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'It's not all about money' says Glenfeshie billionaire


By Tom Ramage

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Scotland’s richest man has told the Strathy after the latest Sunday Times Rich List was published: “It’s not about money. Real ‘success’ is measured very differently.”

Danish billionaire fashion boss Anders Holch Povlsen, who has adopted Scotland as his personal environmental project, said: “We are a family business and the meaningful impact and enthusiasm we’re able to create through our businesses is what matters.”

Anders Holch Povlsen
Anders Holch Povlsen

And the Glenfeshie Estate owner confessed: “I don’t like to be on these lists at all.”

Mr Povlsen is unimpressed by the media’s obsession with his wealth.

He also wonders why the Times dwells mistakenly on his own roots: “It’s quite funny. They keep writing that I’m originally from the Faroe Islands – I’ve never even been there.”

The real issues to worry about, he said, are much closer to home: “The real crisis is us all, not having the humility and respect towards the natural world we all are a part of.

“We consume nature and its natural resources in an unsustainable way. But even worse I think, we pollute our soil, water, sea and air, to an extent, which is very sad to be a part of.

“Hopefully, our visitors get a feel for this effort by everyone within WildLand, and sometimes even get a little inspired by what they see.

“It’s a long journey, and it’s still day one.

“But everything starts small. And this one is the most important task we are assigned with.”

Scottish home: Glenfeshie Lodge in the early days of the Povlsen era
Scottish home: Glenfeshie Lodge in the early days of the Povlsen era

The latest Rich List puts Mr Povlsen’s personal wealth at more than £6 billion - up £1.27 billion on the previous year.

He sits at number 28 overall on the British table according to the Sunday Times, which reports:

“The fast-fashion boom fuelled by a year of lockdowns has poured money into the pockets of Povlsen, who, as well as owning more land in the UK than the Queen and the Church of Scotland combined, has a 25 per cent stake in the online retailer Asos.

“Its share price has soared, while its acquisition of the Miss Selfridge, Topman and Topshop brands from the remnants of Sir Philip Green’s unravelling Arcadia group earlier this year symbolised the changing of the guard.”

More in this week's Strathspey and Badenoch Herald, out now.


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