Entrepreneur roundtable Services with a smile - Perspectives Pictet

the cash. But with continental European colleagues,
they want to pass on the business. I was recently
introduced by an Italian to the next managing director
who happened to be six—I admire that approach
enormously and a huge strength comes from that.”
But the contrarian view came from Kit Kemp, whose
daughter was in the audience. “I don’t want to sell
anything, because all you do is hand it to the taxman.
I want to pass it on, and I want to pass on a business
which I haven’t taken anything out of and which is
bigger than what we started with. I want our tiny
squidgy empire to go on for several generations and
hopefully get bigger still.”
To which Tyler Brûlé said “Bravo”.
The following entrepreneurs participated
in the discussion:
4
Tyler Brûlé has launched two
groundbreaking print titles in
Wallpaper* and Monocle, and is
currently Editor-in-Chief of the
latter. Brûlé is also the founder
and chairman of the design agency
Winkreative.
James Daunt opened his first shop
in 1990 at the age of 26. Since
then, his small, independent chain
has built a loyal following. Mr. Daunt
is now boss of the UK's largest and
only surviving national book chain,
Waterstone's (300 shops).
Avid Larizadeh is co-founder of
Boticca, an online marketplace that
connects the world’s most talented,
independent fashion accessories
designers directly with customers
seeking exquisite, unique pieces
from inspiring places.
Kit Kemp is the co-founder of
Firmdale Hotel Group, which she
started in 1986 with her husband.
It now comprises a collection of
seven stylish boutique hotels, six in
London and one in New York."
Theodore Kyriakou is a ship-owner
and a principal shareholder as well
as Group Chief Executive Officer
of the Antenna Group. The Antenna
Group is a privately owned media
and entertainment group.
Entrepreneur roundtable: Services with a smile | Winter 2012
PICTeT & CIe
This is the latest in a series of roundtables in which Pictet
& Cie brings together a group of entrepreneurs to discuss
matters concerning them directly. The objective is to create a
community of interests in which some of the leading players
in the business world share their experience, producing
added value for all participants. These entrepreneur
roundtables are thus held at regular intervals on a different
specific topic each time.
Entrepreneurship lies at the heart of Pictet’s values. The
bank, organised as a limited partnership, is owned and
managed by eight Partners who share joint and unlimited
liability for its commitments. The Partners thus act as
managers, shareholders and the board of directors. With this
entrepreneurial spirit forming the basis for its growth, Pictet
& Cie currently has almost 3,000 employees, 22 offices, and
assets under management and custody of CHF 364 billion
(end- September 2011). It is also ranked among the largest
independent asset management institutions in Europe.