Category: BRAINSTORM

The comings and goings of the entrepreneurial classes.

The brightest and the stupidest in business

Ross Barr-Hoyland – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with British men’s knitwear designer Ross Barr-Hoyland

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

To aim to leave the world a better place than you found it.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

To strive to achieve and be better than the best person you could be.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2017?

The wars in the Middle East and Chechnya and what the regimes there are doing to gay men are unacceptable.

Our world is full of divisiveness and prejudice and Kerry Katona evidently went through an incredibly turbulent time in her life. The press unscrupulously had no shame in reporting such and instead of judging, we should be there to offer help and support and perhaps show some empathy and understanding.

Our lives are not always fairytales and “let they who are without sin cast the first stone” is a saying that springs to mind.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

I don’t think there is anything in my life as such that I miss. I am working on my business – which is a dream many would wish for. It is by no means easy, but I am lucky in many, many respects.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

I wish I had great wealth to swap, but if I had immense wealth I would give it to all the causes I support in many ways from The Prince’s Trust to Style for Soldiers, Children with Cancer UK and RUComingOut. Even if I only had pennies, I would still like to give what I could as there is always someone in need of help.

Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the state of the financial system?

I am by no means an expert but I do know everyone is finding it tough with cuts happening in every sector of business. I just keep my head down and focus on what I do in fashion and the revival of British manufacturing. What I will say is that my bank has been utterly incredible in supporting me with my business venture.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

Being told I cannot do something.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

Aside from supporting the charities previously mentioned, I am honoured to have been supported myself by The Prince’s Trust. I serve them in whatever capacity they as a Young Ambassador and with the brand.

More generally, we might be an island nation but no man is. I think charity should be given where it is most needed.

The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

I am never without my phone, but I would never condone using any devices to cause harm to others.

Mobile phones do have their perks and do allow us to literally have the world at our fingertips, but I do wonder what we would be seeing if we perhaps looked at the world around us and lived in the moment a little more.

If you could fill a carriage on the Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

With every single family member and friend who has supported and there for me and my business. We would have a good old knees-up and some much needed time off.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

Well, I hope to never end up there, but if I did, I’d choose my mother’s Sunday roast at home surrounded by my nearest and dearest. That would be the best way to go.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

That depends on the type of day you are having.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A martini.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

I have enjoyed many so it would be rude to pick one in particular – especially as the memories of some are rather hazy.

Who is the most positive person you know?

I have to pick seven perpetually positive people who keep me going daily and they are Natasha Babar-Evans, Melissa Hulme, Sandie Chapman, Stephanie Ackrill, Sarah Agar-Brenan and Craig Burton.

I would also like to single out a person whom has inspired me immensely. Her name is Gaynor and she has just started a business called Holiday Hack. Over the last year, she’s faced some of the biggest obstacles anyone could have thrown their way but she hasn’t cried and she hasn’t crumbled. She is an incredible lady and always has a smile on her face – and she can also get you savings on a holiday too; maybe even on the Orient Express.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Having a long sleep wrapped up in my bed covers.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

A phoenix and a stag.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

Someone answered this for me at a networking event a while ago. They described me as a Range Rover.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

People think I’m a ‘social butterfly’ but I’m actually a ‘pub with a just a few people’ kind of guy.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

Pictures of my family.

Ross Barr-Hoyland established his own men’s knitwear brand, Ross Barr, in September 2015 after being sponsored by the Enterprise programme of The Prince’s Trust. He focuses on reviving the British textile manufacturing industry by manufacturing in Britain.

Follow Ross Bar on Twitter at @RossBarrUK and Instagram at @RossBarrUK.

June 11, 2017
Letters – Green Business Goes Lib Dem

Influential business leaders from green sector back Lib Dems in Thursday’s General Election in a letter to ‘The Steeple Times’

Sir

The environment has been shut out of this election.

Economic growth has provided the world with abundant food, medicine, energy and raw materials. However, unmanaged it is destroying the ecosystem, wiping out fauna, flora, forests and seas. An ecological meltdown will cause economic ruin, political turmoil and threaten the very existence of human civilisation.

Air pollution causes 40,000 premature deaths in the UK each year. With greenhouse gases and habitat depletion, together, they are having a catastrophic effect on our environment, contributing to global climate change, wildlife, crop and forest damage, rising sea levels, floods and haze. Whole countries could drown under water or starve under drought, driving migration and climate wars.

The path to a sustainable future requires the creative power of our best scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs, backed by the courage of politicians to think long term.

Donald Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris accords is an act of environmental vandalism on a global scale. And by refusing to condemn him, Theresa May is aiding and abetting him.

Only the Lib Dems combine the ambition to bring forward climate change targets and support for the Paris agreement, with an entrepreneurial approach to investing in cutting edge clean technologies, and commitment to international institutions to enable Britain to be a world leader in protecting the global environment.

Britain has been part of the cause. By supporting the Lib Dems on 8^th June, Britain can also be part of the solution.

Yours faithfully

Simon Blakey, managing director, SAB Global Energy

Duncan Brack, independent environmental policy analyst

James Cameron, chairman, Green Running

Mark Campanale, founder, Carbon Tracker Initiative

Christopher Clement-Davies, editor, International Energy Law Review

Simon Clement-Davies, managing director, Augusta & Co.

Jason Cooper, founder, Jason Cooper Architects

Ray Georgeson MBE, director, RGR-Ray Georgeson Resources

Dr Mark Hinnells, solutions director, Susenco

Dr Susan Juned, senior consultant, Greenwatt Technology

Adam Knight, co-founder, Social & Sustainable Capital

Richard Lill, financing and construction manager, Energiekontor UK

James McNaught-Davis, green venture capitalist, Wetherby Capital

Vickram Mirchandani, managing director, Coronation Power

Hylton Murray Philipson, founder, Wingate Ventures

Mark Petterson, co-founder, Warwick Energy

Patrick Sheehan, founder, ETF Partners

Heather Stevens CBE, chair, The Waterloo Foundation

Jane Vaus, project director, Sustainability Hub

Andrew Warren, chairman, Federation of Open Homes Network

Andrew Wiseman, former chair, UK Environmental Law Association

All of the above have signed in a personal capacity.

June 7, 2017
Best in Britain

EXCLUSIVE – “Nationally important” Grade II* listed Berkshire mansion in 130 acres for sale for £26 million; its interior is yet to be renovated

A Grade II* listed building capable of being reinstated as one of Britain’s finest country houses has just been placed on the market for £26 million.

Benham Park – formerly known as Benham Vallence – at Marsh Benham, near Newbury comes with around 130 acres of Grade II listed Capability Brown (1716 – 1783) designed parkland and currently extends to 27,620 square foot. It has planning permission in place to either revert to a truly epic single family mansion or to convert into a 100 bedroom ‘wellness centre’ to rival Champneys in Hertfordshire and Clinique La Prairie in Switzerland. The schemes proposed would provide between 50,000 and 140,000 square foot of accommodation and, already, businessmen Harry Marriott and Michael Fresson, owners since 2011, have restored the exterior of the building along with its gardens and park.

Built at the behest of the nobleman William Craven (1738 – 1791) to designs of the Fulham born architect Henry Holland (1745 – 1806) in 1774 – 1775, this fine neoclassical house was constructed from Bath stone and later altered by the extremely wealthy Sutton baronets during their tenure in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. The estate was sold for £1 million to the innovative computer manufacturers Norsk Data in 1983 and remained in the firm’s ownership until it was dissolved in 1992. It then became the offices of other technology companies until again being placed for sale for £6 million in 2010.

Benham Park in the era when it was used as offices; the modern buildings have now been demolished and the car park landscaped

The main mansion prior to renovation of its exterior

A view from another angle (after external renovation)

From the lake

And from its imposing entrance

One of several entrances to the estate

Another set of impressive gates

Should a buyer use the existing designs for a residential scheme, they would find themselves owning a house that would not only come with 12 reception rooms and 29 bedroom suites, but also one with a sports complex, a sculpture gallery, a 40-seat cinema and garaging for 50 cars. Aside from an existing 5-bedroom mill house on the estate’s 10 acre lake and a gate lodge, the proposals would add a further 8 additional ancillary houses also.

Of Benham Park, Crispin Holborow of selling agent Savills commented:

“[This] is a nationally important stately home so its sale presents a very exciting proposition for a future owner to oversee its transformation. The prospect of restoring a property of such magnificent proportions with excellent access to London has not arisen for many years, and we expect interest from potential buyers for either its reinstatement as a significant country residence or its repurpose into a world leading wellness centre”.

Those looking to extend the compound further have the option to purchase two separately owned properties that were formerly part of the estate. A house known as ‘Greenhouses’, for sale with Savills, is offered for £1.3 million and comes with 1.47 acres of land whilst Mill Bank House, which stands in 2 acres, is on the market through Strutt & Parker.

The Numbers – Benham Park

1771 – 1774

William Craven, 6^th Baron Craven paid Capability Brown £7,150 for works to the house and grounds. This sum is the equivalent of £989,000 today ($1.3 million, €1.1 million or درهم4.7 million).

1982

Sold to Norsk Data for £1 million (the equivalent of £3.2 million, $4.1 million, €3.7 million or درهم15.1 million today) by Sir Richard Sutton (born 1937).

2010

Placed on the market for £6 million ($7.7 million, €6.9 million or درهم28.3 million).

2011

Sold to Harry Marriott and Michael Fresson for £5 million ($6.4 million, €5.7 million or درهم23.6 million).

2017

Benham Park placed on the market for £26 million ($33.4 million, €29.9 million or درهم123 million).

Separately owned estate houses

Mill Bank House – On the market for £1.4 million ($1.8 million, €1.6 million or درهم6.6 million).

Greenhouses – On the market for £1.3 million ($1.7 million, €1.5 million or درهم6.1 million).

May 29, 2017
Staging the Dollars

Prominent banker attempts to sell San Francisco mansion for a sum 205% higher than it achieved in 1993; it comes with an outdoor theatre

Built in 1904 of brick on a wood frame and subject to a seismic upgrade in 1994, 3444 Washington Street in Presidio Heights, San Francisco was sold for $15.2 million in 2006 (the equivalent of £11.8 million, $18.4 million, €13.9 million or درهم55.8 million today) and before that for $5.9 million in 1993 (the equivalent of £7.8 million, $10 million, €9.1 million or درهم36.7 million today). It is currently owned by the banker David A. Coulter and his “social entrepreneur” wife Susan Weeks Coulter and has recently been placed for sale for £14 million ($18 million, €16.5 million or درهم66.1 million).

Offered by Linda Mayne of Mayne & Company, the 9,074 square foot “Georgian-style residence” comes with not only 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms but also an outdoor amphitheatre complete with terraced seating and an al fresco kitchen with a barbecue. The 4-storey building was last remodeled in 2008 and also includes a media room with wet bar and views of the Golden Gate Bridge, a wine cellar with capacity for 1,600 bottles, a lift, staff quarters and a 2-car garage.

Susan Weeks Coulter and her husband David A. Coulter (left and right)

3444 Washington Street, Presidio Heights, San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America

The garden features an amphitheatre complete with terraced seating

The view from the house

Property taxes on the house were a not insubstantial sum of £154,959 in 2015 ($199,685, €182,686 or درهم733,690). Mr and Mrs Coulter attempted to sell 3444 Washington Street in 2008 but subsequently withdrew it from the market after reducing their then asking price from $17.5 million to $12 million (the equivalent of £13.6 million to £10.6 million, $19.9 million to $13.6 million, €16 million to €12.4 million or درهم64.3 million to درهم50 million today). They also own reportedly bought a penthouse at 55 East 72^nd Street in New York in 2012.

Pennsylvania born, Carnegie Mellon University educated Mr Coulter, currently a special limited partner at Warburg Pincus, was previously vice chairman of JP Morgan Chase & Co. from 2001 to 2005. He was chairman and CEO of Bank of America Corporation for two years from 1996, but was unceremoniously fired when that organisation was “eaten alive” by Hugh McColl’s NationsBank in October 1998.

https://vimeo.com/212072933

May 13, 2017
Adrien Gaubert – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with Adrien Gaubert, award-winning co-founder of myGwork – an inclusive LGBTI recruitment hub

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

Positivity and fun. I am grateful to be alive and able to do what I do. Enjoy every moment.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

Just be yourself, be honest and work towards a goal. You’ll achieve it.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2017?

Bashar al-Assad.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

I miss living in China. I am a great fan of Chinese culture and their way of thinking.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

To give food and shelter to everyone.

Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the state of the financial system?

Our financial system protects the wealthy and has given up on the poor.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“God wants” – I don’t believe, if there were such a thing as God, he would expect anything from humanity.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

Whenever someone asks me for a coin in the street, I give them a smile and give them what they have asked for. I believe such people are incredible brave to ask others for help and comfort. I personally support anyone in need without distinction or judgement. I never buy sandwiches for homeless people when they ask for cash even if they might use it to buy alcohol or drugs. If I were living on the street, I might also want to get high so as to forget about my situation.

The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

Your microwave could explode anytime, but you use it everyday. I believe mobile phones are a great communication tool and I would not give mine up.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

I would take my brothers, my mum and my grandma and grandpa (with whom I watched the movie adapted from the Agatha Christie novel when I was a child).

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

I would eat some really spicy Sichuan food.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

12pm if it is summer and a holiday. 7pm during the week.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

If it is just one, then tea but if I get more than one, martinis.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

Mexican weddings. Those people clearly know how to celebrate.

Who is the most positive person you know?

Probably me.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Cigarettes.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

I have no tattoos and I am not a fan of them as a form of expression. Personally, I would not get a tattoo to remember who or what I love.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

A Jaguar. They are safe and fashionable.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

I have a twin brother.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

Flowers.

Adrien Gaubert is a 29-year old Frenchman who now lives in London. He co-founded myGwork, a networking and recruitment platform to promote diversity for LGBTI professionals and graduates, with his twin brother, Pierre.

Follow the Gaubert twins on Instagram at @thegaubertwins

May 8, 2017
Advertorial – City Relay

Matthew Steeples takes a look at the services offered by City Relay, a hassle free short-term rental management company

Established three years ago and based in Earl’s Court, City Relay offer the very best guest and host management services for over two hundred apartments and houses in Central and West London.

Primarily focused on taking away the hassle of managing bookings through marketing services such as Airbnb, City Relay’s 5-star hospitality team deal with check-ins, key holding and guest support. The firm also have their own property maintenance team to ensure properties are kept in immaculate condition between change-overs and can organise housekeeping services and supply fresh hotel quality linens also.

Of the firm’s services to those with apartments and houses to rent, the company’s Mathilde Le Bault comments:

“Brexit has brought a bonus for landlords and has encouraged many to opt for short-term rentals to tourists and business people rather than leaving their properties empty in a declining long-term market. Higher yields follow and with the ease and convenience of dealing with just City Relay’s team, we make it much easier to navigate the Airbnb process”.

“City Relay’s reception desk is located at 62 Kenway Road, London, SW5 0RD and the many international, mostly European clients we deal with find that having someone they can actually speak to and meet in person most useful”.

For further details about City Relay’s services, click here. Alternatively, telephone: +44 (0) 20 7993 5693.

April 30, 2017
Alfie Best – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with self-made businessman and star of ‘My Fat Gypsy Fortune’ Alfie Best

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

For a man to know where he is going, he must remember where he is from.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

Life is a light, it is your job to make it shine brighter.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2017?

Internet trolls who are brave behind keyboards.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

Time.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

More time.

Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the state of the financial system?

If you treat the bank as a bank, they will treat you as a customer but if you treat the banks as a partner within your business and build your relationship with the management of the bank, they will consider you as a partner and offer much more insight and help which it is own way, is free to you as a business.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“We have a problem”; one man’s problem is another man’s opportunity.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

I do believe charity begins at home but I also believe giving is not as good as teaching. If you give a man a fish, he will feed his family for a night, show the man how to fish and he will feed his family for a lifetime.

We’re actually setting up own charity – Wyldecrest Parks Charity – which hopefully we’ll be able to help vulnerable people in need.

The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

Connection is unbelievable and the forward bounds it has given us a society is unprecedented but we have to remember not to become disconnected from society.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

I would fill the carriage with my family and friends and invite Tracy Chapman and the musical artist Rodriguez; I would look for them to enjoy the ride and party whilst it lasted.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

Pie, mash and liquor at the White House with the President to try and get a reprieve whilst eating my last meal.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

6:30am with a nice cup of lemon tea.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A cup of tea.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

I enjoy my son’s parties because the charisma he brings to the room is like a ray of sunshine on the beach.

Who is the most positive person you know?

Me.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Chocolate.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

If I were to have a tattoo, it would state ‘BEST’ across my back because it would mean the best is behind me and there is even better to come.

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

A black Lamborghini.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

After becoming a millionaire at 20, I nearly went bust and slept in my car for 3 months.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

A backward clock – it confuses everyone!

Alfie Best is a successful entrepreneur driven by tenacity. With humble origins, born and raised in a Romany Gypsy family, this self-made man started his professional path totally from scratch. Alongside Wyldecrest Parks, Alfie Best also owns other very successful businesses within the hospitality and leisure, events, trading and finance industries including Vinyl Bar, Kyoto Furniture, Axiom Uno and Wylde Event Management.

Follow him on Twitter at @alfiebest33.

April 20, 2017
Martin Raffa – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with Paris based fashion designer Martin Raffa

The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

The search beauty and harmony. From an early age, I understood the importance of both in my entourage.

“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

“Beauty is interior”.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2017?

The mediatic terrorism of the Kardashian family.

Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

Palm trees and tropical rainforest vegetation.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

For God to grant me an obedient heart.

Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the state of the financial system?

I don’t understand much about finance, but I think the worst thing of all is that there is a lack of help to help small entrepreneurs since they are the true wealth creators.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“It’s impossible to achieve”.

In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

Personally, I work with friends to create an association protect animals. I especially like protecting dogs.

The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

Being connected is great, but do not be connected for too long.

If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

I would invite Andy Warhol so we could have great pictures, Truman Capote to enjoy great conversations, Marvin Gaye for the music, Ferran Adrià to have great meals and my French bulldog, Batman.

If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

Soy risotto with oysters and black truffles at Le Sur Mesure by Thierry Marx at the Mandarin Oriental in Paris.

What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

It depends on the city. In Paris, it would be 6pm with my team at the office at the end of a long, productive day.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A martini, always.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

I enjoy my own pool parties the best.

Who is the most positive person you know?

Milagros Schmoll, my muse. She is an Argentinian artist and international model.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

To stay in bed in the morning playing with my dog Batman when I have a thousand things to do.

If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

A very fine line on my arm that could only be read with a magnifying glass. It would say: “The beauty is in the eyes of the beholder” (Oscar Wilde).

If you were a car, what marque would you be?

A black Aston Martin DB4 Zagato.

Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

When I was young, I spent three years in the navy. I was honoured as a submariner.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

Books about the photographer Steichen, a candle by Cire Trudon, lithospheres from Bernardaud and a big bottle of Sycomore by Chanel.

Martin Raffa was born in Argentina of Italian origin. He was the first Argentinian designer to present a collection during the haute couture shows in Paris. He now works for private clients around the world. Contact him at [email protected]

‘Like’ his page on Facebook by clicking here.

April 17, 2017
The Downfall of The Donald

Could Donald Trump’s ‘Fall of Rome-style’ downfall be triggered by the actions of his very own family?

Donald Trump came to power promising to ‘Drain the Swamp’ of Washington. Thus far he’s made it bigger and though he might think appointing as many cronies and family members as possible to senior positions will protect him, these people could very well ultimately lead to his path to destruction.

The Western Roman Empire’s fall can be attributed to many factors, but key amongst them were distrust, corruption and overspending. Already, in spite of being in office for only two months, Donald Trump is already exhibiting characteristics of all three. Last week, when the Senior Senator Dianne Feinstein suggested the president would “get himself out of office soon”, she referenced Mr Trump’s sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, opening a new golf course in Dubai. She stated:

“I think sending sons to another country to make a financial deal for his company and then have that covered with Government expenses, I believe those Government expenses should not be allowed. We’re working on a bill that would [deal with] that now”.

Elsewhere, Cosmopolitan remarked on the businessman turned politician’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her “nepotism”. They commented:

“If Ivanka Trump were not the president’s daughter, would she be given a White House office to perform a job that has no description? Of course not. Don’t believe me? Just try calling the White House and asking if you can have some gratis work space at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., one of the most coveted real estate properties on the planet”.

“Answers we need. And since Ivanka is taking advantage of taxpayer-funded resources, taxpayers have every right to ask to know what Ivanka is doing with them. Ivanka’s attorney told Politico she will serve as her father’s ‘eyes and ears’, a job description so vague, not to mention creepy, that it only functions to give the billionaire heiress cover to do whatever she, or her father, wants”.

“Ivanka will continue to pretend she’s a model for working women, applauding herself for having a ‘seat at the table’ with foreign dignitaries… Just remember she’s only sitting in that seat because her daddy let her. That’s not the case for the overwhelming majority of working women in America and we shouldn’t celebrate anyone for whom that is”.

Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, the immensely wealthy son of a felon named Charles Kushner, also presents many a problem. Though he has sold his vast business interests to his mother and brother, “some ethicists say the potential for conflict remains”. In January, Bloomberg remarked: “[Jared] Kushner seems likely to know where the money is invested. His father, convicted in 2005 of witness tampering, illegal campaign contributions and tax evasion, remains central to the company”.

Kushner, a man who has dined with everyone from Tony Blair to Nigel Farage, most certainly showed genius in guiding Donald Trump to manipulate social media on his road to victory. He and his cronies, however, could also be the very same people to guide the 45^th POTUS’ road to downfall.

March 29, 2017
Chop the Charitycats

As San Francisco socialite and clothes horse Joy Venturini Bianchi is highlighted to be an American version of her fellow former ‘charitycat’ Lady Meyer, it’s time that charities worldwide were better regulated

In Britain, in 2011, the “Chanel-clad” wife of the former British ambassador to Washington, Lady Meyer, faced criticism after The Telegraph revealed the majority of the income of the charity she was then running was spent on her very own pay. She subsequently ceased to be involved in that organisation in 2016 but now, in San Francisco, a similar scandal has come to light in the form of Helpers Community Inc. (formerly rather crudely known as ‘Helpers of the Mentally Retarded’) and its executive director, a wannabe lookalike of Iris Apfel named Joy Venturini Bianchi.

The so-called charity that “natty” Ms. Venturini Bianchi, a self-proclaimed “divorced philanthropist” runs, it was reported last Friday, must “repay the public tens of thousands of dollars after misleading city officials” according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The same paper had previously highlighted that Helpers had paid 78-year old Venturini Bianchi a base salary of £159,149 ($193,828), roughly £82,109 ($100,000) more annually than directors of similarly sized San Francisco non-profits and that supporters had been “disgusted with the way they were using this cause to raise money”.

Ms. Venturini Bianchi stands accused of raising “millions of dollars but failed to adequately distribute [them]” and that she is also attacked for not doing “much to fulfill [her non-profit’s] promise to donors” is, if correct, truly shocking. Just as with Meyer in England, the board of Helpers was composed from “longtime friends” and as state senator Mark Leno pointed out: “It would appear that the board is in need of a serious governance makeover”.

It is time the era of the ‘charitycat’ came to its natural conclusion. In Britain, America and elsewhere, for far too long, wealthy and connected individuals with little-to-no experience have been able to benefit from tax breaks, benefits, salaries and bonuses naïvely given by the public simply by taking over “a cause”. These amateurs should now be banished and running charities should instead become the domain of professionals.

Joy Venturini Bianchi with Iris Apfel

Joy Venturini Bianchi with Sir Elton John

March 12, 2017