In the snow in British Columbia November 6, 2011 RUNNING through Vancouver in bright ski gear, carrying boots, boards and skis is an experience in itself. Before hitting the steep and deep slopes of Whistler Blackcomb – British Columbia’s powder playground – we decided to find our ski legs at Vancouver’s nearby family resorts of Cypress, Seymour and Grouse Mountains. The local resorts are [...]
CITY MOVES | WHO’S SWITCHING JOBS November 1, 2011 Marsh The insurance broker and risk adviser has appointed David Batchelor as head of its international division, comprising all operations outside North America. Batchelor, who will relocate to New York from London early next year, will remain chief executive of Marsh’s EMEA region throughout 2011. Batchelor began his career in 1976 at Bowring, which was [...]
Third cleric quits over occupation of St Paul’s October 31, 2011 THE ARCHBISHOP of Canterbury has broken his two-week silence over the St Paul’s occupation after the Dean of the Cathedral became the third cleric to resign yesterday. Dr Rowan Williams said he was “very sad” that the Right Rev Graeme Knowles had resigned and said the protesters had raised “urgent issues”. “The events of the [...]
Private equity takes stake in Be At One bars to drive growth October 30, 2011 PRIVATE equity firm Piper has taken a significant minority stake in Be At One, the cocktail chain that runs 12 bars across London. Piper, which founded the Pitcher & Piano bars and invested in the expansion of Mexican restaurant Las Iguanas, has paid £8m for its stake in Be At One, with the cash destined [...]
Ivell takes on a new exec role at M&B October 27, 2011 BOB IVELL was yesterday confirmed as executive chairman of Mitchells & Butlers as interim chief executive Jeremy Blood stepped down, following a bruising period when largest shareholder Joe Lewis made an aborted takeover attempt. The shake-up brings the number of board-level changes in the last four years to nine, with six chairmen and three chief [...]
Reflections on a positive year October 27, 2011 Q.Are you happy with One New Change a year on? Has it been a commercial success? A.In just 12 months, and despite tough economic conditions, One New Change is playing a leading role in transforming the City of London into a desirable weekday and weekend shopping and eating destination for Londoners and visitors to the [...]
City of London calls in lawyers over St Paul’s campers as disruptions enter second week October 23, 2011 THE City of London has vowed to get tough with protesters camping outside St Paul’s as the Occupy LSX movement enters its second week. A crunch meeting today will see the City of London Corporation meet with representatives of the cathedral and lawyers to discuss how to close down the makeshift commune. A spokesman for [...]
BILL OF THE WEEK October 23, 2011 THE TOUGH times have finally reached Mayfair. When four private investors hit Bellamys on Bruton Place, they economised by settling for only the second-most expensive vintage on the wine list that prides itself on “accessible prices” – the 1982 Château Cos d’Estournel St Estèphe at £975. Add in a £150 bottle of 2007 Clos des [...]
Opening up a new vista in air travel October 23, 2011 THE Nina J is bobbing up and down in the clear sparkling Riviera water, flanked by other super yachts that occasionally eject bevies of python and white linen-clad babes ready to take Monaco by storm. Around the pier, portly perma-tanned sugar daddies squeeze the waists of their young Ivankas as they ponder how to blow [...]
Washington DC October 23, 2011 Food DC’s West End lies within an easy stroll of the White House, so there are plenty of opportunities for “power dining” among the area’s officials, lobbyists – and visitors alike. The Old Ebbitt Grill’s Oyster Bar is rightfully renowned, has an authentic Victorian interior, and being two blocks from the White House was a [...]