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www.sovereignmagazine.co.uk Issue 24 - Digital Edition | ÂŁ2.99

Europeâ€™s largest Merchant Payments Conference Back for its 13th year MPE2020 Berlin is set to be the biggest ever

MPE2020

Influencers of FINTECH

Bankingblocks CEO profile Daria Rippingale

Arti Halai Fleet Street Group founder on The Power of Communication

Inspired by

Roger Federer

The difference between a win and real winners

Becoming the North Star Marianne Olsnes on reaching the top of the corporate ladder

THE POWER OF COMMUNICATION... Where great things happen Fl eet St re e t C o m m unications is an in d epe n de n t P R a nd communicatio n ag en c y, ba s e d i n L ondon, with u n ri v alle d u n d e rs tanding of the f o o d, drink , h o s pi ta lity, leisure and re ta ilin g se c t o r s .

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Startup DAYs is a collaboration between Digital Switzerland and Startup Invest, it is the referenced annual Startup Event in Switzerland. This yearly event pulls in a large number of investors, startups, entrepreneurs and industry leaders not just from Switzerland but from across the globe. The 2020 event will take place June 10-11 in Bern, Switzerland. Sovereign is delighted to create a special edition dedicated to showcasing the Swiss startup ecosystem along with the event. It will comprise featured interviews and profiles on the founders, organisations, members and participants who make the event possible. The special edition will feature the key players behind Startup DAYs; Jean-Pierre Vuileumier, Nicolas BĂźrer, Daniel Bermejo and Matthias Zwingli. To stay up to date with the latest news and articles around this special edition or to find out ways you can get involved, visit: www.sovereignmagazine.co.uk/startupdays

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Embarking on a bold new direction. It gives me great pleasure to pen my first letter as Editor-in-Chief for Sovereign Magazine. As we profile the leading executives and entrepreneurs from across the globe, we are determined to bring our readers a new level of insight into the world of business, finance, technology, sustainability and their impact on society. It has always been Sovereign’s winning policy to cast our net as far as possible in search of great stories and in this we remain unwavering. We have been on an incredible whirlwind journey for the past 3 years and are more excited than ever as to where our Sovereign Road will take us next. In this edition, we bring you coverage from two of Europe's leading Fintech conferences, along with an exclusive interview with MPE Influencer of the Year, Daria Rippingale. Our cover story, featuring Fleet Street Communication’s group founder, Arti Halai takes us into the though process of a leading PR specialist, who learned her craft as a journalist and newsreader at Britain's main broadcasters. Elaine Pringle-Schwitter asks “what is the difference between a win and being a real winner” as she captures Roger Federer on the court. Meanwhile, Lesley Calvo brings us another exclusive interview, this time with Marianne Olsnes, General Manager for Digitalization at Shell. I hope you enjoy every read and look forward to welcoming you back for future editions.

DNani Darie Nani Editor-in-chief

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In this issue COVER STORY

46. Grand Passions

Learning how to make your story come to life and why good news can be beneficial to society. Dr Marina Nani speaks to Arti Halai in this edition’s cover story.

50. Imagine a world where people are listening to each other

08. The Power of Communication Series: Arti Halai

54 Darie Nani

Editor-in-chief

Dr Marina Nani Founder

Christian Demetriad Graphic Designer

Arti Halai

Columnist & Podcast host

Alexis Boddy

Writer & Researcher

Brigitte Lawler Columnist

Dr Werner Krings Guest Author

18. Inspired by Roger Federer Elaine Pringle-Schwitter returns with her latest column, Through the Camera Lens

22. Merchant Payment Ecosystem 2020

Europe’s largest merchant payment conference returns for its 13th year.

26. Bridging the Gap Between Companies and Students

We profile DailyInternship CEO, Marco Cortivinis

28. Becoming the North Star

Lesley Calvo’s interviews Marianne Olsnes in her column, The Frequency of Success

32. Interview with MPE Influencer of the Year, Daria Rippingale

Elaine France

We speak to the CEO of Bankingblocks about Fintech

Elaine Pringle-Schwitter

36. Redefining Business Success

Columnist

How Christina Schläpfer’s revolutionary new approach to equestrianism.

Mickael Melaye,Managing Director of Airbus HIS tells us why compassion is key to effective management

54. Mind Over Matter

Penney Megginson is Pioneering a New Approach to the Mind-Body Connection

58. PODCAST Five Star Insight Professor Emeritus of Neuropsychiatry at University College London, Mary May Robertson is interviewed by Arti Halai

62. The Davos of Digital Finance

Our coverage of Paris Fintech Forum 2020

66. Wanderlust

How Kate Parkyn is using her passion for travel to inspire people to embark on new adventures

68. A Truly Bespoke Experience

Lesley Calvó

Brigitte Lawler’s latest column asks why reinventing the wheel is both needed and necessary.

We speak to Richmont Construction CEO, Stephen Collins about what it takes to build the dream homes of the hyper rich.

Santosh Padhiar

40. Women in tech: Paola Bonomo

70. A New Approach to Business Excellence

Columnist Columnist

Cover Photography

Connect with us Search for Sovereign Magazine and connect today.

From pattern recognition to perhaps one day quantum computing. Interview with Paola Bonomo

44. Learn to Move Mountains with Elaine France

We need to talk about a different starting point for real and radical solutions

Published by mtnpress. Printed in the United Kingdom

Guest author, Dr Werner Krings delves into what it means to be the next generation of academics in Digital Excellence

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Fleet Street’s Learning how to make your story come to life and why good news can be beneficial to society. | By Dr Marina Nani

leet Street is a major street in the City of London. If you are a Londoner, or have ever been to London, you know it runs west to east from Temple Bar at the border with City of Westminster and River Fleet from which it took its name.

An important through route since Roman Times, businesses were established here in the Middle Ages. Fleet Street became known for printing and publishing since the start of the 16th century and it turned out to be it’s dominant trade. If you are a book lover, mentions go back to Charles’ Dickens dramatic works. A metonym for the British national press, its pubs are always filled with journalists, and is now the memorial residence for a few well-known names like Samuel Pepys and Lord Northcliffe but more than anything, Fleet Street will always be known as the heart of British Media. While delving into the power of communication, we reached out to Arti Halai (www.artihalai.com), Co- Founder of Fleet Street Group who is known for her holistic approach to communication, to find out how the media will evolve over the next decade. Arti Halai is a television presenter, reporter and producer, she has worked with some of the UK’s largest organisations like the BBC, ITV, ITN News Channel, Carlton, LWT and Mirror Group. She is a consultant, advisor and trainer on presentation, media and communication skills, working both in the UK and abroad.

Arti has set up a number of successful businesses under the Fleet Street Group including a PR agency, creative design agency, consultancy and training business. Fleet Street Group offers services that help businesses grow through the power of communications. The group works across a variety of sectors including hospitality and leisure, B2B, professional services, retail, charities, education, media, food and drinks and financial services. Arti was the face of ITV’s regional news in the Midlands, Central News for seven years, fronting the bulletins from breakfast through to lunch. During her media career she covered everything from the historical significance and the role of the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) to a critical review of the European Parliament, the death of Diana, Princess of Wales and 9/11, the rise of India and Pakistan as nuclear powers, the regeneration of the South Bank, previews of the Tate Modern and the London Eye and interviews with Salman Rushdie and the late Sir Richard Attenborough. Arti is often approached to present at live events, from award ceremonies and annual dinners to fundraising events. Arti also chairs panels at conferences and business breakfast seminars as well as doing live entertainment events. As a guest speaker, she delivers talks on personal effectiveness and raising profile by creating a positive mindset and strong, succinct messages that empower and lead others to achieve results.

How did the media landscape change? When I started back in the 90s at the BBC, there were five terrestrial channels across the UK and reporters, producers worked in either radio or television. Today, we've got hundreds of channels and online platforms, mainly due to the explosion of cable and satellite. The advancement of technology, digitalization of content and what it means for those who work inside the industry is multi-tasking and multi scaling is now high on the agenda. A reporter's story must ensure that it is useful but the two things that should not change, I think, are accuracy of detail and being the first with the story remains key. Good News Vs. Bad News- what makes it to the headlines? Is it true that bad news sells so good news is ignored? Years ago, when I first started in television, I'll never forget my editor said to me “Arti, if it bleeds, it leads.” I don't think a lot has changed over the years. Let's just take a quick look, first of all, at the headline. Headlines, of course, have to capture the essence of the story and make an impact, headlines have to attract and keep the viewers engaged and wanting to find out more about the story. Creating great headlines is a real skill. Sadly, I think most of the headlines in the UK tend to focus on the negative.

“

If the media can marry out the bad news with the good news, then it would be much more beneficial to society as a whole.

“

Arti has always been passionate about working with schools and colleges and over the years has worked with hundreds of children and young people encouraging them to reach their potential. Over the years she has supported a number of different charities and held various board and Trustee positions including Governor of Matthew Boulton College, Trustee for The University of First Age and Trustee for The Human City Institute. Arti’s first book, ‘Positivity’ was published by The HotHive in 2009. Among clients that Arti has worked with are Virgin Trains, Twentieth Century Fox, Diageo, Lloyds TSB, Institute of Directors, Aljazeera, Aston Villa Football Club, Royal Life Saving Society, DLA Piper UK LLP, Shop Direct Group, Grant Thornton, Vistage International, The Midcounties Co-operative, Warwickshire County Cricket Club, Birmingham City University, University of Cambridge - Judge Business School and many more…

There have been huge changes in the media industry since Arti first started in 1992. Here are her thoughts on the power of communication, learning how to make your story come to life and why the good news can be beneficial to society as a whole.

I think there is a strong belief in the media that bad news and bad news stories sell better than good. It’s rather a chicken and egg situation. I don't think any major news outlet is willing to turn that on its head and lead with a good news story on a regular basis.

However, if we just take a moment to think about the London Olympics in 2012, when we had six weeks of positive news headlines and stories. The coverage focused on the cheering crowd, the venues and the slick organization of the event. It really changed the whole psyche of the nation and it was a huge contrast to the negative headlines that lead up to the Olympics, about spiraling costs and huge doubts as to whether we would even be ready! I'm not saying that we must ignore bad news either. What I think is needed is a less lopsided approach, and if the media can balance the bad news with the good news, then it would be much more beneficial to society as a whole. What makes a story relevant to a certain audience? What are the top tips to make your story newsworthy? You have to ask yourself a few questions: Why is this story relevant to my audience? What makes this different or unusual? Is the story newsworthy? Even if you've got the best product of its kind, newsrooms are very selective in what they cover. You must be very clear on

who it is you want to target. A national TV program’s agenda is going to be very different than a newspaper’s agenda. If you've got something that maybe has transformed thousands of lives, then that's going to be of merit. If your story's gone viral, then that's going to be of interest. The media wants stories that put people at the heart of what has happened, something with emotional impact. So if you've got an ambassador or maybe you've got a royal visitor touring your premises, then that's going to be of interest. Of course, always think about the media you are attracting as well. If you're going for television, then television is all about pictures. Are the pictures that will go with your story relevant? Communication is power and if you look at successful businesses, they attract more success as they effectively share their messages across the media, in the right way, to the right audience. Communication helps them build their brand, enhance their profile, even protect their reputation if something goes wrong. However, communication is not just limited to something like the media. It is about our everyday interactions. What are you saying? How are you coming across? Has your message been understood like you wanted it to be? Maybe you are communicating with your staff, your colleagues, your customers, friends, loved ones.

I also believe we need a shift in the social curriculum so that from early on young children can be able to understand the power of communication in finance, health, social media, relationships and the environment. Communication in these five areas should be instilled at primary school education level, along with the rest of the curriculum; numeracy, literacy, sciences and languages. Children will be much better equipped through better communication skills to eliminate the huge problems we are facing at the moment in society with debt, with obesity, with too much information on social media, around trolls and negative things.

“

you have to have great storytellers, vision producers, creative technical staff and strong presenters

How do you see the media transforming in the next decade? The industry is changing so fast and none of us have got a crystal ball that would give us all those answers, which in a way makes life so interesting and compelling. Citizen journalism and the ability for people to talk and influence the public directly will continue. That's without a shadow of a doubt. What will also continue is the desire for the next generation to have content whenever, wherever and in whatever medium they like. If we look at television, then we know that anyone can start a channel at the moment. However, I also think there's going to be a huge demand for specialised content, which the mainstream broadcasters will just not be able to meet. There is absolutely no way that they can satisfy that demand for specialised content so there is going to be this alignment between these new channels that are cropping up online who can meet this need.

“

Companies that understand this and are willing to invest in getting this right will see huge benefits in their growth, attracting new staff, raising finance and customer loyalty. Leaders will certainly be able to motivate and inspire their teams to get behind their vision.

To make really good quality programs. I think you need a team. My experience tells me that you have to have great storytellers, vision producers, creative technical staff and strong presenters - all this relies heavily on teamwork. And whilst technology can streamline things, your team can make them efficient and cost effective. That human skill of creating new ideas and connecting can never be replaced. What won't change, I think, is the need and the importance of understanding who your audience is and our basic human need to be entertained.

Listening to your story, I’ve learned a great deal about the power of communication, and I know that constantly learning is a state of mind for you. You once told me “We are always learning, growing and developing as human beings.” You are a wife and a mother and together with your husband you are dedicated to raising your beautiful daughter who is turning five this year. What is your solution for reinventing skills and lifelong learning?

There is something to learn from every situation if you are open. I’m a lifelong learner – it makes me who I am! I have made lots of mistakes in life and have experienced my fair share of failure, but it’s the lessons from these situations that have helped me grow the fastest. With regards to reinventing skills, I would say don’t copy what other people are doing. That is not to say we need to reinvent the wheel. Look at what you like and then adapt it to suit your style and personality – the results are always more rewarding. What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome to arrive where you are in your life? I think the biggest challenge I had to overcome was my impatience to get results quickly and understand that not everybody thinks and operates in the same way as I do – everybody is different and will want to do things in their own way. The other big challenge I face on a regular basis is the pressure I sometimes put on myself as I strive for perfection. I’m aware this is unattainable as perfection is static and as humans we are always growing and developing. I have learnt that it is enough to give my best and offer excellent value in everything that I do for those around me.

What changes need to happen in our society so women feel empowered and able to do things they want to do, by themselves? Both at a local level and in society, women will feel empowered when they raise their self-esteem and self-belief. I’m a firm believer that men and women are made differently and have much to offer, as such, each must play to their strengths. Women have a remarkable ability to multi-task and numerous studies show that they are high in EQ as well as IQ. This should be celebrated and women should shout loud and proud about their achievements, however, all too often, they fail to do this or their voices are not heard.

It is a fact that women play an important role in bringing up the children and running a household but this is often ignored when we talk about economic contributions made in society. Perhaps, what is needed is an economic formula that shows society just what this equates to in relation to a career!

“

We need a shift in the social curriculum so that from early on young children can be able to understand the power of communication

Here in the UK, there has been a constructive effort to get more women in boardrooms and in senior positions across all sectors, whether that is in politics, business, academia, healthcare, social services or other areas. Women must achieve these levels on merit but it is crucial that they are made aware of the opportunities that are open and available to them. There is a long way to go but the increasing number of women’s groups that are emerging are paving the way forward. These groups offer support, guidance, encouragement and empowerment and that can only be a good thing!

“

From my experience, as a wife, mother, entrepreneur, author, coach and public speaker I focus on my strengths and constantly learn from others. I have never considered my gender as an issue and have always strived to compete in what I have thought is an open and level playing field. This puts the ball firmly at my feet and gives me the control to shape my outcomes and my life.

The Difference Between a Win and Real Winners THROUGH THE CAMERA LENS BY ELAINE PRINGLE-SCHWITTER

Winners and Losers

’ve been privileged to editorially cover the ATP indoor tournaments for 3 years now. My first experience of this was nerve-racking trying to get the best shots for my agency and at the same time starstruck when the GOAT walked on stage, aka the tennis court. GOAT (Greatest of All Time) to those, like me, not so savvy with the acronyms of today.

Roger Federer is a marvel to watch and even greater fun to capture him through my camera lens. He is arguably the GOAT, so no one is a loser if they play him and subsequently defeated. How many tennis players can say they have played a competitive match with Roger Federer and through osmosis soaked up the atmosphere of the fans? He’s got that magical aura that very few champions have, that rare trait seen in few at the top of their game. People still route for/support him and want him to continue to win, despite the fact he has won so many championships. Over the last two and half years, I have been educated on the art of sports photography by some seasoned professionals and have taken on board many of their tips going forward. It’s the action shot! The action shot! The action shot! While I love capturing the grace of Roger Federer, it’s the action shot that will inevitably be used in editorials, so I must part with my artist interpretation of a situation and concentrate on that ACTION SHOT! So now that my job is done for this recent tournament, I can indulge myself and look at the grace, the art, the sportsman that is Roger Federer. Roger Federer is not just a winner because he wins matches and tournaments in the purest sense. He is a winner because he never gives up. He battles on even though he is in his late 30s, where many tennis players would have retired by now. He has this insatiable appetite to win and if he loses, he will try and try again. My recent sports photography assignment allowed me to witness his Basel Indoor Tennis 10th win and his 101st Championship. He is a winner because he connects with his fans, the media and even his opponents’ fans. He shows grace in winning a match and determination for the next. As a subject, he is a joy to photograph and I’m always pleased with an outcome of an event shoot. Yes, I still remember the ‘…more action shots’ line by my agent in my ear, but you have to forgive me for capturing him the way I see him and his style of play – beautifully effortless. This type of event photography story is all about the images, so let me share this with you more so than the words contained herein. Take a look at my photo essay that is Roger Federer.

Elaine Pringle-Schwitter A dual British/Swiss citizen, Elaine is an award winning photojournalist and a cinematographer whose photographs have been published in numerous major newspapers and magazines. She has spent two decades in the corporate world at senior management level and now works with MTN Press on collaborations in the Swiss Region.

How do we define winners today? Somehow it’s not just beating an opponent /team or being the first to cross the line. Winners encompass more than that. It is more than what you do in ‘theatre’, it is how you treat people around you, away from the theatre of work. It is how you pick yourself up from a loss, how you pick yourself up from ‘failure’ It’s the tenacious characteristics and magnetic personality that draws others to you or want to be you or at least with you. It is an individual who wears their crown with grace and not be boastful about accomplishments (however big, however small in other eyes). It’s knowing the magnitude of your achievement and yet be humble enough to embrace your opponent/s at the minute/second of their defeat. It is thanking those around you that helped you achieve your goal. Often there are a team of people working behind the scenes to help the winner win. They will feel victorious too. True and worthy winners will make sure at whatever opportunity they highlight their support team’s involvement and their effort and even their sacrifice in order to help you, the winner, reach this pinnacle. Losers are not the ones that had lost a match, game, competition, race etc. They are just individuals that are, if you like, ‘winners in waiting’. The losers, the real losers are the ones who win and are selfish with ‘their’ accomplishments. Unfortunately, losers bask in the glory of their win without acknowledging others/those who helped to get them there. Yes, they have won something but they are far from winners. You see, that is the difference between true winners and losers. The funny thing about such losers is that their win on the grand scheme of things is so minuscule it is quite laughable to watch them bask in it. It’s temporary and shortlived, so breath a sigh of relief. There is a real difference between a win and a winner.

SUCCESS STORIES

Marianne Olsnes on THE FREQUENCY OF SUCCESS WITH LESLEY CALVÓ

here are many business arenas still dominated by men, the world is changing and dynamic women are becoming passionate leaders rising up to take their positions alongside these men. Marianne Olsnes, is one such woman. After being responsible for the initiation and delivery of Shell's transformation/change programme in Norway, she is now General Manager for Digitalization at Shell’s International Development Organization in Den Haag. This article gives an insight into an incredible woman who navigates the corporate worlds while fulfilling her role as a loving mother and wife. What was the journey like to get where you are today? Continuous, exciting, unexpected, logical…. I have never had a North Star in terms of what I wanted to be, nor a particular drive for a specific position or career. I am driven by doing a good job where I am, learning, growing and developing. This so far has opened doors and given me new opportunities along the way. I started as a petroleum engineer in a Norwegian oil company after university, then I did an MBA and started working with gas strategy for Shell. After a few years, I went back to my original technical discipline to build a stronger foundation and gain experience, before eventually expanding into team and business leadership roles. And over the last few years I have moved into change management and community leadership – all within the energy company, Shell. In Shell we rotate between roles about every 4 years, and so far I have been able to get very exciting roles. At first I felt like they would be too challenging and unmanageable. I didn’t know whether I would master them. However, taking on these challenges and letting myself develop into a new area is extremely fulfilling; it’s the feeling of growth, managing something one didn’t know one could. What do you feel has been the most important part of this journey so far? The experience that led me to acknowledge I could be a good leader. I never thought I would have it in me to be a leader. I was never a leader at school, nor in the sports team – but I have always been driven by a high work ethic, the need to do a good job, and the ability to see people

Lesley Calvó

Lesley Calvó ran an internationally-successful jewellery company alongside her work as a design consultant for Hugo Boss, Dior, Vivienne Westwood, Swarovski and Cartier. For almost two decades, Lesley mentored thousands of people to unleashed their infinite potential. She is a world class Business Growth Coach, and passionate Self Awareness and Transformational Change Advocate.

Marianne Olsnes is the General Manager for Digitalization in Shellâ€™s International Development Organization. Up until end September she was the Development manager in AS Norske Shell, responsible for all field development studies and execution, including exploration, wells activities and production optimization. She is a highly passionate and energizing leader with long term experience in the global energy industry, has held various strategic leadership roles, with accountability for delivery of mega projects, restructuring and corporate change management programs, strategic and bottom line delivery. Marianne studied Petroleum Engineering at the University of Stavanger before she earned her Master of Science degree from Texas A&M (USA). After a few years working she followed up with an MBA from Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University(NL). She works in the Netherlands, and lives in Stavanger with her husband and two sons, enjoys an active lifestyle with hiking, skiing and travelling.

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BUSINESS ADVICE

Why reinventing the wheel is both necessary and not enough REDEFINING BUSINESS SUCCESS WITH BRIGITTE LAWLER

he metaphor “don’t reinvent the wheel” is commonly used to save us both time and redundant efforts. There’s no need to put energy into reinventing something that already exists and works well: that problem has been solved in the past, let us now focus our attention on more necessary topics. On a tactical, day to day level, I wholeheartedly agree. I am usually in favour of a buy-not-build approach, finding efficient and proven solutions to everyday issues. This is the beauty of not reinventing the wheel. The danger of not wanting to reinvent the wheel is on the strategic level. In fact, even the metaphor is flawed because the wheel itself has been reinvented many times over as infrastructure, technology and materials have evolved. Looking at the designs for vehicles in the future, we can expect that the concept of the wheel will be challenged if not reinvented several times more. What I am getting at is the necessity of any business to be open to reinvent itself. In these times of fast-moving progression, we will either be the disruptors, or we will be disrupted. Neither of which will happen by slow evolution. For true business transformation to take place, we need to step off the path of slow evolutionary progression and indeed reinvent. Whenever I deliver keynote speeches that touch on the topic of digital or business transformation, I use the caterpillar-butterfly metaphor to illustrate: When a snake sheds its skin, it changes; When a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, it transforms. These visual images describe quite effectively what real business transformation is all about. The fundamental nature of the organism becomes different. Not only what it looks like from the outside, but also what it eats, how it moves, the territory it covers and what it can do. George Westerman from MIT Sloan School of Management adds to the point by saying: “When the (digital) transformation is done right, it’s like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly; but when done wrong, all you have is a really fast caterpillar.” I have worked in the realm of business transformation for several years and I believe that the term “transformation” is commonly misused to describe necessary, progressive evolution of business. Let me be clear: the necessary, progressive evolution of a business is a certainly positive and no easy feat. Kudos to all the businesses out there who are smart enough and brave enough to recognize that they need to move forward and achieve their next level of growth step by step.

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Educational Excellence in Verbier

For example, you may have signed up to a carbon offset or a tree-planting initiative, but if you have not taken any real action on the damage that your process, product or service does to people or the environment up and down your supply chain, then you are not actually addressing the impact your business is having.

What do you control and what can you influence? For radical solutions, impact means looking at and taking action on what is within your control to change; and what you can influence. It means looking at causes as well as symptoms. Coldplay announced in November 2019, that they would not be going on tour until they could run carbon-neutral concerts. Fantastic! Chapeau! ‘Dear Chris Martin, your decision presents an opportunity to look at your own impact ‘footprint’ to address what is directly within your control and to work with venues committed to ISO 20121 standards on sustainable events. Based on looking at the calculations of some of the biggest event and conference businesses assessment of impact though, this typically accounts for approximately 7% of carbon emissions. What about the other 93% of carbon emissions? Well, that is the audience. The bigger challenge and responsibility you have, is about influencing fans coming to the concert to reduce their impact ‘footprint’…you are going to need some expert help from my eco-system to do that. Let’s have a chat…’

Verbier International School Chalet Mascotte / Route deVerbier Station 88 1936 Verbier / Switzerland For more information, pleasevisit: www.lvis.ch +41 27 565 26 56 / info@lvis.ch

The impact of being evaluated on your impact Being analysed, measured and held to account on what you do is the new reality, that will translate into market share or loss. The impact of being evaluated on your impact, is that investors and consumers are equipped with information that informs their choices on whether they invest in you, buy from you or work for or with you. Some advice. Do not dig in for ‘business as usual’ with the probability of being left behind. Do not go for a knee-jerk, short-term, green-wash approach. Do turn practice into reality for what is within your control. And take responsibility for what and who you influence.

Elaine France

Elaine has worked for 25 years as a change-maker and understands the challenges of taking action as a global citizen, growing sustainable solutions from within communities, rather than ‘doing it’ to them. She brings expertise and perspectives from across sectors, with tools and strategies that enable every individual to become an adventurer who dares to dream and has the courage to turn their ideas into reality. She works to create a circle of impact, empowering others so that they share and transfer those skills around the globe wherever they are, so that lasting change happens organically from the inside out. Visit www.flowinaction.org for more information

The Verbier International School proposesinternational boarding and day school for 3 to 16 year olds in the heart of the SwissAlps. Ski Academy available, combining individually tailored education with an intensive 43 ski programme.

Grand Passions How Christina Schläpfer turned her passion into a revolutionary new approach to equestrianism.

o quote Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Riding a horse is not a gentle hobby, to be picked up and laid down like a game of solitaire. It is a grand passion." Christina Schläpfer knows all about this particular passion and, indeed, parted ways with a career as an architect to follow her dream of working with the horses on her family’s farm. With their long, arching necks, high tail carriage and beautiful, elegant demeanour, the Arabian horse is one of the most famous equestrian breeds in the world. While stud farms and training facilities certainly exist, they are usually kept separate (although some trainers do offer both). Christina was able to see the potential for combining both of these elements and at the same time taking things one step further. She enhanced her parent’s stud farm into a place where horses are not only bred and trained in one place (both in hand and under saddle), but also presenting the animals at international shows, thus providing a holistic experience for the animal and a comprehensive history for any potential buyer. We caught up with Christina to find out more about this exciting, revolutionary approach.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur? My father was always an entrepreneur, even from a young age and I always saw him working hard to fulfil his dreams. This was inspiring to me and my two older siblings and we always sought to emulate that same work ethic and dedication. Growing up, I also saw the lifelong passion my mother had for all things equestrian and how she pursued her own dreams in that direction. After visiting a horse show in Austria, both my parents fell in love with Arabian horses and my father bought a pair of Arabian geldings as presents, named Mogambo Ibn Munim, for my mother and for my sister, Sabaal Ibn El Sayed. My father built a barn next to the house for the geldings to live in and we then introduced two mares to complete our small Arabian horse family. We were quite excited at the prospect of having our first foul and once that happened our passion for breeding really took off! As for my own journey, I studied architecture but soon realised that it wasn’t the life for me. I couldn’t stand being stuck at a desk all day, staring at a computer. I grew up around my parent’s horses and was always passionate about equestrianism in all its forms. I saw the joy it gave my mother to work with our growing stable and decided that I wanted to follow my passion as well. I began working at the farm full-time. We started purely as a professional stud farm but our innate drive lead us down new, exciting paths and now we also run a successful training facility. I’m really lucky because I had the chance to turn my beloved hobby into my livelihood. My mum and I have a great relationship and a shared enthusiasm for Arabian horses, so we are able to work as one and reach our goals together.

How did you develop the business? It all happened organically really. My mum had already started the breeding programme, and this was a successful, thriving business in its own right. I then came up with the idea for the training centre as I was really in favour of having the breeding and training take place in the same location. It’s been an industry standard that people breed horses but will bring in a trainer from the outside. I guess what makes us special is that we both breed and train the horses and as already mentioned, we also present them at international shows. I actually don’t know many farms who do everything in one place, like we do. There is an ultimate reassurance for our clients that they know not only the full progeny of the horse but also the entire history of that particular animal, as we can tell them everything about it from its birth right through to the present day.

Tell us about the stud farm, what is it like? Our stud is located on the outskirts of Adetswil, a small village in the Zurich Oberland, only 40 minutes from the city of Zurich or Kloten Airport. The stud is surrounded by around three hectares of lush pastures and a further 13 hectares of meadows, which are used by the family to produce hay. The stud farm has 30 horse stalls, 11 of which with run-out, and large all-weather paddocks. Since 2018, the stud has also had a covered horse walker and an integrated covered round pen as well as a spacious and bright indoor riding arena. The latest integrated technologies simplify our everyday work and help optimise specific horse training. A solarium for horse care, a treadmill for horse

HERITAGE AND LISTED BUILDINGS Older and listed buildings may be architecturally and aesthetically pleasing, but they are notoriously difficult to work on. Fortunately, we have a wealth of experience and know exactly what can and cannot be achieved within the confines and guidelines set out by the planning authorities and Historic England.

BASEMENT AND SWIMMING POOL CONSTRUCTION With a scarcity of larger buildings in prime residential areas more and more owners are looking to extend their homes by building downwards. A newly built basement conversion can provide the opportunity to build an indoor pool and spa, state of the art gymnasium or even underground parking for that fleet of supercars.

yourimaginationisourblueprint +442038750620|www.richmontconstruction.co.uk

HIGH END CONSTRUCTION Whether it is a complete rebuild or adding another floor with a retractable roof we will work tirelessly to achieve the required result with a minimum of stress to our client.

REFURBISHMENT Even the most loved home can eventually feel dated and out of sync with modern living standards. We can help and advise on what can be achieved. Whether considering expanding and enhancing or cutting and carving of your property, from a complete refit through to designing and installing stunning state of the art bathrooms and kitchens.

A New Approach to Business Excellence | By Dr Warner Krings

I remembered my childhood dream was to embark on the journey to a better world which was symbolised by the longing to become American. My vision became global instead of local, today I would change it to ‘Glocal’. Since my childhood, I developed a passion for connecting the right people at the right time. Currently, I leverage the power of Social Networks to accelerate my clients’ business and improve their branding by providing access whether in B2B/B2C or D2B. Secondly, my company, Digital Business Intelligence, accelerates Business Development opportunities by matching suitable stakeholders and providing access to key decision-makers. By leveraging Social Media, which was evidenced by my doctoral studies at Henley Business School, I regularly exceeded the outcome of traditionally working executives in B2B Business Development, Marketing and Sales whether it was in the USA or the DACH region. Since Business Relationships are very much like personal relationships, they are built on credibility and trust and involve more than a mere business conversation. It requires, besides of gathering and applying relevant information, in-depth knowledge of various cultural, regional and industrial spheres to establish rapport and create a unique differentiator. My company offers B2B training of excellence for Expatriates with effective strategies and tools in Cultural Adjustment, Sales, Relationship-building, branding and digital strategies. Fourthly, the executive coaching combines various coaching methodologies with solid business knowledge to understand the various facets of C-Level and Mid-Management level. This also involves reaching personal objectives like extending their philanthropic or academic impact by connecting to relevant institutions or mentoring them to be admitted to Business Schools of their choice. By applying the approach of Excellence, we enable and empower our clients to reach their objectives. This is done by focusing on the outcome rather than temporary challenges

The Next Generation of Academics in Digital Excellence Growing up in an entrepreneurial family with one of the largest companies in the beverage market, I originally prepared to take over the family business after my graduate school (University of Passau). After an internship with a leading German Bank in Düsseldorf and New York, I supported my father on the Management Board and early on applied corporate law and some of the models which were relevant in the US at the time. Though the imminent generation conflict was quite painful for me, I realised that this route was obsolete and that my purpose was far greater than this. Having mapped out everything, I lost my plan overnight, sort of preparation for the agile VUCA world we face nowadays. So, I decided instead to go into wealth management and consulting with cross-sector experiences at boutique and two of the Big Four Companies.

PROFESSIONAL, IMPARTIAL & PERSONAL

Pension planning and investment decisions Welcome to Mann Hough Ltd We help our clients to understand investment decisions using our in depth knowledge of investment institutions and global financial markets. Our understanding and experience of the fund management and investment industry helps us to select managers and structure investment portfolios appropriate for specific needs, such as for targeting capital growth or to generate income. Our advice is made after careful appraisal of client objectives and risk tolerance, and our assessment of prevailing economic and market conditions. Taxation is frequently an important factor. Our practical knowledge of income, capital gains and inheritance taxes, together with the available tax concessions for pensions and other saving arrangements in the United Kingdom, is key. When specific and specialist advice is required beyond our expertise we can guide clients to appropriate lawyers, accountants and other specialist advisers, both for the UK and other jurisdictions. Our knowledge of the UK and international pensions and investment industry is extensive. We are familiar with all of the various pension products and arrangements, including self-invested plans, available to clients in the United Kingdom and in leading overseas jurisdictions.

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✔ Capital accumulation and preservation

✔ Planning pre, at and post retirement

✔ Income generation

✔ Focused investment strategies

✔ Selection of investment structures

✔ Risk analysis and mitigation

✔ Analysis of planning options

✔ Tax optimisation

✔ Retirement income strategies

INVESTMENTS

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PENSIONS

Mann Hough is based in London, but our clients come from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas.

TAX & SUCCESSION PLANNING

288 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 4QP

The nearest London Underground Station is Liverpool Street and car parking is available at White Row (Off Commercial Street), Spitalfields is a few minute’s walk from the office.

0203 178 4262 mann-hough.co.uk

0207 9593030 info@mann-hough.co.uk

Mann Hough Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our registration number is 481194.Registered Office: 377-399 London Road, Camberley, Surrey GU15 3HL. Registered in England No 6474202. Our internal complaint handling procedures are available on request. If you have reasons to raise a concern please contact us on 0203 178 4262, in writing at the address on this site or by email: upatel@mann-hough.co.uk. If we are unable to resolve an issue to your satisfaction you may be able to refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service. More information is available on request or by visiting www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk.

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Sovereign Magazine 24 - March/April 2020