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Diary

Ex-family business head sails into the sunshine

March 5, 2012

Would you accept a superyacht if you had to pay over £250,000 (€299,600) just to fill its fuel tanks? Maybe not. But if you’re Kirsty Bertarelli, the former Miss UK, who’s married to billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, you may see it differently.

Kristy received a £100 million (€119.8 million) yacht from the Italian-Swiss tycoon, who headed pharmaceutical giant Serono until 2006.

Ferragamo to host runway show inside the Louvre

March 3, 2012

Do a pair of stilettos and a handbag deserve a place in a museum? The answer is yes, if the Louvre’s decision to host Salvatore Ferragamo’s next fashion show is anything to go by.

The family-controlled Italian group, which is famous for its shoes, bags and silk accessorises, will present its 2012 pre-season collection inside the famous Parisian museum on 21 June.

Designed by creative director Massimiliano Giornetti, the collection will be presented on a 120-metre runway, behind the archways of the Denon wing’s colonnade.

Royal and business families come together

March 2, 2012

One is arguably the most famous family in the world, the other a high profile business family. And both came together recently for a spot of tea.

The UK’s royal family, represented by the Queen, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall, popped round to Fortnum & Mason, the London retailer controlled by the Weston family, where they sampled some of the delights on offer.

Not just one more cup of coffee for Fracino

February 29, 2012

Tea might be the quintessential British beverage, but one family business in the UK has fully embraced arch rival coffee.

Birmingham-based Fracino, the only British manufacturer of cappuccino and espresso machines, has found that, with demand so great for its products, it has had to expand.

Fracino is looking to challenge Italy and Spain, countries that traditionally dominate the manufacturing of cappuccino and espresso machines, and is now selling almost 3,000 machines a year.

Leap day: Don’t forget the pre-nup

February 28, 2012

What’s there to do if you’re a wealthy man whose leading lady is likely to pop the question on Leap day, when, according to tradition, a woman can propose to an unmarried man?

What is there to do if you’re a wealthy man whose leading lady is likely to pop the question on Leap day, when, according to tradition, a woman can propose to an unmarried man?

The day, which “strikes fear into the hearts of many ultra-high net worth beaus”, will see some men hiding out in Klosters or Sandy Lane, Jonathan West, head of family and matrimonial at law firm Prolegal, told CampdenFB.

Oscar fever reaches peak for British family business

February 25, 2012

A London-based costume hire family business, currently in its fifth generation of family ownership, provided clothes and accessories for four of the five movies nominated for an Oscar award for the best costume design.

Family-run Angels, which traces its roots back to 1840, was the name behind clothes featured in Martin Scorsese’s film Hugo, the new version of Jane Eyre, Madonna’s romantic drama WE and historical thriller Anonymous.

Pasta family to sell spaghetti porcelain

February 13, 2012

If you’re looking to add a few pieces to your fine porcelain and ceramic collection, you could be in luck, as Giovanni and Gabriella Barilla’s collection will be auctioned in London on 14 March.

The auction’s catalogue, which comprises more than 400 lots with an estimated value of £2.5 million (€2.99 million), includes figures by Kandler representing commedia dell’arte – a form of Italian theatre – and rare Capodimonte and Buen Retiro pieces.

Family vineyard named US winery of the year

February 7, 2012

Patience is something many family businesses have, Sonepar chairwoman and chief executive Marie-Christine Coisne-Roquette, recently told CampdenFB. Maybe this is why many family-controlled companies are doing well in the wine industry, a sector in which persistence is certainly required.

Patience is something many family businesses have, Sonepar chairwoman and chief executive Marie-Christine Coisne-Roquette, recently told CampdenFB. Maybe this is why many family-controlled companies are doing well in the wine industry, a sector in which persistence is certainly required.

Super Bowl XLVI is a family affair

February 5, 2012

For Americans, Super Bowl Sunday is almost a national holiday. The day on which the final of the National Football League championship is played is second only to Thanksgiving in terms of food consumption, while an estimated 90 million people are expected to tune in to the game at any time.

The world’s best boss?

February 1, 2012

Employees at one Australian business recently got a welcome surprise, after the family behind bus company Grenda Corporation decided to reward workers with an AUS$15 million (€12.2 million) gift.

The company, controlled by the Grenda family, sold off its transit operations last year, netting a cool AUS$400 million.

But rather than banking it all for themselves, patriarch Ken Grenda, along with his sons Geoff and Scott, decided to share a chunk of the profits with employees as a thank you for all their hard work.