A watch entrepreneur who timed it perfectly April 15, 2012 FOR entrepreneur Christopher Ward time really is money – his fledgling watch company has grown into a profitable multi-million pound business that takes on the might of the Swiss giants. From humble beginnings in a small Soho workshop, the company’s timepieces are now designed and made in Switzerland, which has given the brand the cachet [...]
A seemingly uninspiring outfit that fashioned over $500m April 15, 2012 I THINK I was having a coffee with friends when one of them, Natalie Massenet, casually asked me to back her new idea, Net-A-Porter.com, a haute couture website with access to the top labels. It was early 2000 and the tech-boom was raging. Valuations were sky-high and every man, woman and dog had a “brilliant” [...]
Startup Britons: Pitch to Branson April 15, 2012 RESEARCH released to launch the Nectar Business Small Business Awards suggests that over a quarter (28 per cent) of Brits claim to have an idea for a completely new invention or service. Of course, every idea isn’t a winner, but for those that would like to see if they have what it takes there are [...]
A nature lover’s ultimate paradise April 15, 2012 How’ s the snorkelling?” I ask Christina as she emerges from the turquoise waters of Playa Cabo del Horno in San Cristobal. “Quite good,” she replies with a shrug. “I saw a sea turtle and a sea lion”. Christina, a rather po-faced Dane who’s been on the Galapagos a few weeks, is clearly not easily [...]
Miami Nice: there’s lots more to Florida than Disney World April 15, 2012 FOR most of the 1.5m Brits who travel to Florida each year, it’s the allure of the Mouse that does it. But there’s much more to the state than Disney. While Orlando promises wholesome family entertainment (especially for those who don’t mind queuing), the rest of Florida offers some serious fun for grown ups. Miami [...]
Affordable yoga retreat in Goa delivers a great detox April 15, 2012 What price would you put on bettering your general wellbeing? If you can stretch it to £500, and don’t grimace at the idea of yoga and meditation in India (it’s not just for hippies, honest), then get thee to Goa. Worn out from London life – too much eating and boozing, too little exercise and [...]
TRAVEL NOTES April 15, 2012 Cafe Royal hotel reopens Café Royal, the Piccadilly institution, has nearly completed its third major reconstruction and will be re-opening its hallowed doors on 8 July after a state-ofthe-art three year overhaul. The listed interiors of the 1860s and 1930s have been restored and new touches added, including a spa with a massive swimming pool [...]
Mata’s phantom goal sparks video debate April 15, 2012 TOTTENHAM (1) vs CHELSEA (5) Chelsea reach FA Cup final in controversial fashion as Redknapp calls for technology TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp added his voice to the growing clamour for football to introduce video technology after his side’s dreams of silverware died in controversial fashion yesterday. Chelsea ultimately romped to an emphatic victory over their [...]
Hamilton goes top as Rosberg takes China win April 15, 2012 BRITAIN’S Lewis Hamilton surged to the top of the drivers’ championship with a third-place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix yesterday, before blaming a grid penalty for denying him a first race win of the season. Hamilton sneaked past world champion Sebastian Vettel two laps from the finish to secure a podium place in Shanghai, [...]
O’Shea eyes home semi after Harlequins seal play-off place April 15, 2012 HARLEQUINS might be the first side to have secured an Aviva Premiership semi-final spot but director of rugby Conor O’Shea insists the job is only half done. O’Shea’s troops crept closer to the 26 May final at Twickenham on Saturday, when they comfortably saw off struggling Wasps 33-17 at The Stoop to clinch only their [...]
