Values RELATIVE CHRISTINA ONG FIRST OPENED THE HALKIN HOTEL IN LONDON IN 1991 – THE FIRST OF 13 COMO HOTELS AND RESORTS WORLDWIDE. IN THE YEAR THE COMPANY CELEBRATES ITS 25TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY, SHE AND HER DAUGHTER, MELISSA ONG, TALK TO ABOUT THE EVOLUTION

Suddenly a car roars past. The Singapore Grand Prix is in full swing. There is a blur of noise as it tears beneath the glass-walled spectator stand towards the so-called ‘Singapore Sling’ chicane. In the pits below, the Formula One teams race through wheel changes with balletic precision. Beyond the track – a tight loop through the city’s streets – the skyline is a riot of colour, floodlights soaking the Marina Bay circuit, as well as the crowds, who are gathered for one of the most significant events in the city’s calendar. Not a hotel bed in town is running empty. Moving quietly through this throng – and if they weren’t pointed out to you, you’d never know – are various members of the Ong family. Ong Beng Seng, who never gives interviews, was cited 20 years ago by The Wall Street Journal as one of the business leaders most likely to shape the global economic climate of the 21st century (it was Beng Seng’s deal with Bernie Ecclestone that first brought the night race to Singapore). Christina Ong, his wife, is in a midnight blue dress and flats. Her initial impact in the business world was in fashion: she owns Club 21, now with 316 stores worldwide in 10 different countries, as well as 57 per cent of Mulberry. Her hospitality interests include COMO Hotels and Resorts, now comprising 13 hotels worldwide, and COMO Shambhala, which is a wellness brand (with a new cookery book, launching spring 2016, which Christina authored). Their daughter, Melissa, 41, is in a halter-neck, tight black pants and sneakers. Given half a chance, Melissa's chosen look matches her interests: hiking the Karakorum in Pakistan, mountain biking in the Tetons, or driving from Paris to Peking in a classic car. As to her work, Melissa trained in international