Strutt & Parker lands property management instruction of the decade
Estate agency has been instructed by Lord and Lady Carnarvon to manage their castle and estate, Highclere - better know to millions of people around the world as Downton Abbey.
Strutt & Parker has bagged the instruction of the decade after the owners of Highclere Castle aka Downton Abbey decided to place their property’s management in the firm’s hands.
The news is also somewhat of a PR coup for both sides. The latest iteration of the Downton Abbey TV franchise is due to debut in cinemas today.
Lord and Lady Carnarvon say they have appointed Strutt & Parker to run Highclere Castle and its estate with a mandate to bring technology and greater entrepreneurial thinking to the property.
Highclere Castle has been the ancestral home of the Carnarvon family for over 300 years but, the couple say, now needs a helping hand to enable the ‘brand’ to survive by promoting the estate to a much wider international community.
The estate already has a gin brand, welcomes thousands of corporate and tourist visitors every year and recently launched a vineyard.
Lady Carnarvon’s blog, weekly podcast and Instagram account all have a large audience.
Grateful
The couple (main picture) say: “Downton Abbey has made Highclere Castle a much-loved family home for which we are both incredibly grateful.
“Highclere is not just a building – it is about a community and one that is keen to reach out to, share with and welcome many visitors from around the world.
“With exciting plans such as the launch of ‘Friends at Highclere’, we value expert advice and discussion in progressing these diverse projects and plans.”
Edward Lattimer (pictured) of Strutt & Parker. “In many ways, Lord and Lady Carnarvon typify the modern estate owner, focusing on concepts such as reputation, brand and marketing, in tandem with fostering a strong sense of tradition and custodianship for the house and grounds they so clearly love.”
The agency is not the only firm within the industry to make hay from its Downton Abbey connections. Last year Knight Frank roped in actor Hugh Bonneville, who plays the Earl of Grantham in the series, to be the voice of its TV adverts.
