The chief executive of luxury carmaker Rolls-Royce Motors has told The National that increased investment in its Goodwood plant in the UK comes on the back of "very strong" demand for complex bespoke commissions in the Middle East.
Chris Brownridge said Rolls-Royce's Dubai private office, where prospective buyers meet designers and client experience managers to bring a bespoke commission to life, has been "very successful" for the company. "We are seeing some really spectacular commissions coming from the private office in Dubai," he told The National, "and it's really thrilling to see those coming to life in the production facility at Goodwood."
The company, which is owned by BMW, opened its first international private office in Dubai in 2022, followed by one in Shanghai the following year. They were joined last year by new private offices in Seoul and New York.
The company said it was not always convenient for Rolls-Royce's clients to travel to its Goodwood factory in southern England, where it will now invest more than £300 million , as the luxury carmaker looks to expand its bespoke business following a successful year of sales last year.
We're a house of luxury and scarcity
Chris Brownridge
Bespoke content value increased 10 per cent on average per motor car year-on-year in 2024, a record for Rolls-Royce. Creating highly personalised products and experiences for individual clients has been an area the company has been concentrating on for some time, which have included fine details such as solid 18-carat gold sculptures, intricate embroideries involving nearly a million stitches, artworks crafted from mother of pearl and holographic paint finishes.
“Rolls-Royce bespoke can mean something as simple as a hand-painted coach line with a family monogram through to a motor car with embedded pieces of mother of pearl from the family collection or a headliner featuring a fibre-optic starlight constellation of the date and location of where you were born, through to a coach-built car. So, it's a very broad spectrum of possibilities,” Mr Brownridge said.
Rolls-Royce Motors' bespoke business does particularly well in the Middle East, although it gets commissioned by an extremely diverse set of ultra-high net worth individuals. Last year, the company expanded its private office network to Seoul and New York to cater for this growing part of the business. Bespoke commissions through the private office network generally carry a 25 per cent premium.
"The luxury experience is not just having a Rolls-Royce motor car," Mr Brownridge told The National. "It's the whole engagement with us as a business, as a family, and also the joy of the commissioning process. Quite often, a client may come to Goodwood and have their motor car presented to them, and they'll immediately be thrilled with their motor car. But they'll immediately want to start the process again for another Rolls-Royce. That is the luxury experience that we're so proud of.”
Driving sales figures
In terms of total numbers, Rolls-Royce delivered 5,712 in 2024, slightly lower than the previous year, but still its third-highest annual performance. North America was Rolls-Royce Motors' biggest region in terms of deliveries, while several others, including the Middle East and Africa, saw record sales. The well-established markets of the UAE, Germany and Japan were among a number of countries that achieved record sales in 2024.
In terms of sales in China, Mr Brownridge said there had been some "headwinds, but the market has been "pretty much in line with our expectations".
"If we look back in history, we've seen ups and downs in this region," he told The National. "But we're very committed to China. We've invested there with the private office and also we've invested with a dedicated logistics and parts facility so that we can provide a stronger service to our clients in China. So, it's a region that we expect to see more growth in as well.”
As far as the US is concerned and the threat of tariffs once Donald Trump moves into the White House once again, Mr Brownridge said Rolls-Royce Motors will take a "wait-and-see" approach. "In the luxury sector, clients tend to be more price-elastic. But we'll respond when we know what is likely to be on the road ahead of us. But we're still very optimistic about the USA region. We've got a very strong client base and very strong demand," he said.
Spectre sales spark
Last year was the first full year of deliveries for the new electric model, the Spectre, which was the most requested Rolls-Royce model in Europe and the second most demanded globally. Mr Brownridge said the feedback from clients who had bought one showed "the satisfaction they have with Spectre is higher than any other Rolls-Royce model".
"It's the first Rolls-Royce to combine a traditional Rolls-Royce with a sophisticated and highly engineered electric power train," he told The National. "The extraordinary refinement and silence of driving, the ease of driving, and also the magic carpet ride experience and waftability is taken to new highs. In fact, it's been the second most in-demand Rolls-Royce motor car this year, which is extraordinary for a two-door coupe."
As a company, hard sales numbers mean less to Rolls-Royce than they would to one of the large global car makers, not only because they deliver comparatively few during the year, but because buying a Rolls-Royce is more a continuing luxury experience than a straight forward financial transaction.
"We're a house of luxury and scarcity, and matching our output with client demand is critical to our success, Mr Brownridge told The National. "I think looking into the year ahead, it's going to be a windy year, in that there will be winds in our sails in some parts of the world and some headwinds as well. But we're cautiously optimistic and our expectations are that we'll have another solid year, and we will also continue the growth of bespoke aspects of our business, which is our core area of focus.”
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Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs: Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Price, base: Dh1 million (estimate)
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 563hp @ 5,000rpm
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Fuel economy, combined: 15L / 100km
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
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What is a black hole?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
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Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
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The Little Things
Directed by: John Lee Hancock
Starring: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto
Four stars
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier, in Bangkok
UAE fixtures Mon Nov 20, v China; Tue Nov 21, v Thailand; Thu Nov 23, v Nepal; Fri Nov 24, v Hong Kong; Sun Nov 26, v Malaysia; Mon Nov 27, Final
(The winners will progress to the Global Qualifier)
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
CAF Champions League semi-finals first-leg fixtures
Tuesday:
Primeiro Agosto (ANG) v Esperance (TUN) (8pm UAE)
Al Ahly (EGY) v Entente Setif (ALG) (11PM)
Second legs:
October 23
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