Estate Matters

Patrick Galbraith is a columnist and author. His recent book: 'Uncommon Ground: Rethinking our relationship with the countryside', explores the debate on access. In this episode of Estate Matters he tells host Anna Byles about the estates he visited and the people he met as part of his research, including landowners and access campaigners. Patrick's conclusion is that there needs to be more education and engagement on land access so people have a better understanding of what is available to them and why.https://amzn.eu/d/2Nn2xqe

Joe and Keeley Evans run the Whitbourne Estate in Herefordshire. In this episode of Estate Matters, they discuss the challenges of growing their hospitality business, Crumplebury and what they have planned for the future of the estate.  Joe also talks about his Vice Presidency of the CLA and what he hopes to achieve in his time as President. https://whitbourneestate.co.uk/https://www.crumplebury.co.uk/

Dr Johnny Wake is a Doctor turned Estate Manager. He is the managing partner at his family's 1,700-acre Courteenhall Estate in Northamptonshire, as well as holding several positions with organisations including LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) and the Environmental Farmers Group. In this epiosde of Estate Matters, Johnny talks about a people-focussed approach to both medicine and land management. He discusses the importance of engaging with the local community, and shares, very honestly, the times when the estate hasn't got it right. Read more about the estate here: https://www.courteenhall.co.uk/

Sir William Worsley is the owner of the 3,000-acre Hovingham Estate in North Yorkshire, which has been in his family for more than 450 years. He is joined in this episode of Estate Matters by Avril Roberts, Senior Property and Business Policy Advisor with the CLA. The pair discuss masterplanning for rural estates and the importance of good communication and engagement with neighbours and stakeholders, set against the background of the Government's housing targets. https://www.hovingham.co.uk/https://www.cla.org.uk/people/avril-roberts/

Managing Director of Estates at Blenheim Palace, Roy Cox, is the first guest to join Season Two of the Estate Matters podcast.Roy, along with host Anna Byles and KOR's Senior Public Affairs Consultant, Andrew Howard, discuss the reasons behind the Estate's proposed solar farm at Botley West in Oxfordshire. Roy explains how the rigid planning process governing nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) prevented Blenheim adopting its usual proactive approach to communication with the local community, and subsequently what that meant for its reputation and relationships with its community and stakeholders. https://www.blenheimpalace.com/estate/

Iestyn John is a Partner at Planning Consultants, Bell Cornwell. In this episode of Estate Matters, he is joined by KOR's Senior Consultant in Public Affairs, Andrew Howard. The pair discuss the detail in the updated Framework and what opportunities that poses for landowners. Both agree the main thrust of the revisions is creating more new homes, more quickly. But will that mean compromising on "building beautiful"? Estates' reputations are built on the quality of any project they deliver, so how will they ensure they can continue to create legacy developments?Read more about Iestyn here: https://www.bell-cornwell.co.uk/team/iestyn-john/

Charlie Forbes Adam was responsible for Escrick Park Estate for 32 years, before handing over responsibility to his son, Beilby in recent years. The Yorkshire estate, comprising a residential and commercial property portfolio, a 2,500 acre in-hand farm, a holiday park and a forestry operation, has been in the Forbes Adam family for over 350 years.  In this episode of Estate Matters, the father and son discuss their approach to succession and how the challenges facing the next generation of land managers, like Beilby, are different to those faced by their predecessors. Read more about Escrick here: https://www.escrick.com/

Michael Birnie (Property Director) and Sarah White (Head of Learning Programmes Development) from The Ernest Cook Trust, discuss how the management of the nine estates that make up the land holdings of the charity, is carried out with a clear focus on the Trust's primary purpose as providers of outdoor learning.Michael describes the challenges of explaining that the Trust has charitable objects, but that those activities are funded by the land and property in its care. Sarah gives a first hand account of the impact outdoor learning can have on those who experience it, through direct-delivery on Trust land, and through grant schemes. 

Philipp Lukas is Chief Executive Officer of Future Biogas - who develop and operate Anaerobic Digestor (AD) plants in the East of England. In this episode Philipp discusses the challenges of promoting AD plants, including allaying fears that sites will smell and increase traffic. He is joined by KOR's Senior Public Affairs Consultant, Andrew Howard who explains the principles of communicating renewable energy projects and how important it is to set the narrative from the outset. 

Ben Murphy is the Estates Director for The Duchy of Cornwall's 130,000 acres, spread across 23 counties.The Duchy earned a reputation for building beautiful places that meet local needs with Poundbury in Dorset, now seen as a blueprint for placemaking by designers, architects and planners all over the world.In this episode of Estate Matters, Ben reveals that the key to the success of Poundbury, and the principles that guide the current development at Nansledan in Cornwall, is engagement with communities, local planning authorities and other stakeholders.

Molly Biddell is the Head of Natural Capital at Knepp Estate and Nature Based Solutions Manager at Hampton Estate. In this episode she explains how food production and caring for the natural world are inextricably linked – but that it will take a cultural shift in the countryside to change the way many farmers and land managers view their role.

CLA President Victoria Vyvyan gives her thoughts on the approach of the new Labour Government. In an open and frank conversation with Estate Matters host Anna Byles, Victoria explains how she became involved with the CLA and discusses how she hopes new Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed, will tackle issues around planning, energy and food production.  

In July 2024, Estate Matters celebrates its 1st Birthday!Listen back to just some of the highlights of the last 12 months. Guests have provided insights across the rural and development sectors, from farming to journalism, politics to housing. But the over-arching theme, which has proved of significant interest to an audience in the land-based economy, has been the importance of communications and engagement in virtually every aspect of their professional lives.

Minette Batters was the President of the National Farmers' Union for 6 years until February 2024. In her time as President, she navigated the effects of Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the cost of living crisis and worked alongside six Secretaries of State.In this episode of Estate Matters, recorded at The Royal Bath and West Show, Minette shares some of the challenges she faced including how she overcame her fear of public speaking - something she became known for being particularly skilled at. She tells podcast host, Anna Byles, about her hopes for the future of land use to ensure food security in the post-BPS era. 

Jayne Clemens is a Partner at law firm, Michelmores, leading the firm's reputation and crisis management practice.In this episode of Estate Matters, Jayne discusses why estates and organisations need to have a crisis communications plan in place; so they can act quickly to protect their reputation.  She is joined by KOR's Managing Director, Annette Richman, who explains when a PR Consultancy may support with legal matters. 

Charlie Courtenay is a barrister, parliamentarian and proprietor of the 3,500-acre Powderham Castle Estate in Devon. In the first episode of Estate Matters to feature an estate owner, Charlie shares his experiences of estate management, alongside his legal work and sitting as a crossbench peer in the House of Lords.  

David Cope runs his own Consultancy called 600 Strategy and describes himself as a strategy and change adviser. Sustainability is his speciality, and his work includes helping estates, including the Duchy of Cornwall, to become carbon literate.In this episode, David explains how estates can be "heroes" in the battle against climate change and how this has a "ripple" effect when communities are engaged with their work. 

George Eustice MP spent nine years at Defra, rising to become Secretary of State for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs in 2020, a position he held until 2022. He has been the Conservative MP for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle in Cornwall since 2010 but has said he will not stand in the next General Election, recently launching a consultancy business. In a remarkably frank and fascinating conversation, George lifts the lid on decisions made at the very top of rural politics – and has some predictions for farmers and estate owners about what might be just around the corner.

Athwenna Irons, Farming and Rural Affairs Editor of the Western Morning News – the only regional daily newspaper covering South West England – discusses the benefits of achieving coverage in traditional print media.Athwenna has worked at the paper since graduating from university and has a contacts book which reflects her time in the industry. She has built invaluable relationships with those contacts, who trust her to tell their stories. Together with KOR's Senior Content Writer, and former Editor of the WMN, Philip Bowern, the pair discuss the challenges faced by the print sector in an increasingly digital world, and why they think there will always be a place for newspapers. Moving from journalism into public relations, Philip shares his experience of the need to deliver print-ready copy to busy editors, like Athwenna. 

Steve Strang, the Executive Director of Estates and Sustainability at Exeter College discusses the importance of communication when masterplanning in an urban environment. Steve has worked at the college for 18 years and has played a fundamental role in the creation of the college's 20 year masterplan to redevelop its main campus in Exeter city centre. KOR's Public Affairs Consultant Andrew Howard explains to host Anna Byles why it is crucial to engage with local communities so they understand how they - and not just students - can benefit from the development of the college estate. 

Nicola Janus-Harris, Head of Agriculture and Rural Estates at international law firm Trowers and Hamlins, explains why ongoing reputation management is important to her clients. She tells podcast host Anna Byles how she has seen it go "horrifically wrong" for clients, when misinformation has spread on social media.  Nicola says having a communications plan now forms part of her initial conversations with clients who are embarking on projects. 

Anthony Downs, Estate Director at Hatfield Park in Hertfordshire, and KOR's Managing Director Annette Richman, discuss the need for estates to engage with their local communities.The word charrette is derived from old French to describe how students of architecture were invited to throw their ideas into a charrette, French for cart or chariot.  Anthony, who has been at Hatfield Park for 24 years, helped to pioneer charrettes as a way of bringing communities together to debate and discuss local issues and identify opportunities to solve them collaboratively.  

Dr Liz Mattison, the Education and Environment Officer at Englefield Estate in Berkshire discusses the importance of estates embarking on a programme of proactive communications. Liz's role involves organising the Estate's annual Schools Days where more than 1500 local pupils visit the Estate. She also coordinates research activities, including work experience placements and field studies. Liz explains to host Anna Byles why it is so important for estates to share their work with local people and key stakeholders. 

Paul Osborne, Urban Design Director with LHC Design and Andrew Howard, KOR's Public Affairs specialist discuss how to communicate the vision for entire new communities. Paul has more than 20 years of experience in the industry and is passionate about sustainable placemaking and master planning. 

Leigh Rix, a consultant from Rix Rural and KOR's Managing Director Annette Richman discuss the importance of consistent communications and engagement when putting land forward for development. Leigh has more than 40 years experience working in the rural estates sector, spending three decades with the National Trust followed by twelve years as Head of Property and Land at Clinton Devon Estates.