Spear's Wealth Management Survey

At the Sharp End: Rocco Forte

In a new feature, Spear’s grills a major figure from the worlds of wealth management, business or culture. First is hotelier Sir Rocco Forte

Q. What would your other career be?
A. Sportsman (too late now!).

Q. Who is your greatest influence?
A. My father (Lord Forte).

Q. What is your biggest fear?
A. Labour get re-elected.

Q. What is missing in the world?
A. Good politicians.

Q. In a year, the economy will be…
A. In slow recovery.

Q. Is business a pleasure?
A. Most of the time.

Q. My business mantra is…
A. Get it done yesterday.

Q. Which watch do you wear?
A. Patek Philippe.

Q. How many assistants do you have?
A. One!

Q. Who makes your shirts?
A. An Iranian lady — I won’t say who or the price will go up.

Q. Philanthropy should be…
A. Directed to those who need help, not one’s own self-esteem.

Q. Who do you have on speed-dial?
A. No one.

Q. How did you earn your first pay cheque?
A. In the Cafe Royal cellars, shifting crates of wine.

Q. Favourite hotel suite?
A. The Nijinksky suite at Hotel de Russie in Rome.

Q. Where do you summer?
A. At Verdura in Sicily.

Q. What is your guilty pleasure?
A. Not telling.

Q. When I drive, I drive…
A. Fast cars.

Q. Money lets me…
A. Do what I want.

Q. My greatest success in business was…
A. Setting up a new business from scratch.

Q. My greatest failure in business was…
A. Buying Kennedy Brookes.

Q. Where are you right now?
A. In my office in London.

Q. My indispensable restaurant is...
A. There is always a new one round the corner…

Q. Where in the world are you happiest?
A. At my home in the country, surrounded by my family.

Q. To me, wealth means…
A. Being able to sometimes help other people.

Q. Spear’s is sharp and to the point. I am...
A. Decisive and generous, depending on circumstances.

The Rocco Forte Collection opened Verdura, Sicily, on 1 March and The Augustine, Prague, last year. Abu Dhabi and Jeddah are next to open.

The photograph shows Sir Rocco Forte and Olga Polizzi at Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily. Photograph by R Patti.

At the Sharp End is sponsored by KPMG