Worst corporate jargon of the week: Put a pin in it
Offender: Put a pin in it
Every one of us has been an email chain which is borderline unintelligible for the amount of corporate lingo thrown in there. At City A.M., we’re taking a stand and calling out the worst jargon which travels around the City faster than you can drink an overpriced pint. This week: Put a pin in it
What does it mean?
To come back to something at a later date. Like putting a pin in a pin board.
What does it really mean?
We will never address this again. Like putting a pin in a balloon. (See also: circle back)
Who uses it?
Manic managers who don’t have time for your petty affairs I’m afraid. There may be a lion on the loose or an approaching apocalypse, but Q3 impressions are down 0.13 per cent – so let’s just stick a pin in that for now and ask the four horsemen if they can put that in an email shall we? Offenders rarely use an actual noticeboard, but if they did you can be sure it’d look something like Charlie’s in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (pictured).
What could it be confused with?
- Actual pins in actual pinboards
- A genuine intention to come back to your problem
- Voodoo
Should we be worried?
Undoubtedly. Undoubtedly. Put-a-pin-in-it-ers are at their core reckless avoidants, and it’s time for them to face the consequences of their reckless management of their imaginary noticeboards.
How do we get rid of it?
As always, take them at their word. Every time you are asked to put a pin in it, take said issues, write them down, and dutifully pin them onto your colleague’s desk. Jargon users may be cretins, but they are usually not completely devoid of human emotions like shame. Seeing their palace of pinned promises before them should elicit at least a morsel of regret. If not, if will provide a minor convenience, and we’re not above counting that as a triumph.
Corporate ick rating: 6/10
Startup Saudi – Technology and innovation are turning Saudi Arabia into the perfect partner for the City
The international ambassador for the UK’s financial industry is excited about Saudi Arabia. Michael Mainelli, the Lord Mayor of the City of London, tells Inside Saudi that the country is quickly becoming a hub of innovation in infrastructure and technology. In this exclusive interview with Sir Martyn Lewis, one of Britain’s most distinguished broadcasters, the Lord Mayor explains why Saudi is the perfect partner for British firms seeking a springboard into new markets in the Middle East, Africa and India.
Sir Martyn Lewis – Lord Mayor, what were your main impressions from your recent visit to Saudi?
Michael Mainelli, Lord Mayor of London – To me, the most amazing thing about Saudi today is its vibrancy. This is definitely a country which is not like the country I was first exposed to nearly 50 years ago in the mid-to-late 1970s. During my latest visit for the World Economic Forum Special Meeting on 28-29 April, it was clear that this is now a country that is dynamic, full of youth and energy, very much on the cutting edge of science, seeking new knowledge and well connected with the world. It was a real delight to be there.
Sir Martyn – Did the change surprise you?
Lord Mayor – Well, I have been travelling to Saudi a little bit it in recent years, so it wasn’t a surprise, but the continued pace of change is very, very welcome. There has been change in a variety of areas, including in the relationships between Saudis and business, Saudis’ approach to work, and their desire to get ahead. Many people seem to take swipes at Saudi. However, I’ve felt, and I’ve felt for some time now, that we have to stop greenhouse gas emissions, and that Saudi is an important part of the transition plan, and an important part of a new net zero economy.
Sir Martyn – You’ve talked about the change in relationships to work. What was that change that you saw and how important do you think it is in terms of persuading city companies that there is business to be done in Saudi?
Lord Mayor – As Lord Mayor of the City of London, I spend a lot of time on the leading edge of business. To be frank, most businesses working are working, they don’t need me and my team. We tend to be either out there making new connections or trying to drive a little wedge to open up opportunities for both Saudis and British alike. In the course of all this, we are looking at what is happening in young companies. Not so long ago, I would have said that many young Saudis would have seen their future careers in working for the state. That is certainly not what I feel now.
I will give you one quick example, which is the King Abdulaziz Centre for Science and Technology (KACST). It has an amazing “garage”, as they call it, and they have taken this garage and converted it into a tech centre with, I believe, nearly 200 businesses in it. And here is a whole bunch of people, from all over the world, wanting to work hard, to make a difference, to make money as well, but also mostly wanting to make a difference. And they were looking at, I would say, just about every single one of the United Nations’ seventeen sustainable development goals, so clearly things to do with climate change, but also to do with new, clean energy systems and new ways of constructing buildings. It was young people really wanting to work and not to have some state-sponsored sinecure.
Sir Martyn – And have you seen a focus on those kind of things in any other country in your travels? Or is Saudi bringing it all together in the most dynamic and promising way that you have found?
Lord Mayor – I have seen a number of countries where that vibrancy has come together. Trips to India, in particular, I would mention as an eye opener to me. Even in Japan, despite the ageing population, there is a real area of fintech in that space. Obviously, there is a lot of new science and technology in America. However, I wouldn’t want any country to become complacent and feel that they were leading the pack and could kind of back off a bit. But Saudi is right up there with the leaders and I think that is fantastic.
Sir Martyn – Right, and you’ve said that you want to make London a solution hub to the major global challenges of the day. Where does Saudi Arabia fit in to that? How do you prioritise Saudi Arabia?
Lord Mayor – Well my theme this year is what I call “connect to prosper”, and I am trying to celebrate the many knowledge miles that flow through the City of London, which we affectionately term “The Square Mile”. These knowledge miles flow out around the world: they are not just here for us in London, and Saudi is an important node on that universal network.
The Saudis have got quite a bit to teach us on hydrogen economy and large scale infrastructure projects. They are experimenting in areas in urban planning. I could pick Masdar, a leading Saudi building and construction materials company, as an example, but we could also look to Neom and some of the other bigger city projects, such as Diriyah, where they are really exploring the boundaries of urban development and living
I have also taken the point of view that we, as a society, have laid out, as I mentioned earlier, the seventeen United Nations sustainable development goals, which span a whole wide range of things from gender inequality to poverty and hunger. I like to look at it as if we were a form of consultancy salesperson: the world has said “this is our problem”, and as a consultant you know that if the client ever says to you, “this is exactly what my problem is and you can solve it”, then you’ve got the sale. So modestly, we here in London have been told by our client, the world, that they would like these seventeen areas solved, and they told us that ten years ago. So, we are trying to do that through a very large series of online lectures called “Knowledge Miles”. We are also doing it through 25 coffee colloquies here at Mansion House (my headquarters as Lord Mayor) on all 17 sustainable development goals.
It is not a question of “we can’t do it alone”. We can only do it all together and Saudi is a very, very important part of that. I just hope that London is a focal point too, but I equally can see from my trip there that Saudi, like many other nations, is fundamental to achieving the positive changes we all want.
Sir Martyn – There is a major trade and government delegation in Saudi this week. Is it down to the individual companies to follow up on that, or is there more that you and the British government can do as catalysts in all this?
Lord Mayor – Is it up to the individual organisations? Well I’d start at the bottom. It is up to people to want to make change and those people work in organisations. Next level up is: yes, it is up to the organisations to develop those connections and to keep them going. However, you make an exceptionally good point. Government has a serious role in enabling those organisations. So, firstly, I have always thought it is the government’s job to identify some of the connections. It is our job here at Mansion House to identify some of the connections, and to gently nudge people together. Hence the theme: “connect to prosper.” Secondly, continuity is key. One-off events need a little bit of help to generate more events, so you want continuity to make sure that a one-off event isn’t a one-off – it will be followed by a sequence.
We are doing a number of things on science and technology connections and financial connections. I have mentioned fintech. I am hoping that we do branch out across all areas of science and technology, which we seem to be doing quite well. Where government involvement has been particularly good, though, has been on infrastructure bridges, looking at ways in which both nations can share their plans and see where they can complement each other.
That’s not just about money. It is very clear that a lot of people look at the Middle East as a place of petrodollars. It is far more than that now. The Saudis have got quite a bit to teach us on hydrogen economy and large scale infrastructure projects. They are experimenting in areas in urban planning. I could pick Masdar, a leading Saudi building and construction materials company, as an example, but we could also look to Neom and some of the other bigger city projects, such as Diriyah, where they are really exploring the boundaries of urban development and living. So, I think there is a lot that we can learn from them, and they have a lot to learn from us. Some of it in fundamental science and technology, some of it in aspects of older cities, which don’t quite apply to some of the brand new cities, and some of it in terms of where you are able to structure lasting and durable governance frameworks.
Sir Martyn – You have laid out the areas, in particular on the environmental front, where opportunity lies. How will Saudi Arabia and the City of London benefit from potential deals and contracts?
Lord Mayor – We have always taken the view in the City of London that all deals have to be mutually beneficial. Capital, talents, brain power and connections flow both ways. Is there a lot of money to be made mutually? Definitely! That can be from British firms. I know of a couple, who are looking to Saudi as a springboard, throughout the Middle East but also into India and also, in particular, eastern Africa, so that is one approach where using Saudi as a hub will help the Saudi economy enormously. It is not about access to Saudi capital. It is actually about access the Saudi market and to this entire region, and beyond, through Saudi.
Sir Martyn – And what are the attractions of Saudi as the location? I mean what’s the “big deal” that will make people think, “I am going to Saudi”, rather than locations in Europe?
Lord Mayor – Saudi has many advantages over Europe if you are trying to locate in eastern Africa, the Middle East and India. So, it has some natural locational advantages. The second thing, of course, is that the Saudis understand the area. Thirdly, there are definitely areas, particularly in terms of resources, where Saudi has some competitive edges. Those resources can be physical: I am thinking for example of a carbon rock project, where people are grinding up rocks to sequester carbon. Obviously, there is also the petrochemicals industry, but there is also abundant wind and sun, which leads you to the solar and the wind power stations. Saudi has also opened its research and development facilities so that they are almost free to a lot of startups, and this, I think, goes far beyond computing, which people tend to think about, and into areas like genuine chip design, carbon pressing, space equipment, depart scale metrology and quantum computing. There are a lot of areas where the access to resources of a technical nature is enormously useful. So, I think Saudi is a rich mix, certainly for a country its size.
Sir Martyn – And going back to what you were talking about earlier, about the way the Saudi has changed. Are you saying that all the potential difficulties and obstacles that were there in the past with respect to doing business have gone?
Lord Mayor – I would argue that the attitude of the government has changed. The Saudi approach at the moment seems to be one of genuinely encouraging innovation and genuinely encouraging risk. The Saudis recognise that people should make money from that and are being a lot more open than they used to be about these being opportunities for Saudi people as a whole. So, I think a lot of positive moves have come, but I wouldn’t say that all the problems are out of the way. Yet again, I wouldn’t say that about Britain either.
Sir Martyn – Lord Mayor, thank you very much indeed.
Lord Mayor – Thank you Sir Martyn
Lord Mayor celebrates Saudi vision at ground-breaking Riyadh summit
More than one thousand of the world’s leading political and business leaders gathered in Riyadh for a World Economic Forum Special Meeting on 28-29 April. The ground-breaking summit – the most highly attended WEF event ever hosted outside of the Forum’s Annual Meeting venue in Davos, Switzerland – focussed on the themes of fostering economic collaboration worldwide and harnessing clean energy to drive economic development.
The ambition behind the summit was summed up by H.R.H Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman Al Saud, the Saudi Minister of Energy, who warned of the effects of rising trade barriers in the global economy and urged global leaders to tackle energy poverty worldwide: “Climate change and sustainability is a global issue. It cannot be attended to in regional scopes…it has to be global.”
Among the participants in Riyadh was Michael Mainelli, the Lord Mayor of the City of London. The Lord Mayor is the head of the City of London Corporation, which is the municipal governing body of London’s “Square Mile” – the beating heart of the United Kingdom’s financial services industry.
The Lord Mayor, an office that was first established in the twelfth century, acts as a champion and international ambassador for the UK’s financial and professional services sector. He plays a vital role in maintaining and building connections between Britain’s financial industry and the wider world.
Mainelli, who has a PhD from the London School of Economics, celebrated Saudi Arabia’s “amazing” Vision 2030 reform programme. Speaking at the Meeting in Riyadh, he stressed the importance of the economic ties between the UK and Saudi Arabia.
Total trade in goods and services between the UK and Saudi Arabia amounted to £17.3 billion in 2023 according to the Department for Business and Trade.
Regarding the future of British-Saudi ties, the Lord Mayor said that he is “looking forward to a tremendous amount of Saudi investment in science and technology, particularly in areas like hydrogen, where Saudi is very strong, but also in areas like desalination and biotech.”
The non-oil economy in Saudi Arabia has been thriving in recent years. It contributed more than 50% to the country’s real GDP in 2023 according to data from the General Authority for Statistics, which are collected by the Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning. Crucially, recent growth in the Kingdom’s non-oil economy has been fuelled by a surge in private-sector growth and investment.
Burberry share price slumps as ‘quiet luxury’ trend takes hold of shoppers
Shares in Burberry slumped over five per cent on Wednesday in the latest display of investors waning confidence in the luxury fashion industry.
The maker of trench coats and tartan scarfs said operating profit fell to £418m in line with the lowered guidance it predicted in January.
Hopes of an immediate rebound were also quashed as the British fashion house warned wholesale revenue is to fall by around -25 per cent in the first half of the year.
Unlike brands such as Hermes – which has outstripped rivals thanks to its recession-immune and Birkin Bag obsessed client base – Burberry’s accessibility has meant many of its customers are feeling the squeeze.
The 103 year old brand is not alone in this struggle.
Leather handbag maker Mulberry reported a four per cent decline in revenue in the year ending March, blaming a slowdown in sales in the UK and Asia.
A recent study by wealth management firm Saltus showed 16.29 per cent of cash rich Brits had cut down on their personal spending due to financial pressures.
Some 15.78 per cent also said they had cut down on luxury items and designer clothes.
Mike Stimpson, partner at Saltus, said: “We know first-hand from clients that high net worth individuals are reducing their spending in light of current economic conditions as they need to prioritise spending on essential costs including mortgages and supporting their families.
“While this reduction is not limited entirely to personal spending on luxury items, it is inevitable that brands like Burberry feel the impact, although different businesses will clearly respond differently to these pressures.”
Yanmei Tang, analyst at Third Bridge, said: “Burberry is struggling to clearly define and elevate its brand identity, resulting in confusing messaging and poor sales growth. There is too much reliance on a new creative direction rather than making operational changes.”
“Burberry needs to take risks by launching innovative products to succeed. But they also face investor pressure and resource constraints as a standalone brand compared to giants like LVMH and Kering.”
She added: “Burberry heavily relies on wholesale for revenue and will need to use promotions due to financial pressure.”
“Predictions suggest continued challenges in 2024, with the US wholesale business likely to decline further. Over-reliance on wholesale has harmed the brand’s image and margins, despite boosting sales.”
For Burberry, sales in Asia grew by just three per cent over the course of the year, hindered by a 17 per cent drop in the fourth quarter.
And Americas-spending fell a full 12 per cent across the year.
It mirrors the plight of Gucci owner Kerring who also blamed the once lucrative Asian market for lagging following strict Covid-19 restrictions.
Alongside recovery from the pandemic, China’s economy has been buffeted by a property crisis and high levels of youth unemployment.
This, coupled with what has been dubbed a “richcession” in other western markets, has hindered sales of designer brands.
Burberry’s shares have more than halved in the past year, leaving the stock price back near the lows plumbed during the early stages of the pandemic.
Its chief Jonathan Akeroyd, said its turnaround plan will focus on Burberry positioning itself as a ‘Modern British Luxury brand’.
It comes amid a growing rise in the ‘quiet luxury’ dress style as fashion conscious shoppers look to invest in sophisticated pieces which are not obviously designer brands.
Victoria Scholar, head of investment at interactive investor, said: “The shift away from bold patterns like the tartan check that Burberry is best known for towards much more discreet ‘quiet luxury’ trends instead has hurt the luxury brand which is struggling to find favour among the fickle fashionistas.
“The luxury industry more broadly tends to be highly correlated with the strength of the Chinese economy, given that shoppers in China typically account for around a third of global sales.”
She added: “And with the world’s second largest economy facing pressures from its ailing real estate sector and a sluggish emergence from the pandemic, Burberry is intensely feeling the squeeze.”
“There’s a negative assessment from the analyst community too with 17 holds, three sells and no buys on the stock with an average price target down nearly six per cent from Burberry’s current share price.”
Top 7: The best spas in the UK and beyond
Feeling frazzled, want to take your fitness to the next level or need to seriously detox with a fast? We round up the best spas and wellness breaks to reboot mind, soul and body . . .
BEST FOR FITNESS
Guerlain Spa and Pillar Wellbeing at Raffles London at The OWO
The hottest new opening in London has a storied history as home to some of Britain’s most infamous World War Two spies – including some unsung female heroines. The likes of Krystyna Skarbek (aka Christine Glanville, the former Polish aristocrat who became Churchill’s favourite spy) would be thrilled that her former Old War Office headquarters in Whitehall where Churchill once stomped the halls is now the lavish new UK outpost of Raffles after a rumoured £1.5billion facelift.
The elegant landmark 1906 building features the huge luxury Pillar Wellbeing and Guerlain Spa sprawling over four floors, the first in the UK dedicated to the high-end French heritage brand, one of the oldest skincare houses in the world. As you’d expect, the vibe is understated opulence.
Pillar Wellbeing’s launch at the Guerlain Spa at Raffles London also marks the brand’s first ever physical health club, offering a state-of-the-art gym, movement studio, a sumptuous swimming pool, sauna, steam room and a dedicated health restaurant.
Concentrating on the three core “pillars” of movement, nourishment and recovery, Pillar services include personal performance and psychological fitness coaching, individually-tailored private yoga and pilates, and swim coaching using the Shaw method. Physiotherapy, sports massage and personalised nutritional strategies are also on offer.
But the stunningly beautiful spa is OWO’s pièce de résistance. Treatments to try include the spa’s signature Spirit Of London massage, enhanced by LED light therapy, to bring harmony to mind, body and spirit and iron out all tension, or else plump for the Royal Glow Tech Facial, which combines microdermabrasion and photobiomodulation light therapy with Guerlain’s exceptional facial techniques to smooth, plump and gets you, er, glowing up.
What to take: Brand new PE Nation garb for Pillar Wellbeing, the latest Marysia swimsuit for the swim, sauna and steam.
Switch off and read . . . The Spy Who Loved by Clare Mulley. You guessed it – it’s all about the incredible life of Krystyna Skarbek.
BEST FOR FEELING ZEN
The Peninsula London Spa & Wellbeing Centre, Belgravia
Perched imperiously on Hyde Park Corner, The Peninsula London is the much trumpeted first British outpost of the almost century-old high-end Hong Kong-based hotel chain.
Opened late last year, the newly-built 190 room haven embodies custom-tooled serenity with all the luxurious hallmarks of one of the world’s most iconic hotel brands, all underpinned by Far East aesthetics and rituals. Each element of the interior from the marble guardian lion sculptures (they symbolise luck, prosperity and success), hand blown crystal chandeliers to the parlour palms have been sanctioned by a feng shui master.
The jewel in the crown is the spa, secreted underneath the cream-coloured eight floor edifice overlooking Wellington Arch, which offers a distinctly Oriental holistic spa experience, from its architect-designed 25 metre swimming pool, thermal suites and gym, to its seven luxurious wood-panelled treatment rooms, with offerings based on purpose-driven wellness. There’s a particular emphasis on alternative therapies and Chinese medicine, all underpinning its ‘Life Lived Best’ philosophy.
The Peninsula London also has an exclusive partnership with Subtle Energies, the astonishingly effective Australian aromatherapy and skincare brand founded on Ayurvedic principles. The only place in the UK offering Subtle Energies treatments, it provides a curated menu of facials, massages, body wraps and more which offer to not only nourish and rejuvenate the skin, but also uplift the senses and promote emotional balance.
Try the Personalised Holistic treatment combining marma, a traditional Ayurvedic massage technique, and a signature aromatic facial massage to reduce stress and boost collagen to rebalance all your chakras. Enhance your experience by adding a guided 15-minute meditation, a Himalayan body polish, or shirodhara, which involves warm oil being poured onto your forehead (way more blissful than it sounds, honestly).
What to take:
If you’re taking a dip in The Peninsula’s show-stopping pool, stick with purpose-driven swimwear. Pursuit the Label – each body-sculpting item is produced from regenerated materials, so you can be fashion-forward and eco-friendly.
Switch off and read . . . International bestseller The Piano Teacher by Janice YK Lee. It’s about an Englishman who works as a chauffeur in Hong Kong high society in the 40s and 50s, so seems apt…
BEST FOR FASTING
Buchinger Wilhelmi, Überlingen, Germany
Fasting may be the latest buzzword in the world of wellbeing, but when it comes to therapeutic spas that delve deep into its science, Buchinger Wilhelmi on the shores of Lake Constance, is the original and best (and still run by the Buchinger family).
Developed more than a century ago by German physician Otto Buchinger, a WWI naval doctor who cured his own rheumatoid arthritis by drinking only water for three weeks after conventional medicines failed, the Buchinger therapeutic fasting method has become a staple for individuals wanting an annual ‘tune-up’ and reset. Otto is widely acknowledged as being the first doctor to document the effect of fasting on the body. Research since then has proven that just three days of fasting can rejuvenate the immune system, triggering the production of new white blood cells and alleviating the symptoms of inflammatory conditions like diabetes, arthritis and autoimmune diseases.
Try the medically-supervised 10 day 250 calorie-a-day fast which includes a comprehensive schedule of massages and treatments, complete with regular medical checks and weigh-ins. There’s a lot of thin broths, juices and herbal tea involved.
Alternatively there are shorter stays (seven or three days) for the time poor in search of recuperation and regeneration, which give a taste of the resort, but without the therapeutic fasting and offering organic gourmet meals instead.
There’s no luxury hotel spa per se – instead, Buchinger Wilhelmi is centred around two main medical complexes in its stunningly landscaped grounds, staffed by its doctors and nurses, along with numerous treatment rooms where guests can book everything from osteopathy, physiotherapy and shiatsu massage, to Chinese abdominal massage Chi Nei Tsang and body wraps.
There’s also a heated outdoor swimming pool and free exercise sessions as well as daily guided hikes, personal trainers, life coaches and meditation sessions to distract you from your hunger pangs, which they promise will eventually give way to renewed energy levels and that you’ll leave with a serious spring in your step as well as several kilos lighter.
What to take: Outdoor hiking kit, fitness gear, swimwear and athleisure for lounging. And splash out on some Desmond & Dempsey PJs – you may be sleeping more hours than not!
Switch off and read . . .The Laurels Of Lake Constance by Marie Chaix, a profoundly moving novel about the years leading up to WWII.
BEST FOR LONGEVITY
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary, Koh Samui, Thailand
Everyone knows that feeling when you arrive somewhere so paradisiacal that worries and stresses seem to instantly drain away like water down a plug. Koh Samui is already a tropical island idyll that does that – and then Kamalaya takes it to the next level.
This beachside retreat and spa located on the Thai island’s stunning south coast, nestled into verdant waterfall-strewn hills, is a luxurious paradise that takes holistic rejuvenation almost religiously. It even has its own sacred meditation cave, used by Buddhist monks for centuries.
A peaceful haven which blends Eastern and Western science and spirituality, the multi-award winning Kamalaya has a huge team of Ayurvedic, traditional Chinese and Western medical doctors, nutritionists, acupuncturists, physios, fitness coaches, yoga teachers, life coaches and more at your beck and call to ensure your stay is beautifully bespoke – you can pick and choose and take everything at your own pace.
You can, of course, simply book a luxurious holiday in five star hillside rooms or spacious villas and enjoy delicious food and the fabled Thai hospitality, while sampling the breathtakingly stunning spa. There are daily classes in the likes of yoga, pilates, Qi Gong and more to try as well as a dizzying range of treatments in the spa to enjoy – ranging from the medical, like ozone or IV therapy, to the likes Ayurvedic massage, kati vasti, traditional Thai massage, lotus scrubs and wraps, and the Kamalaya Signature Three Treasures Treatment, which includes Tui Na massage, Reiki and crystal healing, as well as aromatherapy using Kamalaya’s bespoke ‘Three Treasures’ oil blends.
But if you fancy something more tailored, try the just launched immersive six-night-long Blue Zones Retreat. Based on two decades of longevity research by Blue Zones, an organisation dedicated to helping people live better and longer lives through researching the world’s longest-lived cultures, it aims to educate guests on nutrition, movement and preserving physical, mental and emotional health, to inspire healthier and happier lives. It’s guaranteed to be a truly wonderful experience and might even transform your life.
What to take
Your very best White Lotus-inspired wardrobe – the eagerly anticipated next series is set in Thailand, and filming has already taken place in Koh Samui. Think CAMILLA beach-ready kaftans, printed shirts and activewear.
Switch off and read . . . Dr Peter Attia’s Outlive: the Science and Art of Longevity. This is the manual for living longer.
BEST FOR HIGH ACHIEVERS
SHA Wellness Clinic, Cancun, Mexico
SHA made waves in the world of wellness when it opened near Alicante in Spain some 15 years ago – now it’s shaking things up again with its new outpost, a stunning-looking clinic overlooking the crystal clear Caribbean just up the coast from Cancun in Mexico.
To book here, you must choose a wellness programme, all of which blend science with natural medicine. They include the Leader’s Performance seven-day programme, which aims to reduce stress and optimise wellbeing and ultimately, improve performance in demanding jobs. Working with a team of health professionals, participants will have the likes of 3D body scans, ozone and IV therapy, cryotherapy, tons of medical tests along with massages, as well as having a personalised food and health plan devised for them, with a host of other regenerative treatments and health medicine on offer.
Whichever programme you choose, they are all underpinned by the SHA Method, which it claims doesn’t just improve quality of life, but can add years to it with its integrative approach based on nine areas – healthy nutrition, natural therapies, preventive and healthy ageing medicine, advanced aesthetics, cognitive stimulation, emotional health, wellbeing and inner balance, and physical performance. All of this is accompanied by learning new habits at the Healthy Living Academy, which offers group activities such as talks, walks, healthy cooking classes and more.
Healthy eating is big here – SHA was founded by Alfredo Bataller Parietti after he managed to beat years of serious illness thanks to integrative medicine, including a macrobiotic diet. Think healthy haute cuisine that’s all mostly alkaline – open-fire cooked local seafood, wholegrains and fresh produce, with many of the organic herbs and vegetables grown nearby for the hotel’s restaurants.
The health clinic is the star of the show here though. At six stories tall and with 100 treatment rooms offering everything from genomic medicine to serum therapy, osteopathy, hair transplants, dentistry, Asian-inspired massages, high-spec skincare, intravenous laser therapy, stem cell therapy to sexual health, it’s a temple to wellness.
What to take Dress style here is high-end casual, so go Mexican-inspired Caravana dresses, or Oliver Spencer for men.
Switch off and read . . . Under The Volcano by Malcom Lowry. An astonishing novel set in Mexico, the protagonist, an alcoholic British consul, might persuade you to pass on that extra margarita.
BEST FOR A CREATIVITY REBOOT
Hotel Castello di Reschio, Umbria, Italy
Apparently, men think about the Roman Empire several times a week (well, according to one popular TikTok meme last year). They – and women too, of course – will have plenty to ponder when wallowing in the Hotel Castello di Reschio’s Roman-inspired The Bathhouse spa, not least just how well-pampered Julius Caesar and his friends were. Lurking in the depths of the castle’s old wine cellars, The Bathhouse is so big on the antiquity stuff, you half imagine Mary Beard to pop up with stories and stats. Unique features such as a voluminous salt-water Roman bath and a natural tepidarium (a warm bath) dug into the earth will transport spa-goers to 324AD (or thereabouts), while the ancient ambience of stony subterranean cellar is enhanced by flickering candles and a lovely open-fire.
The treatments at The Bathhouse are all bespoke, tailored towards customers’ needs. Locally-foraged ingredients such as wild camomile flowers and honey are used in treatments, before being pummelled out using infusions such as St John’s Wort (collected every summer solstice from nearby meadows). Other than that, it’s all about relaxation: luxuriating in the circular bath at the bottom of a three-storey tower, getting steamy in the hammam, or sitting on marble benches gazing at up at the millennia-old stone walls. There are also two ‘conversation baths’, in which you can sit in and bounce your newly created ideas around.
When you’re not bathing like an emperor, Hotel Castello di Reschio offers a phalanx of activities: horse-riding, foraging workshops, Italian cookery lessons, even picking up skills usually taught in monasteries such as calligraphy or paper marbling.
What to take Good walking boots. There’s plenty of hiking to be done on the Castello di Reschio’s 3,700-acre estate and nearby hills and Assisi and Gubbio are only a short drive away and worth a stroll around.
Switch off and read . . .
Author Umberto Eco believed that Umbria was the centre of the universe and his medieval murder mystery, Name of the Rose, is set in an Italian monastery – it’s hard to imagine a more perfect book for reading at Castello di Reschio.
Best for Spa and Golf
Adare Manor Spa, Limerick, Ireland
Excitement is already brewing for the 2027 Ryder Cup which will be held in County Limerick’s Adare Manor and which is the fulfilment of a dream for business mogul owner JP McManus who bought the neo gothic manor house and it’s grounds with the dream of turning it into a luxurious hotel and hosting the world famous golf tournament. And what a place to hold it.
Set in the serene countryside of County Limerick, Ireland, today it’s one of the world’s greatest hotels, exquisite inside and out – named Conde Nast Traveller’s 2022 Number One resort in the world, in fact. The Tom Fazio designed golf course offers a spectacular golfing experience amid the 840 acres of park and woodland and reveals new discoveries and challenges at every turn.
Being at one with nature is not only the ethos of Adare Manor, it also extends to its extensive spa and wellness offerings.
Here, inspired by the Japanese practice of forest bathing, guests indulge in mindful walks through the lush surroundings; while the spa itself draws its philosophy from the ancient Ogham druidic alphabet, with treatments categorised under willow, oak, ash, and birch – each symbolising different aspects of wellness. Having partnered exclusively (in Ireland) with 111Skin, the spa offers luxurious treatments such as deep tissue massages and a signature 90-minute cheekbone-lifting, contour-defining Rose Quartz Restorative Facial, favoured by the likes of Victoria Beckham, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Aniston and Sienna Miller.
And beyond the spa, the Manor boasts a range of amenities including a relaxation area, manicure and pedicure salon, sauna, hair boutique, fitness centre – and an indoor pool with fairytale views of the surrounding woods and River Maigue. The place is also a foodie heaven, from the gastronomic delights at The Carriage House, to the Michelin-starred menu at The Oak Room in which Chef Michael Tweedie offers a tasting menu highlighting Ireland’s premium ingredients.
What to take: Your Barbour and walking boots. Adare Manor also offers a fantastic choice of country pursuits from falconry to carriage driving.
Go device free and read… Without My Cloak by Kate O’Brien (1931). Set in County Limerick, the author’s prize-winning debut, is a saga spanning three generations and kicks off with the arrival of a horse thief. Cosy up and dive in.
Catering giant Compass raises guidance following contracts at Kew and Royal Opera House
Catering giant Compass Group has raised its profit guidance following a strong performance in the six months to the end of March.
The firm, which provides catering services for universities and offices, said it would up its guidance by 15 per cent.
It comes as the hospitality group reported a 18.7 per cent increase year-on-year in operating profit to $1.4bn (£1.1bn) in the half year.
Revenue increased by 11.2 per cent, which the business said reflected “the strong trading performance”.
Earlier this year, Compass announced plans for a multi-million pound takeover of competitor CH&Co, the go-to hospitality provider for Kew Gardens and the Royal Opera House.
CH&Co, which also counts as clients the Royal Academy of Arts, the Southbank Centre and Hampton Court Palace, had been owned by private equity firm Equistone since 2019.
The deal completed last month costing £373m (£296m).
Dominic Blakemore, group chief executive, Compass Group said: “The Group has delivered a strong set of results, with balanced double-digit organic revenue growth and good underlying operating margin progression across all regions, leading to underlying operating profit growth of 19 per cent on a constant-currency basis.
“Europe is building a strong track record of growth, having benefited from investment and best practice sharing. We have completed the acquisitions of HOFMANN in Germany and CH&CO in the UK and Ireland increasing operational flexibility as well as further strengthening our unique sectorised approach to the market.
He added: “Our results are driving strong cash generation which in turn gives us the flexibility to invest capital back in the business through capex and strategic in-fill M&A, to support future growth through sectorisation and flexible operating models, both of which generate excellent returns.”
Burberry: Analysts say ‘a lot to be desired’ after profit slip
British fashion house Burberry reported a decline in operating profit for the full year as the brand continues to be bruised by consumers reducing spending on luxury items.
This morning, the trench coat and plaid scarf maker said profit reduced by 36 per cent to £418m in its last financial year, ending in March 2024. Revenue was also down by four per cent to £2.9bn.
One analyst said the results leaved a “lot to be desired.”
Back in January, the designer brand slashed its profit guidance for the year in a response to shoppers spending less.
Sales in Asia grew by just three per cent over the course of the year, hindered by a 17 per cent drop in the fourth quarter.
And Americas-spending fell a full 12 per cent across the year.
A number of high end designers have been hit hard by shoppers holding back in the region following strict Covid-19 restrictions.
Looking ahead, the board of Burberry still expects trading to be tough.
Wholesale revenue is estimated to fall by around -25 per cent in the first half as it increases control of distribution.
They said: “We will continue to balance investment in consumer facing areas with disciplined cost control to support our growth ambition. We have identified cost savings to enable us to offset the impact of inflation in the second half.
“Based on foreign exchange rates effective as of 25 April 2024, we now expect a currency headwind of c.£30m to revenue and c.£20m to adjusted operating profit in FY25.”
“Burberry’s latest figures leave a lot to be desired, amid slowing demand for luxury,” said Sophie Lund-Yates, lead equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.
“Slowing trends are being seen across the board in the sector, so these weaker results aren’t a total bolt from the blue. The question now will be how quickly demand picks up, and that of course is in the hands of the economy. The relative lack of brand diversification, compared to other names, makes Burberry more exposed to these cycles too. There’s also uncertainty heading into the new financial year, with cost savings being deployed to prop up the bottom line, which isn’t something that can go on forever,” she continued.
Jonathan Akeroyd, chief executive officer of Burberry added: “Executing our plan against a backdrop of slowing luxury demand has been challenging.
“While our FY24 financial results underperformed our original expectations, we have made good progress refocusing our brand image, evolving our product and strengthening distribution while delivering operational improvements.”
Burberry’s shares have more than halved in the past year, leaving the stock price back near the lows plumbed during the early stages of the pandemic.
Improving social mobility in the City is key to better business
Progress comes in many forms, and one of those is just gathering a lot of people in a room who care about the same thing.
And so it was last night, with the gathering of the great and the good – and supporters – of Progress Together, the Square Mile initiative to improve the level of socio-economic diversity in the management ranks of financial and professional services.
Founded as the pandemic receded into the rear view mirror, the membership body exists to identify where young talent from lower socioeconomic backgrounds fall out of the executive pipeline, and help businesses navigate the sometimes challenging landscape that comes with doing something about it.
Social mobility is the often forgotten part of any initiative designed to change the face (literally) of the C-Suite, and all the more challenging to do something about.
After all, it’s more difficult to see because not everyone wants to stick their hand up and declare where they’ve come from, and then anybody trying to do background digging on it comes up against a natural suspicion of handing over the most personal data.
So Progress Together, in short, does something very valuable indeed.
It is a lasting legacy of former Lord Mayor Vincent Keaveny and its progress – no pun intended – has been driven by its energetic CEO, Sophie Hulm.
It is, genuinely, one of the most valuable parts of the social mobility ecosystem in business, and best of all, there is precious little preaching and even less finger wagging.
It’s about results: a more diverse workforce makes for better businesses and a more competitive City of London.
It is this that will tangibly drive change at the top of our biggest businesses: self-interest is at the heart of capitalism, after all. In a free market, those who attract more talent from more varied areas will end up winning the day
Top 7: This German getaway is the best spa for fasting
Buchinger Wilhelmi, Überlingen, Germany is top 7’s pick as the best spa for fasting
Fasting may be the latest buzzword in the world of wellbeing, but when it comes to therapeutic spas that delve deep into its science, Buchinger Wilhelmi on the shores of Lake Constance, is the original and best (and still run by the Buchinger family).
Developed more than a century ago by German physician Otto Buchinger, a WWI naval doctor who cured his own rheumatoid arthritis by drinking only water for three weeks after conventional medicines failed, the Buchinger therapeutic fasting method has become a staple for individuals wanting an annual ‘tune-up’ and reset.
Otto is widely acknowledged as being the first doctor to document the effect of fasting on the body. Research since then has proven that just three days of fasting can rejuvenate the immune system, triggering the production of new white blood cells and alleviating the symptoms of inflammatory conditions like diabetes, arthritis and autoimmune diseases.
Try the medically-supervised 10 day 250 calorie-a-day fast which includes a comprehensive schedule of massages and treatments, complete with regular medical checks and weigh-ins. There’s a lot of thin broths, juices and herbal tea involved.
Alternatively there are shorter stays (seven or three days) for the time poor in search of recuperation and regeneration, which give a taste of the resort, but without the therapeutic fasting and offering organic gourmet meals instead.
There’s no luxury hotel spa per se – instead, Buchinger Wilhelmi is centred around two main medical complexes in its stunningly landscaped grounds, staffed by its doctors and nurses, along with numerous treatment rooms where guests can book everything from osteopathy, physiotherapy and shiatsu massage, to Chinese abdominal massage Chi Nei Tsang and body wraps.
There’s also a heated outdoor swimming pool and free exercise sessions as well as daily guided hikes, personal trainers, life coaches and meditation sessions to distract you from your hunger pangs, which they promise will eventually give way to renewed energy levels and that you’ll leave with a serious spring in your step as well as several kilos lighter.
What to take: Outdoor hiking kit, fitness gear, swimwear and athleisure for lounging. And splash out on some Desmond & Dempsey PJs – you may be sleeping more hours than not!
Switch off and read . . .The Laurels Of Lake Constance by Marie Chaix, a profoundly moving novel about the years leading up to WWII.
Top 7: How this Koh Samui retreat became the best spa for longevity
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary, Koh Samui, Thailand is Top 7’s pick of the best spa for longevity
Everyone knows that feeling when you arrive somewhere so paradisiacal that worries and stresses seem to instantly drain away like water down a plug. Koh Samui is already a tropical island idyll that does that – and then Kamalaya takes it to the next level.
This beachside retreat and spa located on the Thai island’s stunning south coast, nestled into verdant waterfall-strewn hills, is a luxurious paradise that takes holistic rejuvenation almost religiously. It even has its own sacred meditation cave, used by Buddhist monks for centuries.
A peaceful haven which blends Eastern and Western science and spirituality, the multi-award winning Kamalaya has a huge team of Ayurvedic, traditional Chinese and Western medical doctors, nutritionists, acupuncturists, physios, fitness coaches, yoga teachers, life coaches and more at your beck and call to ensure your stay is beautifully bespoke – you can pick and choose and take everything at your own pace.
You can, of course, simply book a luxurious holiday in five star hillside rooms or spacious villas and enjoy delicious food and the fabled Thai hospitality, while sampling the breathtakingly stunning spa.
There are daily classes in the likes of yoga, pilates, Qi Gong and more to try as well as a dizzying range of treatments in the spa to enjoy – ranging from the medical, like ozone or IV therapy, to the likes of Ayurvedic massage, kati vasti, traditional Thai massage, lotus scrubs and wraps, and the Kamalaya Signature Three Treasures Treatment, which includes Tui Na massage, Reiki and crystal healing, as well as aromatherapy using Kamalaya’s bespoke ‘Three Treasures’ oil blends.
But if you fancy something more tailored, try the just launched immersive six-night-long Blue Zones Retreat. Based on two decades of longevity research by Blue Zones, an organisation dedicated to helping people live better and longer lives through researching the world’s longest-lived cultures, it aims to educate guests on nutrition, movement and preserving physical, mental and emotional health, to inspire healthier and happier lives. It’s guaranteed to be a truly wonderful experience and might even transform your life.
What to take to the best spa for longevity
Your very best White Lotus-inspired wardrobe – the eagerly anticipated next series is set in Thailand, and filming has already taken place in Koh Samui. Think CAMILLA beach-ready kaftans, printed shirts and activewear.
Switch off and read . . . Dr Peter Attia’s Outlive: the Science and Art of Longevity. This is the manual for living longer.