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{{Short description|English hotelier}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}}
{{More footnotes|date=March 2009}} {{More footnotes needed|date=March 2009}}

{{Infobox person {{Infobox person
|honorific_prefix = ] | honorific_prefix = ]
|name = Sir Rocco Forte | name = Sir Rocco Forte
| birth_name = Rocco Giovanni Forte
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1945|1|18}} | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1945|1|18}}
|birth_place = ], England | birth_place = ], England
|occupation = ] | occupation = ]
|nationality = British
|known_for = ] | known_for = ]
| spouse = Aliai Giovanna Maria Ricci | spouse = {{Marriage|Aliai Giovanna Maria Ricci|1986}}
| children = 3 | children = 3
| father = ]
}} }}


'''Sir Rocco Giovanni Forte''', ], ] (born 18 January 1945) is an English ] and the chairman of ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/8khcR0KhX7owXGjlO_7MAjFWrA0/appointments|title=Rocco Giovanni Forte|website=Companies House|access-date=23 July 2016}}</ref> '''Sir Rocco Giovanni Forte''' {{post-nominals|post-noms=] ] }} (born 18 January 1945) is an English ] and the chairman of ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/8khcR0KhX7owXGjlO_7MAjFWrA0/appointments|title=Rocco Giovanni Forte|website=Companies House|access-date=23 July 2016}}</ref>


== Early life == == Early life ==
Born in ], the son of the late ] and his wife Lidia, he was educated at ], Southbourne, and ]. He read modern languages at ],<ref>{{cite web | title =Sir Rocco Forte, MA, FCA – Chairman The Rocco Forte Collection | work =Conrad N. Hilton College | publisher =University of Houston | url =http://www.hrm.uh.edu/cnhc/ShowContent.asp?c=14008 | accessdate =25 March 2010 | deadurl =yes | archiveurl =https://web.archive.org/web/20100613154109/http://www.hrm.uh.edu/cnhc/ShowContent.asp?c=14008 | archivedate =13 June 2010 | df =dmy-all }}</ref> where he won a ] for fencing. Born in ], the son of ], and his wife Irene, he was educated at ], Southbourne (at the time an independent and fee-paying Roman Catholic grammar school) and ]. He read modern languages at ],<ref>{{cite web | title =Sir Rocco Forte, MA, FCA – Chairman The Rocco Forte Collection | work =Conrad N. Hilton College | publisher =University of Houston | url =http://www.hrm.uh.edu/cnhc/ShowContent.asp?c=14008 | accessdate =25 March 2010 | url-status =dead | archiveurl =https://web.archive.org/web/20100613154109/http://www.hrm.uh.edu/cnhc/ShowContent.asp?c=14008 | archivedate =13 June 2010 | df =dmy-all }}</ref> where he won a ] for fencing.


He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1969, later becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1979. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1969, later becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1979.


== Career == == Career ==
He took over from his father as CEO of the ] in 1992. In the mid-1990s, the Forte Group was faced with a hostile takeover bid from ]'s ]. Ultimately, Granada succeeded with a £3.87&nbsp;billion tender offer in August 1995 that left the family with around £350&nbsp;million in cash. Forte took over from his father as CEO of the ] in 1992. In the mid-1990s, the Forte Group was faced with a hostile takeover bid from ]'s ]. Ultimately, Granada succeeded with a £3.87&nbsp;billion tender offer in August 1995 that left the family with around £350&nbsp;million in cash.


In 2001, following the de-merger of ] from Granada's media interests, the use of the Forte trademark was returned to Forte in a gesture intended to dispel the bitter legacy of the takeover. In 2001, following the de-merger of ] from Granada's media interests, the use of the Forte trademark was returned to Forte in a gesture intended to dispel the bitter legacy of the takeover.


After the takeover, Forte set up his own chain of hotels in 1996, initially known as RF Hotels and re-branded as ] after the return of the Forte brand name. He bought the ] in Edinburgh and ] in London for £51.5m. As of April 2013, The Rocco Forte Collection operates eleven hotels in Europe, Russia, northern Africa and the Middle East.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/Companies/article1248732.ece|title=Forte checks out of Balmoral|work=The Sunday Times|location=London}}</ref> After the takeover, Forte set up his own chain of hotels in 1996, initially known as RF Hotels and re-branded as ] after the return of the Forte brand name. He bought the ] in Edinburgh and ] in London for £51.5m. As of April 2013, The Rocco Forte Collection operates eleven hotels in Europe, Russia, northern Africa and the Middle East.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/Companies/article1248732.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522203904/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/Companies/article1248732.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 May 2013|title=Forte checks out of Balmoral|work=The Sunday Times|location=London}}</ref>


Forte's family wealth in 2013 was listed as £250,000,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catererandhotelkeeper.co.uk/articles/22/4/2013/348222/hoteliers-dominate-the-sunday-times-rich-list-2013.htm|title=Hoteliers dominate The Sunday Times Rich List 2013|author=Janet Harmer|date=22 April 2013|work=The Caterer}}</ref> Forte's family wealth in 2013 was listed as £250,000,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catererandhotelkeeper.co.uk/articles/22/4/2013/348222/hoteliers-dominate-the-sunday-times-rich-list-2013.htm|title=Hoteliers dominate The Sunday Times Rich List 2013|author=Janet Harmer|date=22 April 2013|work=The Caterer}}</ref>

He is a member of the ] and has previously voted against admittance of women, 'because the Garrick was built as a gentlemen’s club'.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/gallery/2024/mar/19/garrick-club-notable-members-in-pictures|title=The Garrick Club's notable members – in pictures|date=19 May 2024|work=The Guardian}}</ref>


==Honours and awards== ==Honours and awards==
Forte was appointed a ] in the ] list for services to the UK tourism industry.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=54058 |date=9 June 1995 |page=8075}}</ref> In March 2005, he received the highest Italian accolade, the ''Gran Croce dell']'', for his entrepreneurial merits and strong links with Italy. He was President of the ] from 1991 to 1996. Forte was appointed a ] in the ] list for services to the UK tourism industry.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=54058 |date=9 June 1995 |page=8075}}</ref> In March 2005, he received the highest Italian accolade, the ''Gran Croce dell']'', for his entrepreneurial merits and strong links with Italy. He was President of the ] from 1991 to 1996.


He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council and chaired the appeals to send the English teams to the ] for many years. He was also a member of the executive committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council and chaired the appeals to send the English teams to the ] for many years.

Forte is patron of Les clefs d'Or (society of the Golden Keys) for the UK.


==Philanthropy== ==Philanthropy==
Forte funded a series of lectures at ] in April 2008 organised by Cardinal Archbishop ]. The first of these was given by former UK Prime Minister ], who launched his "faith foundation" there. Later, Forte was reported to have criticised Blair for passing anti-Catholic legislation.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2008/apr/13/24 | work=The Guardian | title=Pendennis | first=Oliver | last=Marre | location=London | date=13 April 2008}}</ref> Forte funded a series of lectures at ] in April 2008 organised by Cardinal Archbishop ].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2008/apr/13/24 | work=The Guardian | title=Pendennis | first=Oliver | last=Marre | location=London | date=13 April 2008}}</ref>


In 1992, Forte and Martin Landau opened a City Technology College in Derby named Landau Forte College. In 2006, they changed to an academy. In 2010, they took a Tamworth High School (Woodhouse Business & Enterprise College) and turned it into Landau Forte Academy Tamworth, but in 2011, when they opened Landau Forte Academy QEMS in Tamworth, they changed their name to Landau Forte Academy Amington. There has since been a ] centre open next to Landau Forte Academy QEMS named ]. In 1992, Forte and Martin Landau opened a City Technology College in Derby named Landau Forte College. In 2006, they changed to an academy. In 2010, they took a Tamworth High School (Woodhouse Business & Enterprise College) and turned it into Landau Forte Academy Tamworth, but in 2011, when they opened Landau Forte Academy QEMS in Tamworth, they changed their name to Landau Forte Academy Amington. There has since been a ] centre open next to Landau Forte Academy QEMS named ].


==Political activity==
== Personal life ==
Forte paid for a victory party for ] in one of his hotels upon his winning the ].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Peter |title=Hotelier threw £12,000 victory party for Johnson, records reveal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/aug/13/hotelier-threw-12000-victory-party-for-boris-johnson-register-reveals |work=The Guardian |date=13 August 2019}}</ref> He donated £100,000 to the ] during the ].{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}. Sir Rocco is an advocate for Brexit and supporter of removing immigrants rights, appearing in interviews with Nigel Farage often.

In 2023 he declared in ''The Times'' that the UK had failed to take advantage of the opportunities presented by Brexit and was considering emigrating to Italy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Llewellyn Smith |first1=Julia |title=I backed Brexit but we’re back to declinism and I might move to Italy |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/money/article/i-backed-brexit-but-were-back-to-declinism-and-i-might-move-to-italy-jrvvm8fpw |access-date=27 October 2024 |work=] |date=15 May 2023}}</ref>

== Family ==


On 15 February 1986, in the Aracoeli church of Rome, he married Aliai Giovanna Maria Ricci, a twenty-one-year-old Italian (b. 1965). She is the daughter of a famous Roman neurologist, professor Giovanni Ricci.<ref></ref> They have three children together: Lydia Irene (b. 1987), Irene Alisea (b. 1988) and Charles Giovanni (b. 1991), who are all involved in the family's business. On 15 February 1986, in the Aracoeli church of Rome, he married Aliai Giovanna Maria Ricci, a twenty-one-year-old Italian (b. 1965).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vogue.it/people-are-talking-about/focus-on/2010/06/aliai-forte|title=Aliai Forte|website=Vogue Italia|date=8 June 2010 }}</ref> She is the daughter of a Roman neurologist, professor Giovanni Ricci.<ref></ref>


One of his nieces is ], a ] and the presenter of ]'s '']''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/picturegalleries/10009598/The-richest-people-in-travel.html|title=The richest people in travel|date=22 April 2013|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London}}</ref> Other notable Forte family members include his sister ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.roccofortehotels.com/it/forte-philosophy/team/corporate-contacts/olga-polizzi/|title=Luxury Hotels - 5 Star Hotels and Resorts - Rocco Forte|website=www.roccofortehotels.com}}</ref> and her daughter ], a ] and the presenter of ]'s '']''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/picturegalleries/10009598/The-richest-people-in-travel.html|title=The richest people in travel|date=22 April 2013|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London}}</ref>
Her dauther Lydia is one of the judges at the TV show ], on ].


== References == == References ==
<ref>The knight’s tale - Sir Rocco Forte: https://www.dotwnews.com/interviews/the-knight-s-tale-sir-rocco-forte Retrieved APRIL 28, 2011</ref>
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}


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Latest revision as of 10:23, 12 December 2024

English hotelier

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (March 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
The HonourableSir Rocco Forte
BornRocco Giovanni Forte
(1945-01-18) 18 January 1945 (age 79)
Bournemouth, England
OccupationHotelier
Known forRocco Forte Hotels
Spouse Aliai Giovanna Maria Ricci ​ ​(m. 1986)​
Children3
FatherCharles Forte, Baron Forte

Sir Rocco Giovanni Forte FCA FIoD (born 18 January 1945) is an English hotelier and the chairman of Rocco Forte Hotels.

Early life

Born in Bournemouth, the son of Charles Forte, Baron Forte, and his wife Irene, he was educated at St Peter's Catholic School, Southbourne (at the time an independent and fee-paying Roman Catholic grammar school) and Downside School. He read modern languages at Pembroke College, Oxford, where he won a blue for fencing.

He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1969, later becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1979.

Career

Forte took over from his father as CEO of the Forte Group in 1992. In the mid-1990s, the Forte Group was faced with a hostile takeover bid from Gerry Robinson's Granada. Ultimately, Granada succeeded with a £3.87 billion tender offer in August 1995 that left the family with around £350 million in cash.

In 2001, following the de-merger of Compass Group from Granada's media interests, the use of the Forte trademark was returned to Forte in a gesture intended to dispel the bitter legacy of the takeover.

After the takeover, Forte set up his own chain of hotels in 1996, initially known as RF Hotels and re-branded as The Rocco Forte Collection after the return of the Forte brand name. He bought the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh and Brown's Hotel in London for £51.5m. As of April 2013, The Rocco Forte Collection operates eleven hotels in Europe, Russia, northern Africa and the Middle East.

Forte's family wealth in 2013 was listed as £250,000,000.

He is a member of the Garrick Club and has previously voted against admittance of women, 'because the Garrick was built as a gentlemen’s club'.

Honours and awards

Forte was appointed a Knight Bachelor in the 1995 New Year Honours list for services to the UK tourism industry. In March 2005, he received the highest Italian accolade, the Gran Croce dell'Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana, for his entrepreneurial merits and strong links with Italy. He was President of the British Hospitality Association from 1991 to 1996.

He was also a member of the executive committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council and chaired the appeals to send the English teams to the Commonwealth Games for many years.

Forte is patron of Les clefs d'Or (society of the Golden Keys) for the UK.

Philanthropy

Forte funded a series of lectures at Westminster Cathedral in April 2008 organised by Cardinal Archbishop Cormac Murphy-O'Connor.

In 1992, Forte and Martin Landau opened a City Technology College in Derby named Landau Forte College. In 2006, they changed to an academy. In 2010, they took a Tamworth High School (Woodhouse Business & Enterprise College) and turned it into Landau Forte Academy Tamworth, but in 2011, when they opened Landau Forte Academy QEMS in Tamworth, they changed their name to Landau Forte Academy Amington. There has since been a Sixth Form centre open next to Landau Forte Academy QEMS named Landau Forte Academy Tamworth Sixth Form.

Political activity

Forte paid for a victory party for Boris Johnson in one of his hotels upon his winning the 2019 Conservative Party leadership election. He donated £100,000 to the Conservative Party during the 2019 general election.. Sir Rocco is an advocate for Brexit and supporter of removing immigrants rights, appearing in interviews with Nigel Farage often.

In 2023 he declared in The Times that the UK had failed to take advantage of the opportunities presented by Brexit and was considering emigrating to Italy.

Family

On 15 February 1986, in the Aracoeli church of Rome, he married Aliai Giovanna Maria Ricci, a twenty-one-year-old Italian (b. 1965). She is the daughter of a Roman neurologist, professor Giovanni Ricci.

Other notable Forte family members include his sister Olga Polizzi and her daughter Alex Polizzi, a hotelier and the presenter of Channel 5's The Hotel Inspector.

References

  1. "Rocco Giovanni Forte". Companies House. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  2. "Sir Rocco Forte, MA, FCA – Chairman The Rocco Forte Collection". Conrad N. Hilton College. University of Houston. Archived from the original on 13 June 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  3. "Forte checks out of Balmoral". The Sunday Times. London. Archived from the original on 22 May 2013.
  4. Janet Harmer (22 April 2013). "Hoteliers dominate The Sunday Times Rich List 2013". The Caterer.
  5. "The Garrick Club's notable members – in pictures". The Guardian. 19 May 2024.
  6. "No. 54058". The London Gazette. 9 June 1995. p. 8075.
  7. Marre, Oliver (13 April 2008). "Pendennis". The Guardian. London.
  8. Walker, Peter (13 August 2019). "Hotelier threw £12,000 victory party for Johnson, records reveal". The Guardian.
  9. Llewellyn Smith, Julia (15 May 2023). "I backed Brexit but we're back to declinism and I might move to Italy". The Times. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  10. "Aliai Forte". Vogue Italia. 8 June 2010.
  11. Professor Giovanni Ricci, Neurologo, Roma
  12. "Luxury Hotels - 5 Star Hotels and Resorts - Rocco Forte". www.roccofortehotels.com.
  13. "The richest people in travel". The Daily Telegraph. London. 22 April 2013.
  14. The knight’s tale - Sir Rocco Forte: https://www.dotwnews.com/interviews/the-knight-s-tale-sir-rocco-forte Retrieved APRIL 28, 2011

External links

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