Estate Matters turns one year old!
KOR Communications’ podcast, Estate Matters, is celebrating its first anniversary after a remarkable twelve months with guests providing insights across the rural and development sectors, from farming to journalism, politics to housing.
Host Anna Byles, a broadcaster with nearly 20-years’ experience, launched the venture in July 2023 with guest number one, Leigh Rix, consultant with RIX RURAL featuring KOR’s Managing Director, Annette Richman to discuss the importance of stakeholder engagement for Estates putting forward land for development.
In between, the podcast has featured guests with a wide range of knowledge and insights, all of them happy to share their thoughts and opinions in the relaxed atmosphere of an extended conversation with Anna.
The subjects under discussion have been many and various, dictated by the work and interests of the guests. 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.
Podcasting has seen impressive growth in recent years, combining the convenience of listening rather than reading with the ability to delve deeply into issues of interest to an audience that shares common interests.
The generosity of the guests, often leading busy lives but happy to take time out for a conversation, has helped make Estate Matters successful.
Dr Liz Mattison, Education and Environment Officer at the Englefield Estate in Berkshire joined Anna during a trip to Devon, for a walk and a conversation at Budleigh Salterton, taking in views of the Lower Otter at the estuary mouth.
Anthony Downs, Director of one of the country’s leading Estates, Hatfield Park, in Hertfordshire, was joined on the podcast by KOR’s MD Annette Richman to explain the importance of consulting with the community and other stakeholders over development plans.
Former Defra Secretary George Eustice, who stood down as an MP at the General Election and has launched a rural consultancy business, was happy to share some of the secrets – and the frustrations – of his years in Government, formulating rural policy.
And Lord Charlie Courtenay, the 19th Earl of Devon, revealed the pressures and the privileges of living and operating Powderham Castle and its 3,500 acre 800-year-old Estate on the west bank of Devon’s Exe Estuary.
The podcast has gone out on the road, talking to former NFU President Minette Batters on a showery day at the Bath and West Showground, with the atmospheric hubbub of an agricultural show crowd evident in the background.
It recorded Western Morning News Farming Editor Athwenna Irons in a church in South Devon – because it was a convenient – and quiet – place to meet.
Landscape architect and urban designer Paul Osborne met with Anna and KOR’s Senior Public Affairs Consultant Andrew Howard in the heart of one of the UK’s newest towns, the Country Park at Cranbrook, East Devon.
Anna said: “When we launched Estate Matters we hoped it would become a valuable and insightful resource for those working in the rural sector. We could not have imagined the rich seam of interest and expertise we would discover, with guests who have been happy to share their views and experiences.
“As we move into year two, there is plenty more to discuss and I’m looking forward to more fascinating conversations, with some great guests already booked!”
To listen to the Estate Matters podcast, click here.
If you’re interested in featuring on the podcast to discuss a challenge or opportunity facing rural businesses across the UK, contact Anna via anna.byles@korpr.co.uk