New commercial strategies for profitable enterprise

Historic Houses will hold its first full-day business conference in central London on 10 March 2022 focusing on new commercial strategies our member properties can adopt to create a profitable enterprise. Generously supported by Saffery Champness and Savills, we’ll be looking across the innovative ways in which our members are putting the heritage in their care at the heart of profitable and sustainable enterprises. Our aim is to share new ideas about what works, so that all those attending the event are inspired to think again about their own historic house businesses.

From 9.30 am: Registration

10.00 am: Introduction

Welcome
Martha Lytton Cobbold, President, Historic Houses

How commercial enterprise has changed the fortune of historic houses
Ben Cowell, Director General, Historic Houses

10.15 am: Parks & gardens

Outdoors spaces are increasingly valued as places to visit and spend time in. How can the current craving for the outdoors be turned into a business opportunity?

Chair: Ursula Cholmeley, Easton Walled Gardens, Lincolnshire

Ways to a profitable & sustainable garden tourist attraction
Angus Gordon Lennox, Gordon Castle, Scotland

Attracting visitors in the face of strong local competition
Sarah Rogers, Riverhill Himalayan Gardens, Kent

11.00 am: The professional’s view

Vital issues to consider in starting a commercial enterprise
Simon Foster & Andy Watson, Savills

11.15 am: Break

11.30 am: Weddings & events

Weddings and private functions are the heart of many Historic Houses member enterprises; but for some the pandemic has prompted changes in their operation.

Chair: Amanda Parker, Browsholme Hall, Lancashire

Dry hire weddings: the way forward?
Edward Barham, Hole Park, Kent

Trends and opportunities in the post-Covid wedding market
Kelly Chandler, Kelly Chandler Wedding Consulting

12.15 pm: The professional’s view

Commercial contracts for events, supply agreements, ticketing, and consumer rights matters
Richard Davies, Charles Russell Speechlys

12.30 pm: Food & beverages

Historic house properties offer unique experiences in wonderful settings. In this session, we hear from owners who are able to offer food and drink services that take their inspiration from their surroundings.

Chair: Martha Lytton Cobbold, Knebworth House, Park & Gardens, Hertfordshire

Design and construction of a new café and restaurant
Richard Bagot, Levens Hall, Cumbria

Second speaker TBC

1.15 pm: Lunch

2.15 pm: House opening

House opening is the traditional core enterprise for many Historic Houses members; but there are also novel ways of attracting visitors, or using a home for enterprise.

Chair: Eleanor Argyll, Inveraray Castle, Scotland

Invitation to View — an opportunity for all historic houses
James Probert, Director of Marketing & Development, Historic Houses

Developing a day care centre for adults with disabilities
Danielle Rolfe, Penton Park, Hampshire

3.00 pm: The professional’s view

Top tips for running and structuring a successful business – an accountants’ perspective
Tim Adams & Elizabeth Hartless, Saffery Champness

3.15 pm: Bringing buildings back to life

The challenges and solutions of bringing new purposes to historic estate properties

Chair: Robert Parker, Browsholme Hall, Lancashire

Harry Legge-Bourke, Glanusk, Powys

Harry Scrope, Danby Hall, Yorkshire

4.00 pm: Discussion panel

A panel discussion and Q&A with the floor with a selection of speakers from the day to review what we have learned and ask ‘what are the prospects for commercial development’

4.30 pm: End