London Branch: the year ahead
An overview of the events and networking opportunities planned for the year as well as a review of the first meeting of 2022
With a wide range of speakers and host venues lined up for members, 2022 is going to be an interesting and diverse year for the CLA’s London Branch. The structure of a London Branch meeting, with a speaker and a networking opportunity, offers members the chance to exchange views and share experiences with others from across the country. Membership is open to all CLA landowning and business and professional members and aims to create a broad network of those who have a significant stake in the countryside.
On 7 June, hosted by Carter Jonas at its Chapel Place offices, Lord Falmouth, along with Estate Director Andrew Jarvis and Managing Director of Trading Jonathan Jones, will be discussing how to run a modern, diversified estate. With extensive interests in Kent and Cornwall, including famous tea plantations and one of Europe’s largest areas of managed sweet chestnut coppice, the evening will give London Branch members an insight into how the Tregothnan Estate has followed an ambitious and international diversifi cation plan. The next meeting, which will take place at Savills in Margaret Street on 20 September, will be a presentation from Ed Coke-Steel, Development Director at Cripps & Co, who will talk about the premise of the company’s business model - beautifully restoring barns and buildings for weddings and events. Ed will discuss the journey the company has gone through with estates to achieve success, and will also look at the wider sector and opportunities for landowners.
Then, on 22 November, Roy Cox, Estates Director at Blenheim Palace, will be our final guest speaker for 2022. This event, which will take place at Irwin Mitchell’s office on Holborn Viaduct, will focus on the estate’s views on long-term land and property management, as well as climate change and Blenheim’s vision for the future. CLA Deputy President and Chairman of London Branch Victoria Vyvyan says: “We are delighted to share details of the upcoming programme. Now is a fantastic time to join London Branch if you’re not already a member, and I would urge you to sign up and come along to our next evening.”
Speakers at London Branch meetings in recent years have included Professor Dieter Helm, Heather Hancock, then Food Standards Agency Chair, Christie’s Chairman Orlando Rock and Oliver Sells QC, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee.
Membership of London Branch is set at a standard annual fee per person, which is supplementary to an existing CLA subscription. For further information, and to find out how to join London Branch, please contact CLA South East Regional Director Tim Bamford at tim.bamford@cla.org.uk.
