View all newsletters
Have the short, sharp Spear's newsletter delivered to your inbox each week
  1. Wealth
November 28, 2012

At the Sharp End: Harry Handelsman

By Spear's

The Manhattan Loft supremo and St Pancras Renaissance Man faces the Spear’s inquisition

The Manhattan Loft supremo and St Pancras Renaissance Man faces the Spear’s inquisition

Q. What would your other career be?
A. A film star — that would be fun. Or a ski guide.

Q. Who is your greatest influence?
A. A gentleman called Simon Reichman, who gave me my first job. I learned so much from him.

Q. What is your biggest fear?
A. Nothing really scares me.

Q. What is missing in the world?
A. More Boris bikes.

Q. In a year, the UK economy will be…
A. Coming back fighting.

Q. Is business a pleasure?
A. Absolutely.

Q. How many assistants do you have?

A. Just the one.

Content from our partners
Why a patient-first approach is key in healthcare
Abu Dhabi: How the 'capital of capital' became a magnet for UHNWs
Abu Dhabi Finance Week in the 'Capital of Capital'

Q. Who makes your shirts?
A. Spencer Hart on Savile Row. It’s a luxury but it’s worth it.

Q. Philanthropy should be…
A. Not for show.

Q. My business mantra is…
A. Don’t take good fortune for granted.

Q. Who do you have on speed-dial?
A. Carmelo Guastella at Melogy — the best male grooming salon in the world. (020 7383 0027, since you ask!)

Q. Which watch do you wear?
A. My Ermenegildo Zegna Centennial Limited Edition, made by Girard-Perregaux. It is beautiful and classic.

Q. Where do you summer?
A. I always go back to Israel at some point in the summer.

Q. Favourite hotel suite?
A. The Royal Suite at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London. It is fabulous.

Q. What is your guilty pleasure?
A. Movie night with my daughter at home every Friday night.

Q. When I drive, I drive…
A. An Audi S5.

Q. Money lets me…
A. Look after those I love.

Q. My greatest success in business was…
A. Starting Manhattan Loft Corporation in the recession of 1992.

Q. My greatest failure in business was…

A. I’ll get back to you on that one!

Q. Where are you right now?
A. In my office, which is the penthouse of Edison House, a beautiful art deco building off the Old Marylebone Road, NW1.

Q. Which restaurant is indispensable?
A. Dinings, 22 Harcourt Street, W1. It is just round the corner from my office and does the freshest, most delicious sushi. I’m there at least three times a week.

Q. Where in the world are you happiest?
A. I’m generally happy wherever I am.

Q. How did you earn your first pay cheque?
A. It was a summer job as a chauffeur.

Q. To me, wealth means…
A. Good fortune.

Q. Spear’s is sharp and to the point. I am…
A. Short and to the point!

Read more from At the Sharp End

Read more from Wealth Wednesday

Don’t miss out on the best of Spear’s articles – sign up to the Spear’s weekly newsletter

Select and enter your email address The short, sharp email newsletter from Spear’s
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network