The Crown Estate has named Ric Lewis, founder of Tristan Capital Partners, as the next chair of the company.
Subject to pre-appointment scrutiny by the Treasury Select Committee, Lewis will succeed Sir Robin Budenberg CBE, who has been chair of The Crown Estate since August 2016.
The transition is expected to be finalised in spring 2025 and until then Budenberg will continue as chair.
Lewis has more than 35 years of experience in the real estate investment sector and is currently executive chair and co-chief investment officer of Tristan Capital Partners, which he founded in 2009.
Prior to that, he was chief investment officer and board director at AEW Europe and he founded and served for several years as chief executive of Curzon Global Partners – a London-based real estate investment company, owned by AEW Europe.
Budenberg said: “Ric is an outstanding leader whose experience and values align strongly with The Crown Estate. Under Ric’s leadership, I am confident the board will continue to ensure The Crown Estate delivers the best outcomes for the nation.”
Lewis added: “It is an honour to be chosen for the role of chair of the board of this unique business and a privilege to act as a custodian of a historic yet forward-thinking organisation which places the national interest at the core of its work. It is an organisation I have always greatly admired and with which I feel a strong affinity in terms of its ethos, ambition and motivation. I am looking forward to working closely with the board, including chief executive Dan Labbad, and his wider team to oversee the next chapter of its story.”
Labbad said: “The Crown Estate is a remarkable business and Ric’s combination of experience, strategic thinking and integrity make him an excellent fit and exemplary role model for the business. I look forward to working with Ric to continue realising The Crown Estate’s potential in the period ahead.
“I would like to take this opportunity to offer my deepest thanks to Robin for his incredible service to The Crown Estate over the past eight years. Under Robin’s stewardship, The Crown Estate has become closer to its customers and stakeholders and the board has diversified its expertise to better represent the ambition of the business. On a personal note, Robin is someone I greatly admire, and his encouragement, challenge and wisdom as we implemented our new strategy has been invaluable.”
