Clinton Devon estates wins prize in Coutts Family Business Awards

Company awarded ‘Special prize for heritage & innovation’

Devon based company, Clinton Devon Estates was last night presented with a Special Prize in the Southern England and Wales regional final of the Coutts 2006 Prize for Family Business. Special prizes are given for outstanding achievement and in the case of Clinton Devon Estates, this was for their ‘Exceptional Commitment to Heritage and Innovation’.

The Coutts Prize for Family Business recognises the best run family businesses in England and Wales, and compliments Coutts successful Family Business Forum that is held throughout the UK. Mark Evans, Head of Family Business, Coutts & Co, commented: “With a 300 year history of working with family businesses, Coutts has a special understanding of the enormous contribution family firms make to both the economy and society, as well as the specific challenges they face.

“Now in its second year the Coutts Prize for Family Business is the only regional and national awards programme in England and Wales celebrating the overall best performing small, medium-sized and large family businesses. The interview process acts as a company health check.”

Clinton Devon Estates, one of the oldest in Britain was formed in 1299, after John de Clinton’s victory over the Scots at Falkirk in 1297.  The estates were established in Devon during the 16^th Century and now comprises three separate estates, the Beer and Clinton Estates in East Devon and the Heanton Estate in North Devon and comprise 2,800 acres of the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths, four business parks, residential and commercial property and a number of businesses. With around 100 local staff, and a commitment to the heritage and the countryside, the business has visions to be amongst the leaders in the practice of 21^st Century rural estate management, while reserving the heritage and environmental assets for future generations.

Michael Maslinski, regional chairman of the evaluation committee commented: “Clinton Devon Estates was entered for the medium sized family business award, but was difficult to compare against other businesses on commercial criteria. The evaluation committee decided to make a special award to recognise the exceptional way in which innovative ideas and modern management practices have been applied to sustain a remarkable 700 year family heritage in a 21^st century environment.”

The Coutts Prize recognises firms in three categories (£1m-5m, £5m-£25m, £25m+) that demonstrate a combination of high standards of family governance and corporate governance, a competitive market position and consistent financial growth, and a track record of charitable giving or involvement in the local community. Entrants must be companies or firms where two or more family members together have control of over 25% of the voting shares and consider themselves as a family business.

More specifically, the independent evaluation committee was looking for examples of best practice including;

·ethical standards reflecting family values;

·effective planning for succession of top family management and non-family members;

·a means of returning wealth to shareholders; and

·a track record of innovation in products, services, technology and ways of doing business.

The independent evaluation committee is overseen by Micheal Maslinski, Director of Maslinski and Co, a London based management consultants. Michael is primarily known as a leading authority on the private wealth management sector. His clients range from major financial institutions to investment boutiques, family offices and family companies.

The evaluation committee for the Southern England and Wales region includes: David Harvey, Chief Executive, The Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners, Sal Laspada, Chief Executive, The Institute for Philanthropy, James Newitt, Co-director, M Newitt & Sons Ltd, Simon Pitkeathley, Economics and Business Manager, The Institute for Public Policy Research, Christopher Weston, Plaxbury Properties Ltd and Angela Yeoman, Former Chairman, Foster Yeoman Ltd.

Winners were given a unique family business cartoon sketch, created by renowned cartoonist Robert Duncan, depicting some of the more light-hearted moments of running a family business, and framed by acclaimed family business and jewellery designers, Boodles. Robert Duncan will also create a unique cartoon for each of the winners to tell their own story. Wates Group*

Coutts Prize for Family Business, South England and Wales Region

Nominations and winners

Turnover £1-5m	Turnover £5-25m	Turnover £25m+
Active Assistance*	Ashwell Property Group Plc	Dawsongroup Plc
Altrax Group Limited	BCMS*	Fresh Direct (UK) Limited
The Copas Partnership	Clinton Devon Estates**	Simon Smith Group
Cranmer Lawrence & Co	FWP Matthews Limited	Wates Group*
G&B Electronic Designs Limited	James Graven & Sons Limited	Watkin Jones & Son Limited
Manorcourt Care	M F Freeman Group	Wyke Farms
Shorts Group Limited	P & A Wood
TFM Networks	Start-rite
	Thatchers Cider
	Unicorn Products Limited
	West Country Motorhomes

*Winners.

**Awarded Special Prize for Innovation and Heritage.

For further media information on Coutts contact:

Jo Thorne, Regional PR Manager, Coutts & Co on 0207 957 2650 or mobile 0776 6070 859 or e-mail joanna.thorne@coutts.com

Notes to Editors

·Coutts is the international private banking arm of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group. The Royal Bank of Scotland Group is one of the world's largest banking groups.

·Coutts manages the wealth of 96,000 high net worth clients worldwide through a network of over 40 offices globally.

·The first Coutts regional office to be opened was Eton in 1961. Today, Coutts has regional offices in Bath, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Eton, Guildford, Hampshire, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Nottingham, Oxford and Tunbridge Wells.

·Coutts offers clients a range of products and services covering sophisticated investment products together with expertise in trust and fiduciary services and UK tax and banking services.

·Coutts & Co is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Coutts & Co Registered in England No 36695Registered Office 440 Strand London WC2R 0QS.

·Calls may be recorded.

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