Copenhagen was just ranked 9th in this year’s ‘Most liveable cities in the world’ survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). And this doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone! Denmark’s capital is all about enjoying the good life – it regularly tops international happiness surveys and is known as ‘the happiest city in the world’. In addition to being one of the globe’s greenest, cleanest and most sustainable capitals, Copenhagen boasts world-class urban architecture sitting alongside old historic buildings and palaces, picturesque harbours and hip, Scandi-chic cafés and restaurants. With an abundance of things to do and see, the Danish capital is the ideal place for your next city break – promising to exceed your expectations and to teach you how to ‘hygge’.
Where to stay
For a colourful and characterful, yet cosy hotel, stay at the ideally located Absalon Hotel in the upcoming Vesterbro district. Founded in 1938 and still run by the same family, the hotel is only a five-minute walk from Copenhagen’s Central Station and the city’s iconic Tivoli Gardens. Housed in a stunning 19th-century building, it offers 161 modern rooms designed by London-based designer Trisha Guild and featuring lots of colour, exquisite marble bathrooms and organic Karmameju toiletries.
The salon at Absalon Hotel is the perfect room for curling up on one of the deep armchairs dotted around the bright room with a glass of wine. During the day, you’ll find people tapping away on MacBooks or reading a book in the corner while sipping on a latte and as the evening rolls and the colourful open space takes on an all-together different glow, cheerful groups of friends, families and couples flock to the bar for a cocktail after a day of exploring the streets of Copenhagen.
Continental breakfast can be enjoyed in an expansive room just a few steps away from the bar. Expect all of the continental buffet staples with the thoughtful addition of some Danish classics, including freshly baked pastries, local cheese and herring.
Whether you're visiting Copenhagen for business or pleasure, Absalon Hotel’s convenient location, modern décor and truly impeccable service make it a wonderful place to rest your head at night and wake up to in the morning.
For more information, please go to https://www.absalon-hotel.dk/en/
Where to eat
With its Michelin-starred restaurants and clever Nordic cuisine, Copenhagen is known as a true culinary powerhouse. Mielcke & Hurtigkarl’s experimental and exciting menu however, instantly made it our favourite find!
Set in the beautiful Royal Horticultural Gardens, the restaurant promises an experience like no other. Designed to ‘make your taste buds dance’, the chef’s secret tasting menu is arguably the finest and most daring food you’ll find in Copenhagen. From appetisers such as yeast chips and tiny egg-white, meringue-like baguettes filled with mozzarella, tomato and basil, through to the last bite of delicate pistachio cake served on a wooden board accompanied by a printed out poem by Michael Faudet, the dining experience at Mielcke & Hurtigkarl is a gastronomic adventure that resembles a form of art.
With its magnificent high ceilings, white walls and a solitary tree in the centre of the room, the restaurant’s plant-inspired décor is nearly as extraordinary as the food itself. In summer, tables spill out onto a patio terrace in the garden and the atmosphere is so magically laid back that you’d be happy to linger over the extensive number of courses (and the sublime wines paired superbly to complement each dish).
For more information, please go to http://www.mhcph.com/
To make a reservation, please call +45 3834 8436 or email booking@mhcph.com
With summer upon us, this month we take you to beautiful Morocco and its most infamous beach town – Essaouira. A labyrinth of souks in the port city’s medina, hip cafes and art galleries, miles of golden sands, and a general laid-back vibe – Essaouira is the perfect destination for a relaxed sun-filled holiday in North Africa.
Inland from the town is nestled Le Jardin des Douars – a boutique hotel surrounded by lush botanical gardens and postcard-perfect countryside. Katina Hristova tells us more about it.
How often do you go on a holiday, with the objective of rebooting, only to find yourself just as exhausted as before you left? It’s not very often that you come back feeling truly rejuvenated and refreshed, ready to face your daily routine again. Well, I found a place that not only made me come back to reality feeling like a new person, but also a little bit more in love with life.
Located just a 15-minute drive from Essaouira - a port town nestled on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, Le Jardin des Douars is the perfect place for a long weekend getaway. The laid-back retreat is situated inland and is surrounded by hills in terracotta tones, studded with argan and olive trees. As soon as you enter through the wooden gates however, the landscape completely changes - traditionally African, earthy-clay-coloured castle-like buildings, botanical gardens boasting lush greenery, colour explosions and chirping birds. The Jardin promises carefree sun-filled days followed by alfresco dining at dusk and blissful moments at the candlelit terrace over a glass of La Gazelle de Mogador - a delicious organic Essaouiran wine.
Amongst the plant-filled courtyards and the palaces, there is also a choice of heated pools - a peaceful infinity pool designed for couples, and a slightly bigger one, which allows parents to frolic with their children in the water. With the hotel’s relaxed and peaceful vibe, you’ll feel like the time has stopped while you’re lounging around soaking up the African sun, sipping on the mint tea that charming waiters bring to your sun-bed.
With their antique furnishings, traditional bejmat (terracotta-tiled floors), and high-ceilinged spacious bathrooms, the rooms, suites and the three villas are classically Moroccan. Downstairs in the main building you’ll find a beautifully decorated dining room, with a separate annex for more intimate dinners - once again highlighting the hotel’s capacity to cater for both family holidays and romantic getaways. The menu, whether you opt for the set menu (3 daily changing courses) or go à la carte is wonderfully Moroccan, with a slight Mediterranean twist. As delicious as all of the savoury courses were, the real standout was the chocolate tart - not only it was a chocolatey explosion of taste for the palate, but it was arguably the best desert I have ever tasted!
Another factor contributing to the magic of this retreat is its candlelit hammam spa, which includes black soap exfoliations, Moroccan and Oriental massages, and hot-stone treatments. The products that the skilled therapists use are organic and locally-sourced - a key element that even extends to the complimentary bathroom toiletries that could be found in every room. Less than five minutes into my black soap treatment, I realised that I was already starting to feel the Moroccan effect – the spa therapist exfoliated, cleansed and toned my skin, leaving it feeling fresh and full of vitality.
A change of scenery and some time abroad to de-stress can make a world of difference if you’re in need of a relaxed holiday, but sometimes it takes a bit more than simply being in the sunshine. Le Jardin des Douars’ effortless aura of ease, combined with North African exoticism will undoubtedly make you feel in sync with yourself and your surroundings, leaving everlasting memories and preparing you to go back home fully refreshed and revitalised.
Written by Katina Hristova
Tucked away in the Vale of Aylesbury in the rural part of Buckinghamshire and just one hour from central London, Heathrow and Luton Airports is the stunning Hartwell House & Spa. The building, whose history is as rich as its beauty, stretching back almost a thousand years to the reign of Edward the Confessor, has been the seat of William Peveral, the natural son of William the Conqueror; of John Earl of Mortaign; and of Louis XVIII, the exiled King of France who held court there from 1809 to 1814. For a weekend away from the city, which promises fresh air, relaxing SPA treatments, delicious fine dining experiences-all in magnificent setting, a visit at the Hartwell House & Spa is all you’d need and more!
As soon as you step into the impressive Grade I listed building, the welcoming and helpful staff lead you to an entrance hall, which immediately sets the tone for your stay: Jacobean and Georgian facades, antique furnishings, original artworks, magnificent Rococo ceilings in some of the rooms and opulent elegance in every little detail. Once lived in by Louis XVIII and his court, the stunning hotel still looks as authentic as it was hundreds of years ago and provides the perfect setting for a weekend of luxury seclusion.
Boasting beautiful views across the estate’s 90 acres of landscaped parkland, the 46 tastefully decorated rooms and suites, furnished with magnificent antiques, promise to not only bring you back in time, but also simultaneously provide you with unimaginable contemporary comfort.
The opulent atmosphere of this historic hotel could also be felt in the Dining Room, which was designed in 1988 in the style of the eminent early 19th century architect Sir John Soane. The 2 AA rosette restaurant offers an extensive choice of delicious meals for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, while all food is prepared with seasonal produce from local farms, along with the hotel’s own Hartwell orchards and garden fruit, vegetables and fresh herbs.
Guests of the hotel can also dive into a complete relaxation by enjoying Hartwell House’s exquisite spa facilities, which include a large pool, sauna, steam room, spa bath, outdoor hot tub, tennis courts, and a gymnasium. The Spa also boasts beauty salons where qualified therapists offer a wide range of beauty treatments using Aromatherapy Associates, and exclusively for the UK spa market – BIOEFFECT products. BIOEFFECT is a multi-award-winning Icelandic skincare brand whose only UK-based partner is Hartwell House & Spa. Famous for its best-selling EGF Serum, BIOEFFECT uses plant-derived growth factors to dramatically improve the skin’s texture, density and radiance. A BIOEFFECT facial treatment at the Hartwell Spa is undoubtedly going to leave your skin feeling revitalised and rejuvenated.
There’s something so romantic about the English countryside and the idyllic, yet sumptuous Hartwell House & Spa could only enhance your experience among the broad fields of the Vale of Aylesbury, providing you with memories to treasure forever.
Website: http://www.hartwell-house.com/
+44 (0)1296 747444
info@hartwell-house.com
The first hotel that our March Business Voyage section looks at is the elegant and artful Ambassade Hotel. Nestled in the heart of one of the most romantic and scenic cities in Europe, Amsterdam, the hotel enjoys an exceptional, quiet, yet very convenient canal-side location in the famous Nine Streets area. Amsterdam’s major attractions, such as the Anne Frank’s House and the Vincent van Gogh Museum, as well as prime retail districts are all within close walking distance.
Ambassade Hotel comprises a unique ensemble of ten canal-side houses, legacies of the city’s 17th century Golden Age and perfectly captures the pulse of the canal-laden city. The hotel’s 56 tastefully-decorated rooms and suites have preserved the typical mansion architecture of the period, which combined with all modern comforts, results in typical Dutch cosiness. Although all rooms and suites are sumptuously furnished in the buildings’ original style, each room has its own individual character and its own story. The lavish Louis XV and Louis XVI-inspired furnishings, which are intelligently blended with predominantly 20th century paintings by Dutch painter Theo Wolvecamp and a number of other artists from the CoBrA movement (a group of post-war artist from Europe), help create the perfect balance between traditional and modern culture. What more could you possibly ask for, when in Amsterdam?
One of the many highlights of the Ambassade Hotel is unarguably the Library Bar, which is located adjacent to the opulent lobby. Lined with more than 4000 first-edition autographed books, it offers an inviting retreat for a relaxing drink or an informal meeting. All of these books are written by authors who have stayed at the hotel, which has always had close links with publishing houses in Amsterdam and the surrounding areas. Among the authors who have stayed at the hotel and whose books you can find on the Library Bar’s bookshelves are Umberto Eco, Salman Rushdie, Paul Auster, Isabel Allende, and many more. The aura of class is heightened by European artists’ paintings that grace the walls of this extraordinary hotel bar. The drinks menu consists of classic cocktails, a selection of beers, some of the finest international whiskeys, as well as aperitifs, digestifs and cappuccinos.
Inspired by French cuisine, the Brasserie Ambassade offers exquisite fine dining experiences in an elegant and art-filled setting, which overlooks the beautiful Herengracht canal. Breakfast is also served in the Brasserie and is presented buffet style with hot dishes served on an a la carte basis. There is a large, superbly presented spread of fresh fruit, vegetables, pastries, a granola station, cold meats and a selection of Dutch and French cheeses. Guests are also offered sparkling wine to accompany their breakfast, should they wish.
All of this is carefully wrapped into a sublime customer service and a superb welcome with a concierge service. Whether you’re flying to Amsterdam for a business stay, or are about to visit the Netherlands’s vibrant capital as a tourist, and would like to dive into the art and culture of the city, then look no further than the exceptional Ambassade Hotel. Literature, art, exquisite dining and canal views. There’s little here not to love.
*I’d like to thank the Management and Staff of the Ambassade Hotel for their warm hospitality and kindness, and especially Mr Eelco Douma for his assistance, knowledge and erudition.
For more information, please email info@ambassade-hotel.nl or call +31(0)205550222.
Written by Katina Hristova
An award-winning secluded luxury hotel, housed in a castle, nestled in seventeen acres of gardens, whose restaurant is among the Top 50 Restaurants in the UK, according to The Good Food Guide. You must be sold already! This hotel combines traditional luxury, fine dining experiences, beautiful surroundings and friendly Welsh hospitality – if you’re looking for a weekend getaway filled with intimate opulent atmosphere, mixed with fresh countryside air and scenic walks, then look no further than Llangoed Hall in Brecon, Wales.
Llangoed Hall, which dates back to 560 AD and was formerly known as Llangoed Castle, was bought in 1987 by the husband of Welsh designer Laura Ashley - Sir Bernard Ashley, after his wife’s premature death. The transformation that the building then underwent was aimed at reflecting the designer’s legacy, with each of the unique rooms full of her flowery fabrics and style, family photographs and Sir Bernard’s own impressive collection of art and antiques, which includes works by James Whistler. Laura Ashley’s first ever garment –an apron-is displayed in the hotel, while one of the rooms has the designer’s original wallpaper and furniture. Today, Llangoed Hall offers 23 rooms, overlooking meadows leading down to the River Wye and the Black Mountains.
This year, for the second year in a row, the restaurant in the hotel has appeared in the Good Food Guide’s Top 50 Restaurants in the UK. Head Chef Nick Brodie not only creates countless culinary chef d'oeuvres that would impress the pickiest of eaters, but also makes sure that his kitchen’s garden grows up to 95% of the vegetables and fruit used in the restaurant’s seasonal menus. And Nick doesn’t stop here – he also makes use of the three egg houses in the e hotel’s surroundings, making sure that the chickens, ducks and quails provide fresh eggs daily. Chef Brodie also works with a selection of local suppliers, including Morgans Family Butchers in Brecon, Swansea Fish and Vin Sullivan. Last year, Llangoed Hall was recognised for its sustainability work by receiving the Conde Nast Johansens 'Best for Green Practices Award'. Unsurprisingly, Llangoed Hall also boasts an extensive award-winning wine card, which even includes Welsh wine, such as the Ancre Hill Estates regional white wine, Monmouth and Ancre Hill Estates sparkling wine. Guests of the hotel can enjoy all of this in a tastefully-furnished dining room, which overlooks the green gardens and is filled with Sir Bernard Ashley's personal collection of art, as is the entire hotel. Original antiques, sketches by the American-born artist and society wit, James McNeil Whistler and works by Herman Dudley Murphy and Augustus John contribute to the elegant aura of Llangoed Hall.
Back in 2013, the Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales was recognised as the world's fifth International Dark Sky Reserve (IDSR) by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), with an IDA being described as ‘land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights’. This means that Llangoed Halls, with its location by the River Wye in Brecon, is a perfect spot for stargazing. Find the large telescope that guests are encouraged to use and enjoy an idyllic evening of stargazing, while sipping on a glass of sherry from your complimentary decanter, if the weather permits. And if not, simply unwind by the big fireplace in the living room. That’s the thing about Llangoed Hall – whatever you do, you’d feel spoilt for choice for activities that will keep you truly relaxed and content. There must be something in the (Welsh) air!
Written by Katina Hristova
Another option for your business travel or holiday, also located in the dazzling Canal District, is the superb Seven One Seven Hotel. Housed in a stunning 17th-century building which overlooks the Prinsengracht canal, the boutique hotel could easily be mistaken for a private house. Despite its central location, once you walk through the dark-green door of Seven One Seven, you will feel worlds away from the hustle and the bustle of the bars, restaurants and coffee shops nearby – something that reserved romantics will definitely appreciate.
Beyond the entrance is the salon – a gorgeously assembled, high-ceilinged space, adjacent to which is an elegant lounge area, decorated with sumptuous furnishings, designer pieces and original art. The nine suites, which reflect the lounge’s interior design style, combine elegant, antique décor with modern and homely feel. They vary from spacious to very spacious, not only according to central Amsterdam standards. The two executive suites (called Schubert and Picasso) have high ceilings and boast prime views of the Prinsengracht canal. All rooms feature the latest in-room advanced technology, including audio system. Each suite is a room of enchantment, crafted from a range of furnishings, decorations and works of art that have been thoughtfully assembled to create a truly magnificent atmosphere.
The delicious breakfast that the hotel offers in a cosy and tastefully-decorated restaurant area, is served a la carte and includes eggs, cold meats, a selection of cheeses, pastries, fresh fruits and juices. The friendly and knowledgeable staff offer impeccable service and tend to the needs of all guests at all times. Their discreetness adds to the low-key and domestic aura of the Seven One Seven Hotel.
Breathe in the Dutch air, absorb everything that Amsterdam has to offer and make yourself at home in a stately Amsterdam canal house. The laid-back, guesthouse feel of the splendid Seven One Seven hotel will undoubtedly make your stay in the culture-filled and spirited Dutch capital truly unforgettable!
For more information, please call +31 (20) 4270717 or email info@717hotel.nl
The five-star Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill is conveniently located in the heart of London’s West End, featuring views over the charming gardens of Portman Square. Just steps away from Hyde Park and London's most famous shopping districts of Oxford Street & Bond Street, the hotel benefits from superb transport links to Kings Cross St Pancras and Heathrow Airport, making it the ideal hotel for both business and leisure travellers.
Following a multi-million pound renovation back in 2016, this luxury five-star property boasts 440 well-appointed guestrooms and suites, plus 11 distinct meeting spaces, including three 2nd floor spaces with natural daylight and advanced technology. With the help of Churchill’s family, the refurbishment has brought to life the character of the hotel’s namesake, Sir Winston Churchill, drawing upon his sartorial elegance in the design of the new guest rooms, suites and meeting spaces. Original artworks, as well as fine fabrics and iconic designs, namely bespoke herringbone, button detailing and signature furniture pieces reflect the iconic leader’s love of quality craftsmanship and the celebrated British tailoring industry.
Churchill’s relationship with his wife Clementine is reflected in original photographs, art works and love letters throughout the hotel. In The Churchill Bar – designed by internationally acclaimed design firm Spinocchia Freund – elegant bookshelves curated by Daunt Books feature a range of literature reflecting the interests of young Churchill and Clementine. Lawrence Holofcener’s sculpture of Young Winston also sits on the bar’s alfresco terrace, with staff placing a fresh rose in the lapel every morning, just as Clementine did.
Award-winning dining options include thoughtfully sourced, carefully served dishes at The Montagu, snacks and signature cocktails at The Churchill Bar & Terrace or award-winning Italian cuisine at Locanda Locatelli. Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill is proud to offer business and leisure travellers alike, the perfect place in which to work or relax, with all the necessary comforts and amenities to enable a relaxing and enjoyable stay and leave feeling productive and revitalised.
The Montagu – New Cheese & Wine Corner
Inspired by Sir Winston Churchill’s fondness for a daily cheese platter, The Montagu restaurant has launched a new Cheese & Wine Corner complete with tasting bar, expert cheesemonger and sommelier. Diners can enjoy a selection of Alsop & Walkers finest British cheeses on platters tailored to their pallet, paired with first-class English, French and New World wines or Gonzales Byass’ Solera and Pedro Ximénez Sherry. Set back from the bustle of Oxford Street and moments from Hyde Park, The Montagu’s new Cheese & Wine corner offers the perfect place to catch up with friends and colleagues or a treat to finish off dinner at the award-winning The Montagu restaurant.
The first hotel that our Business Voyage section looks at is Rosewood London. Centrally located in the heart of London on High Holborn and housed in the original headquarters of the Pearl Assurance Company, the hotel showcases a sensitive renovation of the 1914 Edwardian, Grade II-listed building. Combining English heritage with contemporary sophistication, the retained Belle Époque architectural features include the original carriageway entrance to the grand courtyard and a spectacular Pavonazzo marble staircase which rises over seven storeys. The hotel has the feel of a stylish London residence and houses 262 guestrooms and 44 suites including the Grand Manor House Wing, an exclusive six-bedroom suite with its very own postcode. Tony Chi and Associates created the interiors of the public areas including 12 event spaces and the Mirror Room, serving elegant, innovative cuisine and afternoon tea. The Martin Brudnizki -designed Holborn Dining Room, with outdoor terrace, offers British classics with a twist whilst Scarfes Bar serves creative cocktails and curries alongside live jazz and cabaret.
Rosewood London opened in October 2013, marking the presence of the Rosewood Hotel & Resorts brand in Europe. Within only a year, Rosewood London became the pioneering five-star luxury hotel in Midtown, winning eight prominent accolades, including “Best New Hotel in the World 2014” by Telegraph’s Ultratravel, “Hotel of the Year London 2014/2015” at the AA Hospitality Awards and “Opening of the Year 2014” at the European Hospitality Awards.
Following a £85 million renovation to sensitively transform the 1914 Edwardian Belle Époque building, the original architectural features were painstakingly restored by an expert team of craftsmen, including the magnificent Grade II-listed street frontage and dome, and the grand Pavonazzo marble staircase which rises up through all seven storeys of the hotel beneath the 166-foot cupola. Guests enter via a grand carriageway which leads to a distinctive courtyard giving a sense of arrival more akin to a private manor house than a hotel.
Situated in the heart of Midtown on High Holborn, Rosewood London offers those coming to the capital for pleasure or business with easy access to both the City as well as attractions such as Covent Garden, the British Museum, the Royal Opera House, West End theatres as well as world-class galleries just a short walk away.
The 262 rooms and 44 suites including nine signature suites, referred to as “houses,” have been crafted from the finest materials and appointed to the highest standard to convey the feel of stylish London residences. The Grand Manor House Wing, one of London’s most exclusive residences, welcomes guests via its own private entrance and is the only suite in the world to possess its own postcode.
Rosewood London is one of London’s most exciting places to drink and dine with an assortment of culinary experiences to suit everyone. The bustling brasserie Holborn Dining Room is handled day-to-day by General Manager Julien Foussadier and serves classic British dishes with a twist throughout the day. Holborn Dining Room is also home to the Gin Bar offering London’s largest collection of Gin. The Gin Bar features over 400 Gins and 27 tonics, including its very own signature tonic, made in-house using a top-secret recipe.
Transformed by award-winning, landscape designer Luciano Giubbilei, The Terrace enables guests to savour unique food and drink offerings reflecting the flavours and ingredients of each British season in a luxurious garden setting. The year-round garden terrace offers guests unique dining and drink experiences inspired by the British seasons. Cosy up in a sumptuous blanket on the heated benches while sipping on hot toddies, hot buttered rum, spiced Somerset cider, mulled wine and British whiskeys, accompanied by cigars to match. Surrounded by lush greenery, The Terrace evokes the design of a quintessential English garden with seasonal flowering plants in textural woven willow baskets highlighting the British craft heritage.
Classically pruned London Plane Trees form the overhead greenery and soft glow lighting offers a subtle backdrop enhancing The Terrace’s privacy and intimacy. Scarfes Bar, named after the renowned British artist and caricaturist Gerald Scarfe whose original artwork adorns the walls, evokes a convivial atmosphere akin to a sophisticated gentleman’s club. Guests will enjoy a lunch menu of spicy curries and kebabs infused with exotic Indian flavours. The creative menu of cocktails, complimentary live jazz seven nights a week and monthly immersive cabaret make Scarfes Bar a must-visit, vibrant entertainment destination.
The stunning Mirror Room, tucked away in the heart of Rosewood London offers innovative and refined seasonal dining by Executive Chef, Amandine Chaignot and a decadent afternoon tea. The tradition of British tea is taken to new heights with the opulent jewel box design and floor to ceiling mirrors.
Rosewood London’s Sense spa is the epitome of style and tranquillity. Available to hotel and non-hotel guests, this urban retreat features bamboo walls, soft lighting and wooden walkways over rippling water and pebble stones. Experience five-star hair treatments from award-winning and celebrity stylist Matthew Curtis within an intimate and boutique style salon at Sense spa.
A direct route to the private jet market
The 21st Century. A sense of immediacy dictates everything we do.
Everyone is in a rush and everything is ‘needed’ at the click of a button. From groceries to holidays and mortgages, everything is available online.
Take the travel industry, for example. Aggregator platforms like Skyscanner, Kayak and Hipmunk have given travellers instant access to hundreds, even thousands, of flight options, making it possible to book a flight on a commercial airline in mere minutes. Such is the expectation of the increasingly fast-paced world we live in, that a customer would quickly get frustrated if the process took longer than this.
Private jets are the ultimate method of transport for the modern world. Designed for one main purpose – to cut the time it takes to get from A to B – private aviation is the most time-efficient means of travel. This can be hugely beneficial for ensuring business effectiveness when getting your key people to important meetings quickly and efficiently, for example cutting out the wasted time that management teams spend waiting at airports for flights and connections.
Yet, fliers have traditionally not had a direct route to market. Those wishing to fly by private jet are still largely settling for the old-fashioned means of booking a private jet over the phone, via a broker. Having to wait any period of time for a flight to be confirmed on Skyscanner would be entirely unacceptable to a customer. So why is this acceptable in private aviation?
The answer is simple, or exceedingly complicated, depending how you look at it. The industry has to date been unable to automate the staggering number of variables that need to be considered when calculating the cost of a private jet flight.
Consider a commercial flight leaving a certain airport, at a certain time. All the various calculations of aircraft fees, take off fees, noise surcharges and a multitude of other necessary fees are already taken into account. But when a traveller books a private jet, leaving at a time and from a place of the passenger’s choosing, each of these variables needs to be calculated from scratch. Until now the technology has not existed to connect fliers directly to the private jet market, but thanks to a revolutionary new platform, this is changing.
Stratajet, a cutting-edge private aviation company, first launched to the flying public in April 2016, with the unique proposition of allowing customers to book a private jet flight via a completely online platform.
A whirlwind 18 months
Making a fully-automated private jet booking platform available to the consumer meant bringing the entire industry online, which required building inordinate amounts of data into a highly complex algorithm. Stratajet’s search engine technology is so sophisticated that it’s capable of making upwards of 2.5million calculations in 10 seconds to return accurate, ‘real-time’ flight results.
At the heart of what has been a whirlwind 18 months for the company, going from six people working in a bunker developing the platform’s prototype, to launching as a fully operational international business and achieving a $10million run rate and growing by 40% month on month, has been CFO David Lee.
David joined Stratajet in June 2015 at a crucial point of the company’s execution. “We anticipated this level of rapid growth,” David recounts, “both in terms of the business operations and its staff – which now numbers 65 – and knew it would not have been possible without a robust finance and business support foundations.” Building a finance function from scratch was the first on a long-list of major contributions that David has made to the business: “It was crucial to put the necessary finance infrastructure and operational processes in place very quickly in order to support this growth.”
A broad cross-section of experience has given David the right tools to help “develop and implement the right tactics and strategy to set the business up for success.” In fact, this kind of face-paced environment is one in which David thrives, having spent the ten years prior to Stratajet working with high-growth entrepreneurial companies. Previously CFO at Mendeley, a high-growth, high-tech SaaS start-up, David built the finance function and helped close a significant funding round, eventually overseeing the sale of the company in 2015.
Such is the expertise accumulated during a decade of working for innovative, growing businesses that David’s role at Stratajet has grown to much more than overseeing the company’s finances. “As a CFO in medium sized business,” he says, “my role is quite all-encompassing. I oversee our HR, legal, analytics, facilities and commercial functions, as well as the finance. But essentially, my role is to support the CEO as right-hand man. Doing what it takes to grow the business. We put a lot of effort into building the right management team, which we are now seeing pay off as the business enters new territories.”
David’s experience in fund raising has been particularly invaluable to Stratajet, as he, in May 2016, helped position the company for a large round of Series A investment. This additional $8 million (led by Octopus Ventures, with participation from existing investors Playfair Capital and JamJar Investments) has brought total funding in the platform to $14m and aided in the development of additional technology functionality, ensuring viable and sustainable growth in the platform.
David highlights the importance of this funding in supporting the company’s main asset – its technology. “As a tech company, our focus is on the platform we have built, the patented intellectual property, the software that makes everything work and the data we have collected. Therefore, expenditure in the coming year will largely be on the continued investment into that technology platform, allowing further expansion into new international markets.”
What next?
There is, however, no rest for the wicked.
Following the platform’s success since launch across Europe in April 2016 and subsequent launch into the US in October, plans are afoot to expand in 2017. “We have a number of major milestones due in the coming year,” David hints, “both in terms of geographical expansion and major partnerships that we’re working on across the private aviation and general travel industries.” With David’s increased responsibilities, careful collaboration is required between the major areas of the business – marketing, customer service, IT, finance, etc – “in what we anticipate will be another huge year in the development of the Stratajet business.”
2017 won’t, however, be without its challenges from a financial perspective, particularly for a London-based start-up. Brexit continues to dominate headlines as Theresa May puts plans in place to trigger the process that will allow the UK to leave the EU, according to Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and as Stratajet continues to grow, so will its staff. “Talent acquisition,” notes David, “is key to the success of any high-growth business; it’s like the oxygen we need to grow. So we are keeping a close eye on the impact that Brexit will have on the London labour market as we look to hire another 50 team members in the next 12 months. To date, the EU has been an amazing talent pool for us – over 40% of our team are European – and we are working with political campaigners to ensure London remains an international destination for talent.”
Offering a word of advice to other financial directors, David is positive about what political changes will bring to the business world. “Even though some will worry about political instability,” he says, “there is no suggestion that this will impact the scope for any business to conduct its affairs. Therefore, my advice to FDs is to stick to the basics, especially when working in fast paced environments. It’s vital to have clear planning and forecasting procedures but you should also ensure you have a finance team who are not always stuck in the detail of the financial accounts, but rather are proactively immersed in and supporting the business operations. A team,” he continues, “must be able to adapt the operations quickly to any changes in the business environment as opportunities (or threats) arise. And it goes without saying that you will always need robust planning processes, timely management information and razor sharp cash controls, this is where an effective finance team can add huge value to the business.”
