Bidwells has been appointed managing agent for Crown Estate Scotland’s rural portfolio across the north and south of the country, expanding a relationship between the two organisations that stretches back more than 25 years.
The new appointment builds on Bidwells’ existing role managing Crown Estate Scotland’s coastal portfolio and will see the firm oversee a rural estate spanning around 87,400 acres.
The portfolio includes 470 leases covering tenant farms, small businesses, residential properties and visitor attractions across areas including Midlothian, Dumfries & Galloway and Moray.
The five-year contract, which includes the option of an extension of up to four years, will be overseen by Ralph Peters, Head of Rural, Scotland at Bidwells, with operations managed from Perth and Inverness.
RECRUITMENT DRIVE
As part of the appointment, Bidwells said it plans to expand its Scottish Estate Management team by around one third, with recruitment already underway.
The firm said the expansion would strengthen local expertise and support for tenants, communities and stakeholders across the estate.
Ralph Peters (main picture, inset), Head of Rural, Scotland at Bidwells, says: “This appointment also marks an important continuation of our commitment to growth in Scotland and the expansion of key client relationships in the region. Strengthening our presence here reflects both the opportunity within the rural economy and our confidence in the long-term potential of this market.
“Managing rural estates at this scale demands high performing professionals, commercial insight, strong local knowledge and trusted relationships and we are proud to build on our 25-year relationship with Crown Estate Scotland through this partnership.
“Our focus is clear. We are committed to ensuring Scotland’s rural communities thrive by working closely with all stakeholders to enable the estate’s delivery of long-term value across farming, and visitor enterprises, in line with Crown Estate Scotland’s commitments as a responsible landlord.”
HIGH LEVEL OF SERVICE
Oster Milambo, Director of Property for Crown Estate Scotland, adds: “We are very pleased to strengthen our already strong relationship with Bidwells in order to help Crown Estate Scotland continue its commitment to providing a high level of service to all our tenants and customers.
“This new contract with Bidwells is an important vehicle in the delivery of our Corporate Plan and meeting our commitments to tenants on our four rural estates, as the largest single Landlord of tenant farmers in Scotland. We look forward to working with Bidwells on this contract over the next few years.”
Bidwells currently manages more than four million acres of countryside and coastline across the UK.
