Victor - Fly Smarter - Magazine Spring 2015

Summer: 2015

On-Demand Private Jet Charter

FLY SMARTER

SAY GOODBYE TO

OPAQUE PRICING, JET CARDS, UNDISCLOSED COMMISSIONS AND EXCESSIVE MARK UPS

SAY HELLO TO VICTOR

THE WORLD’S FIRST TRANSPARENT MARKETPLACE FOR PRIVATE JET CHARTERS

Summer 2015

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Exceptional customer service, fixed booking fees and access to 7000+ aircraft No upfront fees or commitment. Join now and Fly Smarter www.flyvictor.com London: +44 207 384 8550 New York: +1 888 99 12 359 Munich: +49 89 242 18 236

04 VICTOR AT A GLANCE Almost four years on, Victor has stormed the world of private aviation

06 VICTOR APP A smarter future awaits

09 ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS Victor’s Senior Vice President, Steffen Fries, leads a round table discussion on private aviation

12 ISLAND HOPPING Join Victor’s luxury photo call in St Barths

16 FURS CLASS Travelling in style with your four-legged friends – meet Roo, one of Victor’s ‘pets on jets’

18 A HEALTHY ADDICTION The ultimate in luxury travel – climb aboard a superyacht

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23 BOARDROOM TO THE RACETRACK When passion proves to be a driving force – Tim Richards embarks on a racy new challenge

26 DOWN TO A FINE ART The very modern world of Old Masters and fine art with CEO Jonathan Green WITH THANKS TO: Focus Media Solutions (FMS) for your creative design, planning and project management Melissa Morris at www.featurewords.com for your support and commitment beyond the call of duty Steve Varsano and his wonderful staff at The Jet Business for your kind hospitality Alev Karagulle, Katinka Nicou and Roo, Jonathan Green, Alasdair Whyte, Tim Richards, Mark Blundell, Rene D Egle Additional Photography: Courtesy of Bombardier Courtesy of Comlux The Aviation Group Our photographers Andrew Timms, George Chinn, Scott Heavey, Patrick Hecq, Andre Camara, Nando Esteva and Laurent Benoit for capturing precious moments For post production Matt Haysom and Tom Higgins And not forgetting The Victor Team for making it happen... again

28 FROM RUNWAY TO RELAXATION Cast away your stress in the Maldives – we explore the Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort and Spa

30 CLIVE TALKIN’ The man behind the brand – Victor CEO and Founder, Clive Jackson on disrupting the marketplace and climbing to new heights

32 RIGHT FLEET, RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME With access to over 7000 private aircraft, Victor can help you to Fly Smarter

34 CHOICE AND TRANSPARENCY Meet Victor’s partner operators and aircraft

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22 OPERATING A POWERFUL ALLIANCE One of Victor’s contracted partner operators talks about safety and security in private aviation

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BELMOND - BEAUTIFUL WORLD Champions of luxury travel and the voyeuristic pleasures of journeying by train

15.00 EST/20.00 GMT

VICTOR AT A GLANCE VICTOR HAS STORMED THE WORLD OF PRIVATE AVIATION ACROSS THE GLOBE OFFERING A GAME-CHANGING PLATFORM FOR CUSTOMERS TO BOOK PRIVATE JETS. OVER 20,000 MEMBERS LATER IT HAS OFFICES IN LONDON, NEW YORK AND MUNICH. CLEARLY EVERYONE LOVES THE CONCEPT – AND NOW VICTOR IS EXPANDING FURTHER, WITH A STATE-OF-THEART ‘MEMBERS ONLY’ APP THAT PUTS OVER 7,000 AIRCRAFT, FROM A GULFSTREAM TO A CITATION, AT YOUR FINGERTIPS.

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“ I love booking private flights with Victor because they offer easy online access, flexibility and a huge choice of destinations and planes, all for considerably better value than others. Their customer service team is on hand 24 hours a day from quote to landing, recommending the right aircraft and the best operators – they really put the customer first. I am sure others will want to enjoy the same Victor experience ” TIM RICHARDS: CEO AND FOUNDER, VUE ENTERTAINMENT

DARE TO CHALLENGE In August 2011, Clive Jackson, frustrated with commercial air travel and the lack of first class services across Europe, launched Victor. The innovative online platform delivers on-demand private jet charter with the widest choice of jets, times, routes and prices, all at your fingertips, with no hidden costs or unexpected surcharges. The open and transparent approach has disrupted an antiquated industry by cutting out brokers and middlemen. You get complete transparency – Victor shares both operator and actual aircraft details prior to a paid booking. If you chose to, you could bypass Victor completely and book direct with an operator. But people have seen the value Victor adds and today they have over 20,000 members.

THE DETAIL Victor gives you complete control throughout the booking process, so you get exactly the jet and route you want at a competitive price. It’s pay as you go, rather than pay in advance, so you’re not committed to pre-paid jet cards or tied to one supplier. Frequent flyers can opt for prior-agreed credit with Victor, making the booking process even more effortless.

With Victor’s unique combination of smart technology and exceptional service, members are always connected and in control of their travel itinerary. The Victor flight planning team and concierge services are also available for those little extras and unforeseen changes.

TIME TO FLY SMARTER The new Victor booking and flight departure app provides members with seamless support for any forthcoming jet charter. Members and their personal assistants are updated with up-to-the-minute alerts and information about aircraft, crew, departures and landing slots. Members can also receive empty leg alerts on their preferred routes and review their charter quotes, in addition to booking and paying for their charter via the app.

We have also created the Victor Guarantee, which creates a new benchmark for on-demand private jet charter. This underscores our approach, highlighting the unique service we promise to deliver.

So whether you choose to book online, through the app or by phone with our dedicated experts, Victor really is the way to Fly Smarter.

DIRECT ACCESS TO OVER 7,000 AIRCRAFT WORLDWIDE We get the right aircraft at the best price, with a simple side-by-side comparison for each quote from Wyvern Wingman, ARG/US and Victor-rated operators.

FINANCIAL PROTECTION For the ultimate security, we guarantee that all payments we receive from members, less our booking fee, are held securely in a client deposit account. So whatever happens, your money is always safe.

INSURANCE COVER Should technical difficulties or sick crew ground your aircraft, we will search for a like-for-like replacement. This service kicks in as soon as the issue is reported, at no extra cost to ensure minimal disruption to your travel plans.

COMPLETE CONTROL Easy-to-use technology connects you to our expert flight support team 24/7.

PRICE MATCH PROMISE If you find a competitor offering a better price for the same aircraft, sold with the same service conditions, we’ll lower our price to match.

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IN THE AIR IN JUST 3 HOURS You’ll get your quote within the hour – but you won’t have seen anything like it before. That’s because it shows a simple comparison of the all-inclusive price with details about the actual aircraft you are booking, including tail numbers and actual photographs. Book online or via the app right away or speak to Victor’s industry-leading flight planning team to get help and advice 24/7. And if you need to make a last-minute booking, Victor can get you from a quote request to take-off in less than three hours.

TOTAL TRANSPARENCY Victor is the only on-demand private jet charter service to disclose both operator and actual aircraft details prior to a paid booking.

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GET A QUOTE AND BOOK 24/7 Victor has cut through the confusion of jet charters with a smart, transparent way to compare, book and manage private jet charters. For business or pleasure, or both, Victor shows you pricing and availability from hundreds of the leading private jet operators to give you the best comparisons and choice. You can choose from 40,000 airports worldwide and fly on over 7,000 different aircraft.

Membership is free – simply register online or download our app and request quotes.

THE VICTOR GUARANTEE

A S M A R T E R F U T U R E AWA I T S

VICTOR APP

THE NEW VICTOR APP MAKES COMPARING, BOOKING AND MANAGING PRIVATE JET CHARTERS EASIER AND FASTER THAN EVER BEFORE.

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The latest innovation in the company’s commitment to revolutionise the £9.4 billion global private aviation charter market, it takes two minutes to register online at www.flyvictor.com/join, or via the app, available in the App Store.

The app is the ultimate travel accessory for private jet fliers who are typically time-poor and require a bespoke service that meets their individual travel needs and is easy to use. When customers book a jet via the app, they can save the boarding pass to the device’s Passbook and share the flight information with other passengers by email. The service delivers at least three charter quotes within 60 minutes so Victor members can compare the best available aircraft, operator and price.

Customers can book, pay and see a full flight itinerary, safe in the knowledge that Victor provides 24/7 customer support at any stage of a booking or journey. www.flyvictor.com/app

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THE WORLD AT YOUR FINGERTIPS: Victor delivers a consistent customer experience wherever you are in the world and wherever you want to fly with its mobile iOS app, which is fast-becoming the ultimate travel accessory for private jet fliers.

BOOK RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW The widest choice of jets, routes and prices at your fingertips.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO FLY It’s easy to share the itinerary with your passengers.

Request a quote in seconds and receive instant estimates.

Our smart technology finds the best aircraft available.

Instant notification of any updates to your schedule.

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TOTAL TRANSPARENCY It’s simple to compare the actual aircraft and operators side by side, so you can choose the right aircraft and operator at the right price.

There is a fixed booking fee and no hidden costs or unexpected surcharges.

We are confident our quotes won’t be beaten.

Directions to your private departure terminal from wherever you are.

One touch puts you straight through to our flight services team 24/7.

DOWNLOAD THE APP TODAY AND EXPERIENCE VICTOR Because it’s time we all Fly Smarter. www.flyvictor.com/app Fast track code: V1MAG

In the world of private aviation there is always plenty to discuss. Victor’s Chief Operating Officer, Steffen Fries called a ‘round table discussion’ of industry experts, including The Jet Business Founder, Steve Varsano, Corporate Jet Investor Editor, Alasdair Whyte and facilitator Simon Brooke to share some of the concerns and challenges the industry faces this year. The extraordinary West End Offices of The Jet Business in London provided the perfect background for this lively discussion and exchange of views.

R O U N D TA B L E

DISCUSSION 9 VICTO R M AGA ZIN E D IS C U SS IO N

SF: I agree, Steve, every challenging time also presents opportunities. Victor understands that people are more conscious in their buying behaviour, they don’t want to get ripped off and they want more information before committing. That’s why we disclose all information about aircraft, operator, price and even booking fees. We’ve made flying so much ‘smarter’.

SB: What trends do you see emerging in the market currently? Are people buying jets again as well as chartering them?

SV: It’s about your needs. We usually say that if you fly between 150 and 200 hours a year that’s when you decide to buy rather than charter. But if the usage is at the lower end of that spectrum then someone might want to charter out their jet to generate some income to offset against their fixed costs.

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Simon Brooke: I’d like to start this discussion by looking at some of the challenges and the opportunities currently facing the private aviation sector.

Alasdair Whyte: People buy and charter business jets when they feel confident so the big issue is obviously the economy. America is looking very good although the rest of the world isn’t. The UK is a slight bright spot in Europe. There’s also the problem of Russia and Ukraine plus problems in the Middle East. It’s clearly better than it was six years ago but it’s not quite back to the level that it was pre-2008.

Steffen Fries: The crisis in Ukraine has indeed had an impact on us at Victor because today our biggest markets are Europe and Russia/CIS. When it comes to buying aircraft the situation is perhaps not as good as it was years ago but this just means that more people are chartering.

Steve Varsano: I’m the eternal optimist. We’re servicing clients in China, Mexico or wherever and there’s always a crisis somewhere in the world but people will always need aeroplanes for their business. Over the last 10 years a lot of the emerging markets have become really serious players and they’re in distant places so that’s why we’re seeing the upper end of the market - the larger jets - experiencing greater demand. Demand for the smaller jets is still weak but that could come back. Overall, prices are typically 30 to 50 per cent less than they were in 2008.

SF: From a cost perspective it’s hard to justify private aviation but from a value perspective it’s very different.

For instance, a senior manager has to deliver about six to seven times the value of their salary for the company.

If you’ve got three senior managers that you need to get to, say, Helsinki and back in a day then, yes, you can certainly justify a private jet in value terms. Back to your question of trends: Victor serves almost 50 NetJets customers already. That, for me, is a clear indication that our offering is setting the trend in terms of service, price and technology.

AW: I’ve got a friend who runs a large, privately owned US company. When the downturn came he thought it looked bad to have a jet so the company sold it. Now he says there’s nothing more frustrating than being stuck on a commercial jet watching a private jet taking off in front of you!

SF: There will always be those who buy planes but more people go through brokers. Fractional ownership and prepaid cards lose more and more market share because their main USP used to guarantee availability but that‘s now offered by charters. And people don’t want long term commitments anymore or to have to pay up-front and get saddled with ‘use or lose it’ clauses. Those who were using brokers are getting fed up with having to contact different brokers just to get an overview of the supply and enough transparency to make a decision. Victor provides all information, from year of manufacture to insurance coverage of a specific aircraft.

SB: There’s also the question of trust and reliability, I suppose.

SF: Exactly. We’ve invested over £2 million in our IT systems to ensure credibility. Some of these ‘one-man bands’ could offer a Gulfstream 200 to fly from London to La Môle, near St Tropez, for instance.

That’s fine – except that a Gulfstream 200 can’t land at La Môle. And what about financial security?

If you pay your broker today you can never be sure what happens to your money until the flight.

The one-man band might have filed insolvency and your money is gone. Same with operators, and we have seen quite a few of them disappearing over the last two years. We’ve set up a client deposit account with HSBC, where your payment is held. We release the money 24 hours before the flight so whatever happens in between your booking and your flight, your money is safe.

SV: There’s no doubt that, since 2008, the old saying that if you have to ask how much it costs you can’t afford it doesn’t apply anymore. Everybody is very cost-conscious these days and they really shop around. There are a lot more educated people out there and a lot more information available.

SB: Perhaps, like other markets since 2008, private aviation has had to become more transparent?

SF: Beside trust it is absolutely about transparency. With a jetcard you never have all-in prices with all the add-ons like fuel, landing fees, etc. Nor do you know which specific aircraft will finally pick you up.

With our technology it just takes a few clicks or taps to make an informed decision and find the best aircraft and the right deal. With a fraction it’s even worse, since you never know the residual value in 5 years time. So you have no idea of total-cost-of-ownership.

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FIGURES World business jet distribution

66% NORTH AMERICA

15% EUROPE

7% ASIA

Taking part: Steffen Fries, Chief Operating Officer, Victor Steve Varsano, Founder, The Jet Business Alasdair Whyte, Editor, Corporate Jet Investor Simon Brooke, Luxury sector journalist and facilitator

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SV: You’re absolutely right Steffen, it’s about empowering the client. You need to provide people with all the information they need to find the aircraft that best meets their needs.

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book ed via wimc o ou r villa “reef poin t”

ISLAND HOPPING

Where the Côte d’Azur meets the Caribbean – Victor Founder and CEO Clive Jackson chose the stunning island of St Barthélemy for the new Victor brand photography 13 VICTO R M AGA ZIN E IS LAND HO P P ING

There is something quite magical about finding an island where the airport closes as the sun goes down and the roar of the last flight of the day gives way to the sound of waves lapping at the end of the runway, which literally runs on to the beach at the Bay of St Jean.

As the evening sky turns through successive shades of rose, red and gold, a light breeze carries the distant laughter from Nikki Beach. Day-time revellers start to wander home as we pack away our equipment, having finished our photo shoot on arguably the most perfect of Caribbean islands.

I had sailed through St Barths several times before and always imagined returning, to shoot at least one new brand advert for Victor, capturing the essence of what Victor represents.

Gazing out from the edge of our infinity pool, across the Bay of St Jean, we thanked the crew with a bottle of Château Minuty, having called in a host of favours, from photographers to aircraft owners – and a particularly accommodating airport manager – who allowed us to work on the operational airport, with planes taking off and landing every few minutes.

stepping down from th e Pilatus PC12

There is so much to do, with shopping, diving, dining and surfing to fill your days, and something for all ages.

Ba rba ra (our mode l) Ch ris tia nn a (stylis t) eWinds) Da vid (owner of Trad

it’s a wrap!

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a nd h e l p i ng h

N ikki’s after party

laurent (ph otograp h er)

it really is on a slope

PARADISE FOUND Just ten minutes’ flying time from the neighbouring island of St Maarten, Gustaf III Airport can only be reached by small propeller aircraft, private charter or commuter. With a 2,170 foot runway, which is also on a slight slope, it’s a stunning arrival, over Mount Tourment and the turquoise waters of St Jean beach.

Whether you are flying from the US or Europe, you must gateway via St Maarten, San Juan or Antigua – all of which are capable of accommodating Gulfstreams, Global Expresses and Falcons – before changing aircraft for the last leg of your journey. Alternatively, sail in on your superyacht.

WHERE THE CÔTE D’AZUR MEETS THE CARIBBEAN The first French settlers arrived nearly 500 years ago and today St Barths delivers the promise of unparalleled service (always with a smile), sophisticated cuisine, the ‘je ne sais quoi’ of French chic and barefoot luxury – not to mention daytime temperatures that average about 27 degrees Celsius all year round.

sax on nikki beach

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A GASTRONOME’S DELIGHT On the fringes, it has all the charisma of Mustique but, with a restaurant ratio of 50:1, there really is no comparison. There are more than 400 uber-, super- and ultimate luxury villas to rent, not to mention some of the finest hotels, on an island that measures no more than 16 square miles.

Perched on a cliff-top overlooking the Bay of St Jean, with Eden Rock and the tiny airport on the far side of the bay, you’re never far from a boulangerie – serving croissants and patisseries to rival any Parisian baker – and supermarkets offering the very finest fresh local ingredients.

Gustavia is the island’s enchanting capital and duty-free yachting port.

Its size precludes cruise ships so, instead, its abundant high-class boutiques cater for the super-affluent clientele aboard private yachts. The latest luxury brands and couture fashion equal St Tropez – so whilst you may have stepped out of the fast-lane, you certainly won’t fall behind on fashion.

All in all, and photo shoot aside, St Barths is so good, I want to go back again … and again …

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There is so much to do, with shopping, diving, dining and surfing to fill your days, and something for all ages. Despite its overstated prices, the island has managed to retain its understated French heritage and charm.

You’ll find yourself rubbing shoulders with A-listers, but frankly no one looks or cares.

MUST DOS WHEN VISITING Shell Beach – for that sunset cocktail at Restaurant Dõ Brazil (five-minute walk from Gustavia): www.dobrazil.com Bonito, Rue Lubin Brin, Gustavia – for the coolest DJ and dining (you can buy tracks to take home): www.ilovebonito.com Filles des Iles 8, Villa Créole St Jean – for the things you can’t get in St Tropez: (+590) 590 29 04 08 Nikki Beach, Plage de St Jean – because you have to, at least once, (the sushi is excellent); www.nikkibeach.com/stbarth St Bart’s Blue www.stbartsblue.com and Wimco www.wimco.com: for the widest choice of villas … And not forgetting the roundabout at the western tip of the runway to see the most spectacular landings, ever Getting there by PC12 - TradeWinds booked via Victor of course

F U R S

C L A S S

You may imagine only pampered pedigrees travel as ‘pets on jets’. In true Victor style, we’ve discovered a wonderfully heart-warming tale that also challenges some common misconceptions about flying with our four-legged friends.

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Meet Roo. He’s a handsome Rottweiler-cross: loyal, proud, majestic ...and cuddly. Probably not quite what you were expecting. And with origins in Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London, maybe not what you’d expect to see on a private jet. But as his owner, Victor member Katinka Nicou explains, true love knows no bounds – emotionally or geographically.

“I first met Roo when he was being walked in a London park by a volunteer,” recalls Katinka, a successful international leadership coach and facilitator, whose extensive work is now increasingly focusing on the development of philanthropic strategies and legacy definition. “I discovered that Roo had been abandoned at six months old. I held out my hands and he rested his little head in them. He gave a deep sigh, as if relieved, and looked up at me. They say dogs pick their owner and, right then, Roo picked me.”

After a lengthy rehoming approval process, Katinka was finally able to adopt Roo. They have been inseparable ever since. Roo has grown from a shy, traumatised puppy into a trusting, impeccably behaved companion. He now accompanies Katinka to meetings, parties and country weekends; travelling in buses, trains, cars and taxis – and attracting admirers wherever he goes. It was just a matter of time before he joined her on a flight.

HOW TO GET THERE Fly from London to Palma in 2 hours 30 mins on a Citation XLS Contact the Victor Team on: +44 207 384 8550 or email: info@flyvictor.com

“I was flying to Mallorca to spend a month working on my latest book. I really wanted Roo to come with me to share the breathtaking mountain walks and invigorating beach runs. So I decided to investigate the possibility of taking him. I weighed up the commercial and private options, before signing up with Victor. Flying on commercial airlines involved endless searches, then going through licensed pet travel agents, filling in countless forms, and paying exorbitant fees on top of the dog’s fare. He would also have to fly in a crate in the luggage hold, which raised concerns for me.”

“The great thing was, when booking privately through Victor, Roo could fly with me in the cabin. I simply provided a scan of our passports, made a quick online payment and that was it - I booked immediately. We arrived at Biggin Hill Airport around 30 minutes before departure and, while our passports were checked, I took Roo for a stroll outside.

Onboard, I was offered a cup of coffee and a newspaper, and Roo enjoyed a bowl of water and a treat. The crew went to great lengths to make us both feel welcome and comfortable. On arrival at Palma Airport, we flew through with similar ease and, within a few hours of taking off from the UK, we reached the olive grove that was our home for the next month.”

Katinka and Roo’s story beautifully illustrates the boundless friendships that can arise from chance meetings.

It also shows how, by challenging preconceived ideas and following your heart, wonderful things can be achieved that surpass all initial expectations. From abandonment in the park, to a seat on a private jet, Roo’s ‘rags to riches’ journey neatly sums up why Victor believes our four-legged friends should always be treated as ‘Furs Class’ passengers.

FIVE FURS CLASS FACTS

1

A pet passport is mandatory, confirming that your dog’s routine health checks are up-to-date.

2

Your dog will need identification bearing the date of their microchip.

3

You must confirm that your dog received a rabies vaccination three weeks prior to the flight.

4

Your dog will need to have had tapeworm treatment one to five days prior to the flight.

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Always check for latest information at: http://www.gov.uk/ pet-travel-information -for-pet-owners.

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PET-APPROVED AIRPORTS IN THE UK include: Biggin Hill, Farnborough, Stansted, Oxford, Cambridge, Gatwick, Heathrow, Bristol, Manchester, Blackpool, Leeds Bradford, Doncaster, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

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A H E A LT H Y A D D I C T I O N FEW EXPERIENCES CAN MATCH THE MAGIC OF PRIVATE JET TRAVEL. HOLIDAYING

BY PRIVATE YACHT COMES MIGHTILY CLOSE. FOR THOSE SEEKING THE ULTIMATE ESCAPE – WHERE ONLY THE VERY BEST WILL DO

“The yachting lifestyle is addictive,” says Alev Karagulle of yacht brokerage firm Burgess.

“Most would never go back – there is never a hotel or a resort that can supersede a yacht…”

It may seem like a bold statement, but then superyachting really is an experience like no other. Whether chartering a multimillion dollar giant for the week’s holiday of a lifetime, or taking the plunge into ownership for those who are truly addicted, a yacht provides the sort of freedom with a level of luxury and privacy that is unrivalled. Think private jet combined with the ultimate villa on the sea, and you may be somewhere close.

ENJOY THE ULTIMATE LIFESTYLE So what is this ultimate lifestyle that so many find so addictive? “I think the appeal is that the guest to crew ratio is very high,” Alev explains. “In a hotel you are one of often several hundred guests. Service can be good, but it is not customised to you. But if you’re on a yacht with your 12 guests, there could be 15 or more crew who are focused solely on you.

You can have lunch, dinner or snacks when you want, and the chef is working only and specifically to your requirements. If you want to do something active, the deck crew are entirely yours. You can have what you want, when you want it and how you want it. Even seven-star hotels don’t come close. You can get a new view every morning – like having

YACHT CLUB DE MONACO

your own mobile villa on the water – and you get total privacy. If you’re used to calling the shots and enjoy the freedom, superyachting is for you.”

STATE-OF-THE-ART LUXURY It’s not just about hand-tufted silk carpets – modern superyachts come with WiFi, integrated on-demand entertainment systems, extensive watersports toys and an array of state-ofthe-art connectivity equipment if you need to work from the yacht, and many chefs now

adds Karagulle.

CHARTERER OR OWNER? “Charter is the entry into superyachting,” she continues. “We have had clients at Burgess who have chartered for 20 years and who would never dream of buying a yacht. Then there are those who charter, and say “That’s great, but I want more deck space and a bigger VIP cabin”. That’s when they look to buy. Most people buy a pre-owned yacht first, then progress to a new build as it’s quite complex to build your own yacht.”

One option for first-time buyers is to find a pre-owned yacht, and then to refit the yacht to their own specification. “It’s not as big a leap buying a pre-owned yacht and going for the refit option,” advises Karagulle. “With the market dynamics of the last six years, the prices are very attractive and there are some very good deals out there, although this will level out as the pre-owned inventory becomes depleted.”

BUILT FROM THE KEEL UP For those looking to own but wanting a new build, several yards now offer a semi-customised solution with standardised hulls and engineering platforms on to which clients can stamp their own exterior or interior design criteria, safe in the knowledge that the hull and core technical elements are already proven. Ownership, though, can be a big commitment.

“Some won’t buy, as they like the fact they can charter and walk away – they don’t have to think about maintenance, or crew management. Owning a large yacht can be a bit like owning a company – some like that aspect, but it’s not for everyone.”

Ultimately, whether you want to charter or are looking to own, nothing comes close to the experience of being on a superyacht. “It’s independence, it’s freedom, it’s a sense that the world is your oyster,” Karagulle enthuses. “It ties in with the private jet lifestyle.” With more opportunities for swimming, of course. www.burgessyachts.com

Built to the French Haute Qualité Environnementale standards, the new clubhouse is designed to have minimal impact on the environment due to efficient water, waste and energy management systems. It uses the latest technologies, from photovoltaic panels to a hydro-cooling system recycling water from the port.

At its heart is an atrium with a monumental spiral staircase. The second level is reserved exclusively for members of the YCM, while also accommodated are the Société Nautique (rowing club) and the YCM’s Sailing Division (Youth and Adults) from where the YCM’s international regattas are organised.

Located directly in front of the new building on Quai Louis II, the YCM Marina has 26 berths for superyachts from 25m to 60m, a pontoon for tenders and a terminal for charters.

Superyacht owners have privileged access to the clubhouse throughout their stay in the principality.

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on board, and you’ve pretty much got every feasible luxury at your beck and call,”

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come from Michelin-starred backgrounds. “You can have a phenomenal eating experience

Superyacht visitors to Monaco can enjoy the exciting new facilities of the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM). The new clubhouse – designed by Norman Foster and Monaco-born architect Alexandre Giraldi – was officially inaugurated on 20 June 2014 with a weekend festival celebrating L’Art de Vivre la Mer.

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JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME Belmond — derived from the Latin for beautiful world — encapsulates the lexicon of luxury travel and champions the voyeuristic pleasures of journeying by train, says Leo Bear

As children, most of us craved the freedom we imagined successful adults possessed: the appearance of being unanswerable to anyone. Now we know that when it appears you’re answerable to no one, you are in fact often responsible for many. It is this subtle bond that binds us to our everyday existence and prevents us indulging the child within. It is also what drives us forward relentlessly from cradle to grave. We become humans doing, rather than human beings. But there are ways to journey back in time, to rediscover your inner self.

One of the most therapeutic ways to completely unwind and connect with yourself, while still enjoying the comforting sense of ‘getting somewhere’ and ‘achieving something’ is to enjoy a very real journey, as well as a spiritual one. Whether you are cruising on a yacht, riding on a horse or travelling on a steam train, slowing down the pace and actually being present in the experience of travelling, and the company you are with, can have a surprisingly rejuvenating effect on the souls of young and old alike.

TURN BACK TIME To illustrate the point, let’s take an imaginary two-day trip aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from London to Venice. Where speed - of life, train and WiFi – pales into insignificance in contrast to the breathtaking scenery.

Ringtones and corporate jargon are replaced by congenial conversation and the restful, hypnotic motion of the train. Investor meetings in the City are traded for fine dining in a beautifully restored 1920s restaurant car.

And the demands of everyday life are kept at bay by onboard service of the very highest calibre.

The chances are, somewhere deep within, a fleeting flash of wistful longing is stirring. No doubt promptly replaced by a practical reason why you couldn’t possibly take time out at the moment - or perhaps you don’t think you need to? Psychologists have discovered that the people who place the least value on taking time out are likely to be the ones most in need of a break. If you have a sneaking suspicion this applies to you, you might be interested in Victor’s solution.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

HOW TO GET THERE

Route 3: Singapore for the Eastern & Oriental Express. Fly 3h 40m from Hong Kong in a Challenger 605.

Contact the Victor Team on: +44 207 384 8550 or email: info@flyvictor.com www.belmond.com LUXURY OF TIME A flight on a private jet from London to Venice, to meet the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express could not only enhance the magic and luxury of the whole experience; it could also save you time, by avoiding airport delays and flying when you want to. So if you absolutely insist on staying in the office until half an hour before your flight, that’s fine. That’s the thing about flying private: you’re the grown-up now and you can call the shots. Nobody is going to give you permission to take time out – it’s up to you to take it, and Victor will help you to make the most of it, in absolute luxury – whether it’s two hours, two days or two weeks.

If you’re looking for lush green countryside and enchanting heritage, jump on board a Victor jet to Ireland and get on board Belmond’s newest train, Belmond Grand Hibernian, the first luxury sleeper train in Ireland. Launching on the rails in August 2016, Belmond Grand Hibernian sleeps up to 40 guests in 20 elegant en-suite cabins, with four interconnecting suites, two restaurant cars and an observation bar car.

Or, if you prefer an exotic adventure, fly out to Singapore and travel aboard South East Asia’s most luxurious train, Eastern & Oriental Express on one of the new journeys launched this year. The six-night ‘Fables of the Peninsula’ sets off from Singapore to Bangkok on 29th September 2015 and includes a stay at Raffles Singapore Hotel. Exclusively for only 60 guests, the train passes through Malaysia and Thailand and the journey includes excursions

to the Cameron Highlands Resorts and a beach barbecue at Koh Chaan. The two-night ‘Ancient Temples of Lanna’ journey departs from Bangkok to the ancient capital city of Chiang Mai on 26th November 2015. The itinerary includes a visit to Lampang for a tour of the city in its trademark horse-drawn carriages and guests can also enjoy Thai cookery demonstrations, shopping in the traditional markets and a visit to a tea house.

Of course, it goes without saying that Victor can get you there on time in a luxury private jet to suit your schedule and requirements.

Wherever you go, the old proverbs are true: life is a journey ...and happiness is not a destination. With Victor happiness is the journey, whatever your destination in life.

VICTO R M AGA ZIN E T I ME O U T

Route 2: Ireland for the Belmond Grand Hibernian. Fly a small 4 seat Mustang aircraft from London Blackbushe or London Biggin Hill.

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Route 1: Venice for the Venice SimplonOrient-Express. Fly 1h 50m in a Phenom 300 from London Luton or 55 mins from Cannes.

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O p e r at i n g a Powerful Alliance

VI CTO R maga zin e AVC O N J ET ALLIANC E

You might be interested to learn that almost 90 per cent of all aircraft available for commercial charter through Victor are privately owned by individuals and corporations, and are operated and managed by certified aircraft operators. The remaining 10 per cent are flown by operators that own or lease the aircraft themselves. All are licensed by their respective Civil Aviation Authorities.

Avcon Jet, based in Vienna, Austria, is just one of over 100 global operators whose fleet of aircraft are currently available to charter through Victor. It is one of the most dynamic emerging private aviation companies in Europe.

Its flight staff and aviation experts meet strict criteria and are dedicated to providing the highest standards of safety and service for our clients.

Trust, care and safety “Our aircraft owners entrust us with an asset that has a multi-million dollar value,” says Avcon’s CEO, Alexander Vagacs. “So we have to take great care of this asset to maintain its maximum value. Our charter clients know that the average age of our fleet is less than five years and that safety is always paramount.”

With its own quality assurance team in place, Avcon Jet has technicians on site to supervise maintenance and coordinate repairs. Every aircraft is maintained to the highest standards and each one is subject to extensive pre-flight checks.

“Safety and security are of vital importance to us and our clients,” continues Vagacs. “All our crews undergo a stringent selection process, with interviews, tests and flights on the simulator. Only those who successfully complete this process can become Avcon Jet pilots and go on to fly our aircraft. Training continues on an ongoing basis, with sessions in the simulator at least twice a year and two check-flights each year. Our internal examiners follow-up and supervise the check-flights.”

Industry-leading advanced technology “I am excited about the way Victor’s advanced technology is leading our industry to a new level. From an operator’s perspective, we welcome the seamless request/quote process, as well as the transparency on the retail price. Last, but not least, the fact that payment from the customer is held in a client deposit account gives us financial security.”

“We operate flights for governments, businesses and the largest hospital in Austria, so we are set up to deliver 24/7 in our offices, and our team is trained and experienced in handling last minute changes and unexpected requests.

We can be airborne out of Vienna within an hour of a flight request,” concludes Vagacs. www.avconjet.at

M o n a c o Ya c h t S h o w :

The showstopper of s u p e r ya c h t i n g

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Image © Tomvano

VI CTO R maga zin e monaco yac ht s how

In late September, one of the world’s smallest countries hosts the largest annual megayacht event on Earth: the Monaco Yacht Show.

This year’s event is the 25th show, held at Port Hercules from 23 - 26 September 2015. It is hailed as being the biggest and best yet, with a larger berthing and exhibition area, and an array of dinners, cocktail parties and business networking opportunities.

The prestigious gathering showcases 1 1 5 waterborne palaces, some in excess of 100 metres long, and often marks the official launch of the year’s most eagerly anticipated new yachts. It is also the flagship of superyacht and luxury sector industry events; with 500 exhibitors including the largest shipyards, top yacht designers, major brokers and the finest yachting suppliers.

On show are the latest and leading yachting products and luxury services; where innovation, craftsmanship and finesse float alongside the arguably crazy, awe-inspiring and downright indulgent.

This heady mix attracted around 34,000 professionals and wealthy clients to the 2014 Monaco Yacht Show, including industry leaders and billionaires from all over the world. Recent figures indicate a rise in the number of ultra-rich people in America, Europe or Asia with an interest in yachting and a strong propensity to buy.

Visitors from these regions are expected to be found mingling on Monaco’s glamorous docks and teak decks this September. www.monacoyachtshow.com

from boardroom to

racetrack At 55, a lot of successful businessmen have one eye on the golf course, and maybe the occasional board meeting. Not Tim Richards.

Despite selling Vue entertainment for £935m last year, the Hollywood executive turned entrepreneur is far from resting on his laurels.

24 VICTO R m aga zi n e MOTO RS P O RT

Building on a lifetime love of fast cars, Tim has entered Lamborghini’s one-make racing series, the Super Trofeo.

Held across current and former European Formula One circuits, it pits 19-year-old hotshots alongside amateur ‘gentlemen racers’ like Tim, and is widely seen as a gateway to GT3 racing – Tim’s ultimate goal. And it comes with a professional level of risk; tragically, Italian driver Andrea Mamé was killed last year at the Paul Ricard circuit in France.

So who better to dispense some motoring wisdom than former F1 driver and Le Mans winner Mark Blundell – now at the helm of MB Partners, his sports marketing and representation agency. Over dinner at The Club at The Ivy, the two found that the worlds of business and racing share ample common ground.

“We’ve all heard the cliché about the hard-working, healthy man who retires and drops dead the next day,” explains Tim. “Retirement, for me, is one of the scariest concepts out there.”

He may not have thousands of race miles under his belt just yet, but Tim is no newcomer to ‘extreme’ sports (a label he lightly disregards – “they’re just sports to me”).

“I’m a former ski racer. I was not particularly good technically so I specialised in downhill. I’ve been clocked at over 80mph on skis, so I have never had an issue with speed. Not at all – I love it. Car racing and skiing are so similar; it’s amazing.”

To watch the live 2015 races go to http://squadracorse.lamborghini.com/en/live

Nevertheless, there has been plenty to learn. “I like being slightly out of my comfort zone”, he says, “but I have certain expectations. I hate being at the back!”

With only a maximum of six races per year, Tim can easily combine the demands of running Vue Entertainment with this new challenge. He completed his first races at Monza in Italy in 2013, finishing 17th and 19th out of a field of 25. Despite his high standards, it’s not bad for someone who only got his international race licence the same year.

“You can’t come in and expect to be great immediately,” says Mark.

“Race cars are worlds away from road cars. The good thing is that you know how to deal with pressure. I thrive on pressure – you’ve got to absorb that nervous energy, and build on it.”

It’s clear that Tim is no stranger to the parallels between sport and business. “I love working with people who’ve done something in sport, because they understand passion. People think money buys you everything, but it’s passion that keeps you working at three in the morning.”

“Absolutely,” agrees Mark. “I’ve never worked so hard as setting up my business. It’s intriguing – you’re making the journey from boardroom to racetrack and I’m doing the reverse. I’ll be negotiating with a businessman who’s cool as a cucumber, and I’m sweating, and I think I wish I was in a race car – I know how to control that!”

“It’s always much easier to give up – just like carrying enough speed round a corner, the easiest thing to do is back off. But you don’t; you dig deep and carry on.”

“I’m actually envious of you, being an entrepreneur”, laughs Tim. “I loved those first few years of my company – moments of terror and exhilaration, with nothing in-between.”

“It’s one of the reasons I invested in Victor. I saw a business model I believed in – a game-changer. It reminded me of my early days.”

Perhaps one thing more than any other highlights the similarity between the two men: neither can bear to be a passenger. “I get really nauseous as a passenger in a racing car”, admits Tim, “which has made learning harder. But I can’t do it.”

“I’m the same,” Mark adds. “I’ve got no focus or attention on it if I’m not driving.”

For high-capacity individuals like Tim and Mark, the driving seat is the only place to be. So it’s no surprise at all that it’s behind the wheel of a Lamborghini LP 560-4 that Tim has found a repose nothing else can provide.

“Even during cycle races, my mind is everywhere, and work, or family, can creep in. But when I’m on the track it’s 100 per cent about the race.

And 99.9 per cent won’t be enough. When I finish, it feels like I’ve been on holiday for a week.”

Left: Mike Ruth erford co-drives on Tim’s first race

Main ph oto below: First race of th e season at Monza, Italy

25 VICTO R m aga zi n e MOTO RS P O RT

Abo ve: Mark Blu ndell swaps racing tips with Tim Below: Th e Lamborgh ini LP 560-4 in action

“Race cars are worlds away from road cars. The good thing is that you know how to deal with pressure. I thrive on pressure - you’ve got to absorb that nervous energy, and build on it.”

ing M -Tec h Engineer pr o vides vita l ra ce supp or t

26

VICTO R M AGA ZIN E ART

Jonathan Green is CEO of Richard Green, one of the world’s leading art dealerships. A third-generation family member of this renowned Bond Street institution, Green specialises in Old Masters, Impressionist and Modern art. Since 2010 he has been on the Board of Trustees of TEFAF, Maastricht, the world’s most prestigious annual fine art and antiques fair – and coincidentally a destination of one of Victor’s recent pop-up flight initiatives.

An expert in his field, Green recognises the effect that trends have on art and antiques, and has opted to focus his business ethos on timeless quality.

“After the financial crisis in 2008, there was a decrease in the purchase of art. However, over the past six months, we have seen a marked increase in deal flow; individual sales have improved and we are selling more expensive paintings,” he states. “At Maastricht last year§ we sold a very good Monet, for example, as well as ‘The Village Lawyer’ by Pieter Brueghel the Younger, from 1615. We also sold an exceptional painting of a Venice view by Eugene Bodin and a charming flower painting by Chagall, and a Utrillo as well. In every case, quality is paramount. We offer a very personal service, nothing is too much trouble. Our clients don’t experience any hassle. Each purchase is hung and lit and then we have lunch – if they don’t like the art for any reason, unlike an auction house, we will, of course, exchange.”

As an internationally renowned art aficionado, Green’s business requires him to be constantly on the move: “I am travelling a lot, both selling and buying. Looking back over the past six months, I have to say a substantial amount of our business has been done abroad, or consummated abroad, mainly in Europe and America. Of course we still have very busy periods in the gallery where people walk in and buy paintings, but I spend a lot of my time travelling and, because it is hard to balance this with family life, it makes sense to fly privately. This means I can operate on a global scale with both optimum efficiency and flexibility.”

A RT

“One of the reasons I switched to Victor is the efficiency that their online marketplace offers. Transparency, choice and a commitment to service is something I value. There is an undoubted crossover between the art world and private jet travel. Victor’s association with TEFAF brings a level of service commensurate with our expectations. They have firmly established themselves in Europe and I am excited about their expansion plans in the USA, as much of our business is conducted in North America.”

Green, like many other Victor members, exemplifies the way passion, expertise and commitment can combine to create not only a successful business but also an unrivalled and personal service.

In the coming months, Victor and Jonathan Green are looking forward to hosting an exclusive evening gathering at his Bond Street Gallery for a selection of Victor members who are art enthusiasts. www.richardgreen.com

VICTO R M AGA ZIN E ART

THE EUROPEAN FINE ART FAIR HAS STAKED ITS TERRITORY IN OLD MASTERS AND ANTIQUES. WE SPEAK TO CEO JONATHAN GREEN

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P R I C E L E S S VA LU E S, DOWN TO A FIN E

F R O M R U N WAY T O R E L A X AT I O N THE PEARL IN THE OYSTER

If you are looking for the ultimate in relaxation, surrounded by crisp, blue waters which dazzle under a cloudless sky, then look no further than the Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa in the Maldives. This sanctuary for the soul lies on the heart-shaped lagoon of Addu Atoll, 40 miles from the equator in the south of the archipelago. Swaying coconut palms, white sands and an extravaganza of sea-life – this five-star cocoon is the quintessential castaway chic.

28 VICTO R M AGA ZIN E T RAVEL

Viewed from 40,000 feet, there are few signs of human life in the Maldives. Strings of uninhabited islands, each one a bright green speck encircled by brilliant white sand, stretch as far as the eye can see.

This is where you come to escape, sleep in bungalows on stilts and swim in lagoons the temperature of bathwater – it’s the ultimate disconnect. But as more and more people rush to visit the islands, some of the clusters nearest Malé are starting to suffer from overcrowding and congestion.

Gaze out across the azure ocean from your sunlounger, and instead of a pod of dolphins, you’re more likely to spot a construction crane being towed to the next five-star resort in the making.

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A 24/7 SERVICE The hotel’s general manager, Rene D Egle (a keen private aviation enthusiast), tells us that arrivals via private jet have more than trebled in the last 18 months, and the hotel now has a round-the-clock operations team dedicated to incoming guests.

“We have groups flying in from Russia, USA, the UAE and China, as well as Europe,” explains Egle. “Flying private is especially good for families visiting the Maldives, as transit points are bypassed, avoiding any restrictions due to timings, bad weather and the like. There is no other resort in the Maldives that offers speedier disembarkation – the hotel’s jetty is just eight minutes from the airport!”

FROM A SIMPLE SANDWICH TO FINE DINING For guests who fly privately, crew members meet with the food and beverage manager to plan the perfect meals for the return leg. “Our chefs always create wonderful menus – from authentic Chinese, three-course fine dining or simply ham and cheese sandwiches,” laughs Egle. Add such gastronomic pleasures, a health club and spa and the opportunity for a round of golf on the Maldives’ only 9-hole golf course together and you have the perfect destination. “Whatever our guests want, we can arrange it.”

Of that, we have no doubt. www.shangri-la.com

HOW TO GET THERE Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa is 5 hours from Dubai in a Challenger 604 Contact the Victor Team on: +44 207 384 8550 or email: info@flyvictor.com

VICTO R M AGA ZIN E T RAVEL

DISCOVER A PURER PARADISE Thankfully, new airports are springing up faster than you can say ‘another mojito please’; many are located in the remotest corners of the Maldives. Fly into Gan International Airport, for example, in the Addu Atoll (300 miles south of Malé) and the water is cleaner, the coral is thriving and paradise appears purer. No surprise then that a large proportion of the Maldivian population actually choose to live here.

For visitors travelling by private jet, the best address is Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa. The hotel actually has its own private terminal at Gan International Airport so you are looked after from the moment you step out of the aircraft. Originally built in 2011 to receive heads of state for the SAARC summit, the terminal is now reserved for the exclusive use of Shangri-La’s VIP guests.

30 VICTO R M AGA ZIN E C LIVE JAC K S O N

CLIVE TALKIN’ SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR CLIVE JACKSON LAUNCHED VICTOR IN AUGUST 2011 TO BECOME THE WORLD’S FIRST TRANSPARENT MARKETPLACE FOR PRIVATE JET CHARTER AND IS AIMING TO BECOME THE LARGEST GLOBAL BOOKING PLATFORM FOR ON-DEMAND PRIVATE JET CHARTER

Clive Jackson, CEO and Founder of Victor, launched digital web design and marketing company Global Beach in 1993. At the dawn of a digital revolution, while others fell by the wayside, he successfully steered the business through global expansion and 20 years of consecutive profits. As an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist in 2002 and 2004 and APAX Technology CEO of the Year Finalist in 2003, it is hardly surprising that Victor is the company every entrepreneur wishes they’d dreamt up, or at least invested in.

Three and a half years on from the debut pan-European launch of Victor, Clive is still relentless in his determination to succeed. His formidable track record in business has attracted the very best in aviation, technology and marketing talent to form the extended Victor management team.

Few start-ups have the right combination of vision, skill and experience to attract an investor list that reads like the who’s who of international business. And they are backing a very personal commitment to build the world’s leading private jet charter business.

HAS YOUR WIDER BUSINESS BACKGROUND HELPED IN COMPETING AGAINST MORE ESTABLISHED AVIATION EXPERTS? I’ve developed three distinct skill sets over the past two decades: brand marketing, technology platforms, and building successful international businesses. What really counts is the ability to build a great team of likeminded professionals, all with the same vision.

VICTO R M AGA ZIN E C LIVE JAC K S O N

ARE YOU STILL ON TRACK SINCE YOU LAUNCHED VICTOR IN EUROPE THREE AND A HALF YEARS AGO? Frankly, there is very little that I do which meets my expectations.

The board has to keep reminding me that our quarterly growth in sales shows we are doing something right. Even I have to recognise just how far we have come. But if we’re not trebling our revenue every year, then we are not doing as well as we should!

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR VICTOR? The world’s largest taxi company owns no vehicles; the most popular media owner creates no content; and the most valuable retailer has no inventory.

Victor owns no jets, but we are readily poised to become the world’s largest and best on-demand private jet charter service company with the only end-to-end charter booking and flight management service online and on mobile devices.

Victor are trailblazing a new path, championing transparency, regulation and disclosure for our customers in a traditionally opaque industry. Both the high net worth community and corporate travellers are discerning and more technologically inclined than ever before.

Technology is at the core of everything that we do. We have a deep understanding of the private aviation industry with a seasoned team of experts who apply smart technology to agilely serve our customers who expect complete control and value time savings above all else.

Brands like Victor who can successfully blend high tech with high touch customer service will stand to rise above the rest and capture the rapidly growing market opportunity. Our model is the only scalable on-demand jet charter service in the market able to meet the growing global demand for private aviation solutions. In fact, as the next phase of the sharing economy, Victor will be extending its reach by licensing its technology to Victor Alliance charter operators seeking to better automate and serve their direct customers.

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WHAT IS YOUR AMBITION FOR VICTOR? To become the most trusted provider of jet charter, for individuals, companies and governments with an unparalleled commitment to complete transparency. It’s no secret that I want Victor to become as wellknown globally as the market-leading fractional ownership brand, NetJets.

We have a very different customer proposition, but when someone thinks private jets, I want them to say “Victor” and think ‘Fly Smarter’.

To have the smartest consumer and platform technology and always deliver exemplary customer service.

If you become the global market leader, even with a conservative price earnings multiple, you should be valued in excess of $1 billion – and that’s my goal.

32 VICTO R M AGA ZIN E T HE FLEET

R I G H T F L E E T, R I G H T P L A C E , RIGHT TIME AS THE WORLD’S FOREMOST PROVIDER OF PRIVATE JET CHARTERS AND EMPTY LEG BOOKINGS, VICTOR IS AT THE HEART OF THE PRIVATE AVIATION INDUSTRY. THIS MEANS THEY ARE ABLE TO DRAW UPON A VAST FLEET OF AIRCRAFT, CAPABLE OF FLYING CUSTOMERS TO THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE GLOBE – ANYTIME, ANYWHERE. THEY ARE ALSO WELL POSITIONED TO MONITOR, AND ADAPT TO, THE LATEST TRENDS IN THE INDUSTRY, AND TO ADVISE THEIR DISCERNING MEMBERS AND OPERATORS ON HOW TO FLY SMARTER.

“When Victor started, our most popular charters were short-haul leisure flights on light jets,” explains Mike Ryan, Victor’s Operations and Commercial Director. “Recently, however, we’ve witnessed an upsurge in charters of fourteen-seater Gulfstreams, Falcons and Globals, which are particularly suited to long haul business trips to destinations like Dubai and the US.” CONTROL AND FREEDOM The pressure to compete more effectively in the global marketplace is driving businesses to seek every possible advantage and this is reflected in the resurgent private jet market.

As well as travelling further, people are also looking for ways to land closer to their final destination, to save time and improve efficiency. The freedom of chartering a private jet makes this possible.

It isn’t just about making better use of the many hours they spend in the air. People are now turning their attention to saving time by arriving on time for their meetings or business dinners, and leaving straight after, rather than wasting hours waiting for a commercial departure.

33 VICTO R M AGA ZIN E T HE FLEET

A FLEET THAT SPANS ALL FIVE CONTINENTS This drive towards increased efficiency unites Victor’s 20,000 members with access to over 7,000 aircraft – ranging from King Air turbo props to Boeing 767s with a pair of twin beds and a luxury bathroom. Around 90 per cent of the fleet are owned by private individuals and corporates, who offset ownership costs by appointing an operator to charter out their aircraft through Victor. The fleet currently spans Europe, Far East, Middle East, South Africa, South America, Russia and now has expanded to North America; so Victor’s members can travel widely throughout all five continents.

“We can find an aircraft to suit even the most demanding travel requirements,” says Ryan. “We have a highly experienced in-house team with the expertise to find our members the right aircraft at the right price. We cater for every aspect of our clients’ requirements and ensure we match the capabilities of the aircraft to the specific flight logistics of their charter - it’s how we’ve earned the respect of members, operators and owners alike.”

As a result Victor has established a new benchmark in both customer expectation and service levels within the private aviation industry.

CHOICE AND TRANSPARENCY Victor’s online marketplace connects you directly to contracted and approved operators across the globe, offering complete transparency and access to their fleet of aircraft, including age, actual pictures and floor plans of aircraft, terms of carriage, air operating certificate and passenger liability insurance.

Capacity ranges from the smallest turbo prop to the ultra long range Gulfstreams, Boeing 767s and Boeing Business Jets.

CHOOSE YOUR PREFERRED AIRCRAFT OPERATOR

34 VICTO R M AGA ZIN E O P ERATO RS

AC Aviation Charter (Zurich)

Avjet Corporation (KBUR)

FlairJet (Oxford)

Longtail Aviation (Bermuda)

Silver Cloud Air (Speyer)

ACM AIR CHARTER (Karlsruhe)

Backbone Aviation (Billund)

FlexFlight (Roskilde)

Luxaviation Group (Luxembourg)

Skyline Aviation (Zurich)

Advance Aviation (Bangkok)

B-Air Charter GmbH & Co KG (Stuttgart)

Flightpath Charter Airways (Ontario)

Luxwing ltd (Ta’xbiex)

SkyWork Executive (Geneva)

Advanced Air Management (Van Nuys)

BF Aviation (Ibiza)

Flyjet (Warsaw)

Lyon Aviation (Pittsfield)

Sovereign Business Jets (Biggin HIll)

Aero Safin SA de CV (Guadalajara)

Blink Ltd (Blackbushe)

FlyMex (Toluca)

MACH Airlines (Frankfurt)

Speedwings Business SA (Geneva)

Aerovision (Le Bourget)

Blue Jet (Warsaw)

Fort Aero (Tallinn)

Maine Aviation Aircraft Charter (Portland)

STA Jets (Santa Ana)

Air Alsie (Sønderborg)

Bluelink Jets (Lidköping)

German Private Jet Group (Dusseldorf)

Masterjet (Paris Le Bourget)

Starwings Luftfahrtges GmbH (Dortmund)

Air Charter Scotland (Luton)

Bookajet (Farnborough Airport)

Gestair Private Jets (Madrid-Torrejon)

Medair (Lanseria Airport)

Stuttgarter Flugdienst (Stuttgart)

Air Charters, Inc (Teterboro)

Catreus (Biggin Hill)

Global Flight Solutions (London Biggin Hill)

Meridian (Teterboro Airport)

Sylt Air GmbH (Sylt)

AirGo (Mainz)

Cello Aviation (Birmingham)

GlobeAir (Linz)

MHS Aviation GmbH (Munich)

Synergy Aviation (Fairoaks)

Air Hamburg (Hamburg)

Centreline (Bristol)

GMR Aviation Pvt Ltd (Bangalore)

MJets (Bangkok)

TAE Aviation (Cordoba)

Air Independence (Munich)

ChallengeLine LS GmbH (Augsburg)

Grafair (Stockholm)

Mountain Aviation (Broomfield)

Tarkim Aviation (Istanbul)

Airlink (Salzburg)

Charter Jets, UAB (Vilnius)

Hangar8 (Oxford)

NasJet (Riyadh)

Tradewind Aviation (Oxford)

Air Pink (Belgrade)

Classic Jet (Vilnius)

Hendell Aviation Oy (Helsinki)

National Jets Inc (Fort Lauderdale)

Transavia (Speyer)

Air Turks and Caicos (Providenciales)

Comlux Aviation (Zurich)

Heron Aviation (Bale Mulhouse)

North Flying (Aalborg)

Trans-Exec Air Service (Van Nuys)

Air X (Salzburg)

Deer Jet (Beijing)

Hesnes Air (Sandefjord)

Omni Aviation (Lisbon)

Travel Management Company Ltd (Elkhart Municipal)

Aliven (Verona)

Dexter (Zhukovsky Airfield)

Hyperion Aviation Ltd (Malta)

Onair (Linate)

Ultimate Jets Europe (Chester)

Amira Air (Vienna)

Diamond-Executive Aviation (Gamston)

Jet Edge International (Van Nuys)

Owen Air (Johannesburg)

Unijet (Le Bourget)

Arcus Executive Aviation (Luton)

Doysa Air (Istanbul)

Jetflite (Helsinki)

Pegasus Elite Aviation (Los Angeles)

Valair Private Jets (Lisbon)

Arena Jet (Biggin HIll)

DragonFly (Cardiff)

Jet Fly (Linz)

Pool Aviation (Blackpool Airport)

VistaJet (Vienna)

Argentina Jets (Buenos Aires-Jorge Newbery)

E-Aviation (Stuttgart)

Jet Linx (Omaha)

Premium Jet (Zürich)

WaltAir (Norrköping)

Arkasair (Izmir)

Euro Link GmbH (Munich)

JetNetherlands (Amsterdam)

Prime Jet (Van Nuys)

Williams Aviation (Chester)

Asia Jet (Hong Kong)

Europ-Star Aircraft GmbH (Klagenfurt)

JoinJet (Billund)

Princely Jets (Dubai)

Windsor Jet Management (Fort Lauderdale)

ASL NV/BV (Hasselt)

Executive Aviation Services Ltd (Gloucestershire)

JOTA Aviation (Southend)

Privajet (MLA)

WorldwideJet Charter Inc (Teterboro, New Jersey)

Avcon Jet AG (Vienna)

Exklusiv Aviation Services (London)

Korean Air Business Jet (Seoul)

ProAir-Charter-Transport GmbH (Stuttgart)

Xclusive Jet Charter (Southampton)

Aviation Beauport (Jersey)

FAI Rent-a-Jet AG (Nuernberg)

Livingston Executive (Lira-Rome Ciampino)

SaxonAir (Norwich)

Zenith Aviation (Biggin Hill)

Avione Jet (Istanbul)

Finesse Executive Ltd (Stansted)

London Executive Aviation (Luton)

Silk Way Business Aviation (Baku)

Victor continues to add new aircraft operators every week from around the world to its online marketplace. Victor’s aim is to extend the range and choice of aircraft to its members and provide a genuinely transparent quote comparison, booking and financial settlement service, with a promise to only hold client monies in its client deposit account administered by HSBC Bank.

Please visit the operator pages on our website for updated aircraft listings: www.flyvictor.com/aircraft-operators

Offering you the choice of 7000+ aircraft available for charter across the world capable of flying your boardroom or entourage non-stop from New York to Moscow or the family to your villa in Tuscany

ULTRA LONG RANGE

LONG RANGE

SUPER MID SIZE

AIRBUS CORPORATE JET, BOEING BUSINESS JET, BOEING 767,

FALCON 7X, GLOBAL 5000, GLOBAL EXPRESS, GULFSTREAM G550

GULFSTREAM 300, GULFSTREAM G450, GULFSTREAM III, GULFSTREAM IV, GULFSTREAM V, LEGACY 600, FALCON 2000, FALCON 900, CHALLENGER 604, CHALLENGER 605, CHALLENGER 850

GULFSTREAM G200, CHALLENGER 300, FALCON 50, HAWKER 1000, CITATION SOVEREIGN, CITATION X

MID SIZE

LIGHT

VERY LIGHT

TURBO PROP

LEARJET 45, LEARJET 55, LEARJET 60, HAWKER 750, HAWKER 850, HAWKER 900, CITATION III, CITATION EXCEL, CITATION XLS, IAI ASTRA SPX

PIAGGIO AVANTI, BEECHJET 400A, CITATION BRAVO, CITATION ENCORE, CITATION CJ1, CITATION CJ2, CITATION CJ3, CITATION CJ4, CITATION II, CITATION V, CITATION VI, CITATION VII, LEARJET 35A, PHENOM 300, PREMIER I, HAWKER 400XP

CITATION MUSTANG, PHENOM 100

DIAMOND DA42, EMBRAER 120, KING AIR 90, KING AIR 200, KING AIR 350, PILATUS PC-12** SENECA V

35

HEAD OF STATE

VICTO R M AGA ZIN E AIRC RFAT

** St Barths commuter flights

OTHER BAE 146 DORNIER 328

CERTIFICATION NOTE Victor is licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority for ATOL Licence 10378 and is a member of BACA (Baltic Air Charter Association) and EBAA (European Business Aviation Association).

1 VICTO R M AGA ZIN E O P ERATO R BENEFI T S

FLY SMARTER

www.flyvictor.com London: +44 207 384 8550 New York: +1 888 99 12 359 Munich: +49 89 242 18 236

info@flyvictor.com Head Office: 522 Fulham Road, London SW6 5NR, United Kingdom Victor is approved by the CAA for ATOL Licence 10378