s best golfers. Make sure you don’t miss a stroke of the action by selecting Green on 18, offering all-day access to a greenside terrace, along with the finest food and drink throughout the competition.
■ 25-28 SEPTEMBER – MONACO YACHT SHOW
What better setting to view some of the world’s best luxury yachts than Port Hercule in Monaco? Now in its 33rd year, the Monaco Yacht Show showcases the latest in innovation and elegance. A Sapphire Experience Pass gives you unparalleled access to the superyacht lifestyle, while a stay at the historic Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo adds that extra touch of luxury to your visit, with the Diamond Suite offering sweeping views of the magnificent bay.
BURLINGTONS FORGING AHEAD
Burlingtons CEO Deborah Mills reflects on a busy few months for the organisation and introduces several new team members
As we move into the summer months –and hopefully glimpse some long-awaited sunshine – things continue to move at a good pace here at Burlingtons HQ. Over the course of the past year, we have added more than 20 staff to our team here at our London headquarters in Mayfair.
TERINA KISS joined us recently as a family law partner (learn more about Terina in our profile on pages 20-23). With a strong background of working with police forces and the military, and as a former champion in karate, (so not someone to mess with!), Terina has made substantial business development in linking Burlingtons to the Armed Forces Covenant.
I look forward to sharing more news on this with you in our autumn issue of Burlingtons. Thanks to Terina’s hard work and connections, we now represent eight police constabularies in England, a development of which we are extremely proud.
JO MACKIE has also joined as an employment partner with a strong focus on representing business owners – her client base is very impressive. Jo acts for international and national businesses and brings 20 years of experience in employment law. She loves working with entrepreneurs and supporting them to achieve their potential and drive business growth.
Jo is also a media personality, having appeared on shows with Vanessa Feltz and Trisha Goddard, Talk TV with Mike Graham and Ian Collins, on BBC Radio and Sky TV. She is also the in-house employment law expert for The Times and Raconteur
We are also pleased to advise that DEENA IQBAL joined Burlingtons in June as Head of Private Client, bringing a wealth of expertise in wills, trusts and wealth management. Supported by Rose Varsani, we see the increase in our private client team, both contentious and non-contentious, as an important development in our professional service offering, supporting our international clients not just in their business affairs but their personal needs.
As we have announced in previous editions of Burlingtons magazine, our Asia Desk is doing incredibly well under the dynamic guidance of JOYCE CHEUNG and her team. Joyce is currently in Hong Kong, and we have now made a direct approach to the Hong Kong Law Society for the firm to be recognised there.
The team has also expanded with the addition of EVELINE LOH as a litigation partner, concentrating on commercial and property litigation. Eli Lee, also operating within the Asia Desk, has been invited to be a guest speaker at a significant conference in Indonesia towards the end of the year. We will cover that in our winter edition of Burlingtons
After the completion of our Spanish alliance agreement with Zadal lawyers in Madrid, we have hired corporate partner JAMES BRUMWELL to work on the development and cohesion of our Spanish Desk. James was born in Chile and has spent many years working in Spain, particularly in Barcelona, and naturally he is a fluent Spanish speaker. In early July, James will be visiting Madrid to meet the Zadal team, together with our network of consultants operational in Valencia and Malaga. With a primary focus on the real estate sector, the Malaga team refer off-market real estate opportunities available in Spain and beyond to our real estate brokerage team in London.
All these developments sit well with our strategic alliance agreement with US law firm Practus, which we signed in June. Over the years, I have got to know its CEO and founder, JOHN LIVELY, very well. We are very like-minded in our business approach with a common desire to build a boutique, but internationally positioned, professional service offering. You can learn more about our alliance on pages 20-23. With John, we will be exploring how to strengthen our relationships ‘across the pond’, and, indeed, James will be working closely with Practus’ Buenos Aires office.
We also hope to announce the closing of a significant transaction for our Burlingtons Real Estate arm, with a transaction of more than £20m likely to close in July. As well as this, we also have a proposed joint venture with a tax team and an acquisition of a small, four-person real estate team with strong client ties to Dubai and the rest of the UAE – an area of significant interest to us as we continue to expand our client base there.
Lastly, we must not forget ALISTAIR MUSCAT, CEO of Integra Private Wealth, which is based in Malta. Alistair’s asset management business has also continued to grow this year, together with the launch of its corporate service and funds administration business.
In June, INTEGRA held a 15th birthday party for the business in the beautiful grounds of the old British hospital across from Malta's Valletta harbour. The event was stunning, with more than 150 guests.
Finally, pop in your diary our autumn webinar, which will take place on 12 September at 3pm BST. This will be a roundtable discussion about the aftermath of the UK's general election, which took place on 4 July. We will be discussing what we see as key indicators for our clients in their various businesses.
STRATEGIC ALLIANCE
In early June, the Burlingtons Group signed a strategic alliance agreement with Auxana Holdings and its group, which includes the US law firm Practus, LLP. Read on to learn more about the benefits this will have for clients on both sides of the Atlantic
Words: Deborah Mills
On behalf of the Burlingtons Group, I am delighted to have signed a strategic alliance agreement with US-based Auxana Holdings. The Auxana Holdings ecosystem includes two US law firms, Practus, LLP and Auxana Legal, as well as a consulting arm and managed services company.
The Auxana group operates throughout the United States and Argentina. The completion of this strategic alliance agreement strengthens the mutual desire of both Burlingtons and Auxana to continue to expand our global footprint. With more than 75 professionals spanning the Americas, Auxana enhances the provision of a full range of professional services to our international clients in nearly every jurisdiction in the world, at the highest service level.
As you will have read in previous editions of this magazine, the Burlingtons Group now operates from its London headquarters in Mayfair with a staff of more than 60
people, and has operational bases in Malta and Spain. The formation of our Asia Desk last autumn will undoubtedly lead to the opening of our Hong Kong office later this year, and we recently announced our joint venture with our Spanish friends operating out of Madrid.
Auxana and Burlingtons have aligned values, operating with a team of talented lawyers and professionals predominantly hailing from global law firms and corporations serving similar market sectors and expertise. This collaboration is therefore seen by all at Auxana and Burlingtons as an exciting development for both businesses at a time of worldwide sociopolitical and geopolitical flux.
With both Burlingtons and Auxana we have very focused, united views on what we want to achieve. Our alliance is cemented through the goal of supporting and expanding our mutual client base collectively throughout the USA, South America, the UK and Europe, with further growth into Asia through our Burlingtons Hong Kong office in due course.
“WHEN I WAS INTRODUCED TO DEBORAH, I KNEW... THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT ALIGNMENT AND SYNERGIES BETWEEN OUR ORGANISATIONS”
– JOHN LIVELY, PRACTUS
Fundamentally, the leaderships of Burlingtons and Auxana believe that this alliance represents a significant step towards building a globally recognised professional services organisation that is comprised of fellow lawyers and other professionals who can be relied upon by our clients to achieve their commercial objectives no matter where they are in the world.
SUPPORTING CLIENTS
Indeed, ahead of the formal signing of the strategic alliance agreement, we were already engaging and supporting our clients. For example, Claudine Lawrence, our corporate partner in London, has an international wine import and export business. Having decided to launch in Florida, we reached out to the Practus Miami office to assist our client with the establishment of the local US business, as well as employment and other contracts in line with local Florida state laws.
The fact that our American friends also have a Buenos Aires office is strategically important to Burlingtons as well. Operating in South America – particularly in a Spanishspeaking country – fits perfectly with our mutual ambitions to engage with Spanish-speaking clients. This is all the more impactful because of our recently announced joint venture with Spanish law firm Zadal, based in Madrid.
Ready and waiting to look after our Spanish and Argentinian relations is new hire James Brumwell, a corporate partner and fluent Spanish speaker. Although British and an English qualified solicitor, James was born in Chile and has spent many years living and working throughout Spain. He visited Madrid at the beginning of July to explore the relationship with Zadal, while also meeting with our consultants in Malaga and Valencia. The focus here is to investigate off-market deals, particularly in real estate where we have, for example, several mandates for sales of hotels along the Costa del Sol, a region that has in recent years highlighted a re-emergence of the global love for Marbella.
I have recently moved back from Mijas, a beautiful white pueblo settled in the Sierra Nevada mountains not far from Malaga, where we locked down during the pandemic. This is because of Burlingtons’ business having expanded a great deal in the last 12 months, with more than 20 new people joining us in the London office, along with the launch of our Asia Desk, the joint venture with Zadal and now the bond we have with Practus in the US.
John Lively, Managing Partner and founder of Auxana/ Practus, is based in Charleston, South Carolina, and has had an impressive career spanning 20+ years primarily focused on the financial services sector. On the Practus
website, John cites some fun facts about himself, including that his alternative career, if he hadn’t been a lawyer, would be a pig farmer! Funnily enough, as a youngster at school, my own career officer cited lawyer, teacher or pig farmer! I am not sure what the nuance is there but clearly we are very aligned personally. The only thing against him is that he likes Bolero, by Maurice Ravel; personally, I’m a Bach fan!
Speaking about the new alliance, John commented: ‘When I was introduced to Deborah, I knew almost immediately that there was significant alignment and synergies between our organisations.
‘What the Burlingtons group has built is something that we aspire to see more of here in the US. By formalising this partnership, Auxana looks forward to learning from Deborah and the team and expanding our client services beyond the Americas.’
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
As senior partner and founder of Burlingtons Group, I completely concur. At a time of global insecurities, political, social and economic, expanding our business relationships across the world with people we can admire and rely on, and with people who hold similar ethical values to our own, is hugely important to us.
Reflecting on volatile times takes you back to the last World War; we can only pray that the current conflicts around the world will not mean a return to such days. On that note, on 20 January 1941 President Roosevelt wrote to Churchill quoting the poem by Longfellow, The Building of the Ship. The letter was hand-delivered to the British Prime Minister by Wendell Wilkie, President Roosevelt’s Republican opponent in the 1940 Presidential election. Churchill, desperate for US support, found the letter an inspiration and told President Roosevelt that he would have it framed. The letter hung for a long time at Chartwell, Churchill’s country home; hence it faded from the original green of White House stationery to brown.
“Sail on, oh ship of state
Sail on, oh union strong and great.”
With Burlingtons and Auxana we also sail forth together and look forward to updating our readers in forthcoming editions of Burlingtons magazine as to how our engagement with our American friends is progressing.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, VISIT:
auxana.com
ADDING SPARKLE TO YOUR LIFE
Family-owned luxury jeweller Boodles doesn’t want its customers to simply buy beautiful gems – it wants them to have a jolly nice time while they do it!
Words: Peter Taylor-Whiffen
BUYING jewellery, says Michael Wainwright, should always be a unique experience. ‘It’s such a thoughtful, considered purchase, often for an important occasion or as a beautiful gift for someone,’ he adds. ‘It’s always a very special and often exciting thing to do – and it’s therefore extremely important that people enjoy doing it.’
Michael has regularly witnessed that enjoyment and excitement. As chairman of Boodles, one of Britain’s most exclusive luxury jewellers and designers, he strives to make the customer experience as singular as the items they buy.
‘Our clients are not only purchasing very special pieces, they are buying into a lifestyle – and, hopefully, having a jolly nice time doing it.’
Customer service is clearly one reason this family firm, which began as a small concern in Liverpool nearly 230 years ago, has grown into one of Britain’s most exclusive jewellers, with 10 stores, including flagship premises in London’s Bond Street.
The company was founded in 1798, as Kirk & Co, a jeweller that also made chronometers for the Admiralty. In the late-19th century, it employed a pocket-watchmaker called Henry Wainwright – Michael’s great-great-grandfather – who subsequently became manager and, after his two sons joined the business, renamed it Wainwright & Sons.
In 1910, they bought the stock and goodwill of another Liverpool jeweller after the deaths of its proprietors, Mr Boodle and Mr Dunthorne. Despite the sons opting to keep the business’s name as Boodles, in the early 1990s Michael and his brother Nicholas became the fifth generation of Wainwrights to own the business – and, says Michael, ‘reinvented it’.
‘We used to be what I’d call a nice county jeweller in Liverpool and Chester, and we bought jewellery in – as many jewellers do,’ he says. ‘But then we took on [head
jewellery designer] Rebecca Hawkins and started creating our own ranges. Since 2000, everything we sell is designed by ourselves. We don’t wholesale it – you can only get it from Boodles.’
Fashions have changed in the 30 years of Michael’s tenure: ‘In the early 1990s, everyone wanted yellow gold; then it went over to white metal for a long time, platinum and white gold – but in the past five years we’ve begun to see yellow gold again.’ However, Rebecca and her team have created a consistent style, he adds: ‘It’s very gentle, very feminine. Some designers go for bold and avant-garde – that’s absolutely not us.’
Designing everything in-house drew in a whole new customer base – especially when the company expanded to several stores across the north-west of England and in Dublin in the 1990s. Even more so in 2007, when Boodles opened in New Bond Street in London’s West End.
‘We do have some iconic pieces of jewellery – two or three things that are great conduits for getting customers in. One is called our Raindance collection, which is extremely well known – our Raindance ring is in the Victoria and Albert Museum [pictured left].’
POINT OF DIFFERENCE
Another draw is the 62-faceted Ashoka-cut diamond – ‘a round stone of five carats’, says Michael. ‘All Bond Street jewellers have nice diamonds, but we’re the only ones in Europe to have the Ashoka cut. We’re also very strong on pink diamonds, which are extremely rare – and becoming rarer after their main source [the Argyle Mine in Kimberley, Western Australia] closed about three years ago. We use these small pink diamonds in our everyday icon ranges, just to make a point of difference – they’re part of our DNA.’
As you’d expect with any fine jeweller, the exclusivity of some of the most remarkable pieces is reflected in the price 〉
tag. While pieces start from around £1,100 (for a love-letter necklace) and many items cost less than £5,000, ‘our average price is around £13,000’, says Michael. And the single most expensive item? ‘We do have a ring that is a 30.75-carat diamond, which is D Colour [the highest grade], blue-white and flawless. It is in a unique air-space in the world, and is a very, very special thing to own. That’s £5 million.’
Whatever their budget, every customer deserves the same first-class treatment, maintains Michael – and that’s why Boodles determines to give its clients that ‘jolly nice time’. This includes special invitations to the company’s own star-studded tennis tournament; the ultimate luxury supercar show, Salon Privé; a boxing ball; and the Chelsea Flower Show, where Boodles regularly sponsors one of the show gardens. The ultimate highlight for many customers, however, is a day at one of the most iconic events in the horse-racing calendar, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which Boodles has sponsored since 2022.
‘That’s a fantastic day for everyone,’ says Michael. ‘Inviting our customers to enjoy, as our guests, an exclusive box and a fabulous sit-down lunch before watching the big race is truly as much fun for us as it is for them. Many of our staff build up such relationships with clients and get to know them so well over the years that we become like friends – not so much shop assistants, but friendly advisers. Online shopping means all stores in every sector are quieter than they used to be – socialising is a wonderful way of getting to know our customers.’
Those customers’ journeys are now continuing with a new generation of Wainwrights. Earlier this year, Michael, 66, stepped back from CEO to chairman, and handed over the day-to-day running of the business to his nephews, James Amos and Jody Wainwright, who are 47. He is confident his own children, twins Geordie and Honour, 28, and executive directors, will thrive when it is their turn.
‘The next generation is well catered for,’ he says. ‘Nicholas and I each own 42% of the business, but it’s not ours to sell. We’re all custodians of Boodles. We have a responsibility to our ancestors and our descendants. Twenty-five years ago, that probably weighed heavier on me, but taking the business from where it was to where it is now, I’ve got more confidence. You just hope you make more right decisions than wrong ones.’
Whatever the future, Boodles will continue to look after its customers. ‘Design, brand, customer service, they are all absolutely crucial, and they are always a work in progress,’ he says.
‘But customer service trumps everything. You give people what they want, truly showing them how much you value them, building that relationship and making their whole experience as special as it can be – that’s how you make a successful business. Jewellery fashions might change, but that’s what will keep us going into the future.’
‘THE BUSINESS IS NOT OURS TO SELL. WE’RE ALL CUSTODIANS OF BOODLES. WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO OUR ANCESTORS AND OUR DESCENDANTS’
NEW VOICES, TIMELESS ART
A classical art form with timeless tales, opera is enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Meet some of the rising stars who are ensuring that opera remains centre stage
Words: Kayleigh Dray
Opera is well and truly stepping into the spotlight. Despite being attended by less than four per cent of the adult population, the endless appeal of this most timeless of art forms is finally being recognised by modern audiences.
The average age of the Covent Garden opera-goer has gone down from 52 to 48 over the past five years, while the number of audience members aged between 20 and 29 has more than doubled. More than 100,000 people have also signed up for the Young ROH (Royal Opera House) scheme, which allows 16 to 25-year-olds to purchase tickets at £30 for midweek performances.
It’s unsurprising, then, that – despite significant funding cuts by the Arts Council – England’s opera programme looks bolder and more thrilling than ever. This year, for example, The Linbury Theatre is offering up a radically different kind of opera experience with The Sound Voice Project. The installation allows performers with voice loss to share their stories with audiences through an immersive blend of music, documentary and sound design.
Elsewhere, the Tolkien Estate has finally granted permission for a Lord of The Rings opera, with British composer Paul Corfield Godfrey the first to set Tolkien’s world-famous words to music. The opioid crisis is also to be the subject of an emotional new opera, The Galloping Cure Sarah Crabtree, creative producer at The Royal Opera, says: ‘Opera is the most multifaceted art form there is; at its best it engages song, text, visual art [and] movement, alongside the power of an orchestra to tell brilliant stories, leaving emotion stripped bare.
“It is no surprise that it is rising in popularity, particularly among young people. To sit in the auditorium and be transported away from our everyday lives and journey alongside the characters is a thrilling experience. Some were written more than 300 years ago, but the human stories they tell mirror elements of our own lives, drawing you in; you know exactly how that character is feeling. This, coupled with artists performing live, at the top of their game, makes opera an unmatchable experience.’
As we said, the future is bright and beautiful for the world of opera – something that is made clear by the brilliant new voices joining the chorus. With that in mind, here are the young British opera singers to start name-dropping…
JOHANNES MOORE
Set to perform in the Glyndebourne Chorus in productions of Carmen, Die Zauberflöte, The Merry Widow and Tristan und Isolde later this year, The Royal Academy Opera Studio’s Johannes is a baritone with a truly arresting voice.
‘I love listening to jazz, funk and film music, but I have always been most drawn to opera,’ he says. ‘Any excuse to tell stories and to play so many different characters – particularly for a baritone, as I can be a goodie/joker/lover/ baddie, and a mix of everything in between!’
RACHEL DUCKETT
Rachel is a multiple prize-winning soprano from London, who recently made her solo debut at the Royal Albert Hall for Classic FM’s LIVE event, dazzling audience members and critics alike.
‘For me, opera is the epitome of a complete art form, as it brings together all the elements of the arts,’ she says. ‘Music is married to poetry through song and stagecraft, and drama is intensified through song.’
You’ll find Rachel debuting Scheherazade Sindbad (Howard Moody) at Opéra Nice in June.
ZWAKELE TSHABALALA
An incredibly special talent, South Africaborn tenor Zwakele relocated to the UK in 2019, when he was awarded a full scholarship to the Royal College of Music, London. Since then, he’s become Harewood Artist for English National Opera, singing productions from Britten’s Paul Bunyan to Jeanine Tesori’s Blue, and, elsewhere, making his company debut in principal roles in Vienna, Amsterdam and Lyon, to critical acclaim.
Later this year, you’ll find him making his role and company debut as Beppe for Opera Holland Park in John Wilkie’s new production of Pagliacci, conducted by Francesco Cilluffo. He then returns to the Welsh National Opera as Borsa in Adele Thomas’ new production of Rigoletto, under Pietro Rizzo, and making his company and role debut for Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège in Tristan und Isolde, conducted by Giampaolo Bisanti.
MICHAEL GIBSON
Scottish tenor Michael joined the Royal Opera House’s highly sought-after Jette Parker Artists Programme in the 2022/23 season, and has participated in masterclasses with artists including Sir Thomas Allen, Lisette Oropesa and Sir Antonio Pappano. He will make his big return as Jaquino in Beethoven’s Fidelio in October, on the Main Stage.
ALEXANDRA LOWE
An enthusiastic recitalist, with her debut album, Le Voyage, nominated for a BBC Music magazine award in 2024, Alexandra has an incredibly busy year ahead of her. You’ll find her singing at the North Norfolk Music Festival, accompanied by James Baillieu, and at the Helmsley Arts Centre, accompanied by Emma Abbate.
She is also set to reprise her tour de force Pierrot Lunaire at Wigmore Hall, not to mention making her debut as Contessa in Le nozze di Figaro at Cadogan Hall, before making her debut with the Kraków Philharmonic in Handel’s Israel in Ägypten under Łukasz Borowicz. Phew!
RYAN VAUGHAN DAVIES AND JAMIE WOOLLARD
An award-winning graduate of the Royal College of Music Opera Studio, British bass Jamie joined the Royal Opera House’s Jette Parker Artists Programme in the 2023/2024 season. Welsh tenor Ryan, meanwhile, is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music’s Opera School, Royal College of Music and Royal Northern College of Music.
Both men have a glittering year ahead of them. The next time they perform will be on the Royal Opera House’s Main Stage on 20 July, during the summer performance, when they will perform an uplifting array of opera excerpts accompanied by the orchestra of the Royal Opera House.
“IT IS ESSENTIAL TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO ATTRACT YOUNG PEOPLE TO OPERA, SO THEY CAN SEE THAT IT IS NOT SOME ANTIQUATED ART FORM, BUT A REPOSITORY OF THE MOST GLORIOUS MUSIC AND DRAMA THAT MAN HAS CREATED”
– BRUCE BERESFORD, DIRECTOR
NAVIGATING TROUBLED WATERS
Alistair Muscat, Chief Executive Officer of Integra
Private Wealth, part of the Burlingtons Group, takes a closer look at navigating wealth management against a backdrop of political turbulence and global conflict
Wealth management
In 2024, the landscape of wealth management is being shaped by a confluence of political, economic and social challenges. As general elections take place around the globe and ongoing conflicts continue to impact several countries, investors are faced with a complex environment rife with risks and opportunities.
Against such a turbulent backdrop, it is more vital than ever to understand our clients’ needs and combine astute financial guidance with a deep understanding of the geopolitical landscape. So, what are the unique challenges presented by the situation we are facing, and how can the expertise of Integra and Burlingtons assist clients in navigating these turbulent times effectively?
THE CHALLENGES
Political uncertainty
One of the primary challenges in 2024 is the pervasive political uncertainty stemming from numerous general elections. Elections taking place in major economies such as India, in early June, followed by the UK in early July and the US on 5 November, as well as European Union (EU) Parliamentary elections, also in June, mean that policy directions can shift dramatically.
Political changes can lead to volatility in financial markets, as investors react to new policies on taxation, regulation and government spending.
These elections will also impact on various global issues, from US support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia to relations between the EU and China, as well as further diplomatic tensions in the Middle East.
In the UK, recent election results may well bring significant changes to fiscal policies amid a sluggish economy, strained public services, and a polarised debate about migration, potentially reigniting discussions on EU membership.
■ Global conflicts
Ongoing conflicts in regions such as Eastern Europe, the Middle East and parts of Africa continue to pose significant risks. These conflicts not only disrupt local economies, but also have far-reaching implications for global supply chains, energy prices and investor sentiment. The uncertainty resulting from these conflicts can lead to market volatility and impact on asset valuations.
■ Economic pressures
In addition to political and geopolitical challenges, economic pressures such as inflation, interest-rate fluctuations, and slow economic growth in certain regions add another layer of complexity. Central banks’ responses to inflation, for instance, can impact on bond yields and equity markets, necessitating a strategic approach to asset allocation.
THE OPPORTUNITIES
While the current environment presents significant challenges, it also offers unique opportunities for discerning investors.
■ Diversification
One of the key strategies to mitigate risks in uncertain times is diversification. By spreading investments across various asset classes, sectors and geographies, clients can reduce the impact of localised political or economic upheavals.
■ Alternative investments
Alternative investments – such as real estate, commodities and private equity – can offer attractive returns, and serve as a hedge against traditional market risks. In times of political and economic uncertainty, these assets can provide stability and growth potential.
■ Sustainable investing
The growing emphasis on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors presents an opportunity for investors to align their portfolios with their values, while potentially achieving superior long-term returns. Companies with strong ESG practices are often more resilient and better positioned to navigate regulatory changes.
MITIGATING PITFALLS
To successfully navigate the challenges of 2024, it is crucial to anticipate potential pitfalls and implement strategies to mitigate them.
■ Staying informed
In a rapidly changing environment, staying informed is paramount. Our teams at Integra and Burlingtons monitor political developments, global conflicts and economic indicators closely, to provide timely and actionable insights. Regular updates and strategic reviews ensure that our clients are well informed and can make decisions based on the latest information.
■ Active management
Passive investment strategies may not be sufficient to navigate the complexities of 2024. Active management allows for a more dynamic approach, enabling portfolio adjustments in response to changing conditions. Our experienced portfolio managers employ active management techniques to capitalise on opportunities and manage risks effectively.
■ Risk management
Effective risk management is at the core of our approach. By employing sophisticated risk-assessment tools and techniques, we can identify potential threats and implement strategies to mitigate them. This includes stress testing portfolios under various scenarios, ensuring that clients’ investments remain resilient even in adverse conditions.
PRACTICAL HELP AND ADVICE
At Integra and Burlingtons, we are committed to providing our clients with practical help and advice to navigate the challenges of 2024. Each client investment objective is unique and requires a personalised service.
“AGAINST SUCH A TURBULENT BACKDROP, IT IS MORE VITAL THAN EVER TO UNDERSTAND OUR CLIENTS’ NEEDS AND COMBINE ASTUTE FINANCIAL GUIDANCE WITH
WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN ASSIST:
■ Personalised wealth management
Every client has unique financial goals and risk tolerance. Our personalised wealth management services ensure that our clients’ investment strategies align with their individual circumstances. By understanding their specific needs, we develop tailored solutions that offer stability and growth potential, ranging from money-market services to discretionary portfolio management.
We offer both traditional and complex products, depending on the client’s background and classification. Our services encompass a variety of portfolios, from advisory to discretionary to execution-only. Whether the objective is income-orientated or growth-orientated, the teams at Integra and Burlingtons leverage an open architecture platform to meet any investment need.
■ Regular portfolio reviews
In a year marked by political and economic uncertainty, regular portfolio reviews are essential. For clients within our discretionary mandates, our team of portfolio managers conducts frequent reviews to assess performance, rebalance portfolios, and make necessary adjustments.
We also perform regular reviews on advisory portfolios. This proactive approach helps clients stay on track to achieve their financial objectives.
■ Access to expertise
Our clients benefit from a team of seasoned professionals with deep expertise in wealth management, economics and geopolitics. Whether it’s providing insights on market trends, identifying emerging opportunities, or offering guidance on complex financial matters, our experts are always available to assist.
Additionally, our team can identify and access high-quality alternative investment opportunities tailored to our clients’ risk tolerance and investment goals.
Integra Private Wealth Ltd is licensed and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority.
A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH
Terina Kiss joined the Burlingtons legal team earlier this year. Specialising in family law, she is also working closely with the police and armed forces to offer support and assistance
“MY ETHOS IS THAT I LIKE TO GIVE BACK TO THOSE WHO GIVE SO MUCH TO SOCIETY”
– TERINA KISS
Family law is an area where the right approach is essential, with privacy and empathy key to handling sensitive situations. While strict adherence to the letter of the law is paramount, Terina Kiss also fully understands the importance of retaining the human element in what can be life-altering situations.
‘I have always had a passion for family law; you have to show understanding and empathy and work for the best result, without making it a traumatic experience,’ she explains. ‘With my clients, I am not just a lawyer; I have to have an understanding of what they are going through, so you often end up being a confidante and counsellor as well.’
Kiss has practised in family law for a number of years, specialising in pre- and post-nuptial agreements, civil partnerships, divorce law, separation, cohabitation agreements, matrimonial finances, and children, among other facets.
Although there have been some major shifts along the way – for example, same-sex marriage, and equality in terms of earnings and childcare – very little has altered in the actual letter of the law.
‘When it comes to family law, it is antiquated and in need of reform – I am working with a rusty old toolbox,’ Kiss says. ‘The Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 is now 51 years old and, although divorce law was reformed in 2020 with the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act – in force for applications that were issued from 6 April 2022 to introduce a no-fault divorce system – other legislation in this area, including the Children’s Act of 1989, is all quite old.
‘That is why I am very interested in joining the judiciary and working from the inside to reform the system, especially when it comes to reform regarding domestic violence.’
GETTING STARTED
A love of the law was baked in early for Kiss. While her peers dashed home from primary school to settle down in front of [children’s programme] Rainbow, Kiss favoured Crown Court as her afternoon viewing of choice, avidly following the courtroom dramas of the citizens of the fictional town of Fulchester.
When it came time for the teenage Kiss to consider her career options, she had only one pathway on her mind – until an unhelpful career adviser unceremoniously threw cold water on her plans.
‘At my comprehensive school, we had to fill in a form that would help show what kind of career we should go into,’ Kiss recalls. ‘Mine came out “police officer”, “lawyer” and “social worker”. I said to the careers lady: “Wow, this really means that I’m following the right path!” But I’ll never forget, she turned around and said: “Don’t be so ridiculous, you will never be a lawyer!”’
Had Kiss been a rather different character, that could have been the end of the story. Instead, those words were all the incentive required.
‘If anyone tells me I can’t do something, I will bloody well go and do it!’ she says. ‘So, I was adamant that I was going to do it. I was never top at school because I was very involved in karate. I was a black belt at 15 and represented England and Great Britain – this continued into adulthood, too. It was my passion, I trained five nights a week, so it took over everything else.
‘I think karate is where a lot of my self-discipline and motivation still comes from, as well as my drive to succeed. I was the European Champion twice and went all over Europe, so it did take up a lot of my time.’
Kiss returned to her legal ambitions when sitting A-levels, but her childhood goal still seemed a long way off as life
briefly took her off in a different direction once again. ‘I wanted to go to university to study law and was offered various places. But I was working at Sainsbury’s as a student and thought the money was great so, in my infinite wisdom, I decided to stay there and be a department manager. It was an 18-month training programme with plenty of exams to pass, but at the back of my mind, I was still thinking about the law.
‘I got married and had a son and then twins [now 28 and 26 respectively], and then made the decision to go to university to study law. When the children were 10 and 12, I was studying for my Bar exams when my husband died very suddenly.’
Such a tragedy would have floored many, but Kiss was determined to carry on.
‘My husband had supported me so much to get there. I knew I had to finish,’ she says. ‘I passed my Bar exams and was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn, London. I also got two scholarships –the Sir Thomas More from Lincoln’s Inn, and outstanding academic achievement from the Director of the BPP Law School.
‘I was living in North Lincolnshire at the time and didn’t obtain pupillage at the only local Chambers in Hull. I was told I would easily get a place in London, but I couldn’t uproot the children after just losing their father.’
Instead, Kiss began working for Humberside Police, in the covert surveillance unit and in the legal services unit, where she gave advice to officers on anything from civil matters to crime.
After several years working for the police, Kiss was offered a job in private practice with a local firm, focusing on wills and probate. When a director suddenly left the company, Kiss found her career path taking another turn.
‘The owner of the practice came to me and asked: “Do you know anything about family law?”,’ she recalls. ‘I said I had studied it as part of my law degree and BVC, so I was handed a case load there and then and told to run with it. And here I am today!’
JOINING FORCES
While Kiss has worked in private practice for a number of years now, she still retains links to the police and is continuing that work, even as she undertakes her role at Burlingtons.
‘Since starting at Burlingtons I have re-established links with the National Police Federation of England and Wales, and I currently assist seven police forces: Avon & Somerset, Humberside, Gloucestershire, Derbyshire, Sussex, Essex, and Norfolk and Suffolk. Anyone working for those forces can contact me and I will give a free initial consultation and then a reduction on each monthly invoice going forward. Having worked with the police, I understand the issues that officers and civilian staff can face, and so am able to assist.
‘My ethos is that I like to give back to those who give so much to society. Burlingtons is helping to support people, so it is a winwin situation because we are giving back.
‘We have also signed the Armed Forces Covenant, which was ratified and registered on 24 May 2024, and I am involved in helping veterans, as well as armed forces charities such as the Royal Marines Charity and Walking with the Wounded. My fiancé is ex-military, so I understand some of the challenges that veterans can face, and we are happy to assist where we can.
‘With both the police and armed forces, I go along to open days, family days, and health and wellbeing days, providing free legal clinics and discounted legal services in other areas of the law, with collaboration from my Burlingtons colleagues.’
LOOKING AHEAD
Since joining the Burlingtons team in March this year, Kiss has barely paused to draw breath.
‘Things don’t just come to you – you have to go out there and develop the business and make your mark,’ she says. ‘I would like to think that I have a fair bit of business acumen and am commercially astute, and I want to keep driving the business forward. I like to instil that in young solicitors coming through the ranks – the days are gone when work would just turn up; you have to go out and find it, and develop relationships along the way.’
Away from work, Kiss relaxes with her latest sporting passion – golf – and enjoys skiing and mountain biking. She also makes time to go out on her motorbike with her fiancé. Her interest in two wheels is long-standing – having given up karate, she then moved on to motocross, only stopping when her children were young.
Reflecting on her achievements, Kiss is typically modest. ‘The biggest challenge of my career was raising three children when their father died, while finishing my final BVC exams. I suppose I just dug deep and carried on, as it wasn’t just for me, it was also to give my children a better life and something to live up to.
‘The best piece of advice I have been given in my career is to believe in yourself and don’t give up. As I say to my children, keep trying your best, and that’s all anyone can expect from you.’
Terina Kiss can be contacted at terina.kiss@burlingtons.legal
Postcards from Washington DC
Fby: Peter Davies
ounded in the late 1700s on the banks of the Potomac river, Washington DC has been America’s capital city for more than three centuries.
The nation’s first president, George Washington, selected the exact location, with the neighbouring states of Maryland and Virginia donating land totalling 100 square miles. French-American engineer and artist Pierre Charles L’Enfant set about designing the new capital in 1791.
Today, ‘DC’ has grown from L’Enfant’s initial baroque-style plans into a modern, thriving city. The political hub of the United States, DC is, of course, home to the president, as well as Congress, which comprises the Senate and the House of Representatives. With such a rich political backstory, it is little wonder that Washington DC is also a cradle of American history.
The Smithsonian includes the National Zoo and 21 museums, encompassing everything from the National Air and Space Museum to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Portrait Gallery, National Postal Museum, and the Smithsonian Gardens.
DC is not just about politics and history, however; the stunning city also boasts a plethora of world-class restaurants and bars, and sophisticated nightlife, as well as beautiful open spaces in which to enjoy a long stroll.
The White House
The Capitol Building
The Smithsonian
National Air and Space Museum
The Jefferson Memorial, with the Washington Monument in the background
The Spirit of St Louis, Charles Lindbergh's plane, achieved the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight in 1927.
■ ALLEGORY
The entrance to this bar evokes the era of the speakeasy – pass through a nondescript black door in the lobby of the hotel Eaton DC and find yourself in a vibrant space. A mural by Erik Thor Sandberg dominates the décor, a recreation of Alice in Wonderland, but with the titular character played by Ruby Bridges, the little girl at the centre of the desegregation of a Louisiana elementary school in 1960.
Study and learn while enjoying an impressive array of cocktails to suit all tastes, designed around Lewis Carroll’s classic tales and Bridges’ civil rights activism. If the bar, which operates on a first come, first served basis, is full, settle down in Allegory’s Progressive Library, to enjoy a cocktail inspired by other literary tales while you wait for space to open up down in Allegory’s rabbit hole.
allegory-dc.com
AFTER HOURS
Washington DC is a city where the past and the present are woven tightly together. Pay a visit to some of DC’s best bars and restaurants to soak up a bit of history and keep an eye out for the latest political movers and shakers
Words: Sophia Barnett
■ QUADRANT BAR AND LOUNGE
■ OFF THE RECORD, THE HAY-ADAMS HOTEL
The clue is in the name – this luxurious basement bar bills itself as ‘Washington’s place to be seen and not heard’.
Settle in for some political intrigue and power-broking, just yards from the White House, in a space where the red walls and furnishings, and wood panelling, evoke bygone times, yet with a modern twist. The cocktail menu features classics such as Manhattans, Old Fashioneds and Martinis, along with innovative speciality drinks and a strong wine menu. Pair your drink with tuna tartare or pork-belly skewers, or sample the seared octopus or seafood platter.
Whether you’re looking to settle in for the evening or just enjoy a nightcap, make sure to take in the clever political caricatures on the walls, while keeping your eyes peeled for real-life movers and shakers, too!
hayadams.com/dining/off-the-record
From breakfast, via afternoon tea, to the cocktail hour and dinner, the Quadrant Bar and Lounge in the Ritz-Carlton is a go-to at any time of day. That said, it is surely after hours that the bar’s extensive drinks menu can really come into play.
Peruse an extensive wine and spirits list – and we mean extensive; more than 50 Scotches are listed – or indulge in a cocktail. All the classics are there, but let your eye be drawn to the ‘Shades Of Red’ (rum, pastis, elderflower, lemon, raspberry and mint), ‘A French Sip’ (brandy, blended with orange, thyme, bergamot and cacao nibs), or perhaps a Q Old Fashioned, which mixes Scotch, bourbon and Japanese whisky with green apple and orange peel.
sevenreasonsgroup.com/quadrant
■ THE DABNEY
Famed for its Mid-Atlantic food, The Dabney’s eight-course tasting menu is a treat for the senses. Indulge in smoked Chesapeake catfish and Metompkin Bay oysters, and settle in for wagyu ribeye, Maryland crab, North Carolina speckled sea tout and hearth-roasted spring vegetables.
The curated drinks menu offers the classic Old Fashioned and Martini, but also a handful of innovative cocktails, alongside draft beers from surrounding states and an impressive range of international wines by the bottle or glass.
If you are just visiting for a drink, it is well worth taking a look at the bar menu – select from delicacies such as oysters, fried soft-shell crab, and scallops. On Sundays and Mondays, The Dabney also opens ‘The Cellar’, a more casual basement space in which to enjoy a drink.
thedabney.com
■ ROUND ROBIN BAR
A Washington DC institution, the Round Robin Bar, in the Willard InterContinental hotel, was established in 1847 and retains plenty of its old-world charm, with portraits of elder statesmen staring down from oak-panelled walls onto the famed round bar.
The Mint Julep is the signature drink at Round Robin Bar, having been introduced to Washington’s elite by Kentucky senator Henry Clay in the 1800s, but the cocktail menu has expanded greatly since those days. Sip on one of the other classics, enjoy a barrel-aged Negroni, Old Fashioned or Manhattan, or indulge in something from the extensive spirits and wine menu. The food menu is also well worth a look – enjoy Maryland crab cake, sesame tuna crudo with shaved fennel, or New Bedford scallops.
washington.intercontinental.com/food-drink/round-robin-bar
Photography: Bonjwing
CYBERATTACKS HOW TO PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS
Cybercrime is never far from the headlines these days. Given the major impact it can have on businesses, how can companies protect themselves – and what can the law do to help?
Words: Dominic Holden and Oliver Subhedar
“THE INCIDENT RESPONSE PLAN SHOULD BE IN PLACE BEFORE ANY CYBERATTACK CAN HAPPEN, AND SHOULD IDENTIFY WHO WITHIN THE ORGANISATION IS TASKED WITH COORDINATING THE RESPONSE TO SUCH AN ATTACK”
Cyberattacks are one of the biggest threats facing businesses globally in 2024. According to a survey carried out by the UK government earlier this year, 50 per cent of UK businesses have experienced some form of cybersecurity breach or attack in the past 12 months alone.
Most businesses have moved away from paper filing systems to operate almost exclusively by using cloud-based software. As a result, the risk of potential cyberattacks – and the severity of their ramifications for a business that holds confidential and other sensitive information – has increased significantly.
UNDERSTANDING CYBERATTACKS
Cyberattacks can, broadly, be split into two categories, which are often used in tandem by attackers:
1. Phishing attacks – where the attacker sends deceptive emails to hoodwink the target into divulging sensitive information, such as passwords and card details.
2. Malware – where the attacker infects the target’s system using harmful software, in order to gain access to the target’s data.
The advent of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has heightened the threat of cyberattacks; machines can now create the infrastructure (such as convincing phishing emails) more effectively and at a much faster rate than any human. This means the prevalence and sophistication of cyberattacks is only likely to increase in the coming years.
Under data protection legislation, a data breach that is not handled properly can lead to heavy fines (of up to £17.5m or four per cent of total annual turnover) and cause serious damage to a business’ reputation.
Data breaches can also cause customers and suppliers to terminate their existing agreements with the affected business, which may face follow-on claims from these parties
for breach of the data protection regulations. So, it is crucial for businesses to be equipped with the tools to prevent, mitigate and respond effectively to cyberattacks.
PRE-ATTACK MITIGATION
While it is impossible to exclude the risk of a cyberattack entirely, there are steps that businesses can take to mitigate their susceptibility to such threats. These include:
Risk assessment: conducting regular cyber audits of the business’ systems is crucial to test the security of those systems and that the firm’s cybersecurity policies are up to date and sufficient, to reduce its susceptibility to a potential cyberattack. Incident response plan and testing: conducting ‘dry runs’ and scenario planning to ensure an adequate response to a cyberattack.
Employee training and education: providing regular employee training to ensure that they understand the incident response plan and can identify potential spoof email addresses or malicious links. Employees should also be trained on the process through which sensitive information may be shared electronically with trusted third parties.
Cyber insurance: there are now various insurance policies to protect firms against cybersecurity breaches. Contact your insurance broker to identify a policy suitable for your business.
ATTACK RESPONSE
When a business experiences a cyberattack, time is of the essence to respond and limit the damage caused by the breach. The implementation of an incident response plan is crucial to avoid lost time in the early stages of a cyberattack.
The plan should be in place before any cyberattack can happen, and should identify who within the organisation is tasked with coordinating the response to such an attack, including:
1. Detecting potential breaches
Cybersecurity
2. Analysis of the scope and impact of a cyberbreach
3. Isolation of the affected networks/servers
4. Eradicating the threat and restoring functionality to the systems
5. Reporting the incident to regulators and dealing with external and internal communications to staff, customers and suppliers.
LEGAL INVOLVEMENT
The involvement of a specialist lawyer at an early stage can be invaluable, particularly given that the company’s initial response to the attack may be the subject of court proceedings and/or a regulatory investigation.
Lawyers working in this field will have strong contacts with third-party experts, who may be able to assist the affected business with its response to the cyberattack. These experts may include: cybersecurity consultants, who are experienced in securing the network following a cyberattack and conducting forensic investigations to ascertain the identity of the attacker; or public relations advisers, who will be able to assist the business to mitigate any reputational harm arising out of a cyberattack.
Investigations into cyberattacks and those behind them can be complex and time-consuming, so it is imperative that the business assembles a team of experienced advisers to ensure that the investigation is conducted in a focused and cost-effective manner.
Communications between a lawyer and their client can be protected by legal professional privilege, allowing a business to understand the risks associated with a cyberattack and to seek practical solutions, reducing the risk of potentially having to disclose the communication in any claim or investigation that might follow.
Privilege is less likely to apply to advice given by other professionals, such as cybersecurity and/or PR consultants directly to the business, but may apply to communications between the lawyer and the third-party adviser when it comes to a contemplated claim in respect of a cyberattack.
PRESERVING THE EVIDENCE
The preservation of evidence is crucial to any claims arising out of a cyberattack, particularly given that it is often only possible to identify the attacker based on forensic footprints left in the target’s systems.
Cybersecurity experts often require contemporaneous data and logs to establish a ‘chain of custody’ of the data that they are analysing. The lack of such contemporaneous material can cause evidential difficulties if the business tries to pursue the attackers through legal routes.
For example, in a case of a cyberattack involving a phishing campaign, it is necessary to take immediate steps to archive and preserve native versions of all the phishing emails received and system logs that might identify the point of entry.
A specialist lawyer, in concert with a cybersecurity specialist, can advise the business on what evidence should be preserved and in what form, to maximise its utility in any future litigation/investigation.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Dominic Holden, partner and head of litigation dominic.holden@burlingtons.legal
Oliver Subhedar, senior associate oliver.subhedar@burlingtons.legal
CLASSIC ENTERTAINMENT –THAT’S A PROMISE!
With more than 3,000 musicians taking part in 90 performances over an eight-week musical extravaganza, the BBC Proms is a truly iconic British event. Learn more about what you can enjoy this year, and take a look back at the history of this social-season highlight
Words: Amy Bennett
The Proms
For an event that is a true British icon and a highlight of the summer season, look no further than the BBC Proms.
The world’s largest and most prestigious festival of classical music, the Proms spans eight weeks and 90 performances, offering something for all musical tastes. From some of the most renowned arrangements in classical music, through to rising stars making their debuts, the Proms has a cross-culture, multigenerational appeal that has lasted more than 130 years.
Tradition is woven into the very fibre of the Proms season, but the event is also not afraid to break new ground, crossing cultural boundaries to embrace the best in global music.
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?
You may be familiar with the foot-stomping, flag-waving patriotic fervour of the iconic Last Night of the Proms (due to take place this year on 14 September), but there is so much more to the event than that last glorious, noisy, colourful performance in the Royal Albert Hall.
This year, the BBC Promenade Concerts, to give it the official title that is so rarely used, will pack its 90 concerts into the usual two-month block from July to September.
The concerts get under way on Friday 19 July, and while 73 of the events will be hosted in London’s famed Royal Albert Hall, a further 17 will take place at venues around Britain, from Bristol to Newcastle, Aberdeen to Nottingham, and Belfast to Newport.
From its inception, the Proms aimed to bring classical –and new – music to large audiences, not just the social elite, and that it still very much the focus today.
David Pickard, director, BBC Proms, said: ‘This year’s Proms season is one of the most ambitious we have ever presented. With a total of 90 concerts, audiences can look forward to the starriest international artists and orchestras in a programme that encompasses the very best in classical and orchestral music.
‘Our national reach is now wider than ever, with 17 Proms taking place across the UK, including weekend-long residences in Bristol, Gateshead and Nottingham. It has been an absolute honour leading the world’s greatest classical music festival for nearly a decade, and I hope audiences will find much to enjoy this summer.’
WHAT TO EXPECT THIS SEASON
As always, some of the world’s best international orchestras will be taking to the stage at this year’s Proms. Highlights look set to include performances by the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, under Sir Simon Rattle; the
Berlin Philharmonic, under Kirill Petrenko; the Czech Philharmonic, under Jakub Hrůša; and the Orchestre de Paris, under Klaus Mäkelä. The First Night of the Proms will feature the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Hong Kong-born Elim Chan.
Among the many significant musical milestones being celebrated at the Proms is the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, performed this year by Aurora Orchestra. Seven works by the Austrian composer Anton Bruckner will also be performed, marking the 200th anniversary of his birth. There will also be performances to mark various anniversaries connected with Gustav Holst, Giacomo Puccini and Henry Mancini, as well as folk-rock artist Nick Drake and jazz singer Sarah Vaughan.
Solo stars will include world-renowned Yo-Yo Ma, American opera star Jamie Barton, cellist Sheku KannehMason, named BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2016, and award-winning pianist Yunchan Lim.
The Proms do not only feature classical music – Florence Welch, from indie-rock band Florence + The Machine, makes her Proms debut this year, while singer-songwriters Sam Smith and Jordan Rakei will also perform there for the first time.
The 100th anniversary of the BBC Singers will be marked by a three-concert Choral Day, with professional and amateur choirs involved.
In total, the two-month run of Proms will feature 24 premieres and BBC commissions, or co-commissions, of new music. In addition, the programmes include family events and concerts, including a new Doctor Who Prom, as well as one dedicated to the children’s channel CBeebies.
And don’t forget to dust off your dancing shoes, because this year will also see the first-ever Disco Prom, which follows hard on the heels of the success of last year’s Northern Soul Prom.
HOW TO ATTEND
Tickets can be purchased for an individual Prom, for a weekend, or for the whole season. But be quick – tickets sell out incredibly fast, especially for the iconic Last Night of the Proms.
Seating is available, but for the real Proms experience, join the ‘Prommers’ in the standing area. There are 1,000 standing places per performance in the Arena and Gallery. Standing tickets are unreserved, so make sure you claim a good spot to soak up the atmosphere!
Tickets for the Last Night are available by ballot, with any remaining tickets going on sale at 9am on Friday 19 July.
Tickets can be booked online at: royalalberthall.com
“FROM ITS INCEPTION, THE PROMS AIMED TO BRING CLASSICAL –AND NEW – MUSIC TO LARGE AUDIENCES, NOT JUST THE SOCIAL ELITE, AND THAT IS STILL VERY MUCH THE FOCUS TODAY”
THE STORY BEHIND THE PROMS
The Proms was the brainchild of musical impresario Robert Newman. In 1893, Newman accepted a job as the manager of the Queen’s Hall in Langham Place, London, where he teamed up with conductor Henry Wood. Wood’s musical CV included being an organist, accompanist, composer and arranger, a vocal coach, and a conductor of choirs, as well as orchestras, while Newman had previously organised symphony orchestra concerts.
Newman’s vision for the Queen’s Hall was to stage a series of concerts that would draw in large audiences because of the low cost of tickets. ‘I am going to run nightly concerts to train the public in easy stages,’ he stated. ‘Popular at first, gradually raising the standard, until I have created a public for classical and modern music.’
At the time, symphony music was enjoyed by society’s elite, while the working classes were more likely to frequent the music halls. Newman’s vision brought the social classes together in a simple way. At the time, seating in the Queen’s Hall was cramped; Newman’s solution was to pack in the audience in a designated area without seats, where they could ‘promenade’ – and, thus, The Proms was born.
Newman’s first ‘Promenade Concert’ took place on 10 August 1895, with tickets available for one shilling, or a guinea for a season ticket – a bargain price for concerts that lasted around three hours. Eating, drinking and smoking were allowed, although some rules did apply – for example, matches could not be struck during vocal numbers.
The first programme included ‘Wagner Nights’ on Mondays and ‘Beethoven Nights’ on Fridays, while new works (known as ‘novelties’) by composers of the day were introduced to the enthusiastic audiences.
The ‘promenades’ may have been a success with audiences, but financial struggles plagued Newman and he was bankrupted in 1901-02. Edgar Speyer, a banker, lent his financial backing to the concerts, while Newman and Wood continued to hold the artistic reins.
Under their guidance, works by some of the leading composers of the day, including Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Ravel, Strauss and Vaughan Williams, were heard by audiences.
When the general public turned against all things German during World War I, Newman and Wood, who was knighted in 1911, bucked the trend by continuing to include German composers in their Proms concerts. The duo stated: ‘The greatest examples of music and art are world possessions and unassailable even by the prejudices of the hour.’
A landmark event in the story of The Proms occurred in 1927 – a year after the death of Newman – when the BBC broadcast the programmes for the first time. In 1930, the BBC Symphony Orchestra was formed.
The BBC quickly decentralised its music department after Britain declared war on Germany in 1939, and Wood had to find private sponsorship for the 1940 and 1941 seasons.
During the Blitz in 1940, the programme had to be cut to just four weeks, while, on 10 May 1941, the Queen’s Hall was gutted during a bombing raid.
The only other orchestral hall available in London was the Royal Albert Hall. The Proms relocated there for the 1941 season and has remained at the venue ever since.
In 1942, the BBC returned as sponsor of the Proms, and the event celebrated 50 years in 1944. That year also marked the death of Sir Henry Wood, aged 75, just before he was due to conduct at the event for the 50th time.
Musical tastes evolved after World War II, with Wagner dropped in favour of Viennese evenings. After 1950, there was a gradual increase in the number of orchestras taking part, moving away from only featuring the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
William Glock, BBC controller of music, introduced a more experimental style of programming from 1959, with many more new works forming part of the repertoire. The 1960s also saw the advent of international ensembles taking part, including the Moscow Radio Orchestra, Amsterdam’s Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Czech Philharmonic.
Influences from non-Western cultures were also introduced, with ensembles featured from India, Thailand, Indonesia and Japan, as well as gospel, jazz and electroacoustic music, and concerts specially for children. In the 1970s, new features to be introduced included a series of late-night concerts, as well as pre-Prom talks.
The Proms celebrated its 100th birthday in 1994 and the event continues to go from strength to strength. All concerts are still broadcast on the radio by the BBC, while 24 concerts this year will be broadcast on television, including the First Night and Last Night of the Proms.
While the Royal Albert Hall remains the central venue, hosting more than 70 Proms, events also take place at a variety of venues around the UK. This underlines once again how the Proms strives to reach a wide and varied audience of music lovers, making great music available to all.
“SEATING IN THE QUEEN’S HALL WAS CRAMPED; NEWMAN’S SOLUTION WAS TO PACK IN THE AUDIENCE IN A DESIGNATED AREA WITHOUT SEATS, WHERE THEY COULD ‘PROMENADE’ –AND, THUS, THE PROMS WAS BORN”
ALL A
Among the most iconic events of the British social season is Cowes Week, the world-renowned regatta that pairs sparkling seas and fierce competition for a spectacular experience from both land and sea Words: Mike Williams
BOARD
“ORIGINALLY
CONCEIVED IN 1826, COWES WEEK IS QUICKLY APPROACHING ITS 200TH BIRTHDAY, HAVING BEEN INTERRUPTED ONLY BY THE TWO WORLD WARS AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC”
As Ratty observed in the classic The Wind in the Willows, ‘there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats’.
While Kenneth Grahame’s beloved character was referencing the joy of a rowboat, surely there can be no better place for sailing enthusiasts than the colourful spectacle of Cowes Week, taking place this year from Saturday 27 July to Friday 2 August?
For the uninitiated, Cowes Week is one of the biggest and most prestigious annual events in the sailing calendar. It’s one of the most respected and oldest too, having been around since 1826.
Each year, Cowes Week – centred around Cowes, on the Isle of Wight – is a seven-day event that promises to impress professionals, enthusiasts and casual spectators alike, with more than 60,000 people soaking up the sailing and entertainment. An estimated 5,000 of those compete across various races in around 1,000 vessels. Those numbers make the event the biggest regatta in Europe and one of the largest yearly events of its kind.
WHAT, WHERE, HOW?
For the uninitiated, a regatta is a sporting event made up of several races involving boats and yachts.
Held on the Solent – the body of water situated between the south coast of England and the Isle of Wight – the event is run by Cowes Week Limited.
But what makes this event stand apart is its sense of inclusivity. One of the most unique elements to Cowes Week is that anyone can take part – yes, that does include anybody
reading this who fancies a few days in the southern-most English seas, trying their hand at the sport. Of course, it is also a thrill to simply enjoy the spectacle of it, from either dry land or aboard a non-competing vessel on the water.
THE HISTORY
Originally conceived in 1826, Cowes Week is quickly approaching its 200th birthday, having been interrupted only by the two world wars and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Its inaugural race, staged by the Royal Yacht Club, saw just seven yachts enter, competing for a gold cup valued at £100. The second year saw King George IV give the royal stamp of approval to the fledgling event when he presented the winner with the King’s Cup, a trophy that would be presented annually until 1939.
Soon named Cowes Regatta, the popularity and duration of the event swiftly grew from three to four days, briefly extending to nine days in the late 1940s as other sailing clubs got involved, adding their own events. The event went international from 1857, when the first Admiral’s Cup was presented in a contest organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club. Although discontinued after 2003, the event will stage a comeback in 2025.
In 1964, HRH Prince Philip, a regular competitor, suggested the formation of the Cowes Combined Clubs to organise and run the regatta. This brought together the seven clubs involved in the event and, perhaps more importantly, established a standard set of rules, as well as deciding the official start and finish line for all events.
The modern event offers up to 40 different handicap, onedesign and multihull class races over the course of seven
“THERE IS NOTHING –ABSOLUTELY NOTHING –HALF SO MUCH WORTH DOING AS SIMPLY MESSING ABOUT IN BOATS”
— RATTY, THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS
days, meaning there is something for everyone, from Olympic sportspeople to hobby/weekend sailors.
SAILING IS FOR EVERYONE
Each race lasts anywhere from one to five hours, depending on the class of boat, which, in turn, is determined by its weight, speed, manoeuvrability and other vital characteristics.
While one may be cautious about the logistics of inviting anyone and everyone to take part, Cowes Week is designed to give even the most novice of sailors a chance to participate. With the less experienced paired up with more qualified and competent crew members, one need not be a seasoned sailor to get totally involved in a race.
What’s more, there’s no obligation to be racing for the entire week, either. You can choose how many days on which you actively take part, whether it’s just the one for bragging rights, or the full duration to make yourself feel like a nautical god.
SETTING SAIL COULDN’T BE EASIER
It’s straightforward to register an entry – simply fill out an online registration form citing your personal details, boat specification, sailing experience, and payment. Entry fees range from as little as £80 all the way up to £1,485, depending on how many days you wish to be involved and the particulars of the boat you’re using.
As well as hiring a talented crew to help you through your journey, there are companies that offer package deals and boat hiring options. That means you can sail for as long as you wish in vessels ranging from 37 to 46 feet, with further
options to charter an entire yacht if you feel so inclined. A range of packages is offered, including specialised training, the boat and crew hires already mentioned, as well as some luxury extras to accompany your adventure. Keep in mind this isn’t about battling the treachery of the high seas – high-class on-board lunches can be arranged, so you can enjoy the excitement of the sport while still taking in the atmosphere in comfort and style.
SPECTATOR SPORT
If you are not keen to get involved in the competition itself, there are far more leisurely ways to spend your time during Cowes Week.
Cruising yacht packages are available for those who wish to soak up the atmosphere at a more relaxing pace. After all, what better way to spectate than on the water itself? Here you can bask in both luxury and privacy, with lavish meals and champagne onboard, as your skipper brings you close to the action and keeps you abreast of the race standings. Solent Events, for example, provides some of the most exclusive VIP packages, including top-quality two- or three-course meals, VIP marquees, and more.
Of course, the entire week doesn’t purely revolve around watching boats and getting wet – there is plenty of culture to absorb on shore.
A host of entertainment, including live music, street food stalls and pop-up retailers, occupies the otherwise quaint town of Cowes. The town boasts several restaurants with world-class menus – expect seafood to feature heavily – and while accommodation, unsurprisingly, books up swiftly, there are a range of options to suit every whim.
THE ULTIMATE
The experiences and purchases that are the pick of the season
Words: Andy Morris
MANOLO BLAHNIK’S SUMMER COLLECTION TAKES INFLUENCE FROM BALLET, BELLE EPOQUE AND THE BEAUTY OF MODERNISM
Before Manolo Blahnik became the world’s pre-eminent shoe designer, he was a strong-willed bookworm living in the Canary Islands, who would design shoes for the lizards he found in his garden. He discovered ‘Les Ballet Russes’ through a book in his Spanish mother’s library and his summer collection takes inspiration from a number of sources. These include Nijinsky’s 1913 production of The Rite of Spring, the ornamental designs of Gothic and Belle Epoque, and the stark structural designs of modern architecture.
As you know with Manolo, it is a celebration of beauty and joy combined with a forensic eye for detail –note the sculptural heel on the Helua, above.
From £595, manoloblahnik.com
A CELESTIAL BEAUTY ON THE WRIST: LA D DE DIOR IS A HOROLOGICAL TRIBUTE TO GOOD FORTUNE
As modelled by the breakout star of Netflix’s Wednesday, Jenna Ortega, Dior’s exquisite Etoile des Ventes collection has been a stellar addition to the French house’s sophisticated jewellery line.
The latest addition, overseen by Victoire de Castellane, combines the prowess of Swiss watchmaking. La D de Dior Etoile des Ventes pays tribute to Monsieur Dior’s lucky star and is available in malachite dial, adorned with 18k pink gold stars set with 48 brilliant-cut diamonds.
£42,000, dior.com
VILEBREQUIN REMAINS THE LUXURY SWIMWEAR LABEL TO BEAT
Since 1971, Vilebrequin’s tailored trunks have stood for something – the company single-handedly invented the concept of luxury swimwear in the land of budgie smugglers after Fred Prysquel (a colour-blind F1 journalist) drew a sketch on a St Tropez tablecloth.
Over the years the designs have stayed bold, the length increased in increments and the materials now dry quickly in the sunshine, but are also sustainable – this current collection features items made from recycled ocean waste. There are also some nice nods to France during this summer of sport: whether it be a reimagined Breton stripe, lobsters wearing corsets or sea turtles rendered with a touch of haute couture.
From £165, Vilebrequin.com
BRING THE UNBLEMISHED BEAUTY OF A WILD MEADOW TO YOUR JEWELLERY BOX WITH GRAFF ‘WILD FLOWER’
Over the past six decades, The House of Graff has taken significant inspiration from natural beauty. Capturing the natural elegance and unrestrained vivacity of a wild meadow, the London jewellers’ latest collection is reminiscent of a great summer garden party: playful, free-spirited, but ultimately elegant. Before you roll your eyes with a Miranda Priestley-esque ‘Florals in spring’ reference, take a closer look: examine the 18-carat white gold pieces with diamonds, including rings, pendants, bracelets and earrings. Look out for the bouquet-like arrangements of precious stones and Graff’s signature open ring: for, much like in the natural world, there can be beauty in imperfection.
From £1,795, graff.com
THE DESIGNER SNEAKER BOOM MAY BE OVER: SO STICK TO SPECIALISTS FOR A SMARTER TAKE ON FOOTWEAR
CQP, the Swedish designer from its atelier in Stockholm, has mastered the art of the smart sneaker. Overseen by self-taught founder Adam Lewenhaupt, its minimalist trainer range has expanded effortlessly as the company has grown – each year it perfects another pair. Its latest, ‘Roamer’, is handmade in Portugal from soft Italian suede, a crepe sole and lined with cognac calf leather.
The best thing about them is the muted colours that give each pair a worn, carefree feel. The mint green is our pick – accessorise with a camp collar shirt, a crisp white t-shirt, some wide-leg trousers, and a Hanna Johansson paperback for maximum effect.
£358, c-qp.com
LOCK IN YOUR SUMMER STYLE WITH A MULBERRY PIMLICO
When the British label began around a Somerset kitchen table in 1971, founded by entrepreneur Roger Saul and his mother Joan, the focus was on craft. More than 50 years later, and now with 1,200 employees worldwide and two British factories, the vision remains the same, thanks in part to the timeless appeal of the ‘rider’s lock’.
The Pimlico, the latest reworking, gives it a ‘letter-box style’ reinterpretation and is highlighted in a new campaign with shots of American model Guinevere Van Seenus by photographer Esther Theaker. Go for the version in matte-croc print leather – perfect for day-to-night dressing.
£1,250, mulberry.com
AN ELEGANT ITALIAN SPY IN THE HEART OF WHITEHALL: PAPER MOON IS A WONDERFULLY WARM RESTAURANT IN A VERY SPECIAL SETTING
Inside the imposing metre-thick grandeur of the Old War Office building in London, through a nondescript timber door, a chorus of ‘Buona sera’ welcomes you. On the night we visited, we saw political big beasts, a couple having a date night over a pizza, gourmets ordering a tartare selection of tuna, salmon and amberjack, and a gang of guys in shirt sleeves tackling the Barolo.
Start with a slightly sweet Negroni Mediterania (with a blood orange slice) then go for knobbly roots of fried artichoke with citrus mayo for scooping. Main courses are splendid – a welfare-friendly rose veal escalope shaped like a cartological South Africa and a textbook osso buco with saffron rice the colour of a Fellini sunset. Desserts include a delicate semifreddo or a superb affogato surrounded by a biscotti crumb. Overseen by the charming Michele Primiceri, this is a restaurant where you should bag yourself a seat in the courtyard if you can. Unreservedly recommended.
papermoonrestaurants.com
LIVE LIKE AUSTRIAN NOBILITY AT THE ROSEWOOD SCHLOSS FUSCHL
Originally a hunting lodge from 1450 and a former summer residence of the Archbishop of Salzburg, this extraordinary resort is found on the banks of Lake Fuschl. With panoramic views, it makes the convincing case for Salzburg as a summer destination. As part of the 98 guest rooms, there are 42 suites and six chalets: it creates a feeling of being hosted by an aristocratic family, but without the Saltburn sense of foreboding.
Use Asaya, Rosewood’s spa, relish the indoor and heated outdoor swimming pool, take an ebike out to explore or head for a hike up to a hut to sample some strudel.
From £682 per night, rosewoodhotels.com
From £1,448 per night, oneandonlyresorts.com/aesthesis 9
ONE & ONLY AESTHESIS ATHENS MOST EXCITING THING TO HAPPEN TO GLYFADA SINCE SINATRA SHOWED UP
One & Only Resorts are traditionally serene, distant and tranquil, albeit requiring a longhaul flight from London. What’s exciting about this particular property is that it is a 45-minute tram ride from the centre of Athens, near the faded seaside glamour of Glyfada (in the 1960s the ‘Athenian Riviera’ briefly became a stopover for the likes of Brigitte Bardot and Frank Sinatra).
It offers supremely luxurious bungalows enveloped in bougainvillaea, as well as suites, residences and villas with private pools, seafront Jacuzzi, fragrant gardens, fire pits, and local marble. It boasts Greece’s only Guerlain spa, a collaboration with one-Michelin star chef Ettore Botrini, and a pop-up from two-Michelin star Paco Morales. Spend the day relaxing in splendour or ask the concierge to arrange a curated tour of the Acropolis or a jewellery workshop at the Benaki Museum.
PASSALACQUA IS OFFICIALLY THE WORLD’S BEST HOTEL – THANKS TO EMILIA WICKSTEAD, IT NOW HAS FINE SWIMWEAR TO MATCH
On the shores of Lake Como, Passalacqua is a 24-suite, 18th century retreat, the distinctive appeal of which combines provenance (it is owned by the De Santis family), history (it hosted both Napoleon Bonaparte and Winston Churchill), and contemporary design flair (a repurposed Fiat 500 is used as a buggy). As such, it was declared number one on ‘The World’s 50 Best Hotels’ – but what to pack for your stay?
Try these official swimsuits and kaftans from New Zealand-born, London-based designer Emilia Wickstead, in both rose prints (inspired by Passalacqua’s verdant gardens) and orange stripes (that pay tribute to another De Santis property, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo). Perfect for reclining and enjoying an aperitif under the JJ Martin parasols.
From £390, emiliawickstead.com
INTO THE WILD
What better way to live life on the wild side than by going on safari?
Learn about some of the world’s most luxurious safari experiences that put ecology and conservation at the heart of what they do
Words: Sophia Barnett
LONDOLOZI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
SOUTH AFRICA
The nurturing ethos and commitment to conservation of this family-run safari lodge, founded in 1926, is clear from the name of the 34,000-acre reserve – ‘Londolozi’ comes from the Zulu word for ‘protector of all living things’. Local trackers and guides ensure you have the best chance of observing wildlife, with the region home to elephants, buffalo, white rhinos, lions and leopards. Book into the Private Granite Suites for the ultimate in luxury, with these safari lodges boasting large windows and doors that open directly onto the Sand River. Watch breeding herds of elephants pass by as you enjoy the sunken cocktail lounge, or relax in the outdoor bath or your own private, heated swimming pool.
londolozi.com
JAO CAMP, OKAVANGO DELTA
Situated on a remote island in the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, Jao Camp offers a perfect blend of true luxury and nature. Here, you can explore the region by traditional mokoro (canoe), take part in catch-and-release fishing on safari, see the antelope and zebra herds, observe lions, cheetahs and leopards, watch hippos wallowing in a lagoon – and return to world-class luxury accommodation.
After a busy day on safari, return to the safari camp to rest and recharge. Constructed from natural and recycled wood, glass and steel, the sweeping, spacious interiors at Jao Camp house a gallery and museum, library, an extensive wine cellar, plus a spa and gym. Jao Camp offers suites as well as two villas, each with their own plunge pools, and private chefs, butlers, guides and vehicles to ensure your stay is a memorable one.
wildernessdestinations.com/africa/ botswana/okavango-delta/ jao-camp
MARA BUSHTOPS, MASAI MARA, KENYA
Situated on a private conservancy with breathtaking views across the Masai Mara, Mara Bushtops is home to a natural salt lick that attracts an ever-changing parade of gazelle, zebra, impala, topi, buffalo and warthogs – not to mention herds of elephants, giraffes, lions and leopards. Get even closer to nature on a game drive, or even a walking safari, or take to the skies for the once-in-a-lifetime experience of a balloon safari.
Back at camp, settle into one of 12 luxuriously appointed tents – although ‘tents’ is scarcely the word to describe your accommodation, which boasts a wooden deck and hot tub, as well as 24-hour butler service. Visit the spa, which offers unparalleled views of wildlife enjoying the salt lick, before savouring fine dining under the stars, with the best of local ingredients – and a well-stocked wine cellar.
bushtopscamps.com/destination/mara
Photography: Oliver Fly Photographyn
ONGUMA CAMP KALA, NAMIBIA
Opened in November 2022, Camp Kala, in the 34,000-hectare Onguma Nature Reserve, is the ultimate in luxurious eco-safari.
With just four thatched guest suites, all on stilts and connected by raised walkways, the sumptuous surroundings are the ideal base from which to enjoy game drives, bush walks, sunset drives, or a sleepout under the stars. The central tower is home to the lounge and cocktail bar, as well as the dining area, with an open chef’s kitchen and all-day pantry.
Each suite features a wood-fired hot tub and plunge pool, with views across the busy waterhole that attracts plenty of wildlife, while your private butler is always on hand. Guests can relax in the spa or on the yoga deck, enjoy the gym or a refreshing cocktail, while watching the sunset and the stars come out.
onguma.com/onguma-camp-kala
NYAMATUSI
CAMP,
MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE
Nestled on the banks of the Zambezi river, in one of the wildest and most remote parts of Africa, Nyamatusi Camp (which translates as ‘wild game’) in Mana Pools National Park is a luxurious haven from which to sample safari at your own pace.
There are several ways to get closer to wildlife here – choose from game drives, walking safaris, or even canoeing safaris, to see lions, leopards, hyenas, wildebeest, elephants, and so much more. If that is not enough, experience catch-and-release fishing on the Zambezi, or take part in a bird safari.
With only six luxury tented suites, this intimate setting offers private viewing decks and plunge pools, air conditioning and a mini bar. Having fully embraced sustainability, the camp is solar powered and was built from all-natural materials, harmoniously blending into its spectacular setting.
africanbushcamps.com/camps/nyamatusi-camp
An art deco icon in the heart of Mayfair
MAYBOURNE HOTEL COLLECTION
Claridge’s | The Connaught | The Berkeley | The Emory
The Maybourne Beverly Hills | The Maybourne Riviera
