The firm which manages the monarchy’s huge property pursuits is to kick off a seek for its subsequent chairman, firing the starting-gun on a race for probably the most prestigious posts in British actual property.

Sky News has learnt that The Crown Estate is working with headhunters at Korn Ferry on plans to discover a successor to Sir Robin Budenberg.

The course of is just not but formally underway however is anticipated to be shortly, in line with City sources.

Sir Robin, who additionally chairs Lloyds Banking Group, Britain’s greatest excessive road lender, has chaired The Crown Estate since August 2016.

He was appointed to serve a second four-year time period in 2020, which means his tenure is because of finish subsequent summer season.

Crown Commissioners are appointed at the side of the Treasury, reflecting The Crown Estate’s distinctive contribution to the UK public funds.

Its income surged final yr on the again of earnings from offshore wind-farm licences.

The Crown Estate owns Regent Street, one of many world’s best-known retail and vacationer locations, in addition to a part of St James’s in Mayfair

Outside London, it manages the Windsor Estate, together with Windsor Great Park.

A spokesman for The Crown Estate declined to remark.