Rocco Forte

It is impossible to introduce you without mentioning your father, which must have been the case all of your life. Do you find that very annoying?

Not at all. I've uh I've been very close to my father all through my life. He had a lot to do with bringing me up, and he's still very much involved, so I'm always very happy to hear him mentioned.

Being the boss's son must have been difficult.

I suppose it was and it wasn't. I think it made things a lot easier in some respects and that obviously your path upwards is facilitated if you're capable. But obviously people are very nice to you and careful how they handle you and talk to you. So perhaps you're protected from some of the rougher elements or rougher ends of the business as a result.

Can we talk about a a well known phrase that people connect with Fortes, which is portion control, which is said to have been one of the secrets of success of the business, but which in people's minds, sometimes smacks of stinginess. Now, can you explain portion control to us?

At the end of the day, you when you serve a meal, whatever quality of restaurant, you have to price that meal, and you price it on the basis of the amount you put in the plate. In a luxury restaurant, you allow for second helpings and so on. In a more modest establishment, obviously, it's much more rigorously controlled. At the end of the day, anybody is in business to make a profit, and therefore controls have to be applied.

You were, of course, inevitably, because you were rich and about town, labelled a playboy.

Yes, well I think the gossip columns had some fun with me, but I was never a playboy. I never worked too hard to be a playboy. I think uh being a playboy is a full-time occupation. I never managed to do that.

Well, your father stalked them for years, and um never quite managed to capture them, and now you're carrying on the battle. Why do you want them [the Savoy Group]?

Well it's not a question of wanting them so much. I mean we say my father stalked them for years. We made a takeover bid in 1971 and acquired 70% of the shares. But because of the share structure that they have, the odd share structure, we only have 42% of the votes. But effectively we own 70% of that business. So whilst there's a possibility of gaining control, I think we should pursue our action.

And would you agree that that the philosophy of your company is patriarchal and tender? but quite strict and very respectful.

Yes, I suppi I I suppose it is, yes. Patriarchal uh in the s in in as much as it can be in a in a business is the size that we are today. But certainly the instincts uh relating to that uh yes, and and uh the need to look after our people, and in turn they look after the business.