Elemental investments
In these tricky economic times how can you protect your hard earned money against volatile markets, failing banks and inflation? In one word - gold. In two words - gold and silver.
Double Acts
The best things often come in pairs, and it’s no different in the world of business. Here Bespoke looks at visionary partnerships that historically changed industries.
One to the Power of Two: Marwan Alfadl Steers Zahid-Binladen Venture Wared Logistics
When the prominent Saudi families Zahid and Binladen join forces, it is worth noting. Their venture, Wared Logistics, harbours vast ambitions of regional dominance, with former banker Marwan Alfadl, a charismatic newcomer to logistics, at the helm.
Handyman connection
‘The Toolman maintenance company was founded ‘by Dubai home owners for Dubai home owners’ declares the simple, yet accessible website, toolman.ae - its friendly logo featuring an energetic maintenance man wearing a red hardhat and holding a spanner aloft. “Before Toolman, whenever people n
Eau so cool
Through tenacious salesmanship and a genuine desire to improve quality of life, Qatar Cool has just done something remarkable. By using water, pumps and pipes, the company has brought about nothing short of a regional revolution in the way that we cool our homes.
Not playing around
You’ve probably never heard of Playfish. But it’s the second largest social gaming developer in the world and, if you're on Facebook, then you’ve probably played at least one of its highly popular Flash-based games.
Top shop
Though the 2.2 billion USD purchase of Harrods earlier this year may have sounded like a strictly English affair, it was in fact a thoroughly Middle Eastern one in that Qatar Holding bought the prestigious London department store from Egyptian tycoon Mohammad Al Fayed.
Foreigners allowed
Economically, Saudi Arabia is the giant of the region. It is the world’s top exporter with 25 per cent of the world's proven oil reserves and it also has the largest stock market in the Arab world, with a capitalisation of some 500 billion USD. Yet it’s unfortunately a fairly impenetrable
From Zoo Clip to Global Giant: A Brief History of YouTube
February 15th, 2005 www.youtube.com is registered by former PayPal employees Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim who hope to make it a "Flickr for video." April 23rd, 2005 ‘Me at the Zoo’ is the first video to be put on the site. It’s a 19-second posting by Karim in front of the eleph
Winning Hearts and Minds: Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo and Abu Dhabi's Music Foundation
This year's winner of Bespoke's Ultimate Connoisseur Award is Hoda Al Khamis Kanoo, founder of the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation, an organisation advancing classical music, the arts, culture and creativity across the Emirates.
Polarising a Magnate: Ingie Chalhoub on Etoile Group and Her Own Ingie Paris
As head of the hugely successful Etoile Group, Ingie Chalhoub has brought many high fashion brands to the region. A key opinion-leader, she is now also the creator of her own acclaimed label, Ingie Paris.
Social mission
International brands have long spread across the globe, plying their trade in nascent markets and extending brand influence to new audiences. Luxury brands have been part of this expansion, seeking to fulfil the aspiration of consumers regardless of where they live. Often, customers who tr