Trio of high-profile appointments to Estate team at Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace has made a trio of key appointments to its Estate team, further reinforcing its groundbreaking land strategy and commitment to the countryside, the environment and carbon-negative land management.

David Gasca, a former Principal Hydrologist at Atkins who has worked previously with the Blenheim Estate as a consultant, has joined as Head of Natural Capital, and is responsible for maximising the benefits of the Estate’s 5,000 hectares of natural spaces; Rural Property Manager James Hunter, who spent five years as Assistant Estates Manager at Highclere Castle, has been brought in to oversee the day-to-day running of the Estate, which encompasses all farming, forestry and gaming activity; and Sylvie Verinder, who has been working with Blenheim Palace on its circular economy project through her role as CEO of environmental consultants Tumblebug, has joined the team as Sustainability Lead Consultant.

Roy Cox, Managing Director – Estates at Blenheim Palace, commented: “The experience and calibre of David, James, and Sylvie are a perfect demonstration of our ongoing commitment to sustainable farming practices and becoming a carbon neutral business. Each of them brings a unique perspective and skillset which will help us achieve our long-term sustainability goals.

“As well as generating new income streams, we want to be the first generation to truly leave this land in a better state than it was found.”

ENDS

For more information, contact Jon Perks at Cab Campaign – blenheim@cabcampaign.co.uk

About Blenheim Palace

Home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705, Blenheim Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Set in over 2,000 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland and designed by

Vanbrugh in the Baroque style, it was financed by Queen Anne, on behalf of a grateful nation, following the first Duke of Marlborough’s triumph over the French in the War of the Spanish Succession.

Today it houses one of the most important and extensive collections in Europe, which includes portraits, furniture, sculpture and tapestries.

Blenheim Palace is also the birthplace of one of Britain’s most famous leaders, Sir Winston Churchill, and it was his father who described the vista on entering the Estate from the village of Woodstock as the ‘finest view in England’.