'The Benefits of Managing a Balanced Portfolio through Possibly the Worst Economic Crisis since 1945'
Date:
Thursday 12th February 2009
Time:
7.30 am - 9.15 am
Venue:
The Crown Estate, 16 New Burlington Place, London W1
When The Estate, established in 1760, published its financial results in July 2008 it was perhaps unique amongst property concerns in being able to announce an overall increase in values – by 3.3 % to £7.3 billion; this in spite of a dramatic downturn in commercial property values of between 15% and 20%.
This was primarily because of a 26.5% increase in the value of its rural holdings which have benefited from a surge in demand for agricultural land as food prices have risen.
The Crown Estate holds a unique collection of assets and has been an agency of the Government since George III swapped the land in return for the Civil List, which provides annual payments to the Royal Family. A complex and diversified portfolio demands strong focused management and this the Estate has seen under the benign guidance of its Chief Executive, Roger Bright, since 2001.
We welcome Roger, one of the Society’s Honorary Vice Presidents, back to the platform since his first address to the Society at the London Landed Estates Conference at Cadogan Hall in 2004. He has stated that the Estate will manage its affairs for the “long haul” through the most serious downturn in the National Economy since 1945. This event will be a chance to hear how.
