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Diary

Super yachts continue to attract willing buyers

September 27, 2011

There is a definite coming-of-age party atmosphere at the Monaco Yacht Show this year as the most prestigious event in the global yachting calendar celebrates its 21st birthday.

Tata family business unveils golden car

September 20, 2011

The world’s cheapest car, Tata Nano, has been transformed into one of the most expensive, after the Tata family business created a fully functional “golden” version of the car.

The Goldplus Nano, a one-off showpiece, sees the Tata Group’s Nano car covered in 80 kilogrammes of solid gold, 15 kilogrammes of silver and roughly 10,000 semi-precious and precious stones, including diamonds, rubies and pearls.

The result? $4.7 million (€3.44 million) added to the car’s current retail price of $3,000.

Ex-Thorntons chairman to unveil plaque celebrating the family business

September 16, 2011

Switzerland might be the chocolate capital of the world, but the UK was the birthplace of many big-name sweet brands such as Cadbury and of course Thorntons.

The original founders of the chocolate makers, set up as a family business in the early 1900s, will be honoured this weekend in Sheffield.

Family businesses and SMEs put politicians to work

September 15, 2011

What does a career politician, with little experience of working outside of the dark halls of Westminster or Brussels, know about the intricacies of running a family business?

Some might argue that the answer is little and this is something British prime minister David Cameron is hoping to tackle by working with the Forum of Private Business.

He’s backing the organisation’s Business Buddy scheme, aimed at encouraging MPs to gain experience in local small businesses.

Family business Cockburn's embraces the 1970s

September 14, 2011

It’s all change at popular port Cockburn's. Not only has a new family – the Symingtons – recently taken the helm at the 196-year-old brand, “significant improvements” have also been made to the taste of Cockburn's port.

It’s all change at popular port Cockburn’s. Not only has a new family – the Symingtons – recently taken the helm at the 196-year-old brand, “significant improvements” have also been made to the taste of Cockburn’s port.

But lovers of the drink need not worry – the new owners of the family business aren’t about to change it entirely. In fact, they’re looking to the past to boost its future.

Coffee, culture…and the family

September 13, 2011

Andrea Illy, the third-generation family boss of the eponymous coffee maker, was in London this week unveiling the latest version of the company’s famous artist designed espresso cup.

This time it was Anish Kapoor's turn, famous among other works for his huge steel and PVC sculpture stretching from end to end of the massive turbine hall in Tate Modern in London.

Other artists/cultural figures to have worked on Illy’s cups have included Jeff Koons, David Byrne, Federico Fellini and Robert Rauschberg.

Family businesses wanted for new BBC programme

September 12, 2011

Alex Polizzi, the granddaughter of hotelier Lord Forte, is set to present a new BBC TV programme aimed at boosting the fortunes of British family businesses.

Best known for her critical eye and ability to transform venues on Channel 5’s The Hotel Inspector, Polizzi will draw on her experience of working in her family’s business to provide advice to struggling companies.

Last family-owned Cognac house launches rare vintages

September 9, 2011

Camus, the last independent, family-owned cognac house, has launched what it calls an “outstanding and unequalled range of Certified Single Vintage Cognacs”.

Tracing its history back to 1863, Camus is releasing eight vintages, including a number dating back to the early 1970s. Expect to pay as much as a €1,000 for some of the rarer vintages.