Estate Matters

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.