The snakes and ladders of society.
A chronicle of drama, scandal and success in London, Paris, New York and elsewhere
Media claim (again) that they have evidence that the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a boy
There are only two possibilities as to the sex of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s child and given this fifty-fifty chance, the bookies and media have plumped for it being a boy.
Company director Adrian Burford accused of stealing £12.5 million from his own company
Adrian Burford was a man who liked the good life. He lived in a £9.3 million mansion in the Cotswolds, spent £1.1 million buying shares in the Sushinho restaurant on London’s Kings Road and £26,000 on wines. It now transpires that all of this was paid for with someone else’s money.
Pippa Middleton becomes a contributing editor for ‘Vanity Fair’
Pippa Middleton is most definitely someone who could be described as polarising. Some resent and mock her. Others admire her for having panache and being enterprising. Miss Middleton, the sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, to the surprise of some, has recently added another string to her bow and become a contributing editor to Vanity Fair.
What has become of the former entertainer Michael Barrymore?
Shamed television personality Michael Barrymore has reinvented himself. In Prince Charles like fashion, the former Strike it Lucky star has begun a new career talking to plants at a garden centre in Brentwood, Essex.
The Steeple Times asks property venture capitalist Faisal Butt: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
My inner voice. It somehow knows where I’m heading and is leading the way.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer” – This one simple motto has been responsible for unlocking most of my successes.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Not exploiting the opportunities around you and not taking control of your destiny.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
Definitely my family. And the sunny weather in California I’ve given up to be in London.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
Good health, if I was losing it.
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 banking crisis?
People (and companies and institutions) must live within their means.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“It’s not possible” or “I can’t”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
I prefer to help others through guiding and mentoring than through more traditional forms of charity. The sharing of wisdom has longevity and transformational power.
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?
Use two at a time to multitask.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
A selection of inspirational entrepreneurs. Steve Jobs would definitely be in the carriage.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
It would be In-N-Out burger (only available in California, sorry) and I’d want to be overlooking Malibu beach.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
On the day I complete a deal for a new venture, anytime is ok. But generally, weekday or daytime drinking goes against the spirit of who I am.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A martini.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
I enjoy hosting, so my own.
Who is the most positive person you know?
Me. I tend to think anything is possible – if you open up your mind and think creatively, you can find a way to get what you what.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
A square of dark chocolate every evening.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
An arrow in the bull’s eye of an archery target
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
I’d be a spaceship instead. I tend to move at a faster pace than everyone else around me.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I do, from time to time, stop working and relax.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
A family photo from a beach holiday, my wife’s to-do list, and a card made by my daughter.
Faisal Butt is the co-founder of Hamilton Bradshaw Real Estate. His companies include 90 North Real Estate Partners, Accouter Design, Prime London Holdings, The London Management Company and Ivy Gate.
View his LinkedIn.com profile here.
Follow him on Twitter here.
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The Steeple Times asks interpreter and businesswoman Alexandra Naylor: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Faith, hope and love.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2013?
Rudeness, unkindness and bad manners.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
Having my mum live close by. She lives in South America.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
Knowing that my family and friends will always be healthy and safe.
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 banking crisis?
We’re all guilty of adding to the crisis in the world at the moment because of our actions.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“Whateva”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
People should support charities that they believe in.
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?
A necessary evil.
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
My daughters, Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, David Bowie, Ramses III, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Lord Byron.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
A Bolivian dish eaten on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
Anytime as long as the drink doesn’t consume you.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
Any of them depending on how bad your day has been.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
My parents parties in the 1970s. They were fab, wild and full of hippies.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My mother.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Chocolates and lots of them.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
A dove.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
My BMW. It’s fast, reliable and safe. In fact, it’s just like me.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
I’m a 007 fan. I love everything about James Bond.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
Flowers, photos of my daughters and a lovely Tiffany clock that my friend gave me.
Alexandra Naylor is an interpreter and businesswoman.
View Alexandra Naylor’s Naylor3 jewellery page here.
Follow her on Twitter here.
Subscribe to our free once daily email newsletter here.
The Steeple Times asks businesswoman Trish Moore: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Faith.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
Get even.
The Steeple Times asks actor and producer Arfi Lamba: “What’s on your mantelpiece?”
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
I listen to my gut.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“This too shall pass”.
The Duchess of Cambridge usurps Kate Moss in a beauty poll
It’s just been announced that Kate Middleton has beaten Kate Moss in a poll of the UK’s most influential beauty icons.
Matthew Steeples shares his views on those who tweet, comment and like
The world is a poorer place in the wake of Sally Bercow losing the libel action brought against her by Lord McAlpine. Those who know me will know that I don’t especially care for the Speaker’s wife or approve of her behaviour, but nonetheless that “the gift that kept on giving” (as some newspapers have referred to her) has been silenced is indeed a shame.