Alastair Martin FRICS: The Secretary and Keeper of the Records of The Duchy of Cornwall

We were so honoured to have such a great guest speaker for our dinner at Novikov on the 18th April 2018. Alastair Martin FRICS, The Secretary and Keeper of the Records of The Duchy of Cornwall. The title reflecting the fact that the formation of the Role was in the 14th Century. A more contemporary title might be that of Chief Executive.

Established in 1337, as a private estate to fund the public and private activities of heir to the throne and his family. Most of the Duchy of Cornwall’s wealth is in property and now includes:

· a rural estate of 130,000 acres across 23 counties
· a varied commercial property portfolio including some high profile holdings such as The Oval cricket ground in Kennington
· a diverse residential portfolio
· an active development programme with the best known site being Poundbury in Dorset

It has grown to a current reported value of about £1bn

With the active involvement of the current Duke of Cornwall, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, the Duchy is on an assured path for further improvement and enhancement in terms as a commercial venture, with its primary focus, as one of the Country’s largest landowners, is in terms of sustainability, enhancement, improvement and protection of the rural economy and the environment as well as engaging in some exemplary urban development. It’s values are now being emulated around the UK and beyond.

Prior to being offered the role of The Secretary and Keeper of the Records, Alastair Martin was a Partner at Carter Jonas, having earlier in his career qualified as a land agent and Chartered Surveyor with Strutt and Parker. Following that, he was Managing Partner at Dreweatt Neate leading to their merger with Carter Jonas. He latterly specialised in the management of rural property portfolios across England and Wales with one of his most notable responsibilities being the portfolio belonging to The Society of Merchant Venturers. Alastair was actively involved in the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors having been President of the Rural Division, Chairman of the Faculties and Forums Board and then Chairman of the Strategy and Resources Board. Married with two adult children, the youngest of which, Poppy, is also pursuing a career in Estate Management.