Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.
Socialite James Stunt allowed his offices in London’s Mayfair to become a “trusted hub” for criminality, prosecutors claimed on Thursday at one of the UK’s biggest money laundering trials.
The former son-in-law of Formula 1 head Bernie Ecclestone was accused of being part of a scheme that allowed criminals to funnel more than £200mn of “dirty money” into the banking system over two years.
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Stunt, 42, is one of five individuals standing trial at Leeds Crown Court charged with money laundering alongside Gregory Frankel, 47, Daniel Rawson, 47, Haroon Rashid, 54, and Arjun Babber, 32.
A Bradford-based precious metals and jewellery dealer owned by Frankel and Rawson, Fowler Oldfield, was a financial “gateway” for criminals between 2014 and 2016, the court heard.
Prosecutors said that the scheme allowed the criminals, whose identity was unknown, to circumvent financial due-diligence checks. This allowed them to hide the illicit sources of their funds as it “appeared to be a legitimate source” and most of it was used to buy gold, jurors were told.
“A reputable bank or trader would have insisted on proper due diligence being carried out before accepting the cash or exchanging it for gold,” said Jonathan Sandiford KC, opening the prosecution case.
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The barrister claimed that Stunt & Co, owned by Stunt, took the “lion’s share” of profits — about 70 per cent — from the scheme. Tens of millions of pounds in cash was dropped by couriers at the offices in Mayfair and deposits were made into Fowler Oldfield’s NatWest bank account, he said.
Sandiford told jurors that Stunt, the former husband of Petra Ecclestone, allowed the location “to be used for the delivery of criminal cash and some of the gold that had been purchased with it” and it “became a trusted hub for money laundering”.
The court was told that Stunt denies knowing or suspecting that the cash was criminal property.
It heard that while Frankel accepts that at least part of the cash delivered to Fowler Oldfield was criminal, he denies knowing or suspecting it to be criminal property. Rawson, along with the two other defendants, dispute that the cash was criminal property.
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Sandiford said the most likely source of the cash was drug dealing, although it could also be other illegal activities including fraud, human trafficking or illegal gambling.
Grenoble-based audio firm Arturia has won fanatical devotees and multiple awards for its software emulations of pop music’s most celebrated keyboards and synths. Thanks to its crack team of audio engineers, anyone making music with a computer can explore more than 30 of these retro soundworlds, from the lush textures of the Yamaha CS-80 (think Blade Runner or Chariots of Fire) to the chunky, pulsating sound of the Minimoog (used by Gary Numan, Kraftwerk and countless others). Arturia’s is a quest for sonic authenticity – indeed, its reconstruction of the Moog Modular synth (used on “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer) was made in collaboration with synth pioneer Bob Moog himself.
The resulting accumulation of in-house knowledge and expertise has, latterly, been channelled into making physical keyboards, and the gorgeous PolyBrute 12 – released on Arturia’s 25th birthday – is its latest and most advanced: all the character of an analogue synth with precision digital control – or, more excitingly, instinct-driven performance (you know, using your hands!). Anyone who imagines synthesisers to be cold, unresponsive beasts will be astounded; unusually, it has polyphonic aftertouch, meaning that you can change the timbre of each note, individually, by exerting pressure on that specific key. It also has a “FullTouch” mode where even lightly touching the keys – not even pressing them down – can generate sounds and effects.
This extraordinary sensitivity, combined with the PolyBrute 12’s other controllers (including a swipeable strip above the keyboard and a wooden “Morphée” pad to its left that you can tap, stroke and press), makes for a performer’s dream unit – although, speaking as a keyboardist with a background in classical piano, it requires some adjustment to technique. But that relearning process is fun, creating sounds is absorbing and you soon find yourself closing your eyes and segueing into a soundtrack to an imaginary film playing in your head, featuring (naturally) Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer and a clutch of renegade replicants.
My experience of 3D printers has not always been pleasurable: laborious set-ups, clogging nozzles and erratic bed adhesion have, in the past, caused me to utter unspeakable oaths. The Creality K1C, however, caused me no anguish at all; a few safety screws to remove, a couple of parts to attach, a quick calibration process and I was in business. The Creality Print software is a little clunky, but the results were exceptional; it can work with a range of filaments including carbon fibre, and for no errors to occur across the five prints I tried felt distinctly unusual. The fact that it’s enclosed in a box means quieter operation, and my test unit, which for some baffling reason was FC Bayern Munich-branded, looked terrific, too.
OLED pen displays are beginning to edge out their LCD predecessors, bringing with them better colour accuracy and contrast ratios – which are, after all, what artists want. This 13.3in display (effectively an additional screen for your computer or mobile, connected via USB-C) is incredibly slim and light: 4mm at its thinnest point and a nudge over 400g. It performs like a heavyweight, thanks to a vivid matte screen (that never gets hot) and Wacom’s celebrated Pro Pen 3, which is bundled in the package. There’s no special glove needed and the screen distinguishes without fail between a pen stroke, a deliberate finger swipe and a resting drawing hand. Wacom’s Cintiq range may be its flagship, but the Movink is forging its own exciting path.
Working with images, video or audio can require huge files to be moved between computers, and if that moment occurs while you’re in the creative zone, the slothful progress bar can be maddening. Wireless transfers are lethargic, USB thumb drives buckle under the strain and the cloud can be hobbled by slow uploads. These mini SSDs from Kingston are small (twice the size of a thumb drive but still eminently pocketable), capacious (500GB to 4TB, take your pick) and super speedy: in my own tests, files copied over at about 1GB per second. You’ll need to take a USB-C cable while on the move (unlike a thumb drive, it doesn’t have a USB plug) but that’s a minor inconvenience for a hugely improved workflow.
Fans of Leica’s line of compact cameras have been waiting more than five years for a follow-up to the D-Lux 7 – and here it is, with a Summilux zoom lens (equivalent to a 24-75mm focal range), a 4/3in sensor, 17 effective megapixels and an emphasis on simplicity. It combines a classic film camera layout with a nod to modern use (for example, it’s easily switchable to Instagram-friendly aspect ratios) and its portraits have that slightly 3D “Leica look”. Weighing in at under 400g, it’s easy to tote about and a delight to use; perfect for anyone (like myself) who enjoys decoupling themselves, albeit briefly, from their overbearing smartphone. Newbies will appreciate the hour of in-store training that’s offered with the unit.
CLIMBING the career ladder is tough enough but when you’re working class, it can be even harder.
According to the Government’s Social Mobility Commission, adults with working-class parents are three times as likely to be in a working-class occupation compared to people with professional parents.
Despite 48 per cent of UK adults considering themselves to be working class, half of big-name firms do not actively seek out working-class talent — but for those who do, the rewards can be exceptional.
When a person works their way up to have a higher income or higher status of job than their parents, it’s known as “upward social mobility”.
According to campaign group the Sutton Trust, enhancing social mobility within UK firms to match the average Western European level could lead to a nine per cent boost in GDP, equivalent to £2,620 per person, or a total of £170billion added to the UK economy annually.
This week sees the annual SOMO Awards — known as the UK’s “social mobility Oscars” — which celebrate employers helping working-class people fulfil their career potential.
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Set up by charity Making The Leap, this year the awards cover firms employing close to 1.3million people representing 20 business sectors.
While finance, law and professional services make up almost half of entries, there has been a big rise in submissions from the creative and media sectors, plus local authority and Government.
Londoner Kevin Sterling faced dozens of job rejections until he signed up for Making The Leap’s social mobility programme.
Kevin, 23, now works as an engineer for Sky, and says: “Before taking the course, it felt like I was stuck in limbo with no end in sight, and got rejection after rejection. I was at my wits’ end.
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“With Making The Leap I took part in activities including networking and mock interviews, which really helped, and I learned how to evaluate myself.
“I’d always been focused on the future, never taking the time to reflect on how far I’ve come, what I’m lacking, and how I can turn my weaknesses into strengths.”
Tunde Banjoko, from Making The Leap, said: “By adopting social mobility initiatives, organisations demonstrate to their staff and customers that they are committed to creating an inclusive workplace while helping to unlock the full potential of talent from all walks of life in society.”
Firms including Sky, Linklaters, Nationwide, KPMG and PWC have all entered and the awards are open to organisations of all sizes.
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A Nationwide spokeswoman said: “We believe the circumstances of a person’s birth shouldn’t determine their outcomes in life. We are dedicated to equitable progression.”
Find out more at somo.uk
How to be a social mobility supportive business
THESE are Making The Leap’s tips to be a social mobility supportive business:
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Involve senior leaders: Bosses need to buy-in. It is essential they are involved in order to arrange organisation commitments, budgets and targets.
Social Mobility Networks: Work with people in your organisation who have lived experiences in social mobility and consider setting up an internal network.
Collect Data: Gather information on employees’ socio-economic background to measure diversity at work. It will highlight the potential to make a positive changes.
Have a clear purpose and strategy: This will enable you to report and measure the impact of specific initiatives such as early careers or recruitment. Add it into your DEI, ESG and CSR policies too.
Partner with external organisations and charities: To help you gain expertise and widen reach.
TIPS FOR CAREER YOU WANT
COMPETITION to secure a job is at its fiercest in three years, so how to stand out?
Here Jan Hendrik von Ahlen, from Jobleads.com, shares his tips on securing the job you want.
Network, Network, Network: Successful networking is all about building relationships.
Reach out to people in your field with a simple message, like asking for advice or sharing something interesting. Be authentic, follow up, stay in touch and help when you can.
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Join a club: Many UK cities have networking groups and business clubs. Chamber of Commerce groups and Business Network International also host events.
These gatherings are great for building connections.
Customise Applications: Read the job description thoroughly and focus on skills and experiences that match what the employer is after.
If you have limited experience, showcase your transferable skills on your CV.
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Build a professional Online Presence: Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date with your skills, experiences, and career goals and follow industry trends.
Keep Learning: The job market is always changing, so keep your skills up to date. Take online courses and attend workshops. Showing potential employers you’re committed to growth can make you a more attractive candidate.
Stay Positive, Be Persistent: Every rejection is a step closer to the right opportunity. Keep applying, and don’t be afraid to ask for feedback. Persistence will pay off in the end.
FULL STEM AHEAD
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GO full steam ahead for a STEM career with a visit to New Scientist Live.
The interactive exhibition, which takes place at ExCel London on 12-13 October, features talks and demonstrations from more than 70 leading experts including Neil Lawrence, professor of machine learning at the University of Cambridge.
Also among the speakers is Ayo Sokale, who is one of the UK’s youngest chartered civil engineers.
She said: “New Scientist Live is an excellent opportunity to explore amazing STEM careers like these that often work behind the scenes to shape our world and future.”
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The event will also be streamed online. Find out more at live.newscientist.com.
OCTOBER BLUES?
FORGET the January blues, October is the month when we are ill the most.
Figures from BrightHR show while one third of all sickness occurs in the last three months of the year, it’s October when staff most frequently call in sick.
Typically, October illness rates are 122 per cent above the monthly average, with a 157 per cent spike in flu cases and 164 per cent leap in common cold cases. Mental health-related absences rise by 112 per cent, the highest of any month.
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Alan Price, chief executive at BrightHR, said: “Encouraging a culture of openness where employees feel comfortable discussing their health, and reminding employees of any support in place . . . can also make a significant difference.”
Jobspot
BLUEBIRD CARE is recruiting now for care assistants and customer care managers. Search for opportunities at bluebirdcarecareers.co.uk.
NEXT is recruiting for team managers, team member and van drivers nationally. Find out more at careers.next.co.uk/
A HOTEL in Blackpool – just off the famous promenade – offers possibly one of the cheapest rooms in Britain.
MyRoomz Seaview Hotel is right on the beachfront, offering sea views, but charges as little as £18 a night for two adults sharing a room.
A six-minute walk to the town’s legendary Pleasure Beach Resort, the rooms come with wifi and most offer en-suite bathrooms, as well as flat-screen TVs with satellite channels.
The 2-star hotel offers necessities and it has been the subject of a few unsavoury reviews online, but its manager argues that for that price they are offering great value for money.
And unlike many other hotels in the seaside town – they are fully booked all year round.
Mark Tenfold, general manager at MyRoomz Seaview Hotel, says they keep their prices low because they don’t offer breakfast.
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He told Sun Travel: “Most of the rooms are en-suite apart from a few on the ground floor. We also have access for disabled guests, so we cater for lots of different people. And there are plenty of food options nearby.
“Guests come here for the location – we’re just off the promenade.
“There are 10 rooms in total, and we’re booked up all the time all year round.
“We get all sorts of people staying here. We have long-term guests that are struggling to pay for flats, people looking for a budget break, and people coming for business.”
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According to Mark, one of the best things the hotel offers is its sea views.
While they’re not available from every room, he said: “There are hotels nearby that are £100 a night that don’t have the views we have.”
Weston Hotel: Scarborough’s Coastal Gem
Mark added as general manager of the hotel he’s always around and ready to socialise with guests, unlike other hotels.
He said: “Just check out our reviews on Booking.com – they’re all good, just a couple of bad ones on there from people trying to get their money back.”
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Guests come here for the location – we’re just off the promenade
Mark TenfoldGeneral Manager
The reviews are a mixed bag online, but the hotel does come in for high praise from a number of happy guests.
One said: “It was a really nice stay here at the Sea View Hotel, I can’t thank Mark enough – very friendly and helpful with excellent knowledge of the area.”
Free attractions in Blackpool
The resort town is filled with fun (and free!) activities year-round, here are three of The Sun’s top picks.
Stroll along the Prom
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There’s plenty to see and do, from taking a selfie outside the Blackpool Tower to checking out the three piers where entry is free.
Visit Stanley Park
The 390-acre park is open from 9 am daily with free admission and the park’s many activities start at only £1.
Marvel at the Blackpool Illuminations
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The famous lights show costs £2.4 million to stage, the equipment is worth £10 million, and they attract more than 3.5 million visitors to the town every year. Check online to find out display times each year.
Another added: “Stayed from Friday to Monday – staff very helpful and sociable. Room was just right, clean and tidy. Will definitely be going back.”
A third said: “What a bargain, you won’t get anywhere cheaper than £20 a night! Some of the reviews would make you think they paid a lot more, don’t know why people have such high expectations – it was a great stay with lovely staff.”
But some of the other reviews were less than complimentary about their accommodation, with one person saying: “In the top floor room, you had to duck to enter the room, it was okay just to get your head down for 1 night.”
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Another said: “Comfy bed, sink in the bedroom, recently decorated (although poorly) but had a great sleep. I could pick it apart on cleanliness but that wasn’t my aim. I always check under bed to make sure I haven’t left anything and found other people’s pants.”
Blackpool highlights
There is no denying how close the hotel is to several hugely popular attractions though, in addition to Blackpool Pleasure Resort.
And Coral Island, a family-friendly indoor fun park with pirate-themed games and rides, plus a casino with slots and tables, is less than half an hour away.
We get all sorts of people staying here. We have long-term guests that are struggling to pay for flats, people looking for a budget break, and people coming for business
Mark TenfoldGeneral Manager
Just a five-minute walk away is Jade Delight, which offers a variety of Chinese delicacies.
Travel writer Catherine Lofthouse travelled to Blackpool with her family recently and said that the town is still a great spot for a weekend break with kids.
She said: “Whether you love a back-to-basics bucket-and-spade beach break, want a thrill a minute at one of the UK’s oldest theme parks or fancy a night on the tiles, there’s everything you need at Blackpool.”
DITCH the booze this month to help save some cash and get a clear head in the run-up to Christmas.
Sober October is a campaign backed by Macmillan Cancer Support — and you can sign up to join in the challenge at gosober.org.uk.
Then try these easy ideas for alcohol-free drinks to see you through to November . . .
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HOT ROSIE: Add hot water to rosemary cordial, which you can make from the Tesco recipe below, for a hot toddy perfect for autumn.
To make the cordial, put the zest and juice from two lemons and a grapefruit into a pan.
Get a handful of rosemary sprigs and strip the leaves into the pan along with 60g of fresh, sliced ginger, 150g of sugar and 250ml of water.
Stir on a medium heat until the sugar dissolves, then reduce the heat to low, stirring for around 15 minutes until it is thicker and fragrant.
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Strain through a sieve and keep in a storage bottle. You’ll need two tablespoons of the cordial added to a cup of hot water to create your toddy.
FAUX G&T: If you love a gin and tonic, try an alcohol-free version of the spirit such as Tanqueray 0.0% and Flor de Sevilla 0.0%, both down to £15 from £17 at Sainsbury’s with a Nectar card.
Selected Fever-Tree tonics are down from £2.10 to £1.80 for 500ml with a Clubcard at Tesco. Try the Spanish clementine flavour with the Flor de Sevilla 0.0% for a lovely fruity drink.
Or the elderflower tonic goes well with the standard Tanqueray 0.0%.
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MULLED APPLE JUICE: Swap mulled cider for apple juice and embrace autumn without the booze.
How to make Taylor Swift’s favourite cocktail
You need to simmer a litre of apple juice with a stick of cinnamon, two or three cloves and orange peel to create the perfect seasonal drink.
If you prefer it sweeter, then just add a couple of spoonfuls of sugar.
All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
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The Battle for Laikipia begins with an idyllic vista of African wildlife: elephants, giraffes and buffalo observed by safari tourists. Then their guide unceremoniously confronts herders grazing their flock: “Don’t ever enter this ranch again.” An archive clip of black-and-white newsreel shades in the historical context, proclaiming the benefits of a European-run order.
Cut back to the very recent past, with Kenya’s Laikipia plateau suffering an extended drought. That exacerbates long-standing tensions between the region’s pastoralists — semi-nomadic herders — and landowners of white European origin who see themselves as no less Kenyan than anyone else. These squires of the savannah, whether running farms or wildlife conservancies, have blocked the age-old migration routes of tribes such as the Samburu, and in Laikipia anti-landowner militancy is on the increase. Meanwhile, the Kenyan government is taking hardline measures against the herders and killing their animals.
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Daphne Matziaraki and Peter Murimi’s documentary argues for the rights of the Samburu, with one of their members, Simeon Letoole, providing a persuasive voiceover commentary. But the other side also state their case, sometimes coming across sympathetically — notably the late Maria Dobbs, whose family arrived in Kenya in the 1910s, and who is now anxious about climate change, reduced funds and baleful feelings in the region: “So beautiful . . . but underneath, it’s like a little bubbling volcano.” Less charming is others’ bullish take on confronting the pastoralists, one joke about napalm having a distinct ring of Apocalypse Now.
Frustratingly, the film doesn’t fully explore all the matters raised: we learn little about the politicians and cartels whose ownership of massive herds is apparently accelerating the collapse of traditional pastoralist life. Otherwise, this is a sober, informative film that shows a nation that has been independent for more than 60 years, yet is still haunted by the very active spectre of colonialism.
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