Wealth party diary

It’s always busy in the London wealth space when it comes to entertaining and never more so than in 2008. The Family Investment Office of Unigestion started off the proper summer party season, as they always do, with their annual cocktail event, which attracted the usual industry bigwigs. Daniel Martineau of Close Summit Trust Company was spotted on a hop over from Geneva; Clive Nicholson, former Managing Partner at Saffery Champness graced the party with his presence and Mike Covell formerly of Goldman Sachs, but now about to launch as a consultant, also made a rare public visit. (Robert Suss has taken over the top job at Goldman Sachs).
FF&P, who count Ian Fleming, the James Bond author, as an early member of the now multi family office, celebrate their James Bond 50th anniversary year and have held a multitude of parties and events which are the brain child of Penny Lovell and aided by the charming Nicola Murphy there. On Wednesday 11th June FF&P held a “Miss Moneypenny event” with Joanna Lumley and Samantha Weinberg (who is also the author Kate Westbrook) reading from her book “The MoneyPenny Diaries”. Matthew Fleming, former cricketer, kicked off introductions with Louise Holmes of Room to Read (www.roomtoread.org) making the appeal for generosity from attendees for the charity auction held afterwards. Room to Read was founded by an ex Microsoft person, John Wood who has many social entrepreneur awards to his name. A Bonhams auctioneer cleverly upped bids and then appealed for just £130 per person to help build a school for children supported by Room to Read. Many put their hands up but Suzanne Reisman, to her credit, was one of the first. Suzanne specialises in US private client law and is based in the UK (www.suzannereisman.com).

Ascot was a fine affair with Baker & McKenzie’s Paul Stibbard and Ashley Crossley hosting two tables at the event. Top hat and tails were the order of the day and their guests included Anthony Valgimigli, Barclays Wealth on the board governing India and Middle Eastern clients; Rose Wong, SG Hambros Bank who delighted the male audience accidently with pictures of herself at a Coutts jewellery ball; Juliet Wedderburn at Deutsche Bank Private Wealth and new arrival Rupert Jacobs of Butterfield Private Office who is a fresh off the ’plane from Bermuda Rothschilds operation and working with Katie Booth Managing Director of the operation. Betting was in earnest led by Ian Grant at BNP Paribas, and although he racked up wins, big losses were the order of the day for the rest of us. The reason cited was bad feng shui with the positioning of our corner table s in the lunch room and a competitive field of Middle Eastern; Irish and Kentucky race horses. (Anthony Valgimigli tips off Kentucky as the place that will be yielding some serious race horses in future). Losses were quickly forgotten though as a full three course lunch was served followed by cream cake after cream cake and champagne, followed by superb white then red wine, desert wine, port, brandy and the launch of the Bollinger Rose new arrival. It was no wonder there were a few dizzy travellers on the way home courtesy of the Baker & McKenzie tour buses. (Whats on tour, stays on tour unless Citywealth Editor is there).

Fortis, sponsored the whole Hurlingham Club tournament providing their private wealth guests with Jo Malone goody bags, branded baseball style caps to protect from the sunshine, Evian mist spray and plenty of Pimms to ensure some dehydration occurred. Citywealth Editor was treated to lunch in the players room, followed by some veteran tennis and some up to date stars. Marat Safin, stole the show with graceful leaps and bounds and although he didn’t win his match, he stole a place in most of the ladies hearts.

Mark Rushton, London and Rick Denton of Guernsey Fortis were hosts and guests were mainly clients of the bank. A lovely day of cream cakes was had and champers and Ian Orton of the Wealthnet was spotted sticking very sensibly to soft drinks.
FF&P held a further party to launch their Suffolk Street offices, the new home of Penny Lovell and her multi family office team at FF&P. With a terrace outside, guests were able to relive an old tradition and smoke Cuban Cohiba cigars while quaffing champagne and eating tasty nibbles.

This week also included the Key Wealth forum which had around fifty guests at The Law Society and a superb full English breakfast on offer. Also last week was the LG Legal press party and Wimbledon with Stanford Eagle who had centre and No 1 court tickets for their guests with client entertaining all day. Goody bags included poncho’s and umbrellas but the weather mostly held. Send your party diary stories into Citywealth Editor. kjones AT citywealthmag.com

www.citywealthmag.com

Sphere: Related Content