He was labeled “Baron Von Essen” but evidence of his pedigree failed to surface. Starting in 1990, this buccaneer built up a collection of 26 luxury hotels but the £300m empire, developed with loans from bankers who plainly asked very few questions, collapsed in 2011. Since then, instead of quietly going to ground, he’s bought a Rolls-Royce from his friend Michael Winner and appeared at quite a few parties. Watch out: “The Talented Mr Davis” is plainly plotting his next move.
Two stories to keep beside you
Paul Reichmann (1930 – 2013)
This Vienna born Canadian businessman built and lost a fortune on Canary Wharf and was renowned for his frugality and as a “man of honour”. Strictly Jewish, Reichmann also developed New York’s Financial Center and donated up to $50 million a year to yeshivas, synagogues and hospitals around the world. His view on life was […]
Catherine Hooper
The founder of Black Umbrella moved in with Andrew Madoff three days before the black storm of his father’s Ponzi scheme broke. Hooper, a graduate of Bryn Mawr, launched her firm – which aids individuals with “emergency preparedness” and sells such items as anti-radiation suits and pocket sized radiation detectors – in 2009 and profited from […]
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Did he know the actor Oliver Reed?