Burlingtons Magazine | Issue 09 | Summer 2022

From the majesty of the Arabian stallion to the trials and triumphs of horse investment

THE SPICE OF LIFE Discover the world’s best Arabic cuisine

JAMIE GILL The Roksanda CEO on rising to the top in style

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM Carfax Education shakes up the curriculum

N O 09 | SU M M E R 2022

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FROM THE

CEO

S

INCE OUR LAST EDITION, Burlingtons Group has been busy planning for a summer of success, as we attended our Private Office Roadshow in Malta (page 54) and launched the latest in our fascinating Webinar series (52). And, with this taste of post-pandemic travel bringing our wanderlust to life, and our attention swinging to our international partners, we are delighted to share this new issue celebrating our friends and colleagues in the Arabic world – and all the wonderful culture, cuisine and modern masterpieces that we may not even realise stems from this diverse part of the globe.

Take, for example, the Arabian stallion that poses on our cover.

This majestic breed is the highlight of the equestrian universe, from its elegant stature to its shape and breeding. In this issue, we learn that not only is horse investment big business, so too has the exciting world of horses inspired a host of equestrian property trends for those keen to take the reins of a countryside home. Find out more on page 30.

Elsewhere, we go back to school with Carfax Education, who describes the important of curiosity and creativity in any far-reaching curriculum (64), while Roksanda CEO Jamie Gill shares his rise to the top of the style brand (22), and luxury travel expert Henry Cookson reveals the next rising trend in air travel (18).

I hope you enjoy this new issue’s insight into the very best of business news and luxury lifestyle.

Deborah Mills Chief Executive Officer Burlingtons Group Limited

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BURLINGTONS GROUP Deborah Mills Chief Executive Officer deborah.mills@burlingtons.group Henry Mills Director – Burlingtons Private Office henry.mills@burlingtons.pro Nicholas Portelli Managing Director – Burlingtons Real Estate nicholas.portelli@burlingtons.realestate Jacob Kett Liaison – Burlingtons Private Office jacob.kett@burlingtons.pro CONTACT For advertising enquiries or to find out more about Burlingtons Group contact: info@burlingtons.group Burlingtons Group 5 Stratford Place London, W1C 1AX +44 (0)20 7529 5420 EDITORIAL TEAM Burlingtons Magazine is published by Vantage Media Limited Director of Editorial: Michelle Johnson Director of Art: Ross Forbes Contributors: Design: Emma Jane Howcutt, Emily Nash (illustrator); Editorial: Lysanne Currie, Gabriel Power Vantage Media Limited 25 Wilton Road London SW1V 1LW info@vantagemediagroup.co.uk +44 (0)20 3519 1005

Responsibly printed Printed by Cambrian Printers, UK on Matt Woodfree FSC Mix (FSC® certified paper) using vegetable inks and sustainable printing methods. www.cambrian-printers.co.uk

Cover credit: Arab horse ©Shutterstock

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© 2022 Burlingtons Group Articles and other contributions published in this journal may be reproduced only with special permission from Burlingtons Group. Burlingtons Group and the publishers (Vantage Media Limited) 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 Vantage Media Limited. www.vantagemediagroup.co.uk 7

CONTENTS A Kingdom for a Horse

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CEO Deborah Mills on Arabian stallions and the Queen’s equestrian expertise

Take 5

14

Find out what Burlingtons Club Members are excited about this season

The Sky’s the Limit

18

Luxury adventure expert Henry Cookson on the future of air travel

Power Dressing

22

Roksanda CEO Jamie Gill tells us about his incredible rise to the top

Secret Services

26

Security specialists Valkyrie on how to stay safe from cybercrime at work and home

A Stable Investment

30

Windsor Clive shares his top tips for equestrian investment and property trends

Postcards from Dubai

36

From desert village to modern metropolis

The Spice of Life

18

The Sky’s the Limit

38

Discover the world’s best Arabic restaurants

Islamic Project Financing

44

Burlingtons Legal offers a guide to staying Sharia law compliant

36 Postcards from Dubai 8

38 The Spice of Life

A Natural Fit

48

Cornwalls Lane introduces its family office services to Burlingtons

Real Estate for Non-Resident Investors

52

Get ready for Burlingtons Group’s exclusive summer webinar

On The Road

54

Behind the scenes of Burlingtons’ Maltese private office roadshow

A Classé of its Own

58

We head to Bordeaux to visit luxury wine producers, Château Malartic-Lagravière

Education Beyond the Classroom

64

Carfax Education on why curiosity, confidence and creativity are on the curriculum

Leave to Remove

68

52 Real Estate for Non-Resident Investors

Burlingtons’ family law expert offers advice on childhood relocation

More than the Sum of its Parts

72

Design studio Tollgard shares its favourite modern pieces

Ask Boris

76

Burlingtons’ resident bulldog on the best ways to learn about horse investments

72 58

More than the Sum of its Parts A Classé of its Own

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A KINGDOM FOR A HORSE Burlingtons Group CEO Deborah Mills celebrates Arabic culture – and equestrianism – for our summer issue

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BURLINGTONS GROUP

I

N THIS SUMMER EDITION of Burlingtons Magazine, we are focussing on the wonders of Arabic culture generated over the centuries and across the world, and through the various empires and kingdoms that have contributed to the elegance of today’s modern Arabic culture. Language, literature, gastronomy, art, architecture, music, spirituality and mysticism all have had a substantial influence in the formation of our modern Arabic heritage.

In this issue, not only do we get a taste of the world’s best Arabic cuisine that, today, is the result of a combination of richly diverse gastronomic flavour, but also look at

the cultural influences of such majestic creatures as the Arabian horse.

After the personal test and endurance of Ramadan, followers of the Islamic faith get together to celebrate Eid with their friends and family. And this year’s celebrations are bound to be more joyous and special than ever, as many families were separated due to Covid-19 restrictions for Eid 2020 and 2021. With family being one of the most important aspects of Arabic society, the Arabic household extols the virtues of self-reliance and responsibility, with total loyalty to the family. »

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BURLINGTONS GROUP

“With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arab stallion is one of the oldest and most recognisable equine breeds in the world”

Royal pedigree: The majestic Arabian stallion (opposite); The Queen (below) is a champion of British equestrianism

After Ramadan, Eid-al-Fitr (The Festival of the Breaking of the Fast) occurs, followed by Eid-ul-Adha in July. Eid-ul-Adha is a feast of sacrifice, signalling the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son, Ismael. This feast is observed from the start of the month of Zul-Hijjah in the Islamic calendar, which is predicted to begin on sunset of Saturday 9 July 2022 – although the date may change as it is confirmed by moonsighting.

Our cover image is that of a magnificent Arabian stallion, a breed of horse emanating from the Arabian Peninsula. With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arab stallion is one of the oldest and most recognisable equine breeds in the world, dating back over four centuries.

I am proud to own an Arab mix-breed – named Gunner, as a nod to all football fans in the UK – and can attest that this horse is rightly known for its gracefulness, elegant colours and striking beauty as well as its speed, stamina and endurance.

The Arabian horse line has produced a string of championship legends, but none more famous than Marwan Al Shaqab – known as the “rock star stallion” and a king among all horses. This rare gem won some of the most prestigious international prizes in its sport and enjoyed a string of equestrian success over the years, including leading sire at the world Arabian Horse Championship five years in a row, as well as Champion Colt while a young man and Champion Senior in later years, before retiring in 2013.

A MATTER OF BREEDING Here in the UK, the Queen – who celebrated her Platinum Jubilee with the world in June this year – is also known to be a huge lover of horses and a true racing afficionado. On 21 April 2022 our Queen celebrated her 96th birthday.

In honour of the significant day, a new royal photograph was released of Elizabeth II with two of her Fell ponies, Katie and Nightingale. Her unwavering love of horses began aged three, when she started to learn to ride. Over her incredible equine career, the monarch has bred Fell, Shetland and Highland ponies and is recognised as a huge supporter of the UK’s national breeds.

Elizabeth had a key role in saving the Cleveland Bay; a horse originally bred from pack horses in the seventeenth century in England. They were used for farm work, pulled coaches and helped soldiers, but their popularity waned such that by the 1960s there were only four stallions left in the country. The Queen intervened in the sale of a colt named Mulgrave Supreme, which was due to be sent to the United States. Instead, the Queen’s purchase became a Royal Show winner and was made available to breeders of Cleveland Bays throughout the UK. So successful was their re-introduction that Prince Philip drove a Cleveland Bay during international driving events.

They now also form part of the Royal Mews for royal and ceremonial events.

All this only goes to show that you can have a kingdom and a horse – unlike King Richard III, who ended up with neither during the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. Perhaps he should have ridden an Arabian into battle…

Find out more about Burlingtons Group by visiting burlingtons. group or emailing deborah.mills@burlingtons.pro

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TAKE 5 The incredible places and products Burlingtons Club members are talking about this season...

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1.

NATURAL BEAUTY French high jewellery creators Maison Chaumet have teamed up with the Beaux-Arts de Paris and curator Marc Jeanson to present an exhibition celebrating the beauty of nature through the prism of art and beauty. Végétal – L’École de la Beauté, pictured, open until 4 September, draws on the botanicallyinspired heritage of Maison Chaumet with 400 works of jewellery and art – all inspired by the natural world – on display. Visitors can experience 5,000 years of art history through the exhibition’s immersive and ambitious “landscape worlds”. » chaumet.com; beauxartsparis.fr

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2.

YOUR ART ON YOUR SLEEVE Keen to add a luxury spin to the smartwatch sector – and dive deeper into Web3 – Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer has unveiled a unique digital experience for its Connected Calibre E4 collection (above), which allows wearers to display their NFT artworks – images or Gifs – on the dial of the watch.

Connecting the owner’s crypto wallet to guarantee authenticity, the Lens watch face displays the artwork and proof of ownership, paired with a new conceptual display design that includes a triangle and circle to represent hours and minutes. High tech, high function. tagheuer.com

3.

MULTI-SCENT-SORY Launching exclusively for Selfridges, brand new fragrance collection D’Otto (left) is pairing art and scent to create emotional new experiences through perfume. Inspired by abstract art from Pollock to Kandinsky, the collection features five fragrances from different olfactive families and starts from £245. The complex, gender neutral scents are blended by Italian perfumer Paolo Terenzi, using natural, raw materials. selfridges.com

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4.

TAKE YOUR SHOT As the Glorious Twelfth approaches, London’s oldest gunmaker, Boss & Co, has been reimagining a number of its classic designs with its unique 1812 Edition collection (right). Its newest model is an ingenious reinvention of the doublebarrelled break-action shotgun, also known as the ‘side-by-side’, which features an innovative ambidextrous side-lever action bringing, as the gunmaker puts it, “functionality and ease-of-use in the field” – perfect aim, indeed. bossguns.com

5.

BURLINGTONS DEAL ROOM On the back of several opportunities crossing various desks within the Burlingtons Group, we have relaunched the Burlingtons Deal Room. Over the coming weeks we will be sharing investment opportunities, within the Group. If you have any investment opportunities that you would like to share, please email helen.weaving@burlingtons.pro. We look forward to hearing from you. burlingtons.group

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THE SKY’S THE LIMIT

TRAVEL

As Cookson Adventures sits on the cusp of reintroducing airships as a means of luxury air travel, founder Henry Cookson tells Gabriel Power about his plans for the new HAV Airlander 10 – and how it could help revolutionise the future of flight

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T’S NOT 1968 ANYMORE. The Jet Age, while not technically over, no longer ignites our collective imagination in the manner it once did; we have entered an age in which jet travel has become mundane, owing to the industry’s ubiquity and penchant for frugality. While technology used in the cockpit has reached dizzying heights of sophistication in recent decades, that same timeline has seen lay-flyers treated to barely more than minor superficial improvements to aircraft and rather unromantic – though still vitally important – curtailments to their environmental impact.

And so, peering into the future of aviation, and a reality no longer beholden to the grip of budget airlines, we dare to dream big. But while many of us are likely beguiled by the allure of extremes – increasingly eye-watering top speeds, impossibly rapid acceleration and ultra-aerodynamic fuselages – Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) and Cookson Adventures have flipped the script entirely with a project so audacious that it will undoubtedly alter the course of luxury travel.

First launched in 2012 for non-commercial purposes, HAV’s Airlander 10 is an environmentally friendly evocation of the age of the Zeppelin; a gargantuan, 300ft-long helium airship with a support network of engines, propellers and small auxiliary wings, still capable of reaching speeds of 92mph and remaining airborne for five days straight. But, after a fruitless stint with the US Army that ended in 2013, this dazzlingly retro-futuristic design was left in a state of limbo until it was repurchased by HAV and converted into a commercial aircraft – and luxury travel expert Henry Cookson spotted the opportunity of a lifetime.

Cookson, a former polar explorer, is the founder of London-based luxury travel agency Cookson Adventures, which recently announced a collaboration with HAV that will see the Airlander 10 reborn as a luxury passenger craft, with the agency branding it an “explorer yacht of the skies”. But how does Cookson intend to use the airship, and how will it shape the future of commercial aviation? We sit down with Henry to get the bird’s eye view of this bold new adventure. » 19

Henry, how did you become interested in the Airlander 10 project?

“At Cookson Adventures, we’re always looking to push the boundaries on what’s possible in luxury private travel. From the start of this project, the incredible potential of this revolutionary new travel experience was clear for us to see.

Airlander’s cutting-edge green technology aligns perfectly with our continued commitment to promote sustainable travel. We came onboard early as a partner to help contribute our expertise to its development.”

What new opportunities does this open up for travellers?

“These hybrid aircrafts have the potential to transform the way we travel in the future. The opportunities Airlander 10 will give us to showcase our creativity in designing new luxury experiences is endless. Airlander’s ability to cruise and land anywhere – be it an urban runway, desert or icecap – will give guests the freedom to explore remote locations without a set agenda, and allow them to be immersed into both familiar and unfamiliar destinations in a manner never seen before. The journey will be an experience in itself, which guests will be able to enjoy in supreme comfort.

The slow pace of travel, the low cruising altitude and large panoramic windows will afford incredible views over landscapes that just can’t be appreciated from a traditional fixed wing aircraft or helicopter.”

What is the significance – and practical applications – of the airship-like design?

“Airlander 10 is a flexible and efficient platform that can be configured to allow for a broad range of applications, which are not just tourism focused. For example, Airlander’s cabin can be configured to provide seating for up to 100 passengers, offering a low emissions air mobility option. Airlander will more efficiently connect regions on short-haul routes, without the need for the substantial infrastructure of traditional transport and with 90% less emissions than current air transport. Airlander can also be configured to enable flexible logistics, operating on unprepared surfaces giving access to inaccessible locations. Airlander will bridge the gap between fast, expensive air freight and slow surface transport.”

How sustainable is it?

“Airlander will be at the forefront of an exciting new era of low-carbon air travel. By leveraging the buoyancy of helium, Airlander’s cutting-edge technology requires significantly less fuel to operate than comparable conventional aircraft.

In a hybrid-electric configuration (with two electric motors and two combustion engines) Airlander 10 will deliver a 90% reduction in emissions. An all-electric version will be available by 2030 with zero emissions. The aircraft will also

be much quieter than conventional aircraft and can further reduce noise pollution by switching off two out of the four engines during the cruise part of the flight.”

How much does it draw on traditional airship design?

Could it be described as “retro-futurist”?

“Yes, Airlander is a hybrid aircraft, meaning it combines a number of proven technologies. It utilises a gas-filled hull to generate buoyancy like the airships of the past, but uses helium instead of hydrogen. Unlike airships, Airlander operates ‘heavier-than-air’ which makes ground handling much simpler and safer. The aircraft will come down and land like a conventional aeroplane.

“In terms of the interior, Airlander will draw on some elements of traditional airship design. The airships of the past were known as being incredibly elegant and were described as ‘hotels in the sky’. Airlander’s design has been carefully thought-out to be able to deliver a high-end guest experience, similar to having chartered a superyacht. Its design is sleek and contemporary. There will be a focus on clean lines. The stylish bar and luxurious dining set ups will make the most of the spectacular views. There will also be private viewing platforms, so guests can clearly observe natural landmarks and local wildlife.”

What sort of range does the aircraft have?

“In a luxury tourism configuration Airlander 10 will have a range of 2,000 nautical miles. The aircraft will be Type Certified and capable of flying in a wide range of weather conditions and can take off and land from virtually any flat surface.”

What would your ideal destination be with the Airlander?

“Airlander will offer a new way to explore the interior of continents I’ve visited many times before, such as Antarctica and Africa. The journey will be part of the enjoyment and you will gain a completely different aerial perspective on wildlife and landscapes. I think Oman would be an extraordinary destination to explore differently with Airlander. Being able to soar above the white sandy beaches and the undulating dunes of the Arabian Peninsula would be spectacular. Airlander will be able to accommodate a range of expedition assets on board, so the journey from coast to desert can be seamlessly interspersed with exclusive experiences, ranging from diving in marine-rich waters to high-adrenaline dune buggy rides, before guests finally arrive in a remote desert location at an elegant luxury tented camp.” cooksonadventures.com This article originally appeared in Tempus Magazine; tempusmagazine.co.uk

Lighter than air: Adventurer Henry Cookson (top); the Airlander in flight (right); the aircraft’s luxurious interior (far right)

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POWER DRESSING Roksanda CEO and British Fashion Council board member Jamie Gill’s career path has taken him from the Mumbai start-up scene to one of the UK’s most exciting and collaborative maisons. Lysanne Currie finds out about his extraordinary personal and professional journey

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T WAS SEPTEMBER 2021 and the shiny, box fresh ballroom of The Londoner, the city’s newest, hottest hotel, swung open its doors to 200 luxury industry business leaders for Walpole’s Future of Business Summit. The energy was palpable – no cool insouciance here – this was one of the first in-person work events since Lockdown, the decibel level was high as people greeted each other grinning, happy and hyped to see each other – and to swap ideas and experiences all with the aim of ‘resetting’, making the world a better place.

The first panel of the day – on luxury’s mission to drive responsible change – was hosted by Vogue Business’ Sarah Shannon, and panellists included Jamie Gill (right), CEO of Roksanda and British Fashion Council board member.

He talked passionately with fellow panellists (from Modus, FarFetch and Estée Lauder) about the moral and business case for diversity and inclusion, how transparency and accountability is key to future success, as well as the need for more female voices in the climate conversation and why workforce diversity and inclusion (D&I) has to be scrutinised at all levels.

Three months later, Jamie’s passion for D&I is still bubbling when we meet in Roksanda’s 2,500ft David Adjaye-designed flagship store in Mayfair.

We talk about how the Covid-19 pandemic has been for the business and for him personally. He is an optimist, he says: “The reflection period has been useful for us all to take time and really look at our policies and manifestos – there’s a greater sense of purpose in business now – although this has always been part of Roksanda’s DNA.” Gill sits on the board of the British Fashion

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Council and has a particular remit to look at increasing diversity in the industry. “It’s never going to change unless it’s top down. It has to be board, executive level, management (then) team down.”

Wise words from the young Asian LGBTQ fashion leader, who trained first as an architect, then an accountant, before becoming CEO of the luxury fashion house (beloved by the Duchess of Cambridge and former US first lady Michelle Obama) at just 30 years old.

CREATIVE GROWTH Growing up in a Derbyshire mining town, the son of second-generation South Asian immigrants with a strong work ethic, Gill’s curious, creative mind drew him towards architecture from an early age, inspired by the likes of Norman Foster and Richard Rogers. “As a child concealing being gay, I wanted to do something creative,” he says.

“It was a way of fuelling my passion but not announcing myself.”

On graduating in architecture from Nottingham University, however, he’d walk slap-bang into a market still reeling from the 2008 global economic crash. “I jumped around different architecture practices, but I wasn’t enjoying it at all.” After a spell at Deloitte London, he became fascinated by luxury – “I started to really see the power of the brand. I understood why people would pay the premium.

It’s the emotion, the connection.”

However, his entrepreneurial itch needed to be scratched so he quit his corporate job and headed to Mumbai with a friend to co-found a luxury »

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wedding dress company. “It was almost arrogant when I look back on it,” he laughs. “To think that I was going to start my own fashion brand aged 25.” Call it grist to the leadership mill: “We sourced factories, worked with embroiderers, raised funds and sampled the collection. And we sold some pieces. I look back at this start-up as my real-life MBA in the business of fashion.”

It certainly taught him about resilience – but also the pitfalls of a relentless foot-on-the-gas lifestyle, and the importance of mental health. “I learned by doing it the wrong way. I worked way too hard. I ate badly or didn’t eat. I socialised and drank too much. I was so burnt out I lost my hair. I just thought, I’m never doing that again…”

After a round of funding didn’t come through, the company was wound down and Gill returned to the UK, “skinny, sad and in debt. I moved back in with my parents and had to pick up the pieces”. Undefeated, he took a job with investment house Eiesha Ltd, (then a stakeholder in luxury boutique Roksanda) in 2014 and four years later its founder, Serbian designer Roksanda Ilinčić asked Gill to become CEO. “I realised very quickly that I had an innate merchandising skill set, as well as the strategic and financial,” he says.

“Marrying all my experiences together – brand, product, investment, marketing – meant I could grasp situations quite quickly. As soon as there was an inspiration or an intention for the collection, I could get involved and take it on through the rest of the journey, to building it, to selling it, to producing it, to shipping it to marketing it and then building a budget and making a plan.”

Under Gill’s leadership Roksanda has gone from strength to strength: it was one of the first houses to merge its seasons, there’s been a collaboration with Lululemon, and an interiors project too – the Roksanda penthouse in the Gasholders complex in King’s Cross.

An unusual journey, then – but he wouldn’t have had it 24

any other way. As Coco Chanel herself once said: “Fashion is architecture. It is a matter of proportion.” If architecture forced him to think about everything from “the socio economics of your creation to the financials of budgeting and funding”, his accountancy training proved invaluable in helping him become a CEO, “to look at an ever-evolving situation calmly and work out the different scenarios depending on which lever you pull… I’m the biggest advocate for doing it the way I’ve done – especially for someone who’s unsure where they want to go.” roksanda.com This feature originally appeared in Tempus Magazine; tempusmagazine.co.uk

Fashion focus: Roksanda’s specially choreographed SS22 presentation in the Serpentine Pavilion

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SECRET SERVICES Mayfair-based security specialists Valkyrie show us how to protect our homes, businesses and loved ones

ALKYRIE IS A WELL-ESTABLISHED private security company based in central London.

We have established an enviable reputation for providing the highest quality security services in London, the wider UK and globally.

Founded in 2009, Valkyrie provides high-level cyber and physical security solutions to a diverse client base.

We bring together expert knowledge and experience from

a comprehensive cross-section of security disciplines to diligently assess an organisation’s exposure to risk across all areas of operations and activity.

Our team is drawn from world-class security and intelligence organisations including special forces, the military, and the police. We maintain the highest standards in everything we do and combine new and highly technical IT-based security capabilities with practical operational experience.

TECHNICAL SURVEILLANCE COUNTER MEASURES Technical Surveillance Counter Measures (TSCM), or better known as ‘bug sweeping’ is one of the many services we provide at Valkyrie. Many people initially think that bug sweeping is something within the realms of James Bond, but this is quite far from the truth. We are extremely busy providing this service and we have extensive and up to date equipment to provide a quality and bespoke service to our clients.

Currently, we are providing this service to a wide range of clients; from a client who requires a private jet ‘swept’ to a recently refurbished office block in central London, to an individual who is going through a sensitive separation from their partner.

A recent case in Hampshire involved a client who is going through an elongated separation from her partner.

She was concerned that he had placed covert devices in the house, as he had threatened. Discretion being a major factor in our company, we conducted a sweep of the house and outbuildings. Thankfully, no bugs were found, which was of great relief to our client and has since eased her mind.

Contrary to popular belief, we do often find covert devices . Typically, these have been placed in offices by disgruntled or ex-employees, scorned lovers and competitive businesspeople.

If you feel you need our TSCM services, please contact us.

Once an assessment has taken place, we can normally come out within a short timescale and have the results, followed by a detailed report in a swift time frame. »

THREE KEY TIPS Identify what sensitive information you have and where it is stored. From there you can make informed decisions on how to protect your data and audit it to see who has access to it Remember sensitive information is also protecting the spoken word.

Where are your sensitive meetings held (residential properties are in situ with remote working), therefore, plan where you will be speaking and change it up Remember, while having a meeting someone could activate a recording device.

Have processes and procedures in place to allow you to minimise a security breach, such as placing all phones outside the room of a confidential meeting

SECURITY

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VALKYRIE DIGITAL FORENSICS

COVERT RURAL SURVEILLANCE

The Valkyrie Digital Forensic specialists were recently called to assist with a search order. A search order is a form of interim mandatory injunction. It requires a defendant to allow the claimant’s representatives to enter the defendant’s premises and to search for, copy and remove documents or material.

This, among other things, included complex logistics between multiple teams, assisting with drafting a search order with our law firm client and executing the search order by the court order.

While our Forensic Specialists were liaising with the law firm regarding what to include within the search order, our surveillance team were busy ensuring the respondent was present at the address and noting his behavioural patterns to ensure that he would be at the premises on the day of execution.

Once the lawyers had submitted the order, we were ready to execute the order. It’s always a complex and dynamic situation as you never know what you will find when attending on site.

This includes unknown amounts of equipment to seize, often from uncooperative individuals.

This search order had everything from technical issues to the defendant being restrictive in what information he was giving us. After perseverance, the forensic team were able to seize what we needed, take it back to our labs and preserve the data. We then processed the data and placed it in the review platform for the lawyers to review the data.

Rural crime is a long-standing issue within the UK, and it relates to farms, agriculture, wildlife, the environment and heritage sites. Criminals are often not caught due to a limited police capabilities in remote and rural areas. Rural crime (theft, poaching, fly-tipping, hare-coursing etc.) causes distress, misery and unnecessary hardship for farmers and rural land owners who rely on their land and machinery for their livelihoods.

Early this year an established client of ours in the Norfolk/ Suffolk area, was falling victim to continual incidents of rural crime. The client has a large rural footprint and good overall security in place across the estate with a capable inhouse team, locks, alarms, CCTV, well-kept fencing, well maintained boundaries etc. The client’s recent issues involve incidents of poaching and remote site theft.

After a visit to the estate, we assessed the issue in detail and devised several options for the client. We were able to deploy and install covert cameras in the areas affected by the theft. Unfortunately, the second area was problematic for cameras for various reasons, so we decided to deploy a rural-surveillance-team often referred to by the police as a Covert-Rural-Observation-Post (CROP). Rural surveillance is a specialist skill that takes years of training to perfect; skills we have here at Valkyrie In advance of the deployment, one of our analysts assessed a particular pattern to the crimes. This informed our decision as to when to deploy the cameras and ground teams. Clearly deploying ground teams isn’t the preferred course of action but in this situation it was assessed to be the preferred option.

After two days on task, the cameras identified criminal activity at the first site and the surveillance team identified activity at the second. Both teams successfully identified associated vehicles and we were able to inform the police and direct them to the location of the stolen items. In addition, we provided the police with evidence, including imagery. The perpetrators were successfully caught and arrested.

THREE KEY TIPS In all cases there is an electronic device involved, get a technical advisor involved from the outset Always try and think ahead. Having a technical person is not the same as being an expert witness – your tech person may be requested for a witness statement or give evidence so choose your expert carefully

Remember that you’re going into an unknown environment. Try and get surveillance or intelligence on your target if at all possible. It can assist in planning – check on this with the legal team

For more information, visit valkyrie.co.uk

TWO KEY TIPS Assess the situation in detail and if possible, conduct a site visit and assessment so you can compile accurate courses of actions (COA) available to you and the client – list the COAs in order of likelihood of success

Analyse all available information in detail so you can best determine when to deploy and utilise assets available; be it human or technical to the best effect

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PROPERTY

A STABLE INVESTMENT Equestrian property expert George Windsor Clive shares his top tips for chasing the racing dream

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EDERICO TESIO, the famed Italian thoroughbred breeder, once said: “The thoroughbred exists because its selection has depended not on experts, technicians or zoologists, but on a piece of wood: the winning post of the Epsom Derby.”

This well-worn quote sums up so much of the professional horse world. The term ‘world’ is entirely appropriate. The upper echelons of the racing and breeding business are well versed in shipping horses from Northern to Southern hemisphere and across the Atlantic. In the thoroughbred world, substantial sums change hands for breeding stock, with hopeful expectations that a stallion will be able to charge a five or six figure sum for his services 150 times a year, or a mare will produce a foal annually for 10 to 15 years, which as yearlings will fetch more than £100,000 each.

Beyond this, there is a select group of mares capable of producing offspring that realise in excess to £1m. The realists are also perfectly well aware that the risks are huge, the chances of success slim, and that it is a good way of turning a large » fortune into a small one. » 31

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PROPERTY

“The thoroughbred exists because its selection has depended, not on experts, technicians or zoologists, but on a piece of wood: the winning post of the Epsom Derby” – Federico Tesio Champion stable: 338-acre Soulcombe (above) is one of Britain’s finest available stud farms

The sport horse market is just as competitive. Show jumping stars can change hands for millions, and the best dressage and event horses with Olympic medal potential cost a small fortune too. With more nationalities coming to the forefront of these sports every year, this trajectory is set to continue.

Having instilled a note of caution there is, without doubt, a substantial broad-based industry serving the elite,

which require stables, stud farms, and private equestrian centres as their base. Equestrian property can offer a unique lifestyle purchase and the chance to be intrinsically involved in equestrian sport. Many racehorse trainers, breeders and competitors can’t afford to buy a yard or stud farm and so pay a respectable rent for many years while they build up their capital to allow them to purchase. This creates opportunities for the investor to live in a lovely setting, surrounded by an attractive facility, which gives a reasonable return.

The appeal goes beyond the lure of financial return; dreams and aspirations of being involved in historic sporting moments can lead to investors following their hearts as well as their heads.

For those who already have bloodstock interests, they may wish to increase their numbers and have more autonomy over their horses’ care and management. In this instance, purchasing a stud farm in which to install a stud manager provides this opportunity. The scale can vary from a private stud for a handful of one’s own mares, to a larger, commercial operation taking in boarders and preparing horses for the sales.

The same can be done in the sport horse world, by developing a state-of-the-art facility for a rider to base themselves either as a tenant or employed rider and manager.

A commercial racehorse training yard offers a clearcut »

return on a financial investment. There is consistent demand for suitable yards, particularly in the racing centres of Newmarket, Lambourn, Malton and Middleham which have public gallops that are attractive to trainers and increase the likelihood of finding an amiable and successful tenant.

As an example, those interested in the concept of a training yard could consider Kremlin Cottage Stables, a well proven training yard on Newmarket’s renowned ‘Bury Side’. With two houses, 96 stables and all the facilities of a commercial operation, it is on the market for £3.75m and can realise a rental return of between 3% and 4%. This is being marketed

by Windsor Clive International, the specialist agency that is also offering other training yards, both in England and France.

Larger stud farms often have historic ties or significance, sometimes with a grand house at their core. A certain selling point is the ability to wake up on a May morning and look out of your bedroom window at mares and foals grazing in the paddocks. Surely more inspiring than the acres of wheat or barley of a typical agricultural estate?

Perhaps the finest available at the moment is Soulcombe, a neo-Georgian house in 338 acres, between Oxford and Bicester. With five cottages, 67 stables in three separate yards, exceptional railed paddocks over limestone, and some small woods for a family shoot, it is an impressive and diverse stud farm. Soulcombe has long proved to be successful with a Derbywinning heritage and a reputation for raising world class horses.

At the races: Kremlin Cottage (left) is a well-proven training yard on Newmarket’s renowned ‘Bury Side’, while Heatherwold Stud (below) has an excellent reputation for producing quality stock

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The three stable complexes offer flexibility for other equine uses and could be let individually or managed in-hand. With polo next door at Kirtlington, and being a short drive to the M40, this is a spectacular operation for the highest-grade horses, of no matter which discipline. Soulcombe is also easily accessible to London, with trains from Bicester taking 50 minutes. Stud farms of this calibre are a real rarity – the infrastructure costs aren’t cheap, but the possible returns and rents are also substantial. The price guide is available on request for the highest-grade purchasers.

Near Newbury is Heatherwold Stud, with 145 acres, an attractive six-bedroom house, three cottages and extensive stud farm facilities. Heatherwold has an excellent reputation for producing and boarding quality stock, and it has the added advantage of enough level land for a polo ground as well.

On the market at £7.5m, it is a superb opportunity to buy a property located between Newbury and Burghclere.

Again, this is suitable for a variety of equestrian uses and

is easily reached from London.

Overall, the rental return on equestrian properties is greater than their agricultural counterparts. From a taxation point of view, equestrian property also benefits from reduced stamp duty land tax, with 5% applying to mixed-use properties. An equestrian operation can be a proper commercial business which has many characteristics that are similar to a hotel – with a clientele all with a passion for horses.

There are many different facets to equestrian property, and Windsor Clive International has the proven experience of operating in a marketplace where so much takes place without the glare of publicity. While a visit to the company’s website gives a brief introduction, many of the properties they sell do not get aired in the open market due to the confidential nature of the sale. This is an agency that really has to understand its clients’ needs in order to be able to give a proper service.

Find out more by visiting windsorclive.co.uk

POSTCARDS FROM

The Palm Jumeirah The famous palm tree-shaped island is known for its hotels, restaurants and beach clubs – transforming into a raucous club and party spot in the evenings.

Burj al Arab A striking hotel designed to resemble a sail. Its famous 59th-floor helipad has doubled as a racing track, boxing ring and the jumping point for the highest ever kite surf.

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NCE A SMALL fishing village surrounded by desert landscape, Dubai is now the epitome of a futuristic metropolis. The modernisation of the city was led by Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who began building modern infrastructure before the oil boom of the 1960s, and envisioned a city that was not reliant on black gold alone. Now, the UAE’s most populous city relies on trade, tourism, real estate and financial services – oil has contributed less than 1% of the city’s revenue since 2018.

The Sheikh was also a key figure in the formation of the UAE – as well as the region’s second president – working closely with founding father Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi.

Today, Dubai is a popular tourist destination thanks to its sublime traditions and audacious five-star hospitality. It is home to some of the world’s most impressive architecture – including the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, and the manmade Palm Jumeirah – and glamorous events, such as the Dubai International Boat Show in March and Art Dubai in May. 36

Madinat Jumeirah Dubai’s most popular resort, the Madinat resembles an ancient Arabian citadel and is home to a five-star hotel, manmade river, traditional souk and more.

The Walk at JBR A trendy beach-side residential location, The Walk on Jumeirah Beach is the go-to spot for chilled cafes and cool bars, relaxing on the beach or enjoying watersports.

Jumeirah Mosque This beautiful modern mosque is the flagship for Sheikh Mohammed’s Centre for Cultural Understanding, inviting people to discover Dubai’s history and culture.

Burj Khalifa The world’s tallest building is an architectural masterpiece. For a 360˚ view of Dubai, head to the At The Top attraction, or enjoy cocktails in The Lounge bar.

Dubai Fountain At the foot of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, this record-breaking dancing fountain is a delight, with displays set to musical styles from classical to K-pop.

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THE SPICE OF LIFE From Tel Aviv to Tehran, Gabriel Power discovers the best Middle Eastern restaurants in the world

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HETHER THE GENERAL population knows it or not, almost nobody is immune to the charms of Middle Eastern food. Indeed, its variety is second-to-none; it is less a cuisine and more a Venn diagram of overlapping, interweaving culinary traditions, connected to lands and cultures spanning thousands of miles and multiple millennia.

Taking in everything from fresh line-caught Tilapia seared on the shores of Tel Aviv, to aubergine stews forged in the ovens of Tehran, this much-loved cuisine always ensures that no feast-goer is left hungry, with an array of options that also sees vegetarians and vegans brought into the fold too.

Here, Burlingtons Magazine compiles a selection of the finest restaurants serving up Middle Eastern fare across the globe...

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GASTRONOMY LIZA | PARIS, FRANCE France, much like the UK, is a country with a deep historical connection to the Middle East. And while this lengthy and often fraught relationship between Paris and its former colonial subjects has left a somewhat mixed legacy, one element of this imperial era that France should be rightly thankful for is the influx of astonishingly high-quality Levantine food into the country.

And no establishment epitomises this more accurately than Liza (opposite and left), a superb outfit in the eclectic Bourse neighbourhood of the French capital. Featuring dishes from the lighter and often healthier side of Lebanese cuisine, Liza Asseily has conjured up a menu featuring astonishingly fresh ingredients, with highlights including the shish taouk and mechoui kafta. Still, sometimes we can’t turn down a side of delicious fries… » restaurant-liza.com

BAIT MARYAM | DUBAI, UAE It would, of course, be sacrilege to omit any restaurants situated in the Middle East from this list, but Dubai’s Bait Maryam may not be what you expect. Despite satiating appetites in the Gulf kingdom, its menu is thoroughly based in the traditions of the Levantine, offering Mediterraneanstyle dishes (left) that have garnered it considerable fanfare from experts and the public alike.

A recipient of Michelin’s Bib Gourmand, which not only highlights the exceptional quality of the food but also its value for money, Bait Maryam is named for the owner’s mother and, rather aptly, prides itself on its enormous menu of traditional home-style dishes, from rich Jordanian qallayat stews to the deliciously starchy delights of manakeesh bread. » baitmaryam.com

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KEBAB QUEEN | LONDON, UK Don’t let the name discourage you; this isn’t your average late-night falafel joint. Kebab Queen (this page) is part of the ultra-hip Le Bab group and is essentially the nexus of meaty Levantine fare and haute cuisine, nestled in the heart of London’s West End. Here head chef Manu Canales, formerly of the double Michelin star venture Le Gavroche, crafts impossibly delicate, delectable interpretations of the famed dish, deconstructing it and pushing it to its limits. But while the food is undeniably the main draw, a wonderful bonus is the intimacy of this unique restaurant; guests are essentially face-to-face with the chefs constructing their dishes for the evening, and can give detailed descriptions of each as they sizzle on the grill. eatlebab.com

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ALBI | WASHINGTON DC, USA Kicking off with a freshly Michelin-starred offering in Washington DC, Albi (right) has taken foodies by storm in the US capital. The restaurant, which opened in early 2020 and received the prestigious accolade in May this year, has been serving up eye-catching Eastern Mediterranean fare courtesy chef Michael Rafidi and wine expert Brent Kroll.

Highlights of their small yet eclectic menu include coalfired swordfish with smoked freekeh and lump crab tabouli, and spiced duck breast shish with charred fava beans and muhammara, a dip originally from Aleppo in Syria consisting of a puree of walnuts, red bell peppers and pomegranate. » albidc.com

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SUMAC | REYKJAVIK, ICELAND Who would have thought that one of the most talked-about contemporary Middle Eastern eateries in Europe would be found in the austere, Nordic climes of Reykjavik? Sumac (this page) has elevated the standard for Lebanese food in Iceland, offering charcoal-grilled and meticulously prepared eastern Mediterranean dishes with an experimental flair.

In the chic, dimly lit and leather-clad interior of this indemand restaurant, guests should opt for a starter of fried halloumi before moving on to the grilled chicken thigh skewer with pan dripping and pickles, or perhaps the grilled lamb ribs with a side of lentils, grapes and almonds. Delicious and daring in equal measure. sumac.is

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GASTRONOMY IMAD’S SYRIAN KITCHEN | LONDON, UK Our return to London comes in the form of a story of success in the face of extraordinary adversity. Restaurateur Imad Alarnab’s successful businesses in the Syrian capital of Damascus was destroyed in the country’s brutal civil war; a conflict which also saw Imad and his country flee to Europe as refugees.

After finding his feet cooking for other refugees on the long road to the UK, Imad eventually made his way to London, founding Imad’s Syrian Kitchen (this page) and serving up the food of his beleaguered homeland – and taking the capital by storm in the process. Be sure to check out the shaqaf, a traditional dish of grilled lamb skewers marinated in sumac with olive and orange oil and served with squash. imadssyriankitchen.co.uk

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ISLAMIC PROJECT FINANCING When it comes to international law, one of the most important considerations is compliance with multiple systems. Here, Burlingtons Group’s Lydia Mills shares details about working with UK and Islamic Law

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LAW

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SLAMIC FINANCE, in its broadest sense, is financing activity which adheres to Sharia principles derived from the religious precepts of Islam. In practise, this involves using innovative or alternate investment structures which are both Sharia compliant and deliver financial returns akin to non-Sharia transactions.

How is Islamic finance different to conventional finance?

One of the key elements of Islamic finance is that returns must be generated from commercial risk-taking and trade.

Money is not seen to have intrinsic value in and of itself and cannot be used to generate money. It follows that, unlike conventional finance, there is an absence of interest (riba).

Instead, a mark-up or profit share is realised through entering

into sale and purchase agreements, leasing arrangements or equity investments. With a tangible underlying asset capable of generating income, real estate finance is a well-established area of Islamic finance, with prime residential or trophy commercial assets being a primary focus.

Compliance Interpretation of Sharia principles varies, particularly across international borders. To ensure that projects and their underlying agreements are Sharia compliant, financing bodies will typically require a supervisory board or committee of Sharia scholars to issue a religious opinion (fatwa) on a proposed transaction. This pronouncement will usually be a condition precedent to a transaction proceeding. While »

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“One of the key elements of Islamic finance is that returns must be generated from commercial risk-taking and trade”

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LAW

International approach: Kuwait and Dubai (pictured) are two of the biggest regions for Islamic banking, which is gaining interest in the UK

there is a limited number of qualified Sharia scholars, in practise scholars will often sit on multiple boards or committees, contributing to a more uniform interpretation on Sharia.

Murabaha Islamic finance structures differ but can be broadly categorised as either asset-based or risk-sharing. For example, one of the most widely accepted structures used for trade finance is “murabaha”. In a murabaha transaction, the financing party rather than the borrowing party buys an asset from the seller and onward sells the asset to the borrower for the original purchase price plus a mark-up agreed at the outset. This mark up or premium is usually calculated in reference to a benchmark figure such as Libor, plus a margin.

Istisna’a Istisna’a is a method of Islamic finance usually used for construction projects. Unlike the murabaha structure, the lender does not acquire a finished product or asset but funds its construction or development to an agreed specification, at which point it acquires the product or asset and sells it back to the developer. Again, the lender’s return is usually tied to a benchmark figure plus a margin.

Musharaka Akin to a conventional joint venture, a musharaka is usually seen in long term investment projects whereby the financing party contributes capital and the party seeking finance contributes either assets or its professional services. The musharaka partners will share the profits at an agreed ratio, however losses are shared on the basis of capital input. This model may be varied so that the financing party’s participation diminishes over time as the other party buys its interest.

Combining conventional and Islamic finance Where projects include elements of both conventional and Sharia compliant funding, careful structuring is required to keep these separate. By way of example, businesses or assets which are the subject of financing arrangements must be permissible (halal) and a retail park may include a restaurant which sells alcoholic products, which is prohibited.

In this instance, some Sharia advisors will permit investment on the basis that the restaurant occupies only a small percentage of the site as a whole. Alternatively, the retail park could be divided into a portfolio of units acceptable to Sharia investors.

Where more structural separation is required, Sharia funding could occur at top-co level, which by equity investment or shareholder loan provides funds to a subsidiary acquiring the retail park (reverse murabaha). Ultimately, there is no “one size fits all” approach and each structure and project would need to be assessed and guided by the Sharia advisors on a case-by-case basis.

Islamic finance and the UK Historically the additional complexity, time and associated cost involved in incorporating Islamic finance into projects deterred potential borrowers. However, with innovative structuring these difficulties are surmountable. Indeed, Islamic finance is growing rapidly in the UK which last year saw the issuance of its second sovereign Islamic bond (sukuk) of £500 million, more than double the size of its first issuance in 2014.

If you would like to discuss any of the matters covered in this article, please contact Lydia Mills of Burlingtons Legal LLP at lydia.mills@burlingtons.legal

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A NATURAL F

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As Cornwalls Lane partners with Burlingtons Group in Gibraltar and beyond, Peter Young introduces the family office services providers

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FAMILY OFFICE

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URLINGTONS GROUP RECENTLY closed an investment round into Cornwalls Lane Services (CLS), Gibraltar, a trust and company service provider based in Gibraltar, and spearheaded by chartered accountant Edward Le Feuvre and Peter Young, solicitor; England, Wales and Gibraltar.

CLS evolved from a bespoke offering of multi-family office services provided to the clients of a London and Swiss asset manager, which had been providing since 2016. The original premise for the business was twofold: •

•

to provide consistent high-quality advice from Gibraltar, and to provide credible mind and management on a range of transaction-related issues within the spheres of private equity, venture capital, and in the selection of investment products; and to offer both back office and client facing capabilities for smaller asset managers in a benign environment with all

the benefits Gibraltar has to offer, supported by Gibraltar’s excellent network of finance professionals.

The client base grew steadily from inception, organically, and in 2020 the decision was made to obtain a trust and company management license in order to offer services to a broader client base. Despite the challenges Covid-19 presented, with all staff working remotely for large part of 2020, CLS received its licenses in June 2020 – following which it was able to take on a broader range of matters.

Demand for our services has been growing consistently – as of June 2022 we have assets under administration of around Demand for our services has been growing consistently – as of June 2022 we have assets under administration of around $200m (USD) and over 80 entities for whom we provide secretarial, administration and accounting services. CLS’s services are bespoke: we do not take on cookie cutter company secretarial work, and we provide »

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accounting and transactional banking support to the majority of our clients.

Where appropriate, we continue to provide mind and management to those companies that make passive investments in other countries and need to demonstrate tax compliance. Legal support is offered ancillary to trust and company management matters and accountants reporting is also a backbone of the business.

By way of examples, CLS have recently been involved in: •

•

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multiple investments in excess of £30m into the Wave Group – an inland surfing lake venture based in Bristol with ambitions to be a multi-site venture across the UK and further afield; multiple investments via a fund managed from Gibraltar in the US real estate market in excess of $20m, combining complex tax structuring with regulatory and contractual compliance within the parameters of the investment mandate; investments into a UK based white label crypto currency exchange.

It was this combination of legal, accounting and personal attention that worked neatly within the ethos of the Burlingtons Group, and made the investment by Burlingtons a natural fit.

Many of our clients have similar backgrounds, interests and needs, and given both principals of CLS are qualified to practice in both Gibraltar and England and Wales, and have extensive experience of both the accounting and tax rules in the UK, they are able to advise third parties both directly from Gibraltar or where appropriate through Burlingtons Group entities.

Gibraltar, as a jurisdiction, adds significant capability to the Burlingtons offering. Gibraltar law is very similar in many respects to English law: common law applies and the ultimate appellate court is the Privy Council – and a significant body of law in both Gibraltar and UK derived from EU law.

Gibraltar is also the only jurisdiction in the world to have a financial services passport into the UK, making it the ideal place to set up for UK-focused businesses in the insurance, banking and funds industries to consider setting up. There is a high standard of regulation to UK equivalent, and English is the first language – although there is significant fluency in Spanish and bilingualism.

The combination of deep experience across the Burlingtons Group in private client, corporate and general commercial matters, a stable attractive jurisdiction from which to offer tax efficiency and familiar legal structures, make it an ideal additional jurisdiction for Burlingtons to have in its offering.

Find out more by contacting Cornwalls Lane via email at info@ cornwalls.gi, or visit cornwalls.gi Cornwalls Lane is a member of Burlingtons Group. To find out more, email info@burlingtons.group

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“CLS’s services are bespoke: we do not take on cookie cutter company secretarial work, and we provide accounting and transactional banking support to the majority of our clients”

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REAL ESTATE

for non-resident investors Join Burlingtons’ exclusive webinar series this summer with a conversation about taxation hosted by Cornwalls Lane

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HERE HAS NEVER been a more fascinating time for UK real estate, particularly when it comes to the changing tides in international investment.

And while taxation is rarely considered the most exciting of subjects to many, we have learnt first-hand just what a rollercoaster it can be for those in the know.

That’s why we are delighted to announce that the summer episode of Burlington’s exclusive webinar series – hosted at 14:00 (BST) on 21 July – will be a presentation of the thrills and spills of taxation of UK real estate investment for non-resident investors – as well as some surprising subtopics around the themes that present themselves from this fascinating area.

Hosted by Peter Young of Cornwalls Lane, the webinar is an 40-minute discussion that includes time for audience interaction and a designated Q&A, so attendees can reap the benefits of our host’s expertise.

Cornwalls Lane, part of the Burlingtons Group, is a trust and company service provider based in Gibraltar, whose principals have many years combined experience in the taxation and administration of holding UK real estate assets in an offshore environment.

This latest event follows a successful series of webinars covering a variety of topics, from mental resilience to the London property market, and even tips for finding the best international investments. Our distinguished hosts are seasoned industry professionals in their chosen fields, with the ability to provide accessible, enlightening information in a digestible form, and have included Integra Private Wealth CEO Alistair Muscat, Compass For Life Founder Floyd Woodrow MBE, and Burlingtons Real Estate’s Nicholas Portelli.

The target market for these presentations includes our clients and contacts, but also wider professional intermediaries who wish to widen their knowledgebase and learn more about Burlingtons Group.

At Burlingtons, we are incredibly proud of how our webinars have been received and the growth they have seen, with consistent increases in attendance from an international base since launching in March 2021.

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BURLINGTONS GROUP GET INVOLVED Our webinars are not just limited to members of Burlingtons Group – we want to hear a variety of voices on an array of topics – so please do get in touch if you have an interest in hosting a webinar, or an idea or topic you would like to hear discussed.

If you would like any presentations from the presenters of previous webinars, please do let us know and we will happily provide these.

Even with such fascinating topics and industry seasoned presenters, the webinars would not be the success they are without the support of our audience, so thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you at our future webinars.

To register for the webinar, please visit burlingtons.group/events Learn more about Burlingtons Webinars and the wider Burlingtons Group by visiting burlingtons.group, or contact Jacob Kett via email at jacob.kett@burlingtons.pro

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BURLINGTONS GROUP

ON THE ROAD Henry Mills takes us behind the scenes of Burlingtons Group’s Maltese Roadshow

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URLINGTONS GROUP recently visited Malta as part of its strategy to expand its international network and promote local synergies and collaborations. In addition to being introduced to a number of high-quality businesses and related prospects, we were also able to meet up again in person with Alistair Muscat, owner of Integra Private Wealth and part of the Burlingtons Group.

In light of the successful merger of Burlingtons Group and Integra Private Wealth, the two firms gathered for an in-depth discussion to determine the next steps to ensure the mutual growth and success of the two enterprises. An analysis of growing the assets under management from around €700m to more than €1bn was conducted. After exploring options for how and which firm to target for an acquisition, we are now in formal negotiations with a UKbased company for its acquisition.

We also met with local corporate service provider, Credence, during our visit. This high-end corporate service provider offers comprehensive solutions for corporate structuring and ongoing administration of trading, investment and pure holding activities.

Credence provides advice regarding various aspects relating to commercial and private aviation, including advice in aviation and yacht acquisition and finance, the registration of the same in Malta as well as importation and related tax advice and structuring. In order to provide its clients with the best possible tailor-made solutions, Credence relies on the highest level of technical and legal support available both locally and abroad and very much reflects the values we hold dear in Burlingtons across all our disciplines.

By virtue of its licence from the Malta Financial Services Authority, Credence can act as trustee, provides fiduciary services and administers private foundations. Building on Malta’s reputation as one of the most valued trust jurisdictions in the EU, Credence adds the level of transparency and competency that our clients have come to depend on. » 55

“Valetta, Malta’s capital city, is a beautiful location steeped in history”

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BURLINGTONS GROUP

ON LOCATION Valetta, Malta’s capital city, is a beautiful location steeped in so much history. Art lovers will know that it is also home to one of the most famous artworks by Caravaggio – The Beheading of John the Baptist.

This work of art resides in the beautiful Co-Cathedral of St John (below), and was painted by the colourful artist after he fled Italy – but before he was imprisoned in Malta’s Fort St Angelo, from which he escaped in 1608 to go on the run once more.

In between meetings, we had the opportunity to dine at some of the local restaurants on the island – a true treat, as Malta boasts the fifth highest concentration of Michelin-star restaurants per capita in the world.

One restaurant in particular, Aki, was outstanding. As far as food, wine and atmosphere are concerned, this contempoary Japanese restaurant is one of the best places to go in Valletta.

We were not fortunate enough this time to be able to sample ‘Stuffat tal-Fennek’ – the famous Maltese rabbit stew the city is so well known for – but it is very likely to be on our menu when we return to Malta for our next board meeting with Integra and, more importantly, to taste this national treasure.

We are committed to doing business in Malta in the long term as an integral part of our business growth and global expansion plans there, and in Switzerland, London and Gibraltar.

For more information, please contact Henry Mills at henry.mills@burlingtons.pro

Colourful history: Caravaggio’s The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist in St. John’s Co-Cathedral (above), and an evening in Valletta Grand Harbour (opposite) 57

A CLASSÉ OF ITS OWN The famed Château Malartic-Lagravière is on a mission – not only to produce exceptional wines, but to change the way we see the beauty of Bordeaux. Michelle Johnson finds out more from Séverine Bonnie

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N THE OUTSKIRTS of Bordeaux, among the French wine region’s bucolic sloping hills, the feted Château Malartic-Lagravière is on a mission to reinvigorate the region. Founded at the end of the 19thcentury, the château has been run by the Bonnie family since 1997. In 2003, the family’s son, Jean-Jacques, arrived at the estate with his wife, marketing and communications guru Séverine Bonnie. His sister, Véronique Bonnie-Laplane, joined the family business as in 2008, with the siblings becoming official co-owners in 2019.

While there have been challenges along the way, Séverine admits the beauty and prestige of Château Malartic-Lagravière has not been a difficult sell – instead, she has set about sharing the power of the family’s agro-ecological approach.

“We wanted to continue the energy [the Bonnies] gave to the estate, focusing on the quality of produce at every stage, with the environmental turning point that is crucial for us nowadays,” she explains. “My job, in particular, was to communicate our philosophy, and raise global awareness of the brand and what we do.”

Château Malartic-Lagravière is one of only six properties to receive the 1953 Graves classification for both red and white wines. Its 73 hectares of vines – some of which are over 70 years old – include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, as well as seven hectares for Sauvignon and Sémillon for white wine. In 2017, Séverine opened the doors of the estate for tailor-made wine tourism, where a lucky few can experience the spectacular terroir.

“The quality of our terroir is due to a combination of several things,” she says. “It’s the unique combination of soils, vines, climate, ecosystem and human intervention.

“At Malartic, I can name the quaternary gravelly soils and sub-soils, the adequation between soil and grape varietals, theb age of our vines (which are up to 70 years old), the quite unique slope of the vineyard, the particular micro-climate and the ecosystem around and inside the plots. In addition to this, the trees, forests, hedges that we have planted since we arrived contribute to create a very natural and efficient ecosystem.”

This ecosystem is maintained through the family’s gentle and eminently sustainable ethos. “We care for our vineyard with a global agroecology approach,” says Séverine. “That means minimal ploughing by horse-drawn plough and 58

plant cover that encourages natural soil fertility. We recently welcomed at the estate our herd of ewes for an eco-pasture management of the soil – we take care of this place in a very long-term way. The soil is so unique; we have to protect it.”

The premium wines coming out of the château include vintage Château Malartic-Lagravière Grand Cru Classé in red and white, and a range of second wines in Le Comte de Malartic – renamed from La Réserve de Malartic for the 2020 vintage. All enjoy a quaffable depth and delicious aromatic identity.

“We have always produced wines that reflect the identity of the chateau, which is looking for excellence,’ explains Séverine. “But in recent years, I’ve noticed a turning point in our vintages. All the efforts we have made at the vineyard and its environment in the last 25 years have had a real impact in the depth, complexity and brightness of the wines. Like an additional touch of glamour, with precision and delicacy.” »

A family affair: The Bonnie family (above) presides over the famed Château Malartic-Lagravière in Bordeaux (opposite)

WINE

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A TOAST TO BORDEAUX While the Château’s success is never far from Séverine’s thoughts, she is also devoted to the region of Bordeaux as a whole. As a business leader, she is especially keen to support winemakers and women in business.

“It is important for me to promote and contribute to the area of Bordeaux,” she says. “Being winemakers, we know that we are always stronger together. I’m also involved in the Femmes Chef d’Entreprise (an international organization for women CEOs) – I like the mutual aid and clever professional advice exchange between women.”

Séverine is a founding member of local networking organisation Bordeaux Oxygene – known as BO2 – to celebrate and support the new faces of Bordeaux businesses.

“The idea was to gather young wine professionals and friends to promote Bordeaux in a different way. At that time, Bordeaux needed to show a new face and to make it more accessible.

We promoted everything from Grand Crus Classés to Grands Crus Classés to Bordeaux wines, from all areas of the region – but with the same approach and open-mindedness. It has been very well welcomed by the international media.”

This openminded approach also extends to Château Malartic-Lagravière’s emphasis on wine for all seasons. While prevailing misconceptions often lead Brits to think of red wine as a winter drink, Séverine says Bordeaux can be the perfect summer tipple. So, can she recommend a perfect summer red?

“Of course! It all depends on the vintage, serving temperature and food pairings,” she explains. “You could have a lot of pleasure with, for example, a bottle of 2016 La Reserve de Malartic, paired with a fresh chicken Caesar salad – I actually wrote a cookbook during the Covid-19 lockdowns [The Four Seasons of Malartic] where you can find plenty of ideas for seasonal pairings.”

If reaching a new audience of adventurous wine lovers is one of the Bonnie family’s major goals, Château MalarticLagravière’s sojourns into the world of film has been particularly inspired. With Hollywood stars including Charlize Theron and Scarlett Johansson as fans, the most recent vintage of Grand cru Classé featured in Kenneth Branagh’s 2022 adaption of Agatha Christie’s sleuth adventure Death on the Nile. Séverine notes the shared nautical theme of the film and Malartic’s emblem, as well as the fact that both Christie’s mustachioed hero Hercules Poirot (played by Branagh) and the Bonnie family share Belgian heritage.

“I think that cinema and wine have a lot in common: a great movie can be compared to a Grand Cru. Producing a Grand Cru is a bit like directing a film: you’re telling the story of the land and the people who make it – it is an art at all times,” she says. “These partnerships are a good way for us to reach more people, and not just the traditional Bordeaux wine lovers. When Malartic’s white wine was featured in [Netflix hit] Emily in Paris we gained a younger female audience. It was refreshing.”

With Bordeaux future and the conservation of the Château’s remarkable terroir both front and centre in the Bonnie’s plans, the future of this classic, but always contemporary, wine is set for a bright and cinematic road ahead. malartic-lagraviere.com This feature originally appeared in Tempus Magazine; tempusmagazine.co.uk 60

WINE

Second generation: Séverine Bonnie (below right), pictured with husband Jean-Jacques (centre) and sisterin-law Véronique Bonnie-Laplane (left), is on a mission to highlight the wine of Bordeaux

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E D U C A T I O N BEYOND THE CLASSROOM Carfax Education’s head of private tuition and principal of Carfax College, Carl Morris tells us how the organisation is creating educational excellence without borders

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EDUCATION

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RITAIN IS WORLD-RENOWNED for its firstclass education system; it houses some of the world’s best schools that prime young students for future success. Yet, learning inside the classroom can only take pupils so far. Be it tutoring, extra-curricular activities, or educational trips, there are a wealth of ways in which a child can broaden their knowledge and skillset outside of school to set themselves apart from their peers.

Most standard curriculums focus on knowledge rather than skills. Knowledge is information linked to a specific subject; skills teach us to apply this knowledge to anything we encounter.

Teachers and students are under increasing pressure to achieve top marks in examinations and, as a result, the

development of skills can often be overlooked in a classroom setting. Businesses agree: according to research from The Times Education Commission, just half of employers believe current curriculums equip young people with the skills they need for their future professional lives.

It seems the world’s most successful entrepreneurs have one thing in common: the ability to identify a problem none of us saw coming. In a rapidly evolving world, we cannot predict the jobs of the future, but we can ensure students are equipped with skills needed to excel. In order to be effective questioners, creative problem-solvers, and critical thinkers, young people need to display their skill in creativity, curiosity and confidence. »

Educational travel: The Acropolis of Athens, Greece 63

CREATIVITY Companies today understand that innovation is the key to success – and at the heart of innovation lies creativity. A common tendency to equate creative skill with subjects like art or design can sometimes demean this aptitude’s value, but creative thinking is required in many aspects of working life and should therefore be nurtured from a young age.

Outside of the classroom, a tutor is not restricted by a set curriculum in the same way a teacher may be. Over recent years we have seen an increase in demand for non-traditional subjects. Video game development, for example, not only requires technical skills like programming and animation, but also demands abilities in creative writing, history and architecture. Teaching skills to students in a way that is enjoyable allows young people to explore subjects more creatively and build on individual strengths and interests, which inspires a love for learning.

A more personalised approach to education allows pupils to look at subjects of interest in depth, and also allows for cross-subject exploration – this is vital for widening young peoples’ perspectives of the world and encouraging them to see connections between different disciplines. Teaching science via Minecraft, for instance, enables students to see how the world might fit together, rather than simply studying a subject in isolation.

CURIOSITY Children often ask weird and wonderful questions at a young age, though this can stop as they grow older.

Education tends to focus on convergent thinking – judging existing ideas, critiquing them, and refining them. But the type of thinking we need to encourage in pupils is divergent thinking – harnessing curiosity to imagine new ideas and come up with solutions to problems.

In a one-to-one setting, tutors can tailor lessons to introduce subjects that arouse interest and curiosity. This doesn’t have to be confined to the classroom, however. Exploring the world around us really sparks curiosity, and travelling tutors can not only support more flexible lifestyles but also enhance the educational aspects of travel, ranging from exploring Greek ruins to investigating marine biology.

Post-pandemic, there has been a boom in educational travel with companies organising once-in-a-lifetime educational adventures, such as our partner, luxury travel brand The Luminaire, who have designed a trip to Antarctica where students join world-leading scientists, such as renowned explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, to study a variety of topics.

CONFIDENCE Last year 45% of A-level students were awarded top grades.

With more students outperforming in examinations, the pressure to succeed is higher than ever. Yet, being able to accept failure is an essential skill, both within the remit of school but also outside of education. This ability is key to building resilience and ultimately solving some of the most pressing problems facing us today, like global health and climate change.

Tutoring is an exploratory and safe space in which a pupil can attempt the most challenging problems with careful guidance, even if they face the risk of getting wrong answers. This setting prepares young people for the world of work, but also builds confidence and resilience, as well

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as key skills like creative problem solving. So much is to be learned from attempting difficult problems, regardless of failure. This approach encourages pupils to ask questions and introduces them to a concept often neglected in traditional schooling: sometimes there is no one right answer.

CARFAX EDUCATION Carfax Education takes a holistic approach to learning to provide the most rounded academic experience for every pupil, preparing them for a lifetime of success. Our pupils are at the heart of everything we do.

We understand that no two children are the same – nor should their education be. From working with expert consultants who will find the right school to nurture the talents of each individual child, to delivering bespoke learning plans through tutoring and home-schooling, our world-class education specialists provide the support and expertise that is so integral in ensuring every student can achieve their ambitions and exceed their expectations.

Find out more by contacting Carfax Education on +44 (0)1865 200 676 or emailing enquiries@carfaxeducation.com, or visit carfax-education.com

Higher learning: (clockwise from above) The Parthenon, Athens; Marine biology beneath the waves; VR learning 65

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FAMILY LAW

LEAVE TO REMOVE What happens when one parent wants to move the children to another country?

Burlingtons’ family law partner Maeve O’Higgins offers her expert advice

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HEN A MARRIAGE or relationship breaks down and there are children involved, one parent may wish to move abroad with the children. If the other parent does not agree to the children relocating to the new country, the parent wishing to move must apply for permission from the court in order to be able legally to relocate the children. This is known as “leave to remove”, or international relocation.

These cases can be very emotional and difficult for all concerned. They often involve loving parents, who are equally committed to their children, who have never previously experienced serious disagreements between themselves about the arrangements for their children.

Court proceedings for leave to remove should be seen as the last resort. Such applications are very stressful, expensive, and destructive of future cooperative parenting. Parents should do everything they can to try and agree matters between themselves. If discussing matters directly with the other parent seems too daunting, it can be helpful to talk matters through in family mediation, using a mediator who is experienced in international relocation cases.

Collaborative law can also be a helpful way of dealing with the difficult issues that arise, in a non-confrontational way.

At Burlingtons Group, we are able to offer both options for parents who do not wish to go to court, as well as acting for parents in court proceedings for leave to remove. » 67

The usual reasons for a parent wanting to relocate abroad “Going home” cases – where a parent wants to return to her country of origin, where she will have the practical and emotional support of her family and friends after the breakdown of her marriage/relationship b. “New partner” cases – where a parent has remarried or is in a new relationship with a partner or spouse who lives in another country, or has their job or business relocated abroad, and she wishes to live with her new partner in the new country c. New employment opportunity – where a parent wishes to move abroad to take up an employment opportunity there d. “Lifestyle” cases – where a parent wants to move to another country with which she has had no previous close connection but feels will provide a better quality of life, or better life chances, for herself and her children a.

How to prepare a case for or against international leave to remove, if matters cannot be agreed Whether you are a parent seeking to relocate your children abroad, or wishing to oppose the proposed move, researching and preparing your case thoroughly will be key to your success or otherwise. The role of your lawyers will be vital in the presentation of this information, so as to give you the best chance of success in the court process.

These cases are often very finely balanced and you are strongly advised to consult solicitors with particular expertise in this very specialised area of family law, such as Burlingtons.

If you cannot agree matters with the other parent, so that court proceedings are necessary, a detailed statement will need to be prepared by your lawyers in support of your case, addressing some or all of the following issues.

Below: Burlingtons Family Law partner Maeve O’Higgins

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If you are a parent seeking to move abroad with your children, you should address: a. Your reasons and motivation for the proposed move. If the court considers that, rather than having genuine reasons for wishing to relocate and a realistic relocation plan, your application is motivated by a wish to prevent or curtail the relationship between your children and the other parent your application is likely to fail b. Housing arrangements in the new country c. Proposed schools/educational arrangements in the new country d. How childcare will be organised, including details of the support network you will have there e. Your links (if any) to the new country f. The healthcare arrangements in the new country, including cost and dealing with any particular health issues that any of your children have g. How any immigration or visa issues will be dealt with h. Information about any new partner/spouse and his/her employment in the new country i.

Financial issues, demonstrating that the proposed move is financially viable j.

Any special factors, such as cultural, racial, language or religious issues k. The wishes and feelings of each of the children in relation to the proposed move l.

Crucially, your statement must demonstrate your commitment to promoting and supporting the relationship between the children and other parent. You need to set out the practical arrangements you will put in place to ensure regular indirect and face-to-face contact takes place and how face-to-face contact will be funded m. What the emotional, physical and financial impact on you would be of a refusal of permission to relocate the children abroad n. What the impact would be on the children of a refusal of permission to relocate abroad

FAMILY LAW If you are a parent opposed to the children moving abroad, your statement should deal with issues such as: a. The likely impact of the proposed relocation and reduction of time with the children on the relationship between the children and yourself, including practical difficulties such as time differences, long journeys for the children, difficulties taking time off work, etc b. The current child arrangements and your involvement in the care and upbringing of your children, any difficulties for you and the other parent co-parenting and how you and the other parent could continue to co-parent in the event that the relocation does not take place c. Scrutiny of the other parent’s proposed relocation plan, including the network of support or lack of it, educational arrangements for the children in the new country as compared to the current arrangements, financial issues, language religious and cultural differences d. Emphasise the links the children have and the loss they will suffer of significant relationships with their wider family and friends and everything else the children have in the UK, including significant hobbies, sporting activities, and other interests e. The likely emotional impact on you of the proposed relocation to another country f. The likely emotional impact on the children of the proposed relocation Statements will also need to be prepared from new partners and other members of your respective extended families in support of or against the proposed relocation.

How the court decides applications for leave to remove The court’s decision whether or not to grant leave to remove the children to another country will be decided on the basis of what is in each child’s best interests (this is known as “The Welfare Principle”, which underlies the Children Act 1989).

The court will carry out a global holistic evaluation by reference to the checklist of specific factors set out in the Children Act, involving an analysis of all the welfare options followed by evaluation of positives and negatives of each option.

The options put forward by the relocating parent will be weighed against the competing options of the other parent, including analysis of the potential benefits to the children of relocation to the new country measured against the inevitable erosion in the quality of the children’s relationship with the left behind parent in the event of the relocation.

An experienced family lawyer, Maeve is also a family mediator and collaborative lawyer. She has particular expertise in dealing with international child relocation, having dealt with court proceedings involving relocations as far afield as Australia and New Zealand, USA, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and China. Her experience as a mediator includes an international child relocation from Indonesia to New Zealand, and a “domestic” relocation from England to Scotland.

If you would like to find out how Burlingtons’ Family Law department can help you, please contact maeve.ohiggins@ burlingtons.legal or visit burlingtons.group

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MORE THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS Following Tollgård’s contemporary showcase at London Design Week, we look at the design duo’s pick of brands exciting the world of interior design

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ONTEMPORARY DESIGN DUO Staffan and Monique Tollgård first founded their interior design studio 15 years ago and have been at the forefront of inspiring and beautifully crafted homes and spaces ever since.

Born in Sweden and South Africa respectively, the husbandand-wife team share a love of brands who not only embody beautiful craftsmanship and design, but also celebrate storytelling and culture within their unique works.

Tolgård’s international showrooms – including three in London’s Chelsea and Belgravia – feature some of the duo’s favourite global brands and individual pieces that are creatively designed to bring an unrivalled level of beauty into our homes. From legacy Italian artists to emerging South African sculptors, artisans and studios creating furniture, lighting and home accessories, these are the ones to watch.

Here, we take a look at some of our favourite contemporary pieces that are exciting these top designers. » 70

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MAN OF PARTS With travel as its muse, Man of Parts offers an exciting capsule collection of seating, tables, lighting and accessories designed to improve the time one spends at home. Founded by Munichnative Stephan Weishaupt, who’s philosophy centres on the idea that we need only a few items, but each one should be beautifully made and there to enhance the way we live. From the floating Via Del Corso armchairs (previous) to the sweeping fisherman’s arc of the Takayama floor lamp (below), this is outstanding minimal design with flare.

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DESIGN

OKHA Tollgård is the UK’s only distributor of Cape Townbased Okha, and the studio describes this impressive brand as embodying South Africa’s “artisanal history and unrivalled beauty” to create stunning furniture built to last. Adam Court founded the brand, collaborating with South African artists to blur the line between art and interior design. Court favours organic materials like brass, leather, copper, timber, marble and stone – as seen in the brand’s new Tectra 2 Coffee Tables (above), and sumptuous Repose sofa (below), which sits on polished brass plinths. »

CECCOTTI COLLEZIONI Celebrating 60 years of craftsmanship, Italian brand Ceccotti Collezioni (this page) is a firm favourite of Tollgård. Known for its bespoke ‘products of the author’ one-off pieces, Ceccotti Collezioni also produces playful collections perfect for any space, and that fully show the brand’s impeccable craftsmanship and statement style. Ceccotti also works with artists and designers for special pieces – such as the newly launched T-Bone chair designed

by Jaime Hayon (right).

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DESIGN

GIORGETTI This Brianza-based Italian design brand began life in 1898 as a carpentry workshop, outfitting the homes of local Italian nobility. It has grown to become one of the world’s most instantly recognisable studios thanks to its unique style. The brand’s collection of sofas, beds, tables and seating still use traditional woodworking practises, with quality in every stroke. A perfect examples of Giorgetti’s contemporary yet comfortable ethos is this Hug armchair (right) – made from solid walnut canaletto wood and available in a variety of upholstery options.

MOLTENI & C Established in 1934 by Angelo Molteni, this global brand began as a simple furniture store in Giussano, Monzo. Today’s timeless designs maintain that passion for quality Italian craftsmanship, while the brand’s Heritage Collection – in collaboration with the Gio Ponti Archives – is giving new life to Molteni’s historic classics. A stand out release is the D.848.1 console desk (below) – reborn in 2021 after 70 years – and one whose wing-like curves and rounded front became a hallmark of many Ponti products. tollgard.com This feature originally appeared in Tempus Magazine; tempusmagazine.co.uk

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ASK BORIS Burlingtons’ resident bulldog is here to answer your investment questions...

Question: I’m interested in investing in horses. Where should I be visiting to get an understanding of equestrian sports?

Just as placing your bets on a high stakes race, investing in racehorses can be a risky business. But, it can also be a thrilling and lucrative endeavour, too, especially for those who love the equestrian lifestyle.

Owning horses can be an expensive venture thanks to the costs involved in housing and training the animals, where you can expect to pay between £30,000-£50,000 per year, but newcomers to the world of equestrian investment can mitigate some of these costs thanks to the rise in horseracing syndicates. These share-based options have become more stylish than ever for those looking to make a fractional investment, or who want to get a taste of the action before committing completely with their own horse.

Horses are typically purchased at public auctions as foals, yearlings or two-year olds, and before they have begun to race professionally. There are famous auctions the world over, with Keeneland in Kentucky, US, among the most prestigious – in its September 2021 yearling auction more than 2,700 horses sold for an average of $130,698 (£106,294).

While many investors do not often make a significant return from racehorse ownership, it is very much considered a top tier lifestyle investment, with the perks of ownership bearing fruit in event access, networking, and much more besides.

In the UK, there is no shortage of major events in the

calendar, from Royal Ascot in June, Burghley Horse Trials in September, to the Cheltenham Festival in March. Thinking more globally, owners also have a wealth of opportunities to experience horseracing at the highest international level.

In the United States, the Kentucky Derby, held in May, is one of the world’s most famous racing events, with thousands of spectators descending each year for the “most exciting two minutes in sport”. The event is known for strict rules that allow only the best and most accomplished horses and jockeys to compete.

The Dubai World Cup, like Ascot in the UK, boasts a remarkable royal pedigree as well as hosting the richest race in the world. The thoroughbred racing event was created in 1996 by the emirate’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (who was then vice president of the UAE). Today, the event is held in high style each March at the 60,000 capacity Meydan Grandstand. Finish the season in Australia in November with the Melbourne Cup, where the Cup Carnival draws up to 100,000 fans each year.

All this, along with regular meetings, international networking and the joy of seeing your own horse compete, make racehorse investment a truly unique experience.

For expert investment tips or advice about the questions that have been hounding you, contact Boris by emailing: info@burlingtons.group

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When timing is everything.

Time does not respect machines, or the desire to be quick.

It exists to measure the margin of victory in a sport where precision is paramount.

The Bremont WR-22 is the first official timepiece designed in collaboration with Williams Racing, drawing on a shared British heritage and dedication to engineering expertise.