Paradise Redefined

The private island investment market has changed irrevocably in the past 20 years, reports Stephen Short

he alure of a personal island paradise exerts a strong pull on celebrities and the super rich— Warren Buffett and Johnny Depp have both just bought Greek islands, and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are reportedly about to take the plunge—but buying and investing have become more the preserve of institutions and businesses. Three key events—the advent of the internet, the global financial crisis, which saw the wealthy retreat to their core markets, and the growth of the eco agenda—