“The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is to #PressforProgress, of which I am a firm believer – not just in carving my own path to success, but in setting a precedent for my female counterparts and future successors” – Kalina Boyadjiew, MD at Gray & Farrar.
In the wake of a International Women’s Day and in celebration of women in business, The Sybarite sat down with Kalina Boyadjiew, the new Managing Director at London-based, luxury matchmaking consultancy – Gray & Farrar. Well-seasoned in the luxury sector, Kalina’s next venture sees her connecting the discerning with love. Becoming the first non-family member to be appointed at a management level, Gray & Farrar begin a new era with Kalina at the helm.
G&F was established by Virginia Sweetingham in 2005 as an independent family business and a pioneer within the matchmaking industry. The family remains at the helm, collectively sharing over 40 years of expertise within the matchmaking sphere, which underpins the business, its strategy, and the day to day approach to operations. “Gray & Farrar has always held female empowerment at its core – it has a female founder and a predominantly female team.”, explains Kalina. “The business also seeks to encourage women to pursue career success and satisfaction alongside romantic fulfilment; the service Gray & Farrar provides helps women to invest in their relationships as much as their career”.
Tasked with spearheading the global expansion of the business, Kalina joins with an impressive resume and the reputation of seasoned business strategist, guaranteed to instil momentum into any project, whilst exacting attention to detail. “My experience in international luxury offers the ultimate background to guide Gray & Farrar through its next period of expansion, both domestically and across the globe, identifying strategically selected opportunities and partnerships along the way.”, says Kalina.
From her time at Reignwood Investments UK Ltd, where she managed the sales, marketing and PR strategy for the landmark regeneration of Ten Trinity Square, the Four Seasons Hotel, Residences and Private Members Club in the heart of London. To her position as Head of Sales for luxury developer Candy & Candy, where she oversaw the sales programme and service delivery of One Hyde Park – London’s iconic residential development, which redefined luxury living in a global city, and achieved record breaking prices from launch through to completion. Kalina Boyadjiew is a woman poised to take the luxury matchmaking scene to new heady heights. “Matchmaking is undergoing a seismic evolution as society falls out of love with the impersonal, random and casual nature of dating websites and apps, and further embraces the concierge culture which dictates that one must appoint an expert to ensure that every facet of life runs seamlessly. Gray & Farrar is leading that charge, combining a global outlook with bespoke client service, tailored to fulfil the needs and demands of the most discerning HNWIs.”, explains Kalina Boyadjiew, Managing Director, Gray & Farrar.
Holding female empowerment at its core, G&F has a female founder and a predominantly female team. As the first non-family member to join the business at managerial level, Kalina has been hand-selected to fulfil this role. Regarded for her professional integrity, Kalina is set to deploy her aptitude for and intimate knowledge of business development across luxury markets. With a deep understanding of the world’s most discerning clientele, and a close alignment to the core tenets of the business, Kalina will drive Gray & Farrar’s growth and international offering from their discreet headquarters in a Mayfair townhouse in London.
“Behind every great man is a great woman” is defined as an expression in use since the mid-1940s. The woman in question is usually a wife or a mother, but in the case of Kalina Boyadjiew, she is redefining this dated idiom by standing front and centre at Gray Farrar. “I’m so pleased to be in a position to ensure each member of the team feels that they too have every opportunity afforded to them – regardless of their gender or role in the business”, says Kalina.
2 Responses
As a female who used Gray & Farrar’s services, I can only warn adamantly all females from not using their services. The women are made to pay, whilst the men, who often times are not financially stable, are not made to pay. G&F also overcharged their female clients in non-VAT jurisdictions by 20% and this extra 20% did not make it to HMRC as per their own companies house reports. The treatment females have received – and I would advise you to review Ripoffreport.com as well as all the negative reviews – is disrespectful and not in line with the comments made in this article.
The comments made in this article have come from reliable resources within G&F, with aims to celebrate the success and hard work of the newly appointed MD. We are sorry for your negative experience and your comments have been passed onto the relevant contacts at G&F. Apologies for any offence, as this was not our intention. The Sybarite’s articles aim to celebrate and spotlight the success of both men and women.