Good day Tom! Inform us a little bit extra about your self and the Tom Barker Group.
Dwelling on this fast-paced world we’re the chosen “cash can’t purchase expertise” associate of many forward-thinking corporations who really worth the funding in spending high quality time with their most valued purchasers.
We obtain this by means of First Class Components 1 Hospitality Experiences, with our premium F1 suite The Penthouse by Tom Barker Group. We additionally work intently with them to achieve varied model sponsorships and associations inside Components 1 and Components 2 by means of our key relationships within the sport. Giving our purchasers thrilling industrial alternatives which might in any other case be unattainable.
This sees me spend my time travelling all around the world between Australasia, Singapore and additional overseas with my stunning associate Emilee as we tackle new alternatives and develop the enterprise into a world operation.
What would you say is your motivation behind organising The Penthouse and Tom Barker Group?
My motivation for establishing our firm comes from my two passions in life; firstly, motor racing, Components 1 specifically and secondly, folks, working arduous with like-minded folks and making nice issues occur. The fun of seamlessly delivering a exceptional expertise for our visitors is massively satisfying.
“Probably the most dedicate of all pleasure is fulfilling the pleasure of others.”
Jean de la Bruyere
Motor racing is an unbelievable sport and in some ways a subculture. In New Zealand, we have now a really wealthy historical past relationship again to the Nineteen Sixties with Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme in Components 1. I imagine this laid a pathway of success for a lot of generations of antipodes on the world stage, rising up across the sport definitely lit a hearth in me to go and obtain one thing nice with my life.
I launched The Penthouse Components 1 Hospitality Expertise in 2018 on the Australian Components 1 as a manner of bringing like-minded folks collectively to construct nearer connections with one another and expertise the game from a brand new perspective.
Was there a memorable anecdote that you possibly can share with us and what was your response?
There are various nice tales, having the legendary Martin Brundle (Sky Sports activities F1 lead commentator, former F1 driver and arguably essentially the most revered face in Components 1) be part of us in The Penthouse solely half an hour earlier than his well-known Grid Stroll broadcast on the beginning grid of the 2022 Australian Components 1 Grand Prix.
It was an absolute coup, as Martin not often does these sorts of appearances, particularly on race day. It was a particular second for us all and we’re very proud to name Martin a buddy. Who is aware of possibly he’ll make one other go to to The Penthouse in Singapore. You’ll have to attend and see.
In your opinion, is creating an unforgettable service expertise one of the best type of hospitality?
Completely, I imagine when internet hosting our company shopper’s VIP visitors at The Penthouse we’re successfully representing every of their manufacturers. Our consideration to element and clear communication are vital parts to the method.
With this in thoughts, our function is to create a vibrant but secure and relaxed surroundings mixed with meticulous consideration to element and naturally one of the best views of Components 1. Executed appropriately by us and it’s one thing they’ll bear in mind for a lifetime and most significantly create a stronger private connection to the corporate.
What do you suppose is exclusive about The Penthouse that units it aside from its rivals?
We encourage our purchasers to have “new eyes” by means of first-class hospitality, visitor choice, and growing a particular relationship with every of them. All the things we do is with big ardour and a spotlight to element.
Our mission is to assist our purchasers to attach with like-minded folks in an open and pleasant surroundings. When having fun with our first-class hospitality they have a tendency to chill out and are extra open of their conversations, serving to them to construct stronger relationships with others.
It’s right here we have now seen first-hand many multi-million greenback alternatives come up between our company purchasers and their VIP visitors. To return and have enjoyable with us but additionally give them sturdy industrial worth is the true buzz for me.
The private relationships we construct with our purchasers are definitely particular. A lot of whom have grow to be mates, mentors and dependable advocates over time. They share in our achievements and type a part of an ever rising worldwide neighborhood of inspiring and influential folks.
You have got been a associate with the Australian Grand Prix since 2019, how do you suppose your previous experiences will probably be helpful with the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix contemplating that it will likely be an evening race?
We actually minimize our enamel with the Australian Components 1 Grand Prix, they gave me a chance in 2018 to have our personal suite, believed in my imaginative and prescient and have been an integral associate in our success to this point.
The teachings, alternatives and connections we have now fashioned out of The Penthouse with the Australian Grand Prix Company over the previous 4 years stand us in nice stead for our growth into Singapore.
There are different notable Grand Prix circuits around the globe, reminiscent of Circuit de Monaco, Autodromo Nazionale di Monza and Silverstone, to call a couple of. Why have you ever chosen Singapore to be the following pit cease?
I simply love Singapore. Watching the primary Grand Prix in 2008 on tv at 13 years outdated made me keen to return right here and get entangled in some way. So to be internet hosting The Penthouse right here in 2022 is considerably of a childhood ambition achieved.
Perhaps it’s the shining lights, and the general vitality of the place however there may be simply one thing magical about Components 1 vehicles screaming by means of this metropolis at night time that made us know Singapore needed to be the following frontier for The Penthouse by Tom Barker Group.
Solely lately has Asia began to select up motor racing, how totally different is that this tradition from the West?
In western tradition usually, all of us love vehicles and the sense of freedom they afford us. Automobiles are usually accessible for folks and likewise a significant type of transport given the distances many people should cowl in our day by day commutes.
From there folks grow to be “automotive proud” and genuinely benefit from the thrill of driving. Race circuits have been constructed to make driving quick in a managed surroundings a lot simpler and the fascination with motor racing was born. It truly is a subculture amongst fans.
Do you suppose F1 fans in Asia are usually youthful than that of followers in Europe? And why?
Usually sure, I imagine the large progress of E-Sports activities or simulator competitors in Asia just lately has performed a key function in younger folks forming a ardour for vehicles and motor racing. Racing simulators are so practical now and provides entry to simply about each automotive and race circuit on the planet all from the consolation of their residing rooms. We at the moment are seeing a cross-over from E-Sports activities racers being aggressive in real-world racing environments which is superior!
Additionally native heroes on the Components 1 grid give the Asian fanbase somebody to cheer for, thus driving big curiosity. There are at present three distinctive drivers from the area in Components 1 now which is incredible: Alpha Tauri has Yuki Tsonoda (Japan), Williams Racing has Alex Albon (Thai) and Zhou Guanyu (China) is driving for Alfa Romeo.
Aside from The Penthouse, the place you present a first-class expertise to benefit from the Grand Prix, will you be venturing to cowl different prestigious occasions or excursions?
We do quite a lot of “cash can’t purchase” experiences predominantly in New Zealand and Australia by combining each thrills and luxurious. From high-performance driving with Porsche to {golfing} at a number of the world’s finest golf programs, different unique experiences embrace heli-skiing, helicopter vineyard excursions, non-public air reveals by the Purple Bull Air Race World Champion and provoking visitor audio system from Rugby World Champions to Components 1 drivers.
Now we have an thrilling idea that we’ll be launching in 2023. It is going to be the entire above mixed into one unbelievable week of first-class journey and hospitality for a choose group of high-performing folks.
What are some thrilling actions that visitors can look ahead to with you throughout this F1 Singapore Grand Prix?
Our visitors travelling abroad will probably be hosted from the second they land in Singapore until they depart, taking in a number of the finest eating places with unique waitlists, and having fun with town from a brand new perspective.
The spotlight is our Components 1 hospitality at The Penthouse, nonetheless guaranteeing a seamless week with different like-minded folks can also be vital. Our visitors, together with our crew, are all staying on the Capitol Kempinski Singapore. They’re a terrific resort associate and given the variety of visitors we have now staying, it would really give the expertise a homely vibe.
Do you might have a favorite F1 driver?
Sure, I do. It’s a little bit left of area and he handed away properly earlier than my time however New Zealander Bruce McLaren is somebody I actually admire.
Beginning out life utterly bedridden as a toddler with a severe hip subject, he fought on to grow to be an absolute pioneer of Components 1 each as a driver and founding father of the McLaren Racing Workforce. This can be a testomony to his unbelievable spirit and character.
Probably the most superb story about Bruce I imagine was within the Nineteen Sixties and 70s the place he can be flying throughout the Atlantic a number of occasions per week tending to his enterprise and motor racing commitments between Europe and the US. Unusual even at present, and completely unimaginable in that period, he proved that no barrier may get in his solution to success.
The legacy he has left with the continued success of McLaren Components 1 Workforce and McLaren Automotive may be very particular. He’s definitely an inspiration to me.
Another thrilling information to share with us?
Sure, we do. We’re very near saying our thrilling plans for The Penthouse in Monaco and Las Vegas Components 1 races in 2023. Additionally some alliances with Components 1 groups and drivers will give our purchasers even better entry to the game and industrial alternatives with world attain.
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