Seiko is collaborating with leaders and innovators in a variety of fields to celebrate the release of the Ananta Collection
Luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent annually moves nearly a quarter of a million people around the globe. So for president and chief operating officer Joss Kent, being organised is a given.
With 62 offices in 33 countries, A&K is unique in having such a global on-the-ground network. ‘We are the only global company that is still in control of your experience, right down to the nitty-gritty of the detail,’ says Kent. ‘If I walked into a restaurant like Le Caprice in London and saw that, instead of a kitchen, there was a line of motorbikes that were going out to collect food from a variety of other sources, I wouldn’t want to eat there. It’s the same with us. Our clients want to be certain that we are in charge of every experience.
‘Mark Twain said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness,” and I believe passionately in travel’s ability to change people. What makes me tick is seeing very rich people, who might think they have everything, being brought to their knees and humbled by travel. Travel makes them feel new emotions, reprioritise their lives and reconnect with their families. It has real power.’
Before joining A&K, Kent spent three years as an army officer. ‘The army influenced me enormously. It taught me how to make do with what you have in a world in which everyone wants more. It’s incredibly meritocratic and that showed me how to lead in the correct way. That means never asking anyone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself. I always make tea for everyone in the office, for example. You’d be amazed by how many people from big organisations are not prepared to get their hands dirty. Military people tend to be right in the guts of everything and have punctuality, great time-keeping and that rare commodity, common sense in abundance.
‘The three principles that I base my business on are ethics, integrity and good manners. They’re essential to a global luxury brand like ours and if people think that makes me old-fashioned, then I’m proud to be so.’
Kent believes that what makes A&K exceptional is its attention to detail. ‘There is nothing too small for me get involved in,’ he says. ‘I’m a control freak. I’m interested and involved in every tiny facet of the experience that my clients are going to have.’
Attention to detail is also crucial to this Ananta collection from Seiko, the science behind it having been influenced heavily by Japanese Katana sword technology.
With A&K expanding its global reach into new territories like Japan next year, it’s reassuring to know that such a stickler for detail is at the helm.
Comments