LIFE

Tech portfolioOur guide to the latest must-haves

Bullet JournalAnalogue system for the digital age

Film reviewsKubera Wealth at the movies

let us help you to create your vision

ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Summer 2016 • Issue 3

TIME TO TEE-OFF

TOKYOInside the circle

taste of Two Highland gems –

a must for all golfers

ESTATEMATTERS

Choosing structures and trusts to protect your assets and give

your family lasting benefits

VALUES PRIVATE CLIENTS

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LIFE 03

Welcome to issue 3 of LIFE magazine from Kubera Wealth Management. Located in the Pacific Ocean, Japan is perhaps the most interesting country in the world to conduct business,

and Tokyo – the world’s most populous metropolis – sits at its epicentre. The kanji that make up Japan’s name mean ‘sun origin’, and it is often referred to as the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’. If you are planning to visit Tokyo, on page 6 we provide our guide to five things to do in Marunouchi, the central commercial and financial district located in Chiyoda between Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace.

Renowned for crystal blue water and beautiful pink sand beaches, Bermuda’s Great Sound will form a natural amphitheatre when it plays host to the 2017 America’s Cup, beating off rivals San Diego. On page 14, we look at why it’s a big change for the Cup, as the event is usually held off the mainland of the USA, and instead will be on the British island.

Also inside this issue, we take you on a road trip of a lifetime to get your kicks on Route 66, look at one of the world’s most compelling alternative asset classes, and provide our guide to the latest tech must-haves and movies to add to your watch list. For a full list of the articles featured in this issue, turn to page 4.

We hope you enjoy this issue and our thought-provoking, eclectic mix of money and lifestyle articles, and don’t forget we always welcome your feedback.

STUART POONAWALA, Editor

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WELCOME TO LIFE

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“I need somone insidethe financial jungle.”

04 LIFE

CONTENTS

26 - LUXURY SPA BREAKS

36

20

10

ON TABLET &SMARTPHONE You can also view the Kubera LIFEmagazine online. Our knowledge centre is packed full of informative guides, factsheets and other interactive tools. Visit our websitewww.kuberawealth.co.uk/knowledge.php to download your copy.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE06 - TASTE OF TOKYO

09 - FILM REVIEWS

10 - BULLETPROOF: MAKING PERFORMANCE BREAKTHROUGHS

12 - PEAK PERFORMANCE

14 - 35TH AMERICA’S CUP

18 - BULLET JOURNAL

20 - GET YOUR KICKS ON ROUTE 66

24 - DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER

26 - LUXURY SPA BREAKS

29 - TECH PORTFOLIO

30 - PR – HOW TO MAKE IT ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS

32 - WORMSLEY CRICKET CLUB

34 - INVESTING SUSTAINABLY

36 - TIME TO TEE-OFF

38 - ESTATE MATTERS

© Kubera Wealth Limited 2016. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. All information contained in this magazine is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press. Kubera Wealth Limited or the publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information. Content of the articles featured is for general information and use only and is not intended to address an individual or company’s particular requirements or be deemed to be, or constitute, advice. Although endeavours have been made to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or company should act upon such information without receiving appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of their particular situation. Kubera Wealth Limited or the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of any articles. Thresholds, percentage rates and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts. Kubera Wealth endeavours to respect the intellectual property of the owners of copyrighted material reproduced herein. If you identify yourself as the copyright holder of material we have incorrectly attributed, please contact the publisher.

LIFE

Tech portfolioOur guide to the latest must-haves

Bullet JournalAnalogue system for the digital age

Film reviewsKubera Wealth at the movies

let us help you to create your vision

ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Summer 2016 • Issue 3

TIME TO TEE-OFF

TOKYOInside the circle

taste of Two Highland gems –

a must for all golfers

ESTATEMATTERS

Choosing structures and trusts to protect your assets and give

your family lasting benefits

Telephone: +44 (0)20 8868 8886 – Email: info@kuberatrust.co.uk – Website: www.kuberatrust.co.ukKubera Wealth, 39 High Street, Pinner, Middlesex HA5 5PJ

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06 LIFE

TOKYOInside the circle

TASTE OF

Tokyo sits in the shadow of Mount Fuji

TRAVEL

LIFE 07

TOKYOJapan is perhaps the most interesting

country in the world to conduct business, and Tokyo – the world’s most

populous metropolis – sits at its epicentre. Marunouchi is the central commercial

and financial district of Tokyo located in Chiyoda between Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace. The name, meaning ‘inside the circle’, derives from its location within the palace’s outer moat. It is also Tokyo’s financial district, and the country’s three largest banks are headquartered there. The area also has some of Tokyo’s premier hotels, including the Imperial Hotel, Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo and Park Hotel Tokyo. While you may have a hard time finding a reasonably priced dwelling in this area, if you’ve got the cash for a swanky apartment or if you’re just visiting, we think Marunouchi is one of the best places to live and play in Tokyo.

WITHIN THE CASTLE WALLSMarunouchi, located in central Tokyo, is the largest office area in Japan. Many of the country’s biggest companies are either based there or have their Tokyo office there. Marunouchi has an especially high concentration of international and national financial institution headquarters, including Japan’s three largest banks.

Marunouchi used to be an inlet of Edo Bay (Tokyo Bay) but was filled in when Edo Castle was expanded in 1592. After taking control of Japan, Tokugawa Ieyasu made all daimyo (feudal lords) in the country spend every other year in the capital, Edo (Tokyo). They built their estates inside the castle walls but were eventually sent home after the Tokugawa Government was defeated during the Meiji Restoration. The name Marunouchi means ‘within the (castle) walls’.

MAJOR FACELIFTOver the last decade, Marunouchi has been receiving a major facelift, led by the Mitsubishi Estate company, which owns a lot of the land in the district. Many older office buildings were replaced by new skyscrapers with offices on their upper floors and a

variety of shops and restaurants on their lower floors. These newly opened shopping and dining complexes have revitalised the formerly unexciting business district and are drawing an increasing number of non-business visitors in recent years.

Marunouchi is located in central Tokyo, bordered by the Imperial Palace on the west, Tokyo Station on the east, Otemachi in the north and Hibiya Park in the south. Recent additions include the Tokyo International Forum, Shin Marunouchi (New Marunouchi) Building, Marunouchi Oazo and Tokia. It is also home to the Marunouchi Building, which is said to sit atop the most

expensive real estate in Tokyo – the land was valued at 21 million yen ($200,000) per square meter in 2004.

5 THINGS TO DO IN MARUNOUCHI

MARUNOUCHI NAKA-DORI Marunouchi Naka-dori is a huge outdoor shopping strip that spans the whole length between Hibiya and Otemachi. It’s got a cool and sophisticated vibe, with a range of boutiques and restaurants – usually with outdoor seating available. Much cheaper than nearby Ginza and less frantic and crowded than Harajuku.

TOKIATokia is a shopping and dining centre in the lower floors of the Tokyo Building, which aims to be an evening spot where people can gather after work to enjoy good food and music in a fun atmosphere. As such, it is filled with a variety of trendy restaurants and bars that cater to the after-work crowd.

IMPERIAL PALACE PUBLIC GROUNDS (KOKYO GAIEN)On the Tokyo Station side of the Imperial Palace grounds is a huge open park space.

ABOVE: Tokyo tower. BELOW: Sensō-ji is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan.

08 LIFE

In a city where you’re almost never more than a few feet from another person, it’s refreshing to have a space where you can throw a frisbee or kick a ball around. The park is also better maintained and significantly less crowded than the more well-known Yoyogi Park and provides a great view of the palace ground’s traditional Japanese architecture.

Kokyo Gaien is also adjacent to Hibiya Park, which frequently holds outdoor events throughout the summer. There’s also a well-marked, circular walking path around the palace that takes you through a varied selection of Tokyo’s districts.

TOKYO STATIONOne of Japan’s busiest railway stations and the terminal of multiple high-speed lines, the

station building on the Marunouchi side is a prominent red-brick building, which dates from 1914 and was recently renovated and reopened in its pre-war appearance. Besides travel service, Tokyo Station also houses a vast selection of dining options both in and out of the ticket gates. Sushi, ramen, soba and other Japanese staples can be found here.

MITSUBISHI ICHIGOKAN MUSEUMOccupying one corner of the very tasteful Brick Square shopping and restaurant complex, this compact museum is set inside a replica of Marunouchi’s first office building, which was originally built in 1894. The museum displays a collection of late-19th-century graphics and crafts. n

Crowds pass below colourful signs in Akihabara. The historic electronics district has evolved into a shopping area for video games, anime, manga and computer goods. Photo credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com.

Kokyo Gaien is also adjacent to Hibiya Park, which frequently holds outdoor events throughout the summer.

LIFE 09

film reviews

Food Matters is a documentary film about nutrition. The film presents the thesis that a selective diet can

play a key role in treating a range of health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease and depression, often substituting for medical treatment. Furthermore, it tends to label the medical industry as a ‘sickness industry’, which profits more from treating the symptoms of illness than curing the illness.

In what promises to be the most contentious idea put forward, the filmmakers have interviewed several leading experts in nutrition and natural healing who claim that not only are we harming our bodies with improper nutrition, but that the right kind of foods, supplements and detoxification can be used to treat chronic illnesses as fatal as terminally diagnosed cancer.

The focus of the film is in helping us rethink the belief systems fed to us by our modern medical and health care establishments. The interviewees point out that not every problem requires costly, major medical attention, and they reveal many alternative therapies that can be more effective, more economical, less harmful and less invasive than conventional medical treatments.

This is a great movie that everybody in the industrialised world should watch. It’s probably not going to keep you hanging on the edge of your seat since it’s mostly interviews with various people. However, the information contained within is priceless. If you read lots of health books, it’ll probably help reinforce what you already know, and if you don’t it will probably inspire you to start. n

FOOD MATTERS (2008)– KUBERA RATING

Kubera Wealth at the movies – two must see films

LIVING ON ONE DOLLAR (2015)– KUBERA RATING

Living on One Dollar follows the experience of four young friends (Chris, Zach, Sean and Ryan) as they live on

less than $1 a day for two months in rural Guatemala. They battle hunger, parasites and the realisation that there are no easy answers.

The documentary begins with the friends’ backstory: middle-class upbringings and an academic understanding of poverty alleviation, but no real experience of what daily life is like for people in poverty. In just two months, they encounter many of the challenges that keep people in poverty: severe illness from contaminated drinking water, steep medical costs and the impossibility of getting a loan from a traditional bank in order to start a business.

While they face many hardships, they also witness how people in the community work together to make life better for each person, and how they pool resources so that one person can afford a necessary hospital visit and medication, or another family can afford a stove that will help improve their children’s diet. The resourcefulness shown in this film is incredible and inspiring.

This is a really great film for introducing children to themes of poverty and finance without being too harsh or too whitewashed, bringing home the amount of privilege we live with every day. It’s an inspiring film that should motivate anyone to get out there and help those who are less fortunate. n

34 LIFE

PERFORMANCE

BULLETPROOF:MAKING PERFORMANCE

BREAKTHROUGHS

I started Bulletproof as a blog with the goal of sharing the knowledge I wish I’d had when I was 20. If the blog only changed the lives of five people, that would have been a huge win. I think we’ve helped a lot more than five people.

Q: WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS?A: By the time I started the Bulletproof blog, I’d been an entrepreneur and the head of several Silicon Valley start-ups for years, so e-commerce is in my blood. In fact, my initial entrepreneurial venture was one of the first examples of e-commerce in history. I created and sold a T-shirt over the Internet – this was before we even had web browsers – that said, ‘Caffeine: My drug of choice’, along with a picture of the caffeine molecule. Twenty years later, you can still buy knock-offs of this design.

The Bulletproof concept was truly the result of biohacking my own body and brain over the course of two decades. I started to feel better, and then I started to feel amazing. I raised my IQ 30 points. And when you finally figure out how to feel great all the time, you really want to share that information with everyone who will listen. Or at least I did.

I started blogging as a hobby to help others avoid the expensive, laborious process I went through. Following the success of Bulletproof coffee and the Bulletproof Diet, finally I had to quit my day job to make Bulletproof a reality. The rest is history.

LIFE magazine Q&A with Dave Asprey, founder of Bulletproof

Q: HOW DID YOU GET YOUR BUSINESS IDEA?A: The whole idea of Bulletproof came out of an enlightened self-interest. In my early 20s, I was running a successful start-up and earning good money. I should have been happy. But I was 300 lbs, tired, stressed out and my immune system was shot. My doctors were scared I would die of a stroke or heart attack – and not at some undetermined later date, but soon. I tried every diet imaginable, working with the recommendations of countless doctors, nutritionists, trainers and health professionals. No matter how hard I tried, I stayed fat and tired.

When nothing worked, I started digging deep into the latest

research on human nutrition for performance and

longevity. I spent 15 years and more than $300,000

hacking my own health, and once I started

seeing results I couldn’t stop.

Dave Asprey, founder of Bulletproof

PERFORMANCE

LIFE 11

The standard American diet and the low-fat, high-processed-carb dogma has made generations of people fat and sick, but worse, it’s affecting what people are capable of accomplishing in their personal and professional lives.

I’m just thankful that we have the opportunity to educate and create change now.

Q: TO WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE YOUR SUCCESS?A: None of this happened overnight. I’ve run strategic planning for two different companies with $1 billion in revenue. I’ve put in more than 10,000 hours on stage in front of big audiences and spent 10 years running a non-profit anti-ageing research group called the Silicon Valley Health Institute, where I’m still Chairman.

There is great value in learning how successful companies work, and you do that by working at them! I didn’t run a sizeable start-up of my own until I experienced how companies work from many angles. Part of this was hard work; part of it is paying attention to details that matter.

I also attribute much of our success to good old-fashioned failure. I always tell my team that if you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough. Failure is a part of growth.

Q: IF YOU HAD ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?A: Find the strongest people you can and learn from them. Then take that experience and become a true expert in what you want to do. Form deep relationships with people doing what you want to do. Come from a place of genuinely wanting to help every person you meet without expecting anything in return. This mindset, along with earned experience, will be the foundation of your success. n

Q: WHAT GAVE YOU THE INSPIRATION TO DEVELOP THE BRAND?A: After starting the Bulletproof blog, it became clear that others were looking for simple ways to optimise performance in every facet of their lives. I think this concept has become so popular because at the end of the day, evolution and human optimisation is in our nature. The brand was a natural evolution from reporting on science-based biohacking techniques that work to create products that will help people to make performance breakthroughs.

To this day, the greatest sign of the company’s success is when someone sends a heartfelt email or posts something online about how this work has given them their life back, or their brain, or has reinvigorated a dad struggling to keep up with his kids, or even helped parents conceive without the use of expensive drugs.

 Q: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE NAME BULLETPROOF?A: After years of trying all these biohacking techniques on myself, I became obsessed with the idea of finding the simplest things that you can do to become better at everything. What emerged is this idea of becoming Bulletproof, which is a state of high performance where you control the state of your body, your mind and your biochemistry so they work together, helping you to execute at levels far beyond what you’d expect without burning out, getting sick or allowing stress to control your decisions.

 Q: HOW DID YOU FINANCE YOUR IDEA?A: We’ve been fortunate to be financed in part by the successful Silicon Valley venture-capital firm and early Starbucks backer, Trinity Ventures. The $9 million raised in 2015 has enabled us to open two cafes in Santa Monica and the LA Arts District and stock Bulletproof products in major retailers like Whole Foods.

Q: WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY?

A: Honestly, I wish I could have started this movement earlier. If I would have known in my teens and 20s what I know now about

performance and longevity, who knows what I could have accomplished?

BULLETPROOF COFFEE: A coffee drink consisting of ‘Upgraded’ black coffee blended with grass-fed butter and ‘Brain Octane oil’. The recipe was created by Dave Asprey and first posted to his blog in 2009. The drink boosts cognitive performance and weight loss, and it has been consumed by sportspeople and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs.

Photo credit: Bulletproof / Facebook

PERFORMANCE

12 LIFE

believe that informed customers make better choices.

'Our objective is to educate our customers while they’re on their path back to optimum health. There is a large amount of misinformation about the way we should eat, exercise and even rest. We wanted to cut through that misinformation and give people the truth so that they can take back control of their own health.' Brad

Functional Self recently launched their health coaching service after finding that some of their customers required a little extra help in order to reach their health goals.

'We walk our clients through the changes they need to make to address their main health complaints, whether that be digestive issues, weight issues, skin problems, low energy or poor sleep quality. We see it all.' Warren

Whilst client education is a big factor in the success of their programme, Functional Self also utilises state-of-the-art lab testing to shift tricky cases. The functional lab work helps them identify the underlying dysfunctions or 'blocking factors' stopping a person making progress.

'Often our clients come to us after bouncing from one practitioner to another without getting sustained improvements in their health. We have a systematic approach that stops that cycle of trial and error. I love it that we are able to make real improvements to our clients' lives.' Warren

PEAKPERFORMANCE

Functional Self was created in 2013 by Brad Johnston and Warren Turner to help people

achieve their personal peak performance.

Functional Self was created in 2013 by Brad Johnston and Warren Turner to help people achieve their personal

peak performance. The aim was to bring the world’s best products into one place.

'There are a lot of poor quality supplements out there. We are

continuously working to source the very best available for our

customers, products that our customers can trust because we

have done the work'. Brad Both Brad and Warren

have a passion for helping people. The second part of the Functional Self vision was to educate their customers. They

HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS: Functional Self stock a range of health products such as coffee and tea, healthy fats and supplements.

PERFORMANCE

LIFE 13

There are two components to this communication: sequence and power. Sequence isthe order in which the muscles fire to create the movement process. Power is how strong the signal between the muscles and the brain is.

If either of these two components is not functioning correctly it can mean that the muscles shut down, leading to a muscle or group of muscles becoming weak and tight. Tight muscles put stress on the supporting structures surrounding them.

A common example of this is seen with lower back pain, whereby a muscle in your system has shut down causing lower back muscles to overwork, shut down and tighten, pulling the lumbar vertebrae closer together leading to spasming and pain.

Simple movement patterns (like walking upstairs) can be made very difficult and painful if the correct muscles don’t activate correctly. When a muscle

is shut down, the body will employ a ‘compensation pattern’, whereby it will recruit different muscles to do the original

muscle's job. This is highly inefficient and significantly increases the amount of work that the brain and body have to do and, as with the lower back example, causes pain in unexpected areas of the body.

Muscle Activation techniques use a sequence of neural trigger points in the body to activate the muscle,

eliminating these compensation patterns and increasing the power of the communication which

will strengthen and lengthen the muscle.Basically, the body will recruit the correct muscles and

eliminate unnecessary brain activity. Think of it as a much needed tune up for your body, allowing it to move easily

with strength and increased flexibility throughout your daily activities, while freeing up your brain to maintain your

peak performance for longer. Significant results can be seen in just one session.

MUSCLE ACTIVATION THERAPYMuscle Activation Therapy looks at the communication between your brain and your muscles.

BRAD JOHNSTONWith over 14 years experience in the health industry, Brad specialises in functional movement assessments, gymnastics strength coaching and bespoke one-to-one training.

Brad is one of very few people certified as a HeartMath trainer, Strength and Conditioning Coach, Nutritional Adviser and ‘Be Activated’ Muscle Activation therapist.

With a tailored combination of these Brad can help increase your strength, mobility and cognitive function ensuring your body is functioning at peak performance.

WARREN TURNERWarren specialises in Functional Health Coaching and lab testing. He is a certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® practitioner. Warren can help you identify your body’s underlying imbalances to help you reach your true health potential.

If you feel there is something holding youback from achieving your peak performance, or you would like to find out more about Functional Self ’s products and its Health Coaching service, please contact Brador Warren at info@functionalself.co.uk orthrough the online contact page at www.functionalself.com.

Functional Self are official distributors of the Bulletproof range of products. n

Brad Johnston

14 LIFE

35TH AMERICA’S CUP

IN 2017Aligning perfectly with the heritage, profile, spirit and future of Bermuda

SPORT

America’s Cup racing returned to New York for the first time since 1920 on 7-8 May 2016. The New York event is one of six events planned during 2016, with the top sailors in the world vying for points that count towards the final competition for the 35th America’s Cup in 2017. © ACEA 2016 / Photo Rob Tringali

SPORT

LIFE 15

Renowned for crystal blue water and beautiful pink sand beaches, Bermuda’s Great Sound will form a

natural amphitheatre when it plays host to the 2017 America’s Cup, beating off rival San Diego.

It’s a big change for the Cup, as the event

is usually held off the mainland of the

USA, and instead

will be on the British island. It’s the first time the regatta will sail international waters by choice rather than necessity. In 2013, Oracle Team USA came from behind to beat Emirates Team New Zealand in the 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco. As defending champions, Oracle (owned by software billionaire Larry Ellison) got to choose the site for the next America’s Cup, held every four years.

‘Racing in Bermuda will be an incredible experience for the spectators, and for the sailors, it’s going to be very challenging,’ Jimmy Spithill, Oracle Team USA skipper, said in a press release from America’s Cup. ‘I’ve raced there several times, and the variety of conditions means you can never let your guard down.’

HISTORY AND PRESTIGEThe America’s Cup is the oldest international sporting trophy, and the trophy was originally awarded in 1851 by the Royal Yacht Squadron for a race around the Isle of Wight in England, which was won by the schooner ‘America’. The trophy was renamed the America’s Cup after the yacht and was donated to the New

York Yacht Club (NYYC) under the terms of the Deed of Gift, which made the cup

available for perpetual international

competition. Any yacht club that meets the requirements specified in the Deed of Gift has the right to challenge the yacht club that holds the Cup. If the challenging club wins the match, it gains stewardship of the cup.

The Cup is an ornate sterling silver bottomless ewer, one of several off-the-shelf trophies crafted in 1848 by Garrard & Co. Henry William Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey, bought one and donated it for the Royal Yacht Squadron’s 1851 Annual Regatta around the Isle of Wight.

It was originally known as the ‘R.Y.S. £100 Cup’, standing for a cup of a hundred GB

© ACEA 2016 / Photo Ricardo Pinto

SPORT

LIFE 17

pounds or ‘sovereigns’ in value. The Cup was subsequently mistakenly engraved as the ‘100 Guinea Cup’ by the America syndicate, but was also referred to as the ‘Queen’s Cup’ (a guinea is an old monetary unit of one pound and one shilling, now £1.05). Today, the trophy is officially known as the America’s Cup after the 1851 winning yacht, and is affectionately called the ‘Auld Mug’ by the sailing community. It is inscribed with names of the yachts that competed for it and has been modified twice by having matching bases added to accommodate more names.

The history and prestige associated with the America’s Cup attracts not only the world’s top sailors and yacht designers but also the involvement of wealthy entrepreneurs and sponsors. It is a test not only of sailing skill and boat and sail design but also of fund-raising and management skills.

SPECTACULAR BACKDROPAt a press conference in New York on 6 May this year, Harvey Schiller, the Commercial Commissioner for the America’s Cup, said: ‘In Bermuda we have a perfect international venue to demonstrate the excitement America’s Cup boats and teams can generate. The sailing conditions are near perfect. The race course on the Great Sound is a natural amphitheater with room for racing and spectators, amid a spectacular backdrop of islands and beaches. And the proposed America’s Cup Village at the Royal Naval Dockyard will be the heart of the event for the teams and fans alike.

‘The 2017 America’s Cup will build on the successful elements that now define the event – close racing in fast, foiling catamarans crewed by the very best sailors in the world and delivered to an international audience by award-winning broadcasters.’

Michael Dunkley, the Premier of Bermuda, said hosting the America’s Cup would showcase the island’s strengths.

‘We are honoured that Bermuda was selected to host the 35th America’s Cup in 2017. Being the home of the America’s Cup is an extraordinary opportunity that aligns perfectly with the heritage, profile, spirit and future of our island.

‘We thank the America’s Cup Event Authority for their confidence in us – and for their vision to evolve the experience for spectators and participants alike. There is no more vivid and hospitable setting than Bermuda to stage an event of this nature and for the next evolution of the sport. This announcement today marks an exciting new chapter for Bermuda too. That our futures are linked in such a meaningful way will make for a great partnership.

‘From the very start, Bermuda’s bid was designed around our many strengths, including our near-perfect sailing conditions, our temperate year-round climate for team training, our optimal location and time zone for visitors and television viewers alike, the intimate and unmatched setting offered by Bermuda’s Great Sound, our maritime legacy

and innovation, and the spirit and hospitality of our people.

‘Our vision for the Americas Cup in Bermuda is to deliver an unforgettable experience that will be nothing short of spectacular for the teams, sponsors and spectators alike – whether they be with us on-island or watching from around the world.’

THE SCHEDULESix teams have so far taken up the challenge of racing for the next America’s Cup. As well as the defending champions Oracle Team USA, Emirates Team New Zealand return as a Challenger along with Artemis Racing (Sweden), Ben Ainslie Racing (Great Britain), Luna Rossa Challenge (Italy) and Team France.

The Challenger programme begins with the America’s Cup Qualifiers, a double round-robin series next year between 26 May and 5 June that the Defender participates in. The top four Challengers advance to the Challenger Playoffs from 7–12 June, which consists of best of nine semi-final and final matches to determine the Challenger to compete in the 35th America’s Cup.

The top Challenger advances to the America’s Cup Match against Oracle Team USA in a best of 13 series scheduled for 17–27 June. n

Racing in Bermuda will be an incredible experience for the spectators, and for the sailors, it’s going to be very challenging.

© Sam Greenfield / ORACLE TEAM USA

18 LIFE

BULLET JOURNAL

Analogue system for the digital age

In this day and age, we’re on the move all the time. As such, it’s easy to forget those little tasks with deadlines that sneak up

on us throughout the week. Maybe your desk is cluttered with Post-It notes, calendars, lists and planners.

If this sounds like you, it may be time to consider finding an organisational system that will fine-tune your busy lifestyle. Ryder Carroll, a digital product designer living in Brooklyn, New York, set out to tackle this problem head-on from his notebook. Over four years ago, he developed the Bullet Journal, an analogue system designed to be a to-do list, diary, notebook and sketchbook all in one. In other words, it will teach you to do more with less.

Normal journaling, note-taking, list-making and planner-filling is a burden. The more time and effort we know it takes to complete the task at hand, the more of a chore it becomes. We’re less likely to keep up with a journal, planner, calendar and to-do list, so why not combine them all in one? There are numerous productivity apps and mobile phone event reminders available, but there’s nothing quite as satisfying as taking pen to paper and crossing off a to-do list item to indicate completion.

IN THE BEGINNINGAccording to Carroll, the Bullet Journal was not much of a system at first. Rather, it was just a bunch of iterations on ways to keep many different types of personal notes. Carroll slowly developed the system to capture notes in a way that suited the way his own mind worked. Due to his own learning disabilities, Carroll admits that he struggled to focus: notes started as either a blank page with no template or as a rigid template which he felt he didn’t understand or enjoy.

Due to his short bursts of very intense focus, he figured out a way to capture things very quickly. He would later try to revisit what he captured, but couldn’t find anything. Solving this problem was an iterative process, and each step was intended to address his own problems.

Carroll’s main aim with the Bullet Journal was to provide some guidelines and allow people to figure out enough of a framework to build on for whatever they need. This has allowed multitudes of people to take

ORGANISATION

LIFE 19

the modules he designed and evolve them, designing their own and plugging them into an existing framework.

GETTING STARTEDThe first step to Bullet Journaling is to get your hands on a small, compact journal which is easy enough to carry around with you. This will soon become your lifeline, so durability should be a quality at the top of your criteria. Whether you choose a wide-ruled, college-ruled, grid or dot journal, make sure the pages are thick enough to prevent your pen from bleeding through and easily satisfies your note-taking taste.

Next, you will need to create a ‘key’ for your journal. A key is basically a well-structured shorthand legend to help understand your tasks in the most simplified way possible. This legend is how you will begin your journal. While daily to-do lists are the most common use for Bullet Journals, the beauty of the system is found in its flexibility to do so much more. From monthly overviews to food diaries to ongoing projects, the bullets can be modified to fit all of your needs.

Each bullet represents a different kind of note. On one of the first few pages, create a system similar to the one below to help denote how you will monitor tasks, events and notes:

Tasks: A bullet (•) denotes an actionable item or task you need to complete. You can modify the bullet symbol by putting an ‘X’ through it, to show it’s been completed, arrowing left (<) to

indicate you’ve scheduled it, or arrowing right (>) to carry it over to the next day’s list.

Events: An open circle (O) denotes an event to remember. Events are date-related entries that can either be scheduled (for example, ‘Dad’s birthday’) or logged after they occur (such as ‘accepted job offer’) and should be written in short, objective words. (Don’t worry, you can always switch into diary mode and write all about how exciting it was to finally land that new job on the next page.)

Notes: A dash (–) is any important note or thought to remember or jot down from the day.

These three types of notations are the essential structure to your Bullet Journal. If you need to prioritise or draw attention to particular tasks, this is where ‘signifiers’ come into play.

Signifiers: These symbols are marked in the margin, which can go to the left of a bullet, circle or dash to draw extra attention to it. They can be whatever you feel draws most attention for you, but we recommend starting with an asterisk (*) to indicate priority, and an exclamation mark (!) to represent significant or important ideas.

THE INDEX PAGEOne of the best things about a Bullet Journal is the ability to look back in time at your week, month or even year. Page numbers are also largely important to the structure of your Bullet

Journal. By numbering each page, you can create an Index that will allow you to travel back to a specific day or month to see what occurred. Also, ensure you include a header or topic at the top of each page. This can be anything from ’24 May 2016’ to ‘Movies I Need To Watch’. In the end, you will have a more visualised idea of where different types of content fall within your journal, from sketches and class notes to future ideas and packing lists.

MIGRATING INCOMPLETE TASKSWithin your first week of journaling, take a glance back at your previous entries for the week. Look through your tasks to see if any were missed or unresolved while simultaneously putting an ‘X’ through those you successfully completed. Take a minute to decide whether your tasks are still relevant.

If a task is no longer something that needs to be completed or never happened, strike out the entire line and bullet. If the task is still important and needs to get done, turn the ‘•’ into ‘>’ to signify that you’ve ‘migrated’ that bulleted task, then add it to the Task Page of your new Weekly Log.

Migrating content can be seen as the cornerstone of Bullet Journaling. This allows you to control your anxiety over missed assignments, forgotten errands, fleeting thoughts and birthday gift reminders.

For more information on the Bullet Journal (including a very useful video), to submit ideas of your own or to simply say hello, go to www.bulletjournal.com. n

Each bullet represents a different kind of note. On one of the first few pages, create a system similar to the one outlined below to help denote how you will monitor tasks, events and notes.

TRAVEL

66

20 LIFE

Road trip of a lifetime

Established in 1926, Route 66 sparks excitement and a feeling of freedom in many travellers who love the

open road. The route, which once served as the main corridor taking drivers from Chicago to Los Angeles, taps into a deep feeling of nostalgia for times long gone for many people. Exploring Route 66 takes more research and dedication than many other road trips require, mainly because it’s more than 2,200 miles long but also because there’s so much to experience.

Buildings at Seligman, historic U.S. Route 66, Arizona, USA

GET YOUR KICKS ON

ROUTE

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LIFE 21

Most of the day will be spent driving through Illinois farmlands on your way to St. Louis, the crossroads where highways from Chicago, Kansas City, Memphis, Nashville and Indianapolis meet.

As you cross from Illinois into Missouri, you’ll be crossing the historic Chain of Rocks Bridge. Be sure to stop at Ted Drew’s Frozen Custard, serving Route 66 travellers since 1929. In St. Louis, the original Route 66 road tracked through town very near the Gateway Arch, and we definitely recommend riding the elevator to the top of the 630-foot structure – spectacular views of the Mississippi River await you.

DAY 4: SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURIDriving from St. Louis to Springfield, Missouri takes you through the lush rolling hills of the Missouri Ozark Mountains. The road follows the Great Osage Trail, a major Indian path across the state and a route used by none other than Jesse James.

Much of the rural Ozark region, punctuated by the second oldest mountains in the world, looks much as it did when the first settlers arrived. Springfield has been bustling since the St. Louis–San Francisco railroad arrived in 1870. Even though most of Route 66 through here is now Interstate 44, remnants of the old route are everywhere just off the highway.

DAY 5: OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMANowhere is Route 66 more at home than in Oklahoma, where the pavement follows the contours of the land as though it has always been there. In the Dust Bowl years of the 1930s, 15% of Oklahoma’s population started out on Route 66 in single cars or caravans carrying all their belongings, children, hopes and dreams with them. This section of your holiday takes you through rolling countryside that was once the haunt of Native Americans, later the territory of cowboys and outlaws, and along part of the famous Cherokee Strip.

DAY 6: AMARILLO, TEXASFor the traveller going west on the classic

DAY 1–2: CHICAGO, ILLINOISOn the first day of your classic Route 66 holiday, you can arrive in Chicago and transfer independently to your hotel. We suggest visiting Navy Pier, taking a boat trip on Lake Michigan, shopping the ‘Magnificent Mile’ or taking a tour of Wrigley Field. In the evening, you can head for one of the many intimate jazz bars or take in a comedy club.

DAY 3: ST. LOUIS, MISSOURICollect your car and begin your Route 66 holiday. You can start your trip at Grant Park, the exact place where Route 66 begins.

Established in 1926, Route 66 sparks excitement and a feeling of freedom in many travellers who love the open road.

Hackberry General Store with a 1957 red Corvette car in front in Hackberry, Arizona, USA. Hackberry General Store is a popular museum of old Route 66. Photo credit: Andrey Bayda / Shutterstock.com

TRAVEL

22 LIFE

Route 66, Texas is Cowboy Country. Today, Amarillo and the surrounding Panhandle area are still a unique blend of the Old West and the New West, populated by American cowboys, roughnecks and self-made millionaires, as well as the ever-present oil derricks. Working ranches, essentially unchanged from the day-to-day operations of the late nineteenth century, peacefully coexist with a vibrant twenty-first century economy powered by petroleum. Make sure to drive along Amarillo Boulevard, which is the original Route 66 that is still lined with block after block of strip shopping centres and roadside motels straight out of the 1950s.

DAY 7: TUCUMCARI, NEW MEXICOFor many people travelling the old Mother Road during its heyday, New Mexico presented their first glimpse of the more exotic cultures of the Southwest. To people who had never left the Midwest before, it was as if they had entered another country. Back then, the Native American and Spanish cultures were much stronger, not having been diluted as much with contemporary life. Also unique to New Mexico was the number of Mom & Pop businesses that sprung up along the classic Route 66 –

you can marvel at on your Route 66 holiday – the road that so represented America’s love affair with the automobile. As a result, New Mexico still has the most miles of the original Route 66 that can be driven today.

DAY 8–9: ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICOEnjoy sweeping views over the ‘Land of Enchantment’ as you approach Albuquerque, and consider taking a short detour drive to colourful Santa Fe, the second oldest city in America and best known for its art and unique Southwestern Pueblo architecture which dominates the city’s landscape.

We would highly recommend visiting the colourful Indian crafts market and walking around the gallery-filled town square. Leave Santa Fe this afternoon and drive to Albuquerque, the city of the Rio Grande, surrounded by the beautiful Sandia Mountains.

DAY 10: HOLBROOK, ARIZONAToday you can visit the Petrified Forest National Park, with its thousands of acres of petrified trees. Alternatively, approximately 30 miles from Holbrook is the fascinating Meteor Crater where, over 22,000 years ago, a meteorite blasted a huge hole nearly a mile across and over 500 feet deep into this plateau. On site, the USGS Astrogeology Science Center has been remodelled and includes new displays on the never-ending process of impacts and collisions in our solar system. The Meteor Crater Interactive

Learning Center includes twenty-four exciting exhibits, making it

The Grand Canyon is not officially on the classic Route 66 tour, but you couldn’t miss one of the widely regarded seven natural wonders of the world when you’re this close.

some are still there! More amazing are the materials used to create workable spaces for the businesses. Crates left over from World War II became the walls of a motor court; oilcans became shingles used to roof a service station; cast away bottles and roadside trash became the material to create a wondrous roadside attraction. These are the same icons

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LIFE 23

the most extensive and informative museum of its kind. Also included in the Learning Center are two interactive computer displays that contain information and high-tech graphics on space, meteorites and asteroids, the solar system, and the Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet that impacted Jupiter.

DAY 11: GRAND CANYON, ARIZONAThe Grand Canyon is not officially on the classic Route 66 tour, but you couldn’t miss one of the widely regarded seven natural wonders of the world when you’re this close. Once you’re there, you’ll soon discover while standing on the South Rim how absolutely awesome it is – a massive and dramatic

natural wonder, measuring 277 miles long, 6,000 feet deep at its deepest

point and 15 miles wide at its widest. An eight-mile round

trip on Hermit Road takes you to views of the river

at Hopi, Mohave and Pima Points, as well as to Hermits Rest, a historic landmark with a great view of the river. The 25-mile scenic Desert View Drive delivers views of the canyon and the Colorado River at Moran Point, Lipan Point and Desert View. A must to-do on your holiday is to take a 30-minute flight over the canyon for the best view of all.

DAYS 12–13: LAS VEGAS, NEVADAEverybody has to visit Las Vegas once in their lifetime. It’s a city founded on entertainment, glitter and a fabulous nightlife. You can of course try your hand at gambling, or simply let your hair down, enjoy yourself, take in a show and generally let yourself be entertained.

Las Vegas has seen unbelievable

expansion since it emerged from the desert 100 years ago, with sights and sounds that are enjoyed by over 38.9 million holidaymakers every year.

DAY 14: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIAIt’s the last day of your classic Route 66 holiday. Finally, after a road trip through the Mojave Desert today, you’ll reach the bright lights of Hollywood. It may be hard to believe that the area around Barstow was once covered by immense lakes ringed with

Native American villages. Finally, after a 2,448-mile journey

through eight states and three time zones, you

will reach the Santa Monica Pier, where Route 66 officially

ends. n

If you have time after visiting the Grand Canyon, take a detour and a visit Monument Valley, Utah. It is often considered the 8th Wonder of the World.

TEAMWORK

Synonymous with being ‘a girl’s best friend’, when it comes to business how do you find that ‘jewel in your team’ that

will also provide you with continued success and happiness? Lawrence Grant partner Alan Rajah undertakes strategic planning for the firm and explains how to identify the characteristics of successful business leaders and entrepreneurs that could enable you to recruit your next diamond.

SELF ESTEEM Firstly, having someone in your team who has self-esteem and is given the opportunity to grow in confidence is a real asset to your long-term success. Spotting someone who has a sense of self-worth comes from their belief and confidence that they have a vital role to play in the future growth of your business. A sense of adventure and curiosity will help them relish the opportunity to try new things to improve their own productivity.

NEED TO ACHIEVEThis is a trait that motivates people to succeed and to excel in all activities, and the ability to play the ‘long game’ if required, to out-think the competition. This need is influenced by an internal drive for action and the pressure exerted by the expectations of others (extrinsic motivation). It is the setting of personal goals, reaching the high standards you have set yourself with the determination to win, and being recognised for your achievements.

GOAL ORIENTATIONSomeone with this mindset has either the vision to predict the end result or plan for the future, which will affect either the outcome of their work or that of the entire company. Those with strong

goal orientation will be able to accurately judge the effects of reaching the goal, utilising their personal skills and the resources around them.

By developing these skills, individuals will be associated with positive outcomes whilst creating a ‘ripple effect’ on those around them.

OPTIMISMThe defining characteristic of a successful business leader is their abundance of positive thought. With this power of optimism, you can face any obstacles you may encounter and turn them into a positive outcome. With an optimistic team behind you, your business will really start to take off. Sales will come more easily, your employees will enjoy coming to

work more as they feed off your positivity, and pitching new ideas will become an easier sell-in as your team become enthused and engaged about your ventures.

COURAGEIn the business world, you need courage to take risks to succeed in life. Leadership is about making bold and sometimes unpopular decisions. Innovation involves creating ground-breaking ideas, and that takes courage. Generating sales whilst facing repeated rejection before closing a deal takes courage and persistence. If you take away courage, they all lose their effectiveness. Showing courage in taking difficult decisions will help you see the jewels in your team really start to stand out.

TOLERANCE TO AMBIGUITYTolerance for ambiguity is the ability to deal with ambiguous situations in a sensible and calm way, meaning that the same situation may be ambiguous in one setting and not in another. Business owners with a high tolerance for ambiguity can normally handle new and uncertain situations with relative calm and ease, whilst someone with a low tolerance for ambiguity is more likely to handle the same situation in a completely opposite way.

STRONG INTERNAL MOTIVATIONMotivation is the driving force that creates the mindset change from ‘desire’ to ‘determination’. You may desire something, but are you willing to go the extra mile to achieve it? Motivation is an inner drive to behave or act in a certain manner. Everyone’s motivational receptiveness and potential changes from day to day, from situation to situation. Achieving staff ‘buy in’ to the aims of your business goals and values is fundamental to staff motivation. People are motivated towards something they can relate to and believe in. 

Each of us has all the characteristics of successful business leaders, but it is up to us to explore and improve our individual skills so we can then identify the next generation of rising stars. Now it’s over to you to identify and nurture the ‘jewels in your team.’ n

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER How to spot a priceless ‘jewel in your team’

Alan joined Lawrence Grant in 1994 and became partner in 2001. Alan is involved in all areas of general practice and specialises in valuations of business, due diligence, and mergers and acquisitions.

24 LIFE

THE DIVIDEND IS IN THE DETAIL

Website: www.lawrencegrant.co.ukEmail: marketing@lawrencegrant.co.uk

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WILL THE NEW DIVIDEND TAX CHANGES IMPACT ON YOU?If you require any assistance in this area, please give one of our partners a call on

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WELL-BEING

26 LIFE

Realign and reassess your life in complete luxury

COMO Uma Paro is an intimate 29-room resort featuring the most exclusive private villas in Bhutan with an enviable location in the Paro Valley. Website: www.comohotels.com/umaparo. Photo credit: The Como Group.

LUXURYSPA BREAKS

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The hotel’s quiet, compact pool is set into a chic stone-walled space with windows looking out over the pine-clad valley of Paro.

Everyone deserves a little pampering now and then. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the most luxurious spas from around the world. Many

of the treatments incorporate ancient methods and aim to improve guests’ mental and physical well-being. So, if you’re in need of a little TLC, consider planning your next trip to one of these luxurious locales.

UMA BY COMO, PAROIf you’re the sort of over-achieving spa-goer who likes to earn a massage, sinking deservedly into a hot bath and a fluffy cotton robe only after chalking up culture and adventure, look no further than Bhutan. The spa scene in this mountainous kingdom is positively humming, and later this year the existing Aman and COMO properties will be joined by Six Senses and a new Taj. But the most stylish and savvy of the lot remains Uma by COMO in Paro, which goes far beyond a nurturing destination retreat.

It puts you in a prime spot for delving into this country’s rich heritage, meeting some of the happiest people you could wish to meet and hiking through pine forests to ancient Buddhist sites. Arriving is an adventure in itself: Bhutan’s sole airport, Paro, is 2.5km above sea level, surrounded by 5,400-metre peaks, and only a handful of skilled pilots from Drukair (the national carrier) are permitted to land here.

With flared roofs and painted frescoes, Uma resembles the fortress-like temples (dzongs) you’ll spot across Bhutan. Interiors similarly have the feel of a five-star monastery. The 20 suites put the mountain vistas centre stage, with whitewashed walls, contemporary wooden furniture and the lone flourish of a swirling mural. Nine private villas, set in their own little glades among the trees, are more richly decorated with vibrant woven rugs.

After a strenuous half-day hike to the cinematic Tigers Nest monastery, head to the Shambhala spa’s bathhouse to soak the Bhutanese way, among hot river stones that crack and steam to release muscle-soothing minerals. With an indoor swimming pool and four treatment rooms, the spa is not vast but it has floor-to-ceiling glass walls. The intimate feel is heightened by the warmth and serenity of the Bhutanese staff and therapists. In the truest sense, the entire kingdom of Bhutan feels like a sanctuary. Visit www.comohotels.com/umaparo.

SPA VILLAGE TEMBOKLocated on Bali’s north-east coast, the programme here is all about recharging and rebooting. Guests not only learn how to untangle the problems, stresses and worries hampering

their lives, but also how to avoid tying themselves in knots. Relaxation and rejuvenation are the twin pillars, so optional activities are centered around a daily massage, detoxifying clay mud wrap or body scrub.

Get up early for group meditation on the black-sand beach at sunrise, facing the thumping, frothing Java Sea as the sky brightens and the sun’s warmth slowly spreads across your face. You will be introduced to 5 Element Form, an energising combination of yoga, ta’i chi and qigong. There’s also reiki, stress-busting breathing techniques, healthy cooking classes, mountain biking, creativity classes (drawing, traditional palm-leaf weaving, wood carving) and, at night, stargazing while lying on a floating platform in the pool, surrounded by candles as soothing music plays in the background.

The entrance to the Spa Village Tembok.

28 LIFE

Meals are eaten on a sun-drenched terrace overlooking the infinity pool where banana-flower salad with charred shrimp satay is served up, as well as gorgeously plump papayas and mangoes. The healthiest choices are clearly marked on the menu. Mackerel, tuna and snapper straight from the ocean make regular appearances, and ‘raw’, ‘fresh’ and ‘wholefoods’ are keywords. Coconut juice, herbal teas and rejuvenating shots flow freely. For rebels, there’s plenty of the naughty stuff available too: steak, chips, egg-fried rice and a seemingly endless supply of apple strudel. Great emphasis is placed on quality sleep (so no watching television tucked up in bed), and guests are packed off early each evening to Balinese-style rooms with private balconies overlooking the pretty garden. Sip on fresh herbal tea and add hot water to the already prepared restorative bath before soaking up the goodness. It’s a picture-postcard spot to mute the volume button on your mind – and gradually figure out how it got so loud in the first place. Visit www.spavillageresort.com/tembokbali.

ROYAL PALM, MARRAKECHRoyal Palm in Marrakech is the sort of place where you are ferried about in a golf buggy, and yet it manages to retain a wonderful sense of calm, intimacy and sophistication. The spa is rather glamorous, with an art deco-meets-Morocco vibe, and the most geometrically pleasing indoor pool. Long corridors glow with musky scented candles, and the Clarins treatments are performed by truly reviving hands.

The facials leave you peachy perky, and you can follow a stimulating argan oil and orange body scrub with a clay-and-coconut body wrap (smells divine and makes skin silky). Everything from hot stones to deeply nurturing rose oil are used in the massages, and traditional hammam sessions involve black soap, aromatic oils, mud and hand mitts that polish off every last bit of dry winter skin. Emerge reborn. Drink a zingy lemon and ginger juice from the spa bar. Pop into the little hydro-pool or the Opi nail salon. There’s also a proper hairdressers that does immaculate children’s haircuts for just £13.

The kids’ club is enormous, with lots of different areas for pottery, crafts, drawing and dressing-up, and a mass of musical

Cool waters offer infinity views of the ocean and the clear Balinese sky.

ABOVE: The kids’ club at the Royal Palm has a variety of activities to keep the children busy. BELOW: Feast in the Al Ain restaurant.

instruments, star-gazing telescopes and cooking classes. For adults, there are tennis courts, a squash court (a rarity) and, if you want to rev up the excitement, quad-biking in the desert. Just don’t expect to lose weight!

The chefs create marathon feasts in the Al Ain restaurant, but when you tire of local flavours you can revert to creamy mozzarella and tomato salads, insanely good burgers, and, for the children, home-made fried chicken and mega milkshakes. Everybody’s happy, particularly as the two-bedroom villas are a dream, with indoor and outdoor showers, heated private pools and numerous nooks for eating. Beachcomber is better known for its Indian Ocean outposts, but this is an all-singing player, closer to home, that takes this brand to a new level. Visit www.royalpalm-hotels.com. n

`MUST-HAVE APPS

GUIDES – LONELY PLANETiOS, Android (free)Get to the heart of a destination

with Lonely Planet on your mobile device. Packed with tips and advice from on-the-ground experts.

SLEEP CYCLEiOS, Android (free)An intelligent alarm clock that

analyses your sleep and wakes you in the lightest sleep phase – the natural way to wake up feeling rested and relaxed.

7 MINUTE WORKOUTiOS, Android (£2.29)The ‘7 Minute Workout’ has

become an international hit! 12 exercises that are performed for 30 seconds with 10- second rest intervals. No more excuses!

TECHPORTFOLIOEfficiency in design – Kubera Wealth’s guide to the latest must-haves

VOXX 360 FLY ACTION CAMCORDER £429.95 Voxx’s hardy camcorder breaks new ground in action capture. From one super-powered lens, you’ll shoot stunning 360° videos and relive them in immersive virtual reality. This waterproof camcorder even comes with a tilting mount, so you can pin it to everything from a bike to a helmet to crack the best angles.

NEW FUGOO STYLE XL PORTABLE BLUETOOTH SPEAKER £249.00Featuring eight acoustic drivers for true 360° sound, waterproof and dust proof with 35-hour battery life and a USB port to quick charge your phone or tablet. Wherever you go, your style speaks volumes so crank it up. It even floats in water for easy recovery, so enjoy the party at the beach or the pool no matter how crazy it gets! DYSON AM09 HOT + COOL™

FAN HEATER £369.00 New and improved with Jet Focus control, Dyson’s AM09 silent fan heater is cleverly designed for even room heating and personal cooling. The Dyson Hot + Cool™ fan can be used all year round with Air Multiplier™ technology, heating up the

whole room quickly and evenly.

NEST LEARNING SMART HOME THERMOSTAT, 3RD GENERATION £199.00Nest’s sleeker and thinner Learning Thermostat will slash your energy bill and boost your Smart Home credentials. Since 2011, Nest has

helped save over 4 billion kWh of energy in homes around the

world, and this supremely sophisticated Thermostat can work wonders for you too. All the features, such as the new Farsight

display, will stun you with their bill-busting, hyper-

intuitive results.

LIFE 29

PR

30 LIFE

E ven if you didn’t watch the TV series or haven’t had a chance to see the film, most of us are familiar with the two

characters from Absolutely Fabulous – Edina Monsoon and her partner in crime Patsy Stone. Edina is a hapless PR who spends most of her time swigging champagne, air-kissing and doing very little for her clients. More familiar saying words like ‘sweetie’ than ‘return on investment’, it’s fair to say if Edina was a PR in the real world, she wouldn’t have a job for long.

If you are considering employing a PR advisor or want to make sure you are getting the most out of your PR spend, then here are a few pointers to making sure your PR is Absolutely Fabulous.

 HOW DO YOU WANT PR TO SUPPORT YOUR COMMERCIAL OBJECTIVES?Think bigger than the PR tactic. Over the years, I have met business owners, entrepreneurs, high-profile figures and marketing folk who come out with the line, ‘So what can you/your agency do for me?’ In some instances they have given little thought as to which areas of the business need promoting first, and there is no sales and marketing plan in place. In the case of high-profile individuals or celebrities, they haven’t considered what their personal brand means to them and how they want this to develop over the next year and beyond. Before you pick up the phone or email a potential PR, also ask yourself, ‘Why now?’  CHOOSING THE RIGHT PRRecommendations from business contacts and friends or looking around LinkedIn can go some way to helping you appoint the right PR, but if you are looking to engage a PR for longer than a few months, do make sure you have the right ‘work chemistry’ and that you are prepared to work in a partnership. Time will need to be invested on both sides, particularly in the preparation phase of the PR campaign. Before appointing a PR, make sure you meet – even if it is a video Skype call – because geography dictates. Trust your gut instinct too – this goes for the PR as well!

by Sam Pepper

PRHOW TO MAKE SURE IT IS...

ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS

PR

LIFE 31

PREPARATION, PREPARATION AND PREPARATIONYou’ve made the decision you want PR, but let’s say one of the objectives is to get media coverage, then do be realistic and don’t expect lots of column inches to arrive in month one. Allow a few weeks for the PR(s) to get up to speed, learn about your business and spend time with you and/or your company to get a good understanding of how you work. It will let them have a chance to dig out and create stories that will be of real interest to the media and other target audiences. During the preparation time, you and your PR will need to agree the right messages for the campaign and ensure these are reflected on your website and other forums such as Facebook and LinkedIn. If you are launching a new product or app, do have a soft launch before you ‘go large’, so you can iron out any glitches that may arise. WHAT’S THE 'SO-WHAT' OF THE STORY?Living and breathing your work can be a good thing, but ‘group think’ can seriously distort what is important and interesting outside the office walls. This goes for PR. You may be very proud or excited that you have moved offices, recruited some new staff or you are re-branding your logo, but be guided by your PR about what’s going to cut if for the media or other target audiences. The acid test to apply for any PR initiative is ‘what’s

the so-what?’ of the story – why should the journalist, your prospects and other targets care? DON’T FEAR THE MEDIA – IF NECESSARY, GET SOME TRAININGI’m fortunate to have met some very inspirational, talented and successful business owners and senior managers in all different industries. Tough, resilient – you’d have thought meeting the press would be a walk in the park, rather than a meeting with the enemy. One particular CEO – who was running a global consulting business at the time and had fought in wars – was somewhat nervous at the thought of a meeting arranged with the Financial Times. However, we made sure we were clear on the angles we wanted to get across. I stressed the point that ‘journalists need you as much you need them’, and then we had a dress rehearsal. Remember, there is no need to fear – in 99% of situations, the journalist meeting has been arranged because you have a good story to tell and some great insights to share. You are the expert with a view they want to hear. Your PR will be able to advise as to whether some formal media training (normally half day or one-day workshops run by ex-print or broadcast journalists) should take place.

TRUST YOUR PR If you or your firm has one or even a few skeletons or you suspect there could be one

emerging in the cupboard, tell your PR as soon as possible. Forewarned is forearmed, and, if the PR has the heads-up, then the right processes can be put in place to handle the crisis and manage you/your firm’s reputation in the right way. CAPITALISE ON YOUR SUCCESSESGetting a profile in a national newspaper or a double-page spread in a top-tier trade publication may tick the box on the PR trail, but don’t leave the coverage to be yesterday’s fish-and-chip paper. Make sure you and the rest of your employees are getting the word out – for example, you could post the coverage link on appropriate social media forums such as LinkedIn and Facebook. If you know a piece is going to appear which will resonate with potential clients and customers, consider setting up an email campaign so you are ready to press go as soon as the piece appears. On occasions, press coverage will mean you have a flurry of calls from potential customers or clients – do make sure those answering calls are briefed ahead of the coverage appearing, so they can log and transfer the calls to the right people. Make sure you are seizing every opportunity to get return on investment. n

 SAM PEPPERSam has been running her own boutique PR business since 2000. Sam’s early PR and marketing career saw her launch Dr Stuart’s Botanical Teas and work for Seagram Distillers Marketing Department in London, for brands including Mumm Champagne and Chivas Regal. Between 2004 and 2012, Sam worked as the sole PR and Marketer for Mary Berry’s dressing and sauces. In addition to working with many financial and professional services companies, Sam has also worked with start-ups and SMEs in many different industry sectors, devising and implementing UK and international PR and marketing campaigns at various stages of the business, from launch and beyond. To contact Sam with any PR queries, please email her on sam@sampepperpr.com

Sam Pepper, PR Guru

32 LIFE

An idyllic sound of leather on willow in this very English setting

WORMSLEY CRICKET CLUB

Kubera Wealth are proud corporate sponsors of Wormsley Cricket Club, which has been described

as the most beautiful cricket ground in England – anyone who has watched or played cricket there will never forget the experience and the sound of leather on willow in this very English setting. 

Wormsley is a 2,500-acre Estate in the Chiltern Hills, owned by the Getty Family. The Estate is situated just off junction 5 of the M40, near High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

Wormsley's history as an Estate dates back to the 12th century, although it has only changed hands twice since it was bought by the Scrope family in 1574.

Photo credit: The Wormsley Estate

Wormsley is a fantastic place, and with the red kites soaring overhead, it’s a joy to play cricket here.Marcus Trescothick

SPONSORSHIP

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QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISHThe famous Wormsley cricket ground was created by Sir Paul Getty, with much help from Brian Johnston and others of Sir Paul’s many cricket-loving friends. The first game was held in 1992, and the ground has since played host to games involving most of the game's biggest stars of the last 25 years, including the likes of Brian Lara, Viv Richards and Shane Warne.

Sir Paul’s vision and creation of an Arcadian cricket ground at Wormsley was a source of joy to him and his family. Events at Wormsley really are quintessentially English, and the experience is one to cherish.

COMPREHENSIVE RESTORATIONThe Getty family's tenure began in 1984 with Sir Paul laying plans for a comprehensive restoration of Wormsley, including the many houses, the agricultural enterprise and the woods.

As regards Wormsley House itself, the many additions which had been made to the Tudor core – chief amongst them the addition of the Georgian wing which forms today’s facade – had fallen into disrepair. The dilapidation was so serious that the entire house had to be substantially re-built, albeit on the exact footprint of the existing building.

The only significant addition has been the flint Library which was built onto the southern side of the house to house Sir Paul Getty’s exceptional collection of old books, manuscripts, bibles, atlases and bindings.

The Walled Garden, originally laid out

according to Richard Woods’ plan in around 1780, was completely renovated and re-planted following a design masterminded by garden designer and television presenter Penelope Hobhouse.

VISION AND INSPIRATIONWormsley Estate has also partnered with Jamie Oliver's event catering company Fabulous Feasts to provide all food and beverage requirements throughout the Estate. Bespoke menus can be developed for all locations, whether it’s a dinner in Home Farm Barn, a canapé reception in the Walled Garden or a cricketers’ lunch in the Pavilion.

Whilst Wormsley remains first and foremost the Getty family’s private home, the Estate is now inviting a select number of individuals and companies to host their own events within the Estate – there are numerous options to make your visit truly memorable. Visit www.wormsleycricket.co.uk to find out more. n

Wormsley has been described as the most beautiful cricket ground in England, and anyone who has watched or played cricket there will never forget the experience.

34 LIFE

Sustainable investment is on the rise. Both institutions and individuals are increasingly realising that in this

resource-constrained world, financing those companies that provide the products, services and technologies to deliver a cleaner and more efficient economy can deliver a strong investment performance, with the added benefit of making a tangible positive contribution to the world we live in.

THE WORLD NOWCertainly, all the data points to sustainable investment being a very sensible proposition. According to the United Nations, the global population is projected to grow from about 7.1 billion people today to 8.5 billion by 2030. In the next 10 years, for example, it will increase by 800 million people. By 2030, six out of ten people will live in urban rather than rural areas. The result will be significant stress on resources.

And as the population increases, so too will expectations around living standards. The rising consumption of protein, for example, will put a great deal of stress on the food/agriculture and water value chains. Rising food prices, for instance, pose a major threat to food security, particularly because people in emerging economies spend a large proportion of their disposable income on food. About a third of each incremental dollar earned in China and India is spent on food (source: World Bank). And there simply aren’t enough natural resources to keep the population in the style it has increasingly become accustomed to. The International Energy Agency (IEA), for example, estimates that 50% of the supply of fossil fuels has already been depleted. It also estimates energy demand will grow by about one third by 2035, with primary energy demand accounting for 7% to 9% of global GDP.

With this in mind, we need to deliver ‘more’ with ‘less’ in a carbon-constrained environment driven by the challenges of climate change. We see the interaction of these three macro-economic factors: population growth, resource scarcity and climate change, driving the need

INVESTMENT

INVESTING SUSTAINABLY: THE POSITIVE INVESTMENT VIEWClaudia Quiroz, Executive Director of Sustainable Investing at Quilter Cheviot, discusses sustainable investing

ABOVE: Claudia Quiroz. Quilter Cheviot, part of Old Mutual Wealth, is one of the UK’s largest discretionary investment firms and can trace its heritage to 1771.The firm is based in 12 locations across the UK, Jersey and Ireland and has total funds under management of £18.0bn (as at 31 March 2016). Quilter Cheviot focuses primarily on structuring and managing bespoke discretionary portfolios for private clients, charities, trusts, pension funds and intermediaries.

INVESTMENT

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for a cleaner and more efficient economy – The New Economy.

THE SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT APPROACHAs part of Quilter Cheviot’s sustainable investment strategy, we seek to invest in the companies delivering in this new economy. We focus on companies offering the solutions to the global challenges of reducing carbon emissions, improving the food supply-and-demand imbalance, reducing water shortages and providing reliable power generation.

Sustainable investment gives investors the opportunity to invest in long-term economic growth. Growth is a key reason for investors’ interest in sustainability and environmental themes. Most end markets in this space are expected to grow annually at high single or double-digit rates over the next three to five years. This compares to low single-digit GDP growth in the developed world.

We think that these three macro-economic factors – climate change, population growth and resource scarcity – underpin five investment themes: Low Carbon Energy, Food, Health, Resources and Water.

Within these five investment themes, we have identified an investment universe of about a thousand companies globally. This gives us exposure to the value chain of any of these investment themes with very good sector diversification. These companies provide services such as energy-efficient lighting, public transportation, agricultural irrigation, farming supplies, food testing, vaccines, waste management, coastal protection and water desalination.

OUR INVESTMENT APPROACHOur dedicated sustainable investment vehicle, the Climate Assets Fund, seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation as well as providing a regular income stream through a combination of multi-asset allocation and multi-thematic investment. Staying true to its multi-asset approach, it invests in equities, along with fixed interest investments, commodities (normally through Exchange Traded Funds) and other alternative investments

such as green infrastructure funds. In addition to reducing the volatility of returns, a multi-asset fund aims to offer a higher yield than pure equity funds through a combination of equity dividends and coupons received from the fixed interest investments.

We have a two–tier investment approach – top down and bottom up. We aim to reflect our views on asset class and region allocation through the portfolio by tapping into the expertise of the Quilter Cheviot Asset Allocation Committee, and we complement that in-house macroeconomic view with stock ideas within our five investment themes.

To select the specific holdings, we look for sound business strategies, leading market positions and a track record in innovation, as well as strong balance sheets and cash flow generation. We do not invest in blue-sky type companies, with most of the portfolio invested in mid-to-large market capitalisation companies, from USD300m upwards. This market cap threshold ensures liquidity and reduces volatility. Valuation is also a key factor to enter and exit positions within our focus portfolio of 50 to 60 securities.

For those looking to invest £200,000 or more, there is also the option to invest in the climate assets fund via our Discretionary Portfolio Service (DPS), which enables clients to work with a dedicated investment manager who can tailor-make a portfolio to your exact specifications and then manage it on an ongoing basis.

RESULTS TO DATEOver the years, we have found that investors were concerned that there was a price to pay for sustainable investing. There was a misconception that the performance of sustainable investment funds would be worse than an unconstrained (mainstream) fund.

However, our record suggests such a performance penalty does not exist. Thus far, the mixed investment approach Quilter Cheviot has taken with the Climate Assets Fund has delivered strong and consistent returns. The Fund has returned +56.40% since launch (1 March 2010) to 31 May 2016. This compares with the IA Mixed Investment 40%–85% Shares Sector delivering +43.23% over the same period.

Most of the fund offerings within the sustainability space are mainly equity-only strategies. These have had significant volatility over the economic cycle, as most of their holdings are high beta stocks. These kinds of funds do very well during an economic upturn, but badly in a downturn. As such, many investors still associate environmental or sustainability markets with high volatility and poor returns. By taking a mixed-asset approach, Quilter Cheviot aims to smooth the volatility of returns over the economic cycle and offer a decent dividend yield.

IN CONCLUSIONSustainable investment generates attractive investment opportunities when one understands the global changes taking place with regard to consumer preferences, government spending, energy and food supply, and security, and the general need for a cleaner and more efficient economy.

We believe that by investing in companies providing the products, services and technologies to deliver a cleaner and more efficient economy, investors can invest in long-term economic growth that will help deliver both sound returns and a more sustainable future. n

Investors should remember that the value of investments, and the income from them, can go down as well as up and that past performance is no guarantee of future returns. You may not recover what you invest.

Sustainable investmentgives investors the opportunity to invest in long-term economic growth. Growth is a key reason for investors’ interest in sustainability and environmental themes.

SPORT

36 LIFE

TIME TO TEE-OFF

Two Highland gems – a must for all golfers

Castle Stuart’s eye-catching art deco clubhouse overlooking the wildlife haven of the Moray Firth. Photo credit: Castle Stuart Golf Club

Every golfer should play in Scotland, the birthplace of the game dating back to the 15th century. With 578 courses

liberally divided among its ten regions, if you ask any golfer to point you to the home of golf, all will point in one direction – Scotland.

Here is Kubera Wealth’s guide to two golfing gems that are a must for all golfers – Castle Stuart overlooking the Moray Firth, and Royal Dornoch, located in Sutherland, the northern Scottish Highlands.

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LEFT: Royal Dornoch is spellbinding, and many golfers from all over the world make the pilgrimage to this natural links at some point in their lives. RIGHT:

Roddy Dingwall, Royal Dornoch's starter, is popular with visitors.

CASTLE STUARTHistory and diversity make Scottish golf courses famous throughout the world. As Turnberry is to Ayrshire and Gleneagles is to Perthshire, Castle Stuart has been conceived to be for the Highlands – a beacon reaching out to golfers throughout the world. The centrepiece for this Scottish destination golf resort is Castle Stuart Golf Links, a championship links course overlooking the Moray Firth and well-known landmarks that are synonymous with Inverness and the Black Isle – Kessock Bridge and Chanonry Lighthouse perhaps the most notable.

Castle Stuart now offers some serious competition when it comes to attracting visiting golfers, but that can only be a good thing for the Highlands where they seem determined to raise the golfing bar of excellence as high as possible.

The opening three holes on each nine run away from the clubhouse along the edge of a raised beach by the side of the Moray Firth, offering spectacular views across the water to the Black Isle. In order to reach shore level from the escarpment above, a thrilling drive must be struck from tees cut into the cliff side down to the fairways below on holes 1 and 10 – a heart-pumping way to start both the outward and inward half.

Holes 4 to 9 and 13 to 18 are played more inland, with each loop ending on either side of a clubhouse that sits on the edge of the cliffs. One of the best holes on a sensationalist front nine is the 552-yard, par five, 6th which is played to a long, narrow green that sits between a pair of beautiful waste bunkers. On the more elevated back nine, the testing 220-yard 17th on top of the cliffs is a really daunting prospect to play so late in the round.

ROYAL DORNOCHRoyal Dornoch is truly spellbinding, and many golfers from all over the world make the pilgrimage to this natural links at some point in their lives. It is often quoted as one of the must-play courses.

It’s the timeless setting that makes Royal Dornoch such a pleasing place to play golf. It’s wild, isolated and, at the same time, absolutely

beautiful; there’s the blaze of colour in early summer when the gorse is in flower. The pure white sandy beach divides the links from the Dornoch Firth and it all feels very humbling.

In 1630, according to the Guinness Book of Golf Facts and Feats, Sir Robert Gordon described the course in glowing terms. Dornoch… ‘doe surpass the fields of Montrose or St Andrews’, he wrote. There are also written records showing that golf was played at Dornoch in 1616, long before its first nine-hole golf club was founded in 1877. This makes Dornoch the world’s third oldest golf course (behind St Andrews and Leith). In 1886, Old Tom Morris ‘updated’ the original nine holes and came back three years later to extend the course to 18 holes. John H Taylor later made changes to Old Tom’s layout with guidance from

the club’s secretary, John Sutherland. After the Second World War, George Duncan added six new holes (6 to 11), when former holes 13–18 were incorporated into the new Struie course.

Ostensibly, the course itself is pretty straightforward: it’s an out-and-back layout. Many of the greens, though, are built on natural raised plateaux, making approach play especially challenging. It’s the raised domed greens that became the trademark of Dornoch’s most famous son, Donald Ross. Born in 1872, Ross became the club’s head green-keeper and professional. He later emigrated to the States and became one of the greatest golf course architects of all time. Many of his designs, most notably Pinehurst No.2, bear the hallmark of Royal Dornoch’s greens.

There are plenty of great holes to choose from at Royal Dornoch. The 4th is in the middle of a stretch of three excellent par fours. The line from the tee is the statue of the Duke of Sutherland. ‘Whinny Brae’ is the par three 6th that signals the change from the low-lying holes to the more elevated ones. It requires an accurate tee shot across a swathe of gorse that wraps its way around the plateau green. The 14th, called ‘Foxy’, is a long par four, measuring almost 445 yards, and it is one of the most simple and natural holes in golf featuring a classical Donald Ross domed green. n

SPORT

It’s the timeless setting that makes Royal Dornoch such a pleasing place to play golf. It’s wild, isolated and, at the same time, absolutely beautiful.

PROTECTION

ESTATE MATTERS

Choosing structures and trusts to protect your assets and give your

family lasting benefits

HAVE YOU PROTECTED AS MUCH OF YOUR WEALTH AS POSSIBLE TO PASS IT ON TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE?After a lifetime of hard work, you want to make sure you protect as much of your wealth as possible and pass it on to the right people. Inheritance Tax planning is about more than just tax. It is about making sure the people left behind are financially supported and that your assets are protected. To arrange a consultation with one of Kubera Wealth’s advisers, please contact us to discuss your requirements.

COULD YOUR ESTATE BE SUBJECT TO INHERITANCE TAX?Single – anyone who is not married or in a registered civil partnership at the time they die. That includes divorced people and registered civil partners whose partnership has been dissolved by the courts. If your total estate is worth £325,000 or less, then no Inheritance Tax will be due. If it is more than that, it is likely there will be Inheritance Tax to pay.

Couples – married or registered civil partners at the time the first dies. If the first to die leaves everything to their spouse (which is now the recommended advice in almost all circumstances), then the whole estate is completely free of Inheritance Tax. When the second member of the couple dies, there will be no Inheritance Tax to pay if the total is £650,000 or less. If your total is more than that, it is likely that there will be Inheritance Tax to pay by your heirs when the second spouse dies.

Widowed – someone whose spouse or registered civil partner is already dead. The tax-free amount depends on what the first to die left on their death. If everything was left to their spouse, then no Inheritance Tax will normally be due on the first £650,000 when the widow dies. If the late spouse left money or property to someone apart from the surviving spouse, then the widow will be able to leave at least £325,000 and up to £650,000 to her heirs with no Inheritance Tax due. n

Contrary to the belief of some, Inheritance Tax affects not only the very rich, but other people may be

liable without realising. Few taxes are quite as emotive – or as politicised – as Inheritance Tax. At Kubera Wealth, we can help you choose structures and trusts designed to protect your assets and give your family lasting benefits.

ESTATE VALUE Under the current rules, every individual has a £325,000 nil rate band. When we die, our estate’s value is calculated and everything above the nil rate band is subject to 40% Inheritance Tax. If you are married or widowed, your nil rate band could be up to £650,000. In most cases, it falls upon your loved ones to pay any tax before they can inherit what you want them to have.

The nil rate band has been frozen until the tax year 2017/18. So the thresholds of £325,000 or £650,000 apply to deaths from 6 April 2009 to 5 April 2018.

GRADUAL INTRODUCTION Since 2007, the Government has talked of raising the nil rate band to £1 million. In July 2015, they announced how they would do this, with the gradual introduction of a ‘main residence nil rate band’. By 2020, this will be worth £175,000 per person. This can be added to your existing threshold of £325,000 (if you are single or divorced) or £650,000 (if you are married or widowed) to give an overall allowance of £500,000 each or £1 million per married couple (or widower).

From April 2017, it will help people who want to leave their main residence to a direct descendant (such as a child or grandchild). However, in other circumstances you will not be able to use this allowance.

38 LIFE

ESTATE MATTERS

IS IT TIME YOU PURSUED YOUR DREAMS?A truly bespoke wealth management and lifestyle planning service, we choose to go beyond the obvious, to reflect, to be meticulous. We choose to inspire. We always put our clients’ unique needs first.

TO FIND OUT MORE, PLEASE CONTACT A MEMBER OF OUR WEALTH ADVISORY TEAM.

Telephone: +44 (0)20 8868 8886 – Email: info@kuberawealth.co.uk – Website: www.kuberawealth.co.ukKubera Wealth, 39 High Street, Pinner, Middlesex HA5 5PJKubera Wealth Limited, Independent Financial Advisers are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.