London's High-Roller Aristocrat and the Middle Eastern Royal: Their Affluent Relationship
Here's a fresh take on the article:
New Headline:Richard Caring's Empire Sell-Off: The 'King of Mayfair' Goes Global
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The Casualty King
London's Mayfair district has seen its fair share of larger-than-life characters, from Winston Churchill and Oscar Wilde to the modern-day kings of business and politics.
Flashy, glamorous, and as old as time itself, Mayfair continues to be a jewel in the crown of high society. With its luxurious private members' clubs, ultra-exclusive restaurants, and a blend of old and new money, it thrives on its reputation as a playground for the rich and powerful.
So, it comes as no surprise that Richard Caring, the self-proclaimed "King of Mayfair," is preparing to downsize his empire in style.
With his signature flowing locks and a smile that could light up a room, Caring has built a portfolio of high-end properties and restaurants that have made him nothing short of legendary in the district. His portfolio boasts such prestigious establishments as Annabel's, a private members' club with waiting lists to rival the longest lines, and the Ivy, a once-celebrity-frequented restaurant turned chain of luxury eateries.
Caring's big move? A substantial sale of his businesses to Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al-Nahyan's holding company. According to our insiders, this sale could fetch more than £1bn!
Tariff Tantrums
Elliott Management never disappoints when it comes to making a splash. So it was with little surprise that when the activist firm decided to voice its concerns over Donald Trump's trade war, it did so with characteristic bluntness.
Elliott sent a letter to investors in late April, warning of the potential economic fallout from the president's unpredictable tariff policy. The letter's title, "Bonfire of the American era?" was a bold reference to Tom Wolfe's The Bonfire of the Vanities, a flashy tale of Wall Street's excess that captured the 1980s with its story of bond trader Sherman McCoy and his tumultuous demise.
In the letter, Elliott warned that Trump's economic agenda could harm the dollar's appeal and make doing business in the US a riskier proposition, leading to "capital flight" and a sharp decline in the value of US assets[3].
Davos Unbound?
The World Economic Forum has been shaken to its core as it faces allegations of misconduct against its founder, Klaus Schwab. Schwab, who founded the WEF in 1971, has been a crucial figure in drawing in the world's top political and business leaders for the annual Davos conference.
In April, Schwab was forced to step down as the WEF's chair following accusations of financial misconduct. A whistleblower claimed that Schwab and his family had inappropriately reaped financial benefits from the WEF and manipulated the WEF's flagship global competitiveness report to curry favor with governments.
Schwab has vehemently denied all the allegations, but the damage has been done. As the WEF grapples with its founder's fall from grace, grandees and corporate chieftains alike are questioning the organization's staying power without Schwab at the helm.
With all this exciting news and more, stay tuned for the next issue of DealMaker! As a premium subscriber, you'll never miss a beat on the dealmaking, private equity, and corporate finance scene.
References[1] "Covid-19 catalyzes £1bn sale of Richard Caring’s hospitality empire to Gulf buyers," The Financial Times (May 14, 2025).[2] "Exclusive: Richard Caring in talks to sell stake to Emirati royal sheikh for £1bn-plus," The Telegraph (May 15, 2025).[3] "Elliott Management warns of 'capital flight' from US under Trump, FT reports," Bloomberg (May 16, 2025).[4] "Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed in talks to buy Richard Caring's hotel empire for £1bn," The Times (May 18, 2025).
- In the realm of finance and business, Richard Caring's downsizing of his hospitality empire could generate more than £1bn, with Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al-Nahyan's holding company as the potential buyer.
- Navigating the intersection of politics and economy, Elliott Management sent a letter to investors warning of potential economic fallout from President Trump's tariff policy, drawing a parallel to Tom Wolfe's novel, The Bonfire of the Vanities.
- As the World Economic Forum grapples with financial misconduct allegations against its founder, Klaus Schwab, corporate leaders question the organization's staying power and mull over the implications for the future of the Davos conference.
