Annual accounts 2020/2021
The MDS Estates Ltd, parent company of Buccleuch, today published its annual results for the financial year 1st November 2020 to 31st October 2021.
Benny Higgins, executive chairman, said: ‘Despite the distinct challenges brought by the global pandemic over the last couple of years, Buccleuch is faring well, with the annual accounts for the year to 31st October 2021 reporting an underlying operating profit of £4m. This is a marked improvement on the previous year and one Buccleuch’s strategy aims to replicate over the coming years.
‘Each of Buccleuch’s diverse enterprises performed well in often difficult and testing circumstances.’
While profit after tax is reported as £37m within the financial statements, this primarily reflects an accounting requirement to revalue rural property assets on an annual basis, rather than underlying performance.
Mr Higgins said the challenges of the past two years are now being followed by a very uncertain economic outlook due primarily to extraordinary national and international circumstances, which may well continue for some time.
He said: We will tread cautiously as we navigate the global effects of inflation and interest rate rises, conscious that these will have an impact on our colleagues, customers and communities. We are able to do so from a position of financial strength and this will help inform our choices to allow Buccleuch to build on this solid platform.’
‘Our commercial property enterprise significantly contributed to the overall profit this year, with the team being well positioned to monitor and react to emerging market trends. The long-term outlook adopted by this enterprise continues to stand the business in good stead.
‘Our agriculture and forestry enterprises saw the benefit of higher than anticipated livestock and timber markets. The storms which hit the UK at the end of 2021 and beginning of 2022 were also unanticipated, however, the aftermath will likely impact on the financial performance of Buccleuch’s forestry enterprise within the financial year ending 31st October 2022.
‘Buccleuch’s investment in holiday accommodation on the Queensberry and Borders Estates in the South of Scotland benefited from the increase in ‘staycations’. This was also reflected at Dalkeith Country Park, where facilities attracted a healthy increase in visitors.”
Mr Higgins said that Buccleuch continues in its commitment to communities and the environment through a variety of initiatives, from large scale projects such as peatland restoration, woodland planting and renewable energy, to smaller contributions such as species protection and local biodiversity projects, recognising that land use will play an important role in the journey to net zero.’
It is important to recognise that together with the economic and environmental benefits Buccleuch’s estates afford, the group also has the capacity to deliver a significant slate of well-being benefits. It supports the outcomes within the Scottish Government’s National Performance Framework, aimed at developing and improving community life and the well-being of children and young people, while at the same time actively contributing to culture, economic growth, environmental management, fair work, education and health.
