Overview
...we have a strong story to tell.
On behalf of the nation, The Crown Estate manages a highly diverse property portfolio across the United Kingdom. We are above all a commercial organisation with a strong sense of stewardship and a commitment to manage our assets sustainably.
We achieve the objectives laid down by Parliament: we earn a surplus for the benefit of the UK taxpayer, and enhance the value of the estates we manage.
Our property ranges from offices and shops in the heart of London, to commercial premises and housing, to farmland and forestry through to the foreshore and seabed.
We see the people and businesses that occupy and use our land and property as our customers: they are very important to us. We seek to work with them to help add value to their businesses; and what's good for their business is good for ours.
We help many of our tenant farmers to diversify so they can undertake new commercial activities. We regenerate property to benefit our tenants, and also to enhance the community in which they and their neighbours live and work.
We are active custodians of the seabed and foreshore in our charge.
By playing our part in the development of offshore wind power, we make our contribution to providing the UK with renewable energy and help reduce carbon emissions: an example of how doing what's good for business is also doing good more widely.
We set ourselves high standards and aim to conduct our business in a blue-chip way. We want people to have confidence in us, to believe that the hallmark of The Crown Estate is quite simply: 'Trust'.
This is how we attract the best customers and how we work with the best partners; how we conclude the best deals; and how we attract and retain the best talent.
We're in business for the long term.
And while we never take our eye off our financial performance, our status allows us to resist the temptations of passing fashion and the dangers of short-termism.
This enables us to embed sustainability into our business strategy and to focus on the long-term value of our assets.
We have achieved a great deal. But in uncertain economic times, challenges certainly lie ahead.
However, we have laid solid foundations. And we have in place a strong team of professionals so that we can continue to develop and expand the business during the coming years.
Roger Bright CB July 2009
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