Luxury Boat Staycations

By Anya Cooklin-Lofting

What comes to mind when you think of British summer festivals? Thumping basslines, moshing crowds and tens of thousands of voices chanting iconic lyrics in unison? Well, naturally, but the festival scene extends beyond the Glastonburys and All Points Easts of this world. In fact, there is a thriving culture of festivals that celebrate other facets of culture and the arts. From literature and comedy to food and wellness, this month, we’re rounding up some of the finest festivals outside the music scene. Just don’t forget your wellies…

Edinburgh Fringe Festival

4th – 28th August

The largest arts festival in the world, Edinburgh Fringe Festival takes over the storied Scottish city for the month of August every year to celebrate the very best in comedy, theatre, dance, cabaret, poetry and even circus. The festival is an incubator for some of the finest emerging talent: big names like Rowan Atkinson, Graham Norton and Mel & Sue found their fame thanks to the festival. Established performers also flock to the city for the festival, making lineups excitingly unpredictable. The decentralised nature of the festival means that shows by all kinds of performers take place in unlikely venues, from pubs to parks, people’s homes, and of course, established performance venues. 

Book your tickets: https://www.edfringe.com/

Hay Festival of Literature & Arts

May 25th – June 4th 

A globally recognised hub for lovers of literature and the arts, Hay Festival brings together the leading luminaries of the sector. Expect to rub shoulders with the greatest authors, journalists, performers and philosophers of our time. Named for its location, Hay-on-Wye in Wales, the festival has taken place there since the late ‘80s. A classically British affair, the festival is surrounded by lots of pretty cottages, B&Bs, campsites and even yurt sites for visitors looking for a more authentic festival experience. Every year, the festival offers a packed schedule of talks, readings, workshops and debates, and now it’s on the horizon, festival-goers should book now to avoid disappointment. 

Book your tickets: https://www.hayfestival.com/home

Cheltenham Literature Festival

6th – 15th October

The Cheltenham Literature Festival is one of the UK’s oldest and most prestigious literary events. The Cheltenham Festival organisers are also responsible for music festivals, including a jazz-specific event, The Cheltenham Jazz Festival, which wrapped up on 1st May this year. Its literature festival features talks and readings from some of the world’s most celebrated authors. Its 2023 programme is yet to be announced, but visitors should expect thought provoking workshops on language, history, reading and philosophy. 

Book your tickets: https://www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/

Big Feastival

25th – 27th August

Now, while this might look like cheating, I promise it’s not. While Big Feastival does include musical acts in its impressive lineups and takes place on Blur bassist, Alex James’ farm in the Cotswolds, it’s not just a music festival. It also brings Michelin-star chefs and street food greats into the picture for an exciting weekend of entertainment for your ears and your tastebuds. Visitors have the opportunity to sample food from across the world, participate in workshops, and attend demos, talks and interviews with food world experts. Big Feastival is also kid-friendly. Beyond eating, the extensive programming offers the opportunity to take part in crafting and wilding workshops, as well as interactive cookery sessions.

Book your tickets: https://thebigfeastival.com/

ALSO Festival

14th – 16th July

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, this diverse and eclectic festival has been dubbed an event of wellness and ideas. Taking place on the beautiful Park Farm in Warwick, the festival also incorporative comedy performances, music and food. On the wellness side, visitors can enjoy sound bath sessions in a natural amphitheater, Tai Chi classes, creative writing sessions, herbal tea ceremonies and insightful talks on topics from manifestation to misinformation. ALSO’s lineup of keynote speakers includes author and activist Nimco Ali, comedian Sara Pascoe and Labour MP Jess Philips.

Book your tickets: https://www.also-festival.com/

There’s nothing more fascinating than an entrepreneurial tale. Discovering the trials and tribulations, surprises and pitfalls that come with building a business from the ground up.

We recently sat down with Founder and Chief Executive of Finito, Ronel Lehmann, to find out more about his personal journey building his incredibly successful business supporting young people in their transition from education to employment.

From the early days of harnessing a passion for service, to an inspirational editorial pivot that produced interviews with some of the UK’s most prominent figures, Ronel shares with us first-hand the risks, challenges and lessons learnt along the way…

1. When did you first have the idea for your business? Is it something you always wanted to do?

It’s funny when you look back and see how certain things were always pointing the way. Throughout my marketing and public relations career, clients would often ask if I could help their sons and daughters. After I moved on, and had time to look back on my achievements, the feeling of having helped people transition from education to a meaningful career remained with me. This has always been my passion. The gratitude from those you have helped beats anything.

2. What motivates you?

I find constant inspiration in those who give back. Some of those who have particularly inspired me have now passed away and so we have a slot in Finito World – the magazine I founded in lockdown – called Indelible Mark where we honour such people. One piece was about Jeff Katz, the legendary investigator, and my great friend. He inspired me with his can-do optimism, and that’s something I seek to emulate in my own work. I also adored the late Lord Young of Graffham, who was so open to requests. Never say no: you’ll find it’s actually easier to help than not.

Culturally, I won’t say that Coldplay is my guilty pleasure as I feel I have nothing whatsoever to be guilty about – but some might view it that way! I saw the band in Wembley last year and was on a high for a week: something to do with the gumption, attack and joy of their music speaks to me.

3. What did your career history look like before you set up your business?

I had a broad range of roles, including serving as a recruitment consultant, stockbroker, and public relations adviser with the IPS Group, Citicorp Scrimgeour Vickers, McAvoy Wreford Bayley and Citigate Dewe Rogerson, before setting up my eponymously named marketing agency, which I ran for 26 years. During this time, I became particularly well known for my crisis work for clients, and in 2014, was invited as a Witness to the Treasury Select Committee to give evidence on SME bank lending, a cause which I had championed vociferously.

4. What were the initial risks and what do those risks look like now?

I suppose the sheer newness of it: there are no direct competitors to Finito, so we have been trailblazers in the sector. Sometimes people, for understandable reasons, might compare us to a recruitment agency in that our business opens up onto the world of jobs and careers. But that’s really where the similarity ends: we focus entirely on the individual and seek to shape and mould them, help them find their way. In recruitment companies, a fee is taken from employers hiring a candidate. The element of excitement about this is still there. We’re much better known than we were ten years ago, but there’s always more to do. Watch this space, I say.

5. What has surprised you in the process of growing your business?

Well, I certainly didn’t expect to found a publishing arm of the business which is precisely what I did during lockdown by launching Finito World. That in turn has helped us mentor our candidates who can use our journalism platform to help connect themselves, or simply to tell their stories. More broadly, there’s been an astonishing amount of goodwill toward the business. No one has a bad word to say.

6. What makes a good business leader?

I like the question and want to quote back at you John Mortimer’s dictum: “No brilliance is required for the law. Only common sense and relatively clean fingernails”. You can change the word ‘law’ for ‘business’ and I think it still makes sense. It’s certainly easy to overthink in business: but looking the part is important, as is seeing the wood for the trees, which in itself requires a dose of common sense. I’m also a great believer in doing the right things and taking advantage of opportunities: I’m reactive in that sense. I like the way the world is always coming at you – as business leaders, we need to be flexible, otherwise the job loses its crucial sense of adventure.

7. What has been the biggest challenge in your career?

Firing unsuitable people. You worry disproportionately about the decision and yet when you execute it, you wonder why you agonised so much about it. It’s possible to be too nice in business sometimes. Business leaders should know that if you’re discussing someone too much then they probably should already have left the business. On the other hand, that individual may secretly be unhappy and relish confronting the reality of the situation: we all know, deep down, whether we’re performing and everybody hates struggling with their work. It’s usually better to bite the bullet: among many other things, it saves time.

8. What are you most proud of professionally?

Launching Finito World. I suppose if I look back this was an act of inspiration almost indistinguishable from madness: all the newspapers were shrinking, and yet I saw that there was an appetite for something new. Fast forward three years, and we’ve interviewed everyone from Sir David Attenborough to Sir Tom Stoppard, Sir Martin Sorrell, Sir Richard Branson and many, many more. We were also finalists in the 2022 PPA Awards.

9. What has been your largest or most impactful investment as a company?

Right from the beginning, using the expertise of our advisory board member Dame Mary Richardson, we decided we would need a bursary for students who cannot afford our fees. It’s been hugely successful and lifted many out of disadvantage and difficulty. We recently took on our first Ukrainian refugee and we are committed to doing more.

10. What advice would you give to new business owners?

You have to have self-belief – but then perhaps people who have set up their own business already have that or they wouldn’t have taken the plunge. I do think it’s important to take the right decisions on outside investment. You either need to maintain control or have investors who really understand you, believe in you, and who you can bounce ideas off.