An Orwellian whorl of a film that’s unsettling and original April 26, 2012 FILM CLONE Cert: 15 **** Matt Smith, who plays Clone’s hero Tommy, is kinda handsome in a kooky way. More Easter Island statue than Michelangelo’s David. People fancy him, but they’re not sure why. It probably accounts for why his CV beyond Doctor Who is sparse to say the least. You feel he is going [...]
Boris takes fight to heart of City April 23, 2012 PORT drinkers raised their glasses, a knight was converted and one supporter suggested the Mayor should join in with some “Boris Dancing” – it’s hard to imagine a more welcoming environment for the Conservative candidate than Leadenhall Market’s St George’s Day celebrations. Yesterday Johnson was cheered by City crowds as he gave a stump speech [...]
Financial markets aren’t like casinos – but they aspire to their condition April 23, 2012 CASINOS are a triumph of human achievement – a beacon of what financial markets hope to accomplish. No, I’m not being facetious. Consider the distinction the economist Frank Knight made between risk and uncertainty. Risk is calculable because the range of possible outcomes is known. In roulette, for example, a ball is released into a [...]
Fresh life in the Cornish market April 19, 2012 With weather like this week’s, one might be tempted to quit the UK entirely. But when the sun shines, and even when it doesn’t, there’s no lovelier part of the country than Cornwall – and the market knows it. Cornwall is not cheap – you can easily spend a few million on a seaside sprawl. [...]
FOCUS ON: BATTERSEA April 19, 2012 PRINCE OF WALES DRIVE Price: £3.15m This semi-detached home features a large master bedroom and four additional double bedrooms. Outside there is a garden and a patio, ideal for outdoor dining. Close to Battersea Park, this spacious house is perfect for a family. Contact Savills on 0203 402 1900 PAGE MEWS Price: From £1.15m These [...]
CITY MOVES WHO’S SWITCHING JOBS April 18, 2012 Sberbank As part of the integration of Sberbank of Russia and Troika Dialog, Elena Shilina has been appointed head of the private banking group. She will report directly to Ruben Vardarian, president of Troika. Since May 2011, Shilina has headed the Sberbank-Troika integration committee. She has previously worked for Nomos Bank as vice-president, McKinsey, Rosbank [...]
Central London office take-up stays sluggish April 17, 2012 LEASING activity in the City and West office market remained sluggish in the first quarter of 2012 as tough economic conditions continued to dampen appetite for new space, according to research by Knight Frank. The property agent said take-up in the West End stood at 1m square feet in the quarter, down from 1.3m sq [...]
Manchester United take second shot at a listing in Singapore April 15, 2012 MANCHESTER United’s proposed share listing in Singapore could be revived in a bid to raise up to £600m. Members of the American Glazer family, who own the club, flew to the UK last week, attending two of United’s games as well as visiting the club’s London headquarters in Mayfair. The Glazers are believed to value [...]
This Port D’Andratx stunner offers the best of sunny luxury April 12, 2012 A state-of-the art villa to make your glitziest friends weep with jealousy – but at least they’ll be able to stop off on their yacht tour round the Med and see you. This 540 sq m, four to five bedroom pad revolves around sun and water, with a magnificent pool area with sauna and Jacuzzi, [...]
A pair of ocean idylls in the BVI and Mallorca April 12, 2012 I’m fairly sure it doesn’t get much better than 100 Pond Bay for a paradise island getaway. This newly built, 8,000 sq ft BVI idyll is a five minute drive from the Virgin Gorda yacht harbour, commercial centre and main ferry dock of Spanish Town. The house, which includes its own spacious spa, is set [...]