Tag: wealth

Emir Bahadir – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with 25-year old New York based BHDR real estate brokerage and development firm founder Emir Bahadir

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

My driving force is being able to bridge the gap between international investors and local markets. Being a member of the fifth generation of my family, my guiding force is maintaining the business standards set forth by my ancestors.

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

‘More is more, work smart not hard’ and ‘Well done is better than well said’.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2016?

This is relative depending on the realm of the industry you are in. Two of the things that I find unacceptable are dishonesty and lack of communication.

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

I miss my high school days when I had no responsibility and was surrounded by intellectual people. Maybe this has a lot to do with my young age and my active business life, even then. I feel I never got to be reckless after graduating from high school in Switzerland and became very responsible and focused instead.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

I would swap my wealth for helping end hunger and poverty throughout the world. Most people don’t have awareness of what the world’s real needs are.

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?

Based on that comment, that statement is truthful. Based on that statement, today the banking system is changing for the better. I believe in the short-term we will see a lot of improvements.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

I used to think: “The worst thing in life is to end up alone”. It’s not: “The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel alone”. The reason why I hate this phrase is because it is so true.

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

Charity does start at home. Growing up, my parents emphasised the importance of charity and then it became a way of life, a routine. I have volunteered in Zambia to help build schools and teach kids. Whilst there, we also took 500 mattresses to the schools in different tribes. Today, my family’s foundation helps hundreds of children with scholarships to study and become successful members of their communities.

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?

There is always a risk using any kind of technology regardless if it is security based or not. However, I think there is a strong need for technology, especially with the fast pace of the business world these days.

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

Benjamin Franklin, Steve Jobs, Abraham Lincoln, Mozart and Picasso.

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

I hope that won’t be my reality ever. However, to answer your question, I would like to eat the judge who sentenced me to death.

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

Lunchtime usually is the time to start. However, at weekends, noon bellinis are acceptable.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A martini; a very, very dirty martini.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

I do enjoy my own parties because I pay so much attention to the details prior. It means that, during the event itself, I can put all my energy and efforts into entertaining my guests.

Who is the most positive person you know?

My grandmother is one of the most positive people I know and my COO, Tanya, always calms me down when I get a little wound up.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Eating chocolate late at night.

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

Even though I have a tattoo of the OHM sign, it does not really sum me up. I wish it did. My other one, Dum Spiro Spero (When I Breath I Hope), would be the one to describe me. I tend to hope and dream and work hard to make my dreams come true.

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

A Bentley – Fast and furious, yet classy and comfortable.

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

That I am humble and relatable to is a surprise to most people. Considering my background and my current motivation to succeed on another level, people don’t expect it.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

I have a small sculpture by Jeff Koons.

Emir Bahadir is a 25-year old entrepreneur based in New York. He was educated at the American School in Switzerland and New York University. Bahadir is the founder and CEO of the BHDR real estate brokerage and development firm, invests in tech startup firms and is also an art collector.

Follow him on Instagram at @emirbahadir and use his own hashtag, #bahadiring

October 18, 2016
The Pret Sleeper

Spotted early in the mornings in Pret A Manager in South Kensington, the Pret Sleeper wears loafers and an entirely black outfit. He usually purchases nothing and sits and sleeps. Occasionally he takes out a notebook and biro but only once has he been heard to speak; he choose to ring his bank manager about a transfer of the sum of £50,000. A sleeping millionaire?

October 15, 2016
Topping a sale

Highest penthouse in western hemisphere sells for £67.5 million

On Friday, the property news site 6sqft reported that a Saudi billionaire had just paid £67.5 million ($87.7 million or €78.6 million) for a New York penthouse at 432 Park Avenue that is currently the highest of any in the western hemisphere.

According to the site, the 8,255 square foot full-floor penthouse retail magnate Fawaz Al Hokair has bought is 1,936 feet up the tower and “offers unparalleled views… through the tower’s signature 10-foot-by-10-foot windows as well as six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a wood-burning fireplace and heated bathroom floors”.

The asking price for the apartment had been £73.1 million ($95 million or €85.1 million).

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September 18, 2016
Nolan Browne – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with Nolan Browne, manager of London’s Taschen store and Gallery Nolan Browne

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

Ambition.

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

Rubbish in, rubbish out.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2016?

Homelessness and Donald Trump.

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

A couple of people.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

I wouldn’t.

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?

Is there still a crisis?

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

‘Take care’.

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

I detest chuggers and I’m running the Royal Park Half Marathon in October for Shelter, who help the homeless.

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?

Don’t text while driving or cycling. Remarkable that people do it.

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

Woody Allen and Magritte and a billionaire, just to find out exactly how you get that rich.

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

I doubt you could wander too far, so maybe a nice Harrods hamper in the prison yard.

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

Anytime depending on the occasion.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A martini.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

Arty ones – always full of characters and great chat.

Who is the most positive person you know?

Both of my sisters are very positive.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Thomas Pink shirts.

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

No answer.

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

Any kind of Ferrari.

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

I was born in Bangkok.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

A wedding invitation and some art related postcards.

Nolan Browne is the manager of London’s TASCHEN Store and Gallery Nolan Browne. Travel and art are in his blood and he is the son of a diplomat and an art collector. Browne was born in Bangkok, grew up in New York, Somalia, Ukraine and Rwanda and went to school in the UK. While at university, he founded Unscene Art, a pop-up platform for emerging artists. It was dubbed “The student Turner Prize” by i-D magazine. Pitstops at White Cube and Phillips Auction House led him to TASCHEN – where he is fast turning the London store into one of the capital’s art destinations.

Follow him on Instagram at @nolanbrowne.

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September 16, 2016
Charlie David – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with director and producer Charlie David

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

I have an uncanny knack for honing in on beautiful Brazilian men in a crowd. I’m mysteriously led to them like a dowsing stick to water.

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

Be brave enough to be honest with everyone in your life.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2016?

Man buns.

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

Playing the piano. I know, I know! Easy enough to fix. A little easier to get back in the saddle with than becoming the head of Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

One night of debauchery with Ricky Martin.

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?

Like travel, music, film, and other industries before it, the big banks now face the squeeze of existing in the age of the Internet. There are better places to invest than through traditional means and people are becoming savvy to that.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

In television, network execs are very fond of using the words ‘buckets’ and ‘wheelhouse’ to describe the topics or areas of interest on their shopping list. It makes me gag a little.

Overheard at the markets this year: “Murder is huge. We want BIG characters and murder. Like if you have anything with a village of little people who come together as a community to sleuth out a serial killer who has been stalking them? That would definitely be in our wheelhouse”.

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

Through trips to Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa I was able to see a lot of wildlife, humanitarian and environmental initiatives. I think these are important but somehow we’re still really missing the mark in terms of foreign aid.

I recently read Paul Theroux’s Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Cape Town and it was a bit shocking to me in its frank and pragmatic assessment of the impact of foreign aid and voluntourism. Definitely a very good read for anyone who has spent time in Africa or other parts of the world as a volunteer. It certainly caused me to pause and reflect a lot on the type of initiatives I lend my time and dollars to.

Now on the international front, I micro-lend through Kiva.org which to me seems a more pragmatic way forward than hand-outs. It supports entrepreneurs around the world who are unable to apply for a traditional bank loan. I think it fosters business skills, accountability and trust which are all great characteristics for a thriving community.

At home I like to contribute to educational, environmental and arts organizations and generally prefer to donate time/money directly to ones I’ve been involved in. That way I know the people; I can gage the impact and witness the ongoing results.

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?

They should be well and truly hidden whenever humans gather to break bread.

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

Ricky Martin. Can we have one carriage to ourselves? Please? Honestly, I just think he’s talented and a total D.I.L.F. It’s likely just a passing fancy, not fanaticism.

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

I’d ask for something I could share with the other inmates like a pizza party at the gym in the courtyard. I’d want it to be a block party, not a solo steak dinner.

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

If you’re in control of your use of alcohol and it’s not controlling you, then the hour of the clock is irrelevant.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A Negroni s’il vous plait.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

My nephews’ and nieces’. I love watching them go to work on a piñata.

Who is the most positive person you know?

My mother. She is pure joy and gratitude. I strive to embody that outlook.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Pizza and Netflix.

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

Ricky Martin eating a pizza and watching Netflix.

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

Honda – Reliable, frugal and pragmatic.

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

I had a band as a teenager and opened for Destiny’s Child when Ferra was still part of the group.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

Books, books, books. And a bobble-head doll of Ricky Martin.

Charlie David is a storyteller with film, books and web. He lives in Toronto and Montréal, Canada and is the founder of Border2Border Entertainment, Inc.

Follow him on Twitter at @CharlieDavid and view his channel on YouTube at @MrCharlieDavid.

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September 11, 2016
Nicola Radano – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with Nicola Radano, an Italian fashion blogger and founder of tie producers Spacca Neapolis

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

Determination and loyalty.

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

“One can get rich at any moment, but if one has no class, one is always a beggar” – paraphrased from philosopher and connoisseur of Neapolitan culture Luciano De Crescenzo.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2016?

A lot of people.

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

I miss being able to sail.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

Living in a world populated by principled people.

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?

The banking crisis was born to the low value given to the Euro. I have no words to say on that.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

“I can’t do it”.

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

For me, it’s absolutely right to support both domestic and international charities. Helping someone who has little is the most gallant gesture that anyone can do.

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?

Smartphones are now improperly used by young children. This is harmful because many of them prefer using them to reading a good book.

Nicola Radano

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

Only elegant men.

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

A plate of spaghetti with tomato sauce by the sea.

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

In the afternoon.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A cup of Neapolitan coffee please.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

I like afternoon appetizers in the summer time. I find them most relaxing.

Who is the most positive person you know?

My mum.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Sleeping in late without being interrupted.

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

A rudder.

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

A Porsche.

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

That I’ve been able to create unexpected things from nothing.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

Family photos, antique ashtrays and a clock.

Nicola Radano declares his passion to be classical fashion and Neapolitan tailoring. He established a blog about the subject titled ‘Me, Myself & I’ in 2013 and launched his own firm of hand sewn tie producers, Spacca Neapolis, in 2016.

Follow him on Instagram at @nicolaradano and on Facebook by clicking here.

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August 30, 2016
Gerald Ratner – What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with well-known businessman Gerald Ratner

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

Road cycling.

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

Don’t give up. Failure is the route to success. You will fail many times before you succeed so embrace failure.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2016?

Mark Carney is a mine of misinformation. He said interest rates would go up for the last five years and scared the sh*t out of us on Brexit.

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

Running a big company.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

I haven’t got all that much wealth, but, as you get older, you appreciate your health more.

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?

Business requires endless cash and if you can’t raise it anymore, that has a negative effect on the economy.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

Starting every sentence with ‘So’.

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

I support animal charities but I don’t like the aggressive approach to fundraising by certain charities and their endless shock adverts on television.

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 hate people screaming down them in public.

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

Robin van Persie (my all time hero), David Tang (stylish and witty) and Mark Carney (so I can throw him out the window).

Gerald Ratner

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

The Waterside Inn at Bray. I would order a magnum of Château Latour.

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

During the week: At nighttime.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A double espresso.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

One that ends early.

Who is the most positive person you know?

My dog, Bear. He thinks he is human.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

Cigars.

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

I hate tattoos.

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

I was a Ferrari. Now, I’m a Volvo.

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

I never called my jewellery ‘crap’ in that infamous speech. I described it as high quality but unfortunately I called a sherry decanter ‘crap’.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

A picture of my dog.

Gerald Ratner is the former chairman and chief executive of the Ratners Group. He is now a keynote speaker.

Follow him on Twitter at @Gerald_Ratner.

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August 23, 2016
Eric Meier– What’s on your mantelpiece?

A 20-question interview with jetsetter Eric Meier

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

My intuition.

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

‘Forgive but don’t forget’.

Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2016?

Donald Trump and Crocs.

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

My sanity.

What might you swap all your wealth for?

World peace or never ageing.

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?

Invest. Banks are a joke.

What phrase or word do you most loathe?

‘I need’ – Even though I use it every day and a lot.

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

Anything to do with children. Their innocence and honesty inspires me.

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?

My answer here is biased since I’m addicted to my phone. I think it’s actually glued to me.

Eric Meier

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

Oprah, Mariah Carey and Karl Lagerfeld.

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

The cheesecake at Hôtel Costes in Paris or an In and Out burger.

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

In Europe, everything goes; in America, happy hour is at 4pm.

A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

A martini. Filthy.

Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

Those given by Riccardo Tisci – Beautiful people and beautiful clothes.

Who is the most positive person you know?

Myself – I’m never a pessimist.

What’s your most guilty pleasure?

My boyfriend.

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

I have one of a broken heart as I’m a hopeless romantic.

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

A Rolls-Royce Ghost extended version.

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

I’m human.

What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

Candles. Great lighting is key.

Eric Meier is based in Beverly Hills, California and describes himself as a well-travelled jetsetter. He adds: “Biographies are for dead people”.

Join his 28,000 followers on Instagram at @meiereric.

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August 23, 2016
An unlucky mansion

Unlucky mansion in Yorkshire with 13 bedrooms for sale for a lower sum than it was marketed for in 2007 – despite having been renovated internally in the time since

Offered for sale for less than it was last marketed in a “dilapidated condition” in 2007, Whinburn Hall in the gritty West Yorkshire mill town of Keighley has now been largely restored internally but is still surrounded by neglected yet Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 protected grounds.

Described as a “fine country house… contrasting with the cramped rows of terraces in the streets behind them” according to Wikipeda, this Grade II listed Victorian Arts and Crafts mansion was built in 1897 for Prince Smith III (1869 – 1940), an exotically named gentleman who later renamed himself Prince Prince-Smith before becoming Sir Prince Prince-Smith on the death of his father in 1922.

Constructed from wealth generated by the Prince-Smith family’s textile machinery manufacturing business, Prince Smith & Son, the house was redesigned and extended in 1912 – 1913 and became a training centre for the National Institute of Houseworkers in 1940. Sold again in 1950 to the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, the “modern manor house” was run as a residential school and special referral unit until 2008 and then, after a period of dilapidation and the rejection of plans to turn Whinburn Hall into flats, was bought by a 35-year old businessman named James Sheldon in 2008.

An unlucky mansion – Whinburn Hall, Hollins Lane, Utley, Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD20 6LU – On the market for £1.45 million in 2016; marketed in 2007 for £1.5 million (or the equivalent of £1.88 million today)

An unlucky mansion – James Sheldon purchased Whinburn Hall at the age of 35 and died there aged just 42

Sheldon, who worked as a lifeboat coxswain in Southport for 18 years, restored Whinburn Hall to use as a family home and also based his business Nav-comm, a specialist in the design of LED lighting systems for emergency vehicles, there.

In the years that followed, Mr Sheldon developed what he claimed to be a new form of “anti-terror security equipment” to detect explosives and drugs from 50 metres and took a stand at a trade show in London in 2013 to showcase this. It was later described as being like “an experiment a first year university student would have tried, but which failed” and in due course West Yorkshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit placed Sheldon and his father, Anthony, under investigation.

Both were arrested on allegations of fraud and on 23^rd June 2015, after two police officers visited Whinburn Hall to inform the duo that they were to be rebailed for three months, 42-year old James Sheldon tragically jumped to his death from the fourth floor tower of the hall. It later transpired he had been served with an eviction order due his non-payment of the mortgage on the house and faced debts of some £1.25 million ($1.62 million or €1.45 million).

The main property, which is now for sale through agents Dacre Son & Hartley for just £1.45 million ($1.87 million or €1.68 million), currently – rather unluckily, some might also argue – features 13 bedrooms and 7 reception rooms. It comes with a detached bungalow and a dilapidated gatehouse and stands in 7 acres of protected gardens that includes a folly designed by the renowned Lancastrian garden designer and landscape architect Thomas Mawson. Hopefully the next owner, aside from tackling this “overgrown jungle”, will also bring with them better luck.

This ‘baronial hall’ is used as a dining room and is dominated a truly tasteless purple ceiling

The purple theme continues in this gallery

And there’s more of it in this corridor

A drawing room complete with ‘classy’ DFS style furniture and a huge television set could be somewhat improved

A striking fireplace in another room is surrounded by some pretty hideously coloured leather sofas

A staircase with a resemblance to something from a fun fair

Another staircase is a little more traditional

One of thirteen bedrooms

The house is surrounded by 7 acres of overgrown grounds

A somewhat amateur attempt at creating a helipad is located close to the house

The entrance gates

The roof of the adjoining gatehouse is literally caving in

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August 15, 2016
The Duke of Westminster

A tribute to Gerald Cavendish, the 6^th Duke of Westminster (1951 – 2016)

Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, the 6^th Duke of Westminster was a man of duty dedicated to his country, its military and to the countryside he so loved.

Described in a poignant tribute on the Grosvenor Estate’s website as “distinctly down-to-earth” and “rarely seen without a Diet Coke and a cigarette (later electric)”, the Duke – one of the country’s finest shots – was not one to mince his words and not one to shirk from a row. He took Westminster Council to court when they proposed selling off a housing estate in Pimlico intended by his ancestors specifically for the use of the working classes and won and then subsequently quit the Conservative Party in 1993 after a row with John Major over his leasehold reform legislation. At the time, he stated: “I had to leave because of my own conscience. I took a moral stand”.

Not without his flaws – including a little bit of a scandal in 2008 involving a New York escort service – and someone prone to sleepless nights and depression, the Duke may have been a billionaire but he also had the common touch. Though he made the founding gift of £50 million to the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre in 2011 and supported farmers hit by the 2001 foot and mouth crisis with a £500,000 donation, he was just as likely to be found offering words of encouragement and sharing laughter in the communities he so especially treasured in Cheshire and at Abbeystead in Lancashire.

In 1995, appearing on the BBC’s Desert Island Discs, the Duke remarked:

“In the context of eternity, if I am lucky I might live 70 years, but this estate has been with us for 3, 4, 5, 600 years. I am only a mere flicker in the process of time. It is what I do with it, rather than what I am worth, that I believe is more important”.

Modest to his core and a man with a loathing for such tags as “environmentalist” and “philanthropist”, the Duke left the Grosvenor Estate in a far better state than he found it in 1979. He may have been born with a silver spoon, but he understood that with rights came responsibilities.

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August 12, 2016