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.