Curriculum Vitae
Niccolò, who once sailed single-handed from St Tropez to Hawaii, started out in equity sales at Merrill Lynch. Since then he has been head trader at a $1 billion hedge fund, Newman Ragazzi, and adviser to Sunderland Football Club. He joined Northacre in 2013.
Saturday morning
The weekend begins when my son Ludovico, 13, and I play football beneath the Westway in Kensington, London.
I was born to Italian parents in Washington DC, then grew up in Rome. Home is half London, half my grandfather's summer house in Forte dei Marmi, Tuscany. Twice a year. I visit Rome and this year the Vatican is honouring my mother's great-uncle Pius XII (Pope from 1939-1958.)
I've been involved in football for a long time. I played semi-professionally in France. Here, I consulted to Sunderland FC until last May. I enjoy playing today as much as at 16. Knees and ankles suffer but it clears the mind. After the game, we stop at Cacciari's near High Street Kensington for tiramisu.
Saturday afternoon
This is for my daughters. I collect Apollina, nine, and Violetta, six. We may spend two hours in the park then go for pizza at Rossopomodoro on Fulham Road. We also might drop in on a vintage car dealer in South Kensington as Apollina is passionate about cars.
I believe in resting the creative brain, going out in the world and seeing what is happening. This month I'm excited about the What is Luxury? exhibition we are sponsoring at the Victoria & Albert Museum. I like its approach: big on curation, craftsmanship, space, time and the unexpected – it transcends clichéd views of luxury.
At the end of the afternoon, my muscles and joints are screaming, so I lie down and fantasise about holidays.
Saturday evening
A creature of habit, I dine with friends. Beast, off Oxford Street, serves the best meat in London. Or I go to the theatre. Ever since I discovered St James's Theatre, I've caught every opening night.
Sunday daytime
We reprise Saturday's football match, only more casually and with fewer injuries – but the same tiramisu.
In the afternoon, I take the girls to the movies, or I watch a football match. I'm not a loyal follower of one particular team. I'll go to Chelsea, Arsenal, QPR, Millwall, even Leyton Orient.
I want to return to management. Conversations are going on. Several clubs could be better run. Restoration is an important theme for me. At Northacre our projects often have a revival angle.
Sunday evening
I can barely move. Hobbling, I take my girlfriend out in South Kensington: Dozo for Japanese; Franco Manca for pizza; Il Macellaio for steak. I like Iddu, Luca Del Bono's elegant Sicilian next to his new South Kensington wellness centre.
I'm reading The Psychopath Test. It examines the personalities of successful people. They say business is 15% skill and 85% understanding people, including psychopaths!
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Conor is a staff writer for Newsweek covering Africa, with a focus on Nigeria, security and conflict.
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