Farhad Heydari is a seasoned multimedia executive with three decades of experience globally in the luxury travel, hospitality, real estate, and golf industries.
A former television news and publishing executive, Farhad now consults family offices, hedge funds and private equity firms in relation to various projects and brand initiatives across a wide range of sectors and verticals through his holding company, the House of Heydari.
Farhad also serves as Chief Marketing Officer of Acacia Hotel Partners and is Director at International Golf & Resort Management Ltd.
As the former International Executive Editor of Departures, Centurion and The Compendium Magazines for American Express, Farhad travelled the world devising innovative marketing, promotion and partnership initiatives with leading brands and tourism boards in the luxury space writ large.
A widely published global editorial leader whose work has appeared in TIME, Forbes, the New York Times and other top-shelf magazines and newspapers, he now brings his unique and valuable perspective to his consultancy work, offering...Farhad Heydari is a seasoned multimedia executive with three decades of experience globally in the luxury travel, hospitality, real estate, and golf industries.
A former television news and publishing executive, Farhad now consults family offices, hedge funds and private equity firms in relation to various projects and brand initiatives across a wide range of sectors and verticals through his holding company, the House of Heydari.
Farhad also serves as Chief Marketing Officer of Acacia Hotel Partners and is Director at International Golf & Resort Management Ltd.
As the former International Executive Editor of Departures, Centurion and The Compendium Magazines for American Express, Farhad travelled the world devising innovative marketing, promotion and partnership initiatives with leading brands and tourism boards in the luxury space writ large.
A widely published global editorial leader whose work has appeared in TIME, Forbes, the New York Times and other top-shelf magazines and newspapers, he now brings his unique and valuable perspective to his consultancy work, offering strategic insights, effective communication strategies, and innovative solutions to various challenges.
He also provides advice and counsel to CEOs, sits on advisory boards and deploys his vast institutional knowledge and expertise about the affluent global consumer by speaking at, appearing in and moderating panel discussions at industry functions, conferences, trade shows and working groups around the world as an expert and commentator on matters pertaining to the world of luxury – be they people, products, places or purveyors.
Farhad graduated from Franklin Pierce University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and English (double major). He played tennis and golf at collegiate level.READ MOREVIEW LESS
Farhad Heydari founded his multidisciplinary consultancy with the aim of providing a considered brand extension service and supporting businesses through strategic development advice.
Acacia Hotel Partners
Chief Marketing Officer
Aug 2023
-
Present
London, UK
Acacia was formed to provide those seeking to develop land or the owners of existing properties with the necessary project-related services to create a unique and sought-after destination.
Farhad serves on the board of International Golf and Resort Management, also known as IGRM. The company develops and manages golf resorts, properties and facilities.
Farhad was behind the relaunch of a refreshed and redesigned Ultratravel Magazine with a digital-first editorial and marketing platform, creating a more interactive version and allowing for video, audio and animation to be added.
Netjets, The Magazine
Founding Editor
Aug 2016
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Present
London, UK
Farhad led the relaunch of the magazine for NetJets owners on behalf of the private aviation business. Described as “A journal of elegance and eloquence”, the magazine was initially a bi-annual publication but has since become a quarterly and has a U.S. sister publication too. It is distributed to NetJets owners and made available on their aircraft and at their private lounges and events.
As International Executive Editor of American Express' lifestyle magazines Departures, Centurion and The Compendium, Farhad was not only responsible for editing and checking the accuracy of all the editorial content of the magazines but also setting the tone and creating the vision to represent the brand.
Monaco firm, Groupe Pastor, is an international construction, real estate, and hospitality company and ONLY magazine is their biannual lifestyle publication.
Farhad created lifestyle-related content for a website overseen by David Lauren personally. The articles covered topics such as menswear, horology, motoring, travel dispatches, and golf course reviews.
Acting on behalf of Nakheel, the property development company behind Dubai's luxury projects The Palm and The World, Farhad conceived and edited their launch edition of a magazine and desk diary.
Freelance
Freelance Writer, Contributor and Consultant
Jun 2003
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Jul 2007
Farhad contributed editorial content, articles, features and interviews to a wide variety of publications during this time. He has also consulted and led on strategy for new magazines.
During his time at Fox News Media, Farhad Heydari was writer, producer, field producer and editor culminating in the role of International Editor.
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Advisory Roles
Passport Resorts
Strategic Advisor to Co-Founder and Managing Director
Mar 2020
-
Present
San Francisco, CA, USA
Farhad liaises with and advises the Co-Founder and MD of this hotel operating company based in San Francisco on a number of hospitality matters. These include press opportunities and marketing, the exploration of collaborative prospects and potential partnerships for the operating company.
Farhad was advisor to Cox & Kings' Global Chief Executive, Peter Kerkar, providing operational advice and guidance. His work with the travel brand included an audit of their luxury train, The Royal Maharajas' Express.
The BSME aims to represent the requirements of all digital and print editors and provides a voice for those in the industry. It is the only society exclusively for editors and senior editorial staff in the UK.
The Overseas Press Club of America is a global association of journalists. Members are encouraged to uphold the highest standards of professional integrity and skill in the reporting of news. The OPC is also there to educate the new generation of journalists and to contribute to the freedom and independence of the press worldwide.
The Metropolitan Golf Writers Association holds an annual Awards Dinner to honour outstanding golfers, writers, contributors, clubs and organizations that have excelled in relation to the sport of golf. The Association celebrates golf journalism and raises money for golf charities.
The AACL aims to serve the professional interests of member organizations, to promote mutually beneficial cooperation between members and to maintain ethical standards..
The British Forces Foundation is a charitable organisation with the aim of improving the morale of the armed forces mainly through the provision of high quality entertainment. Farhad was on the organising committee of the 21st Anniversary Gala.
CFAB is a charity dedicated to protecting and supporting children who have become separated from their families, as well as other vulnerable adults facing challenging and desperate circumstances.
