How Billionaire Indians Splash the Cash in London

It was really interesting putting this article together for editor Prince Matthews Thomas for Forbes India's Rich List issue. Ultra high net worth individuals have specific ways in which they spend their money and Indians are even more culturally specific. For example, they like to live mostly in central London, as the real estate here is secure. And though they will spend enormous amounts of money on jewellery abroad, buying up Elizabeth Taylor's gems for instance, they still favour their personal jewellers in India. To write an article like this needs a whole team of contributors I can turn to, and I am grateful to people like Vikrant Bhalerao, CEO of Credere Wealth Management and the Dorchester's PRO Rosanna Fishbourne who gave me special info that wasn't in the public domain. It's good working with PRs and CEOs who understand that if they go the extra mile with a writer the return is simply a more colourful piece on their topic. And PRs who can't be bothered, are too busy or make their subjects too precious? They are not best serving the company or person that is paying them, because we are all on deadlines and I like to talk to people who make themselves available to talk to me! One PRO I recently dealt with was so arrogant and inattentive, that that person has actually put me off writing about their subject now.

Most German Multi-Millionaires live in London!

My colleague Andrew Armoils at Wealth Insight sent me this data over this morning...interesting...it is part of WealthInsight’s report entitled: Germany – The Future of HNWIs to 2016: Wealth in the Powerhouse of Europe. Germany’s rich: Top 25 Cities for German multi-millionaires According to WealthInsight research, there are 11,392 multi-millionaires in Germany (each with assets of over US$30 million), the third highest number in the world, behind only the US and Japan. Frankfurt is home to the largest portion of these with 1,868 multi-millionaires. Compared to major EU cities: this is above Paris (1,500 multi-millionaires), Zurich (1,314) and Geneva (1,156), but well below London (4,220). There are also sizable German multi-millionaire populations in Munich (1,113), Hamburg (843), Düsseldorf (524), Berlin (464) and Stuttgart (382). According to WealthInsight analyst Andrew Amoils: “Germany has a relatively even spread of multi-millionaires with 10 German cities with more than 150 multi-millionaires and 5 German cities with more than 400 multi-millionaires. This differs considerably from other major EU countries (UK and France) where wealth is centered around the capital cities” “However, one should note that the top 25 German cities for multi-millionaires are all based in former West Germany.” “Leipzig is the top East German city - it has only 28 multi-millionaires.” · The number of multi-millionaires in Germany increased by 0.7% over the four year period between 2007 and 2011 (review period). ·

Spectator Life Conference Preview

I’ve come across an event taking place in London on 4th October; the Spectator Life Conference: Luxury in the Digital and Asian Age. The conference will explore the three key issues that affect luxury businesses today: how to create a powerful web presence without diluting your brand values, how to exploit the sophisticated new digital technologies such as augmented reality shopping to grow your business and how to create effective sales strategies to reach increasingly affluent and brand-aware Asian consumers. Speakers from India, China, France and the UK will be talking about the challenges and opportunities facing luxury brands. Speakers include: Grace Chang, digital strategy consultant to the luxury sector, and Tara Wang, co-founder of C&W Branding, on: "What Chinese Women Want" - the colour and taste aesthetics of Chinese women, the importance of digital strategies in China, and the use of social media. Katrina Dodd from Contagious, who specialises in advising brands on innovative digital marketing strategies, and Chris Sanderson, co-founder of The Future Laboratory on emergent trends in the Luxury market. Kate Anketill, CEO and Founder of GDR Creative Intelligence, on what's exciting and innovative in retail design. Also Claire Enders CEO of Enders Analysis, one of the leading consultancies and visionaries of the digital space. Stephen Bayley, author, critic, columnist, consultant, broadcaster, debater and curator.

Exclusive; Boris Becker, "You Have to Go Where it Hurts" for Forbes India

Boris Becker was gracious and expansive, frank and funny, easy to like. Trusting, and I trusted him too. Implicitly. He gave me much more than could be printed in one article, so watch out for the rest of it. When I asked him "What is your legacy?" He answered in a way that was completely unexpected. A champion. Special breed.

Wonderful to get back to reporting on the BBC

It's been a while, but I am happy to be back and filing reports for the BBC again. Some of those audience numbers are amazing. It's also nice to have an influence on the programme agendas.

Olympic Cauldron Designer Thomas Heatherwick talks to ForbesIndia

It was nice to get a chance to look at an aesthetic aspect of the London Olympics; the stunning cauldron, or set of objects which came together to form one big flame. Thomas Heatherwick oozes passion for his work; amidst the glitz, the glamour, the high octane level and the turbo-charged business deals, the still small voice of artistic endeavour was refreshing. While Thomas's interview about how he designed the cauldron effect is illuminating, I am fascinated by his other work. For instance, he designed the UK Pavilion for Shanghai for World Expo 2010. It was one of the standout features of that event, and is an important item in his portfolio. Thoughtful design which makes sense to the audience as well. How rare is that?

Why Did Die Welt mention Forbes India in its article on Boris Becker?

I was happy to be seeing Boris Becker Friday August 3rd; Visit Britain had selected a number of journalists to meet the former world tennis champion at the St Ermin, a charming heritage hotel in central London. We have a journalistic code of conduct which kicks in the moment we step onto professional ground; it includes courtesy and respect for those we interact with. I cannot understand the sneering, arrogant tone that was adopted by Die Welt - the reporter implied that we should all have been there to take Boris Becker apart. Why? Becker hadn't done anything wrong, we were invited by Visit Britain -he represents it as an ambassador- and we were being given an opportunity to interview a world champion in an intimate environment, with lunch thrown in! Boris Becker is in no particular need of publicity. His job as ambassador is unpaid, he was doing the meet as a favour, the least that guests could do was observe a little bit of courtesy. In fact, he gave some interesting and entertaining answers to our questions. I don't know why Die Welt should have singled me on behalf of Forbes India out for my question and subsequent answer (which revealed something about Boris Becker's mindset). Once you get your interview with your subject, that is the best time to throw in any curve balls you wish to - if you are into that game. It is surprising what you can elicit just by being persistent and phrasing a polite question different ways. Eventually your subject will give you something. But to go in offensively and harshly right from the start doesn't earn you any favours and our business is all about creating good relationships that will allow you access on a continuous basis. To do that you must be respectful. Though Visit Britain had warned me that Boris would be short of time, so we needed to ask our questions in open session, I did ask to start a private interview with him. Boris agreed to my request and answered me fully, before being whisked away by government officials. Die Welt, you did our profession no favours that day, you disrupted the working atmosphere and I am very surprised at your hostility to one of your own country's best ambassadors. Remember on the world stage Boris Becker fought and won championships and set world records not for Britain, but for Germany. You may have grabbed some attention on Friday August 3rd, 2012, but I can assure you that Boris Becker will figure on the world stage for a lot longer than your very small reporter will.