Sir Rocco Forte, the luxury hotelier behind Rocco Forte Hotels, has criticized the current government’s “anti-growth” policies, warning they are pushing Britain back to the economic challenges of the 1970s.
Forte, whose offices include the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh and Brown’s in London, claimed that policies “based on socialism” are driving away investment and threatening the country’s economic growth.
“We’re basically going back to the ’70s,” he said. “It’s come full circle, which is very irritating, and all the good work Thatcher did has been disfigured over the last 20 years by both the Blair-Brown and Conservative governments. Now we have a Labor government, which does a lot on the basis of socialism, but not much on the basis of common sense.”
Forte raised concerns about the potential for anti-corporate legislation, including tax hikes and strengthened worker rights, which critics say could deter hiring. He noted that speculation about a wealth tax has already begun to unsettle those in the financial sector, raising fears of an exodus of wealthy individuals and a brain drain.
Referring to Sir Keir Starmer’s recent comments that “the broadest shoulders should bear the heavier burden”, Forte said: “We are going to support working people, whatever that means. No party today supports working people. Freeing up unions and giving them more power will not help working people; it will help the unions and hurt the country.”
He warned that Britain risks returning to the economic stagnation of the 1970s, marked by high inflation, widespread strikes and energy crises. London was “dead” in the 1970s, Forte recalled, warning that the country could face similar gloom if current policies continue.
Forte also criticized the government’s plans to increase a windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas producers, arguing that the higher tax rates could cost the economy £12 billion in lost revenue and put 35,000 jobs at risk . He described the policy as “crazy” and emblematic of a broader anti-growth agenda.
Sir Rocco, who co-founded Rocco Forte Hotels with his sister Olga Polizzi, has expanded the business to 15 luxury properties, with five more in development. The group reported a turnover of £312 million and a profit of £15.8 million for the year ended April.
Forte recently sold a 49% stake in the company to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), valuing the company at around £1.4 billion. Despite criticism of PIF over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, Forte defended the partnership and called the kingdom’s modernization under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman a positive influence in the Middle East.
With the support of PIF, Rocco Forte Hotels plans to double its investments in hotel renovations and is exploring new ventures in Saudi Arabia, Marrakech and the United States. About 45% of the group’s business already comes from the US, and Forte is keen to expand further with potential locations in New York, Palm Beach, Miami Beach and Los Angeles.
Looking ahead, Sir Rocco expressed the need for visionary leadership in Britain, noting that he was disappointed with the direction of the Conservative Party since supporting Boris Johnson’s 2019 election victory. He called Kemi Badenoch the only Tory leadership candidate who understands the depth of the challenges facing the country, and praised her calls to take back power from unaccountable organisations.
Forte, who spends most of his time in Rome and less in Britain, remains cautious about future investments in Britain, especially given the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming budget. He is considering succession plans for his business, with his children already involved in the business, but has no immediate plans to retire. He states: “Right now I have the energy and I have the ambition.”