As the youngest child of four, The Cookson’s family business in Corfu was in full swing by the time Nick entered the scene. This meant that from age dot, Nick spent every single summer of his childhood in Corfu, as his parents grew the Greek villa business. Having fallen in love with the island in the 70s, when they first visited with a friend who was playing cricket in Corfu Town, the Cooksons were firmly committed to making ‘Corfu Villas’ (which later became CV Villas) a way of life for the family.
Richard and Patricia Cookson put this little-known part of Corfu on the map, offering a gateway to idyllic Ionian island holidays long before Greece was even considered a destination for Brits. The Cooksons lived the dream they believed in, and took their family of four boys along for the ride, a lifestyle change that rewarded them with success and recognition. The business grew slowly and organically, in line with their own passion for the island and a different way of living. Many of the customers were friends, and friends-of-friends, and alongside the legacy of Gerald Durrell and high-profile individuals such as Jacob Rothschild, who bought a villa on the island, the Cooksons were a key part of how the north east of Corfu was shaped.
For Nick and his brothers, the long, hot Corfiot summers were a paradise for the young boys who loved to explore – hunting in the shady forests for wild tortoises, waterskiing before breakfast or fishing for octopus in the crystal clear water in front of the family villa. They were also expected to play their part when it came to villa business – during the day they were often taken along to meet local suppliers, building crucial relationships from the very start.
The weekly drinks party was when family Cookson would host all the visiting families at their home and the boys would pass around drinks and entertain the children. These parties became a legendary part of renting a Cookson villa.
For Nick, his childhood allowed him to see his parents at work and to understand the foundations needed to build a business. He owns a unique vantage point of both the guest, the local and the villa owner, having lived experience of all three. It was inevitable that one day Nick would put all this together to form his own business and although it could be easy to make comparisons between CV Villas and Villa Collective (a branding coincidence that pays an accidental homage to the original family company), the reality was that by the time Nick set about making his own business in 2002, the villa landscape had changed hugely. Where once traditional ‘spitis’ were the mainstay of CV’s offerings, Villa Collective’s portfolio is made up of large, luxury houses with gyms, cinema rooms and jetties; each villa coming with a team of staff to meet every need.
Villa Collective’s ethos remains inline with CV’s original modus operandi – small, boutique, agile and grown through word of mouth. What has also stayed strong is Nick’s contacts on the island – for example, Fillipos boats, CVs preferred boat supplier from the beginning. His son Nicolas now runs the show and has become a trusted supplier who appreciates the generational crossover and links with the old family business which helps build trust and loyalty – a key element to providing holidays at this level.
For Nick, meeting people today who fondly remember their ‘CV Villas’ holidays brings back the simplicity of life in northeastern Corfu. The island today retains the natural beauty that drew the Cooksons here all those years ago and the allure of Corfu is as strong as ever. Calm, irresistibly blue water, perfect for swimming and boating and warm welcomes from Corfiot locals remains its calling card. Above all, Corfu promises a truly relaxing holiday for families in particular, many of whom are bringing their kids and teens here after their own childhood summers on the island. Thanks to the Cooksons, many were let in on Corfu’s magic.
If you would like a stay that feels effortless from touchdown to final swim, explore Villa Collective’s collection of exceptional villas in Corfu. You will find homes that pair naturally with these routes and transport choices, plus a team who know the fine details of getting around the island with comfort and ease.
