Russian sanctions upset Moscow regatta show plans but Fine Art Sails still floats into Cowes Week

Russian sanctions have taken the wind out of one London property developer’s sails. CNM Estates boss Michael Ross, who also runs Fine Art Sails, had been working on cultural ties with Moscow to bring his sail art to a regatta in the Russian capital this June. 

 

The plans ran into choppy waters, however, when UK sanctions on Russia were suggested and Ross had to cancel his event. “The decision was forced upon me. While I was personally glad to march ahead with the regatta in Moscow, there simply was not the enthusiasm of the artists, or sponsors, due to the crippling sanctions,” he blasted. 

 

Not to be blown too far off course, though, Ross is taking his show to Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week instead, today. As well as showing off his floating gallery, he promises he’ll be preaching from the pontoon about the cultural damage inflicted by Russian sanctions.  

 

 

■ The news of BoJo’s intention to run for parliament had varying effects on people yesterday – David Cameron starting using sporting analogies (“I've always said I want my star players on the pitch”), Sajid Javid found his speech about the economy completely overshadowed and well, the fire alarm went off in Portcullis House, causing a brief evacuation. “Boris announces he’s returning to parliament. Two minutes later, the fire alarms in parliament go off and we have to evacuate. Coincidence?” tweeted one evacuee. Parliament confirmed there was a false alarm around a similar time to Boris’ announcement. Coincidence or the metaphorical alarm bells ringing, who knows…?

 

■ Standard Chartered’s beleaguered chief exec Peter Sands spent much of his results call yesterday fielding questions about regulators. As Stan Chart faces a fresh round of investigations by New York regulators, the subject of the bank’s previous fine by NY regulators also came up – to the point where Sands ended using the word regulator while talking about another group all together. “We talk to regulators all of the time, we’re very open with regulators – I mean, shareholders!” he fluffed. The chief exec went on to rubbish the idea that he would one day move into a certain new career – and you’ll never guess which one. “I am certainly not going to become a regulator,” he insisted. Why ever not?