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Thursday 29 August 2013

Most Expensive Number Plate


VIP 1 - £285,000 - Roman Abramovich, UK, 2006
Fittingly, the registration "VIP 1" has already had it's fair share of Very Important owners. Initially commissioned to be placed on the Popemobile for Pope John Paul II's papal visit to Ireland, Chelsea boss Roman Abramovich snapped up this most modest of number plates in 2006.

Most Expensive Number Plate - Number 4

M 1 - £330,000 - Mike McCoomb, UK, 2006
After making his fortune in 2000 by selling his Mobile Phone Store to BT Cellnet, Mike McCoomb bought this record-breaking, £330,000 number plate in 2006, reportedly for his son's sixth birthday. By our calculations that leaves the poor lad at least another three years before he can use them! We bet Dad's enjoying them for now, though.

Most Expensive Number Plate - Number 3

5 - £3.5million - Talal Ali Mohammed Khoury, Abu Dhabi, 2007
Talal Ali Mohammed Khoury broke the world record for the most expensive plate ever bougt when he paid over 25 million Dirhams (£3,500,000) for the single digit "5" in 2007. While in the area, Mr Khoury also splashed out over £800,000 for the number "55" at the same auction. When asked, he said the numbers held "absolutely no signigicance whatsoever" to him.

Most Expensive Number Plate - Number 2

F1 - £6 million - Afzal Khan, UK, 2008
Bradford entrepreneur Afzal Khan smashed Mike McCoombs previous record earlier this year by buying "F1" for a huge £440,000, making it the most expensive number plate to ever be sold in Britain. The plate is attached to Mr Khan's Mercedes SLR McLaren, and he says "I think it's a good price to pay because it's probably worth 10 times that". Businessman turns down offer of £6m for his sought-after F1 number plate.

Most Expensive Number Plate - Number 1

1 - £7million - Saeed Abdul Ghaffar Khouri, Abu Dhabi, 2008
Saeed Abdul Ghaffer Khouri demolished Talal Khoury's previous record earlier this year when he bought a number plate bearing the single digit "1" at an auction in Abu Dhabi. Mr Khouri, a member of a wealthy Abu Dhabi family, said: "I bought it because it's the best number." He wouldn't say which of his vehicles he'd be putting the number plate on.


Perfect Knowledge is a private company that offers a private fixer service to VIP’s, private family office, senior executives and ultra high net worth individuals (UHNWI). We provide a discreet service that manages private and personal affairs on behalf of our clients. Our focus is to ensure total privacy for the individual or organisation at all times. Our services are aimed at private banks, offshore trusts, celebrities, royal family management, private families and discerning individuals where money is no object and discretion is paramount.

Saturday 25 August 2012

Super-mansion goes on sale for a staggering £100m on The Bishops Avenue - London

A breathtaking mansion built for a sugar magnate has become the most expensive house for sale in Britain at £100million - and even the estate agents’ brochure will set you back £2,000. Heath Hall was constructed on London’s most exclusive street - The Bishops Avenue in Hampstead - in 1910 for William Park Lyle of the Tate & Lyle family. It fell into disrepair until property magnate Andreas Panayiotou bought it in 2006 and transformed it into one of the capital’s finest properties.

How much? This stunning mansion on a Hampstead street known as billionaires' row has gone on sale for £100million, making it the most expensive home on the market 

How much? This stunning mansion on a Hampstead street known as billionaires' row has gone on sale for £100million, making it the most expensive home on the market


Palatial: The property was built for sugar magnate William Park Lyle in 1910, but fell into disrepair in the 1950s while under the ownership of the Bank of China
Palatial: The property was built for sugar magnate William Park Lyle in 1910, but fell into disrepair in the 1950s while under the ownership of the Bank of China.

He spent £40million renovating the mansion and it is now the most expensive house on the open market in the UK. The stamp duty alone will cost the buyer £7million - enough to buy a magnificent country home in the Cotswolds.

It is so exclusive that potential buyers will have to undergo a vetting process by agents Glentree Estates before paying £2,000 for the glossy brochure
.
Eat your heart out: The magnificent three-story house was brought back to its glorious best thanks to a £40million renovation by property tycoon Andreas Panayiotou

Eat your heart out: The magnificent three-story house was brought back to its glorious best thanks to a £40million renovation by property tycoon Andreas Panayiotou


Music to the owner's ears: Mr Panayiotou employed a team of 120 tradesmen for the renovation, adding a further 8,000sq/ft to the already substantial 19,000sq/ft 

Music to the owner's ears: Mr Panayiotou employed a team of 120 tradesmen for the renovation, adding a further 8,000sq/ft to the already substantial 19,000sq/ft


High-class finish: Twelve types of Italian marble and seven types of wood, all prepared in Italy, were used for the bathrooms, according to the estate agents 

High-class finish: Twelve types of Italian marble and seven types of wood, all prepared in Italy, were used for the bathrooms, according to the estate agents

Fantastic features: The mansion now boasts 14 bedroom suites, six reception rooms, a drawing room, dining room, family room, sun room and snooker room
Fantastic features: The mansion now boasts 14 bedroom suites, six reception rooms, a drawing room, dining room, family room, sun room and snooker room

The property fell into disrepair after the Bank of China took over the three-storey mansion in the 1950s.
Bishops Avenue is now known as Billionaires’ Row because of the incredible wealth of the residents which include the Saudi Royal Family. And the person who buys Heath Hall will get bragging rights as one of only a few people in London with a nine-figure valued home. Mr Panayiotou employed a team of 120 tradesmen for the renovation, adding a further 8,000sq/ft to the already substantial 19,000sq/ft.

Entertainment hub: There is also a library, home cinema, steam room with sauna, fully fitted home gym and wine cellar with climate-controlled temperature
Entertainment hub: There is also a library, home cinema, steam room with sauna, fully fitted home gym and wine cellar with climate-controlled temperature
Host with the most: The person who buys Heath Hall will get bragging rights as one of only a few people in London with a nine-figure valued home 

Host with the most: The person who buys Heath Hall will get bragging rights as one of only a few people in London with a nine-figure valued home


Tranquil: The home, set in 2.5 acres of manicured gardens, is one of the largest private properties in the capital, but comes with a stamp duty fee of £7million
Tranquil: The home, set in 2.5 acres of manicured gardens, is one of the largest private properties in the capital, but comes with a stamp duty fee of £7million

He was ranked 200th in last year's UK Rich List after building up a £400million property empire, a remarkable achievement given that he suffers from dyslexia.He learned to memorise words, but never did learn to read in the conventional sense, leaving school at 14 without a single O-level.But despite his lack of qualifications, he went on to achieve stunning business success. The son of Greek-Cypriot immigrants, Mr Panayiotou was raised in London's East End.  
 

Prime real estate: An aerial view of Heath Hall (centre of picture), which is located on The Bishops Avenue, Hampstead, the home to many wealthy residents including the Saudi Royal Family 

Prime real estate: An aerial view of Heath Hall (centre of picture), which is located on The Bishops Avenue, Hampstead, the home to many wealthy residents including the Saudi Royal Family

Labour of love... and money: Heath Hall was bought by property tycoon Andreas Panayiotou (pictured) in 2006 after falling into disrepair and he has spent £40million bringing it back to its glorious best
Labour of love... and money: Heath Hall was bought by property tycoon Andreas Panayiotou (pictured) in 2006 after falling into disrepair and he has spent £40million bringing it back to its glorious best

As a young man working for his father, he bought a small property in Islington, converted it into flats, and started what would become one of the biggest buy-to-let empires in Britain. In 2007 he sold thousands of flats, focusing instead on building a portfolio of hotels. Mr Panayiotou lives on a 20-acre estate in Epping Forest and owns £40million Gulfstream G450 jet, a £12million Mangusta 130 yacht, and two Cessna Citation jets.

The home, set in 2.5-acres of manicured gardens, now boasts 14 bedroom suites, six reception rooms, a drawing room, dining room, family room, sun room and snooker room. There is also a library, home cinema, steam room with sauna, fully fitted home gym and wine cellar with climate controlled temperature.Twelve types of Italian marble and seven types of wood were used for the bathrooms while the snooker room, office, bar, library and grand staircase are all clad in Oak.All of the carpentry and hand-carved marble basins were prepared in Italy before being transported to the property. And for the security-conscious billionaire likely to buy the property, Heath Hall has been fitted with a panic room.This vault-like room has its own toilet, basin, control panel and separate telephone wires, which cannot be cut.

The job of selling the mansion belongs to Glentree Estates and its managing director, Trevor Abrahmsohn.
Mr Abrahmsohn has sold 95 per cent of the homes on Bishops Avenue over the past 35-years and regards Heath Hall as one of the road’s finest properties. He said: 'Heath Hall is one of the largest private homes in the whole of London. It is like a country home in the city, there are private golf courses nearby and the West End it just 15-minutes away.

'It was the super-mansion of its day and the restoration has been carried out lovingly.'Bishops Avenue is like Beverly Hills, it is one of the world’s best addresses. And Heath Hall is one of the finest houses on the road.'

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2193157/Heath-Hall-Super-mansion-built-Tate--Lyle-sugar-magnate-goes-sale-staggering-100m.html#ixzz24YEHPNvz.

Perfect Knowledge is a private company that offers a private fixer service to VIP’s, private family office, senior executives and ultra high net worth individuals (UHNWI). We provide a discreet service that manages private and personal affairs on behalf of our clients. Our focus is to ensure total privacy for the individual or organisation at all times. Our services are aimed at private banks, offshore trusts, celebrities, royal family management, private families and discerning individuals where money is no object and discretion is paramount.

www.perfect-knowledge.com

Monday 20 August 2012

London Private Fixers for the world's Billionaire and Middle Eastern Royal Families


For the super-rich, those for whom the financial industry has coined the acronym UHNWI (ultra-high-net-worth individuals) the goal posts in the world of Luxury are forever moving. Where once you could rest assured that access to the finest goods was the prerogative of the privileged few, thanks to rising wealth and fractional ownership schemes, even private jets and super yachts have been placed within the affordability bracket of many a healthy bank balance.

For the wealthy elite it has meant that the pursuit of exclusivity has become the kingpin of luxury and obtaining the unattainable has become the ultimate prize. Thankfully, a plethora of modern-day miracle workers are on hand -.teams of advisers and private fixers for whom catering to the whims and desires of the ubber rich has become a full-time role.

THE PRIVATE FIXER 


The hotel concierge has, and always will be, the keeper of an infinite number of contacts able to secure a table in London’s most difficult to book restaurants or deliver money-can’t-buy experiences. But this style of personal service is extending well beyond the confines of the concierge desk, spawning a generation of lifestyle managers keen to facilitate the seemingly impossible for those with money to burn.

Ifzaal Khan is one such entrepreneur a private fixer who caters to the demands of international high society, working either privately or publicly on their behalf. “We represent an elite range of clients, including foreign rulers, billionaires, royalty, ultra-high-net-worth individuals, trusts and private families,” reveals Khan. ‘We are fully committed to protecting the privacy of our clients and their families at all times and our services are based on complete trust and discretion,” he adds. Indeed, such is the confidential nature of Khan’s role, that even those working for his company, Perfect Knowledge, only know the highest profile clients by a pin code.

Khan can act as a client’s agent or broker in any situation, and with contacts in establishments and companies around the world, he is able to facilitate whatever a client’s brief demands - be that finding a £20 million property or selling a Picasso. Our services include representing a family’s private interests, the growth and confidentiality of their personal life, seeking solutions to problems, as well as obtaining expert guidance and acting as a private third party.” Perhaps one of the most interesting services available at Perfect Knowledge is the private instructions and private family office services available to the ultra high net worth.

As a private courtier, Khan’s private fixers act as trusted advisers, guardians and chaperones on a short or long-term basis to international clients visiting the UK. The personal courier service meanwhile ensures the safe transit and hand-delivery of sensitive documents or very expensive pieces of jewellery, wherever the client is in the world. For the privileged, total peace of mind is guaranteed.

“I had a request from a Qatari prince who wanted me to take two antiques clocks he had just bought from Harrods to his palace in Qatar The two clocks cost over £350,000 each and money was no object in ensuring I could take them to Qatar for him that day. (Tel: 02074714885) www.perfect-knowledge.com or info@perfect-knowledge.com

Saturday 18 August 2012

The 17-bedroom £200 million mansion renovated by Qatar royal family which is set to become Britain's priciest property

Spacious: Dudley House has been knocked into one giant property with 17 bedrooms and 14 reception rooms, making it Britain's priciest property 
Spacious: Dudley House has been knocked into one giant property with 17 bedrooms and 14 reception rooms, making it Britain's priciest property



Qatar's royal family have renovated what could turn out to be Britain's most valuable private residence - after lavishing millions of pounds on a grade II-listed mansion now worth £200m.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the emir of Qatar, has spent tens of millions on Dudley House in London's Park Lane since acquiring the sprawling property for £37.4m in 2006.

Now after extensively renovating the 185-year-old mansion, which boasts views stunning views across Hyde Park in central London, the gulf state royal is on the verge of turning the house into Britain's priciest property.


Dudley House boasts a 50ft ballroom, an 81ft picture gallery and furniture which on its own is said to be worth £100m.

It boasts an enormous 44,000 sq ft of space and has undergone a £75m renovation which involved knocking three original properties on the Dudley House estate into a giant mansion.
 
Part of the ambitious renovation has involved restoring the original Regency and Victorian interiors, according to the Sunday Times.
 
A property website carrying details of Dudley House stated that renovation will give the 19th-century property 17 bedrooms and 14 reception rooms.

A property expert who recently visited Dudley House told the paper that should it go on the market, the Park Lane property could fetch up to £250m.

Money to burn: Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, emir of Qatar bought the property thanks to his personal wealth of around £1.5bn
Money to burn: Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, emir of Qatar bought the property thanks to his personal wealth of around £1.5bn


'The ceilings are ornate and very high, although these have been dropped in the bathrooms, which are all marble. There is a very grand staircase, and chandeliers throughout.

'The stature and grandeur of the house cannot be compared to anything else on the market, where luxury properties already sell for £4,000 to £6,000 per sq ft.'

Dudley House was built in 1827 for the Dudley Ward family, but would later be used by Edward VII, who would meet his mistress Lillie Langtry there in secret.

Luxury property experts say only Bridgewater House in Westminster, owned by the family of Yiannis Latsis, could equal the opulence of newly-renovated Dudley House.

Perfect Knowledge is a private company that offers a private fixer service to VIP’s, private family office, senior executives and ultra high net worth individuals (UHNWI). We provide a discreet service that manages private and personal affairs on behalf of our clients. Our focus is to ensure total privacy for the individual or organisation at all times. Our services are aimed at private banks, offshore trusts, celebrities, royal family management, private families and discerning individuals where money is no object and discretion is paramount.

www.perfect-knowledge.com


Friday 3 August 2012

The President Of The United Arab Emirates Is Paying $627 Million For The World's Largest Yacht

Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, is apparently the billionaire who commissioned Project Azzamthe mysterious code name for the world's new largest yacht.

 Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan

News of the yacht, which will clock in at a record 590 feet, broke in May. But now the New York Post is reporting that the UAE president is behind the ship, and he's paying a whopping $627.4 million for it.
At 590 feet, Project Azzam will dwarf Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich's $485 million, 536-foot yacht Eclipse, which is currently the largest yacht in the world.

Unlike most propeller yachts, Azzam is said to boast a custom propulsion system with four giant water jets, to make it one of the fastest on the seas. Reports say the gas guzzler’s tank would have to hold an astounding 264,172 gallons of fuel. Only two locations reportedly could accommodate a yacht so big — Monaco and Antibes, although sources said Sheikh Khalifa wants to cruise the Seychelles.

Just to put Project Azzam in perspective, 590 feet is more than a football field and a half long. And an Airbus A380 is 239 feet long.
 
Project Azzam Yacht




Perfect Knowledge is a private company that offers a private fixer service to VIP’s, private family office, senior executives and ultra high net worth individuals (UHNWI). We provide a discreet service that manages private and personal affairs on behalf of our clients. Our focus is to ensure total privacy for the individual or organisation at all times. Our services are aimed at private banks, offshore trusts, celebrities, royal family management, private families and discerning individuals where money is no object and discretion is paramount.

www.perfect-knowledge.com

Private Flying Palace - Airbus A380 Superjumbo

airbus a380 private jet 468x181 Airbus A380 Superjumbo Private Flying Palace 

An unkown buyer from Middle Eastern prince has spend £300 million ($482 million!) for a luxurious Airbus A380 private jet, which is being designed by Worcestershire-based firm Design Q.
The converted Airbus A380 is expected to be ready in three years time and will hold the title of the world’s largest private jet.
In a space normally given to 600 passengers, the owner and his guests will enjoy five-star treatment from the moment of arrival.

photo airbus a380 Airbus A380 Superjumbo Private Flying Palace

According to Design Q’s co-founder Gary Doy, the belly of the A380 has been turned into a relaxation zone, including a Turkish bath lined with marble only two millimetres thick to keep the weight down.
Mr Doy added: “It is something very, very special and there is nothing like it on the market yet.
We are not trying to put a hotel in the air, it is tailored to the needs of flying, and has unique features which fit into that.

The Turkish bath is particularly spectacular, a steam room with marble, low lights and lots of spa treatments to choose from.”

There is also a unique well-being room that has floors and walls turned into giant screens showing the ground below. Guests can enjoy a unique flying experience by stepping on to the magic carpet as a cool scented breeze blows in the room.

airbus a380 468x307 Airbus A380 Superjumbo Private Flying Palace

Some of the other features of this luxurious jet include an onboard garage and a lift that shuttles between the three magnificent floors, from the private quarters upstairs, down to the concert hall.
The flying Palace has five suites with king-size beds, high-tech entertainment systems and prayer room with computer controlled mats that always face Mecca.

Besides private suites there is also a board room for mid-air business meetings and 20 ‘sleepers’ – the equivalent of First Class seats – for extra guests.

airbus a380 flying palace 468x255 Airbus A380 Superjumbo Private Flying Palace


Perfect Knowledge is a private company that offers a private fixer service to VIP’s, senior executives and ultra high net worth individuals (UHNWI). We provide a discreet service that manages private and personal affairs on behalf of our clients. Our focus is to ensure total privacy for the individual or organisation at all times. Our services are aimed at private banks, offshore trusts, celebrities, royal family management, private families offices and discerning individuals where money is no object and discretion is paramount.

www.perfect-knowledge.com

Monday 5 December 2011

Lifestyle Fixers

Lifestyle Fixers

Concierge services are booming
Ever wanted to have dinner with the Dalai Lama? Easy. Or a romantic meal on an iceberg? Simple. Want to know where to get your hands on a real-life camel for an Arabian-themed party? No problem. If you’ve got the cash, and it’s legal, there’s a whole industry ready and willing to satisfy your every whim. Despite financial turmoil, business is booming for the people known as “lifestyle fixers”. 
The highest-profiling business in the sector is Quintessentially. Co-founded by the Duchess of Cornwall’s nephew Ben Elliot in 2000, it is now firmly established, with offices in more than 60 cities around the world.

“Quintessentially can offer access to the inaccessible and make the seemingly impossible, possible,” says spokesman Alex Pakenham, who adds that despite ongoing economic woes the service is increasingly in demand. “Sales rates have continued to climb, and our renewal rates are stronger than ever,” he says.

Of Quintessentially’s three founders, one worked in the film industry, another was a well-connected entrepreneur and a third brought an exceptional legal background to the mix. They saw the need for a “proactive and personalised” concierge service, being delivered to those wanting the best in life but without the time or the contacts to achieve it. Quintessentially’s more famous members include Jemima Khan, Sophie Dahl, Sir Tom Hunter, Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow and various members of Coldplay.

The first tier of membership costs £1,000 (€1,148) a year, while the most exclusive Elite membership costs up to £24,000 a year, and includes your own team of dedicated personal account managers in multiple cities around the world. While potential “elites” might be referred by existing members, the final decision over whether to take them on comes from the three founders, depending on “the compatibility of the potential member with the brand, their net worth, their location, and whether they would add value to the membership base”, says Pakenham.

Quintessentially has also launched 32 luxury sister businesses focused on property, travel, luxury retail, wine, art, flowers and private aviation, to name but a few. For example, through Quintessentially Music, you can book a performer for your own event, or get backstage meet and greet opportunities with your favourite artist.

Of course, there have been some particularly elaborate requests. One member asked the company to recreate Batman’s Batcave in his house, and then there was the time when it was asked to source a pet jelly fish. It was also Quintessentially who organised the Dalai Lama date and the dinner a deux on the iceberg. One member called the company from the Amazon, saying he couldn’t find any of the area’s rare pink dolphins despite having a guide with him, and a helicopter was duly sent to take him to where they were.
For many people with the spare capital, being a member of a concierge service is seen as a necessity to make their lives run more smoothly, whether they’re in need of a last-minute babysitter or tickets for the most sought-after seats at the best sports events.

Concetto Marletta, head of client relations at the Dorchester hotel in London, is also founder of Totally Indispensable, an exclusive private members’ concierge service. While he deals with everyday requests in the Dorchester, as a private concierge his tasks may include, for example, getting someone into a fully booked hotel – Cocoa Island in the Maldives, over Christmas. However, sometimes he is forced to decline his clients’ requests; for instance, when asked to source two white tiger cubs – research showed they are an endangered species, and it’s illegal to trade them.

Alongside private concierges and “fixing” services, some high-end retailers are jumping on the bandwagon by offering a concierge service to their customers that will tie in with their luxury image. For example, while Harrods has a personal shopping service, By Appointment, it also offers By Appointment Beyond, which arranges “unique experiences” for clients.

These range from tickets to glamorous film launches in London’s West End, Broadway productions in New York, or, perhaps, a St Petersburg ballet or Argentinian polo match. It can also arrange the “party of a lifetime”, whether that’s an opulent English garden party on a private estate or a ladies lunch at home. “No idea is too big, too small, too mad or too much trouble,” claims the company. Perhaps you fancy a trip to one of the most secluded and untouched locations on Earth? This could be, say, a private island, or jungle – stopping off at a five-star igloo on the way.

Luxury phone company Vertu offers three levels of concierge service to its customers, with the basic level free for the first year and £1,850 afterwards. Such a service is, for many, part of the appeal of having a Vertu phone, and what sets them apart. With the top level of membership, customers have a dedicated concierge who takes all their calls, but even with the entry-level Classic Vertu service, a customer’s preferences are visible on screen to whoever is dealing with them. This has proved handy for its customers. One Vertu client and his family were in an airport departure lounge when they heard that the hotel they were flying to had cancelled their booking. By the time they landed, Vertu had found another hotel and a car to take them there.

However, while most of a concierge service’s day-to-day calls revolve around booking restaurants, theatre tickets, or finding the right place to take business clients for dinner in a foreign city, it is the quirky requests that stand out. Ten Group, for example, has hired an elephant for a wedding for £10,000. Other examples it gives include the member who bought a designer glass bathtub that couldn’t be manoeuvred up the spiral staircase in his Grade II listed house; Ten Group arranged for the street below to close while a crane was brought in to lift the bath through a window.

Another member became stuck in sand while driving through the desert in the United Arab Emirates. He didn’t know his location, but using Google Earth, Ten Group found the road and “large mosque” the member remembered seeing en route; finally, using his rough location they informed the UAE’s breakdown service to rescue him. On the appeal of Ten Group’s services, Alex Cheatle, chief executive, says: “In an age when anyone can source information online, it’s all about maintaining personal contacts to gain access to things that are not on offer to the general public such as advance tasting menus at top restaurants, access to VIP areas, and complimentary upgrades on flights and in hotels.”

David Thomas runs Marleymanor, another service which he says handles a range of “highly confidential and sensitive assignments for individuals and corporate clients”. To help him in his role, he draws on over nine years of experience in the SAS Reserve Regiment, saying that this training has prepared him for the most “intense and challenging assignments”.

After leaving the service to provide close protection to the Kuwaiti Ambassador in the run-up to the first Gulf War, David established Marleymanor in 1993. Initially, the company specialised in providing close protection and surveillance for blue-chip clients. However, Thomas says: “When I was dealing with issues for people from an investigative point of view I found they also wanted somebody to arrange, for instance, a chauffeur, which perhaps has no link or association to them as a discreet service – or to find a diamond for a mistress.”

More and more clients were seeking a concierge service as a bolt-on option. “A lot of wealthy people who do not have the time or don’t want to make effort to ring lots of people to arrange, say, a concert, or other event, or they might have an issue to solve in terms of a fraud – they can turn to us for help.”

At any one time, he adds, Marleymanor might be dealing with two or three client requests, and they have 20 to 30 clients on their books. Fees are charged on a case-by-case basis, but are usually 10 to 15% of the overall cost of the case, or a daily management fee of £750 to £1,250 plus expenses, depending on location and duration. The Marleymanor website gives a range of example cases, including the client who asked Marleymanor to source an iPhone for their female friend, with absolute discretion assured.

But this was no ordinary iPhone; it was to incorporate a solid gold casing with the main external controls formed from cut diamonds. A jeweller was sourced in London’s Hatton Garden, before Marleymanor hand delivered the bespoke iPhone to the client in Dubai.

Ifzaal Khan runs Perfect Knowledge, a private fixer for the secretly wealthy, carrying out tasks from delivering two antiques clocks worth more than £330,000 each to a palace belonging to a Middle Eastern royal family member, to sourcing medical treatment for a child who had only 24 hours to live. “We managed to get the medicine to the client’s child, even though it wasn’t available in the country they were in. This was done through contacting the sheikh there, and asking him to instruct his royal family office to source the medicine,” says Khan. “A private jet was sent to pick up the medicine, and it was delivered to the child – so you see it’s a serious business.”

Most of Perfect Knowledge’s clients have been referred through another client. “This means our network of contacts between all our clients is very strong,” says Khan. He adds that the company can deal with cases in most countries through its client network, and works on behalf of a number of Middle Eastern royal family members as well as private family offices, private banks and trusts.

Khan says: “The financial crisis has changed the environment as our private clients are becoming more discreet about their financial status thus using our confidential services more often.” Khan is all about building relationships. www.perfect-knowledge.com email: info@perfect-knowledge.com.

 Article | By Harriet Meyer

Wednesday 6 July 2011

Billionaires, Celebrities, and their Private Islands

Billionaires, Celebrities, and their Private Islands




The ultra-rich already hold a privileged role in the world, but nothing quite speaks of exclusivity like owning your own private island, cloistered away from the rest of the world on a personal piece of Paradise. According to Born Rich, these owners have acquired such pieces of prime island real estate and, what’s more, have had them tailored to their own leisurely needs.


Grand Bogue Caye, Belize
Owner: Bill Gates
Net Worth: $56 Billion

Bill Gates is by now no stranger to extravagance, as seen by his purchase of this island – supposedly the largest in the republic of Belize. Ever the savvy entrepreneur, Gates may have purchased this particular plot for its reputation as being one to provide unparalleled opportunities for growth and investor return. That, and it is just an astounding piece of Paradise with amazing water sports, specialized saltwater fishing areas, gorgeous views of the water, abundant shady palm and coconut trees, and a lush forest toward one end of the island.


Abrahamovich Island, St. Barts
Owner: Roman Abramovich
Net Worth: $13.4 Billion
 
This Russian billionaire is known for his investments in a number of ventures through his investment firm Milhouse LLC, and for his willingness to pay record auction prices for art. Jeet Singh, co-founder of ATG, formerly owned this private island before Abramovich purchased it for an astounding $90 million, making it another record for the oligarch as one of the most expensive islands ever sold. The exotic 70-acre locale boasts extraordinary ocean views, tennis courts, and swimming pools.


Necker Island, British Virgin Islands
Owner: Sir Richard Branson
Net Worth: $4.2 Billion
 
You’re probably already familiar with the high-flying Brit and head of the Virgin Group – made up of over a few hundred companies – but it’s now time to get to know his prime piece of British Virgin Islands real estate. Surrounded by pristine waters, coral reefs, and boasting a flawless sandy beach, the island is easily reached by helicopter from a neighboring island and, for you and 24 guests, comes with a staff of 60 people for $53,000 a night.

 
Mago Island, Fiji
Owner: Mel Gibson
Net Worth: $600 Million
 
Film mogul Mel Gibson purchased his 5,400-acre private island from a Japanese company in 2005 for $15 million. Although there are not many details about the locale made public, it has been said that Gibson enjoys the island in its natural state, and doesn’t plan on changing it very much. The island, which is known to be one of the largest private islands in the Pacific, is super private in that it only houses a couple of people – some Fijian caretakers and whoever happens to be at Gibson’s private residence.
 

Île Gagnon, Quebec
Owner: Celine Dion
Net Worth: $400 Million
 
For decades now, the famous Canadian has been a music industry queen with scores of top-charting hits and celebrated live shows, making her one of the world’s highest paid performers. The songstress purchased an island in Quebec on the Iles River to house her sprawling mansion, which was subject to a number of strict security measures. The island is so privatized that the closest an outsider can get is a glimpse in passing by boat.
 
 
Blackadore Cay, Belize
Owner: Leonardo DiCaprio
Net Worth: $200+ Million
 
Leonardo DiCaprio is perhaps now as well known for his acting in blockbuster films as he is for producing them. His island is situated in the barrier reef between Belize and Ambergris Caye and boasts an idyllic 104 acres. Reportedly purchased by the star for $1.75 million, the island is undergoing a green makeover with plans to incorporate solar power energy and a possible eco-resort at the gorgeous getaway.
 
 
Little Halls Pond Cay, Bahamas
Owner: Johnny Depp
Net Worth: $200 Million
 
This Pirates of the Caribbean series has earned the acclaimed actor millions – and his own private piece of the Bahamas islands. During shooting of the popular Pirates movies, the actor was enamored by the lifestyle of the people living in the Bahamas and thus decided to stake his own claim there for his immediate family – wife Vanessa Paradis and two children. Eco-friendly and breathtakingly scenic, the private island will harness the use of solar power to reduce its carbon footprint and maintain its green atmosphere.

 
Leaf Cay, Bahamas
Owner: Nicholas Cage
Net Worth: $180 Million
 
This actor/director/producer has been associated now with more than 60 movies to date and has made himself a pretty penny doing so. His island is located in the Exuma range of the Bahamas, and it neighbors the island of Cage’s good friend and fellow film legend Johnny Depp. The island boasts 19 buildings to include hotels, a 1500-foot airstrip, protected marina, solar power backup energy supply, lush private beaches, and more – and the island is not even entirely done with development yet.

 
Musha Cay Island, Bahamas
Owner: David Copperfield
Net Worth: $150 Million

Known as one of the greatest magicians and illusionists, Copperfield has often times vanished to his island, located 85 miles from Nassau in the Bahamas. It is located in a zone that is known as the largest collection of private islands and vacation destinations for the world’s VIPs. Musha Cay in itself is a collection of four lush islands with a total size of 700 acres and, for $32,250 per night, one can enjoy all that the luxurious locale has to offer – accommodations in a choice of five themed luxury villas (complete with Copperfield’s famed private art collection), water sports with provided state-of-the-art equipment, basking in the sun on the private beaches, and a feast of exquisite Caribbean cuisine.

 
Bonds Cay, Bahamas
Owner: Shakira
Net Worth: $140 Million
Co-Owners: Roger Waters and Alejandro Sanz
 
This Colombia-cum-international music sensation purchased this scenic spot with Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters and fellow Latin music star Alejandro Sanz. The 700-acre island, located in a gorgeous vacation area of the Bahamas, has become one of the most popular party spots of the rich and famous, and the owners only intend on developing it further. The island is currently home to boutique hotels, private beaches, luxury condominiums, private galleries, an 18-hole golf course, and more.
 
 
Rooster Cay Island, Bahamas
Owner: Eddie Murphy
Net Worth: $75 Million
 
This entertainment Renaissance man is one of the highest paid in the biz and purchased his private island in 2007 for $15 million. Unlike some of the islands owned by fellow film figures, Murphy’s island is in a prime location within close proximity to the Bahamas hub of Nassau. Not many details are known, but the locale is said to be ideal for resort decelopment and recreation, much like its neighbor, Paradise Island, which is known as a premier tourist vacation destination.
 
Perfect Knowledge is a private company that offers a private fixer service to VIP’s, private family office, senior executives and ultra high net worth individuals (UHNWI). We provide a discreet service that manages private and personal affairs on behalf of our clients. Our focus is to ensure total privacy for the individual or organisation at all times. Our services are aimed at private banks, offshore trusts, celebrities, royal family management, private families and discerning individuals where money is no object and discretion is paramount.

Wednesday 29 June 2011

London's Most Incredible Home for the Super Rich Billionaires

Soon its name will join the ranks of Britain's great stately homes. Already, in the most elite of circles, it is being whispered in awe: 'Witanhurst.

The residents of London's Highgate certainly do, for this mammoth property has caused an ongoing row, as planners have repeatedly rejected lavish plans for its development. The Georgian-style mansion is London's second-largest private residence, after Buckingham Palace.But following a short-lived renaissance in 2002 as home to the BBC's Fame Academy, it had been allowed to decay. 

Local developer Marcus Cooer bought Witanhurst for £32 million from an Arab family, vowing to spend millions on restoration and put it back on the market for £150 million. Months later, it was back on the market, untouched, for £75 million. Then matters took a more mysterious turn. When the house was sold again three years ago, the new owners put in plans for an ambitious overhaul, including a three-storey glass pavilion. These were initially rejected, but amended plans were allowed on appeal. Locals have strenuously objected, claiming it will ruin the character of the neighbourhood.

Now, the planning issues having been resolved, it is being turned into a modern-day Xanadu, the palatial mansion immortalised in the film Citizen Kane.The glittering 65-room palace will include 25 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms and an imperial walnut-panelled Grand Ballroom. A vast two-storey subterranean extension will almost double its size, making room for a 70ft swimming pool, sauna, hairdressing salon, massage parlour and a huge cinema suite. Diggers are carving an enormous  cave beneath the house, which will make the property just 2,000 sq ft smaller than Buckingham Palace. Staff accommodation and a 25-space car park will complete the £50million expansion.

A borehole system, driven deep into the ground, will heat the house, using the Earth's warmth.Documents lodged with Camden council show that the main house will remain largely the same, except for the demolition of a 20th-century wing, which will be replaced by a super-sized 'orangery'. Work is due to be finished in autumn 2012. Mystery shrouds the mansion, however. For despite being the size of ten generously sized detached homes, nobody knows who owns it. Indeed, it is said that even Robert Adam, the celebrated architect behind this extraordinary project, does not know who his client is. 
He receives his instructions via an intricate web of companies and advisers, designed to give the owner absolute anonymity.So just what is Witanhurst and who is behind it? It is perched above North London, on the verdant hill of Highgate, an ancient village that is one of the capital’s most sought-after addresses.Overlooking Hampstead Heath, the area once was home to the highwayman Dick Turpin  and philosopher Karl Marx is buried in the nearby Victorian cemetery.  

Today, celebrities including Sting, Bob Hoskins, Jude Law and Ulrika Jonsson have chosen the area as their base.Witanhurst stands in six acres of woodland, commanding some of the best views in London.Who is behind the renovation, then? In 2008, it was reported that Yelena Baturina, the wife of Yury Luzhkov, the former mayor of Moscow, and a billionaire in her own right, had bought the property for £50 million. She denies this.A controversial figure in Russia, the construction tycoon has also fought off accusations of corruption. 

Who is behind the renovation, then? In 2008, it was reported that Yelena Baturina, the wife of Yury Luzhkov, the former mayor of Moscow, and a billionaire in her own right, had bought the property for £50 million. Baturina, 48, who already has a home in London’s Holland Park, which accommodates her extensive art collection, is known for grand schemes.When she failed to find a school for her two daughters, Elena, 19, and Olga, 17, she built her own, complete with state-of-the-art security. Despite being the richest woman in Russia, she denies owning Witanhurst.

Perfect Knowledge is a private company that offers a private fixer service to VIP’s, private family office, senior executives and ultra high net worth individuals (UHNWI). We provide a discreet service that manages private and personal affairs on behalf of our clients. Our focus is to ensure total privacy for the individual or organisation at all times. Our services are aimed at private banks, offshore trusts, celebrities, royal family management, private families and discerning individuals where money is no object and discretion is paramount.

www.perfect-knowledge.com




Tuesday 21 December 2010

Ferrari 458 Italia

Ferrari 458 Italia

Marking a dramatic departure from Ferrari’s latest offerings to the world of supercars, the 458 Italia represents a massive forward-leap in mid-rear engine sports cars.


To be unveiled at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, the 458 Italia showcases Ferrari’s latest vision in mid-rear engine berlinetta; a totally new vehicle from engine and design to aerodynamics and handling.

Named for the Prancing Horse’s homeland as well as the traditional displacement and number of cylinders figure, the two-seater Italia focuses on creating as harmonic a relationship between driver and car as possible.
The car features an innovative driving environment with a new brand of dashboard and steering wheel born from a wealth of racing experience that included input from racing great Michael Schumacher.

Ferrari describes the 458 Italia as having a Pininfarina design; a compact and aerodynamic shape that highlights the car’s lightness, efficiency and simplicity. Mid-rear mounted in the vehicle is a direct injection 4499 cc V8 engine that delivers 570 CV at 9000rpm with a 127 CV per litre power output. Maximum torque is 540Nm at 6000rpm and the car is driven via seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The interior characterizes the Italia’s sporty personality with an ergonomic layout with the main controls clustered on the steering wheel. And of course, the 458 Italia plays that traditional Ferrari soundtrack as a powerful growl channels from the engine through to the exhaust.

Perfect Knowledge is a private company that offers a private fixer service to VIP’s, private family office, senior executives and ultra high net worth individuals (UHNWI). We provide a discreet service that manages private and personal affairs on behalf of our clients. Our focus is to ensure total privacy for the individual or organisation at all times. Our services are aimed at private banks, offshore trusts, celebrities, royal family management, private families and discerning individuals where money is no object and discretion is paramount.

www.perfect-knowledge.com