# How useful are Rich Lists, and should we be interested in landowners?

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/07/03/how-useful-are-rich-lists-and-should-we-be-interested-landowners/
- Published: 2008-07-03T08:46:23+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

I was at the latest Researchers in Fundraising (RiF) conference this week. It was
another very interesting day (and the food was great). There were all sorts of interesting
issues raised, including “how useful is the Rich List, and how can it best be used”.
One of the speakers made the excellent point that one should check out the shareholders
in the companies that are the (major) source of wealth – don’t just go for the main
person included on the Rich List. The same speaker was challenged on what he said
about researching landowners. Is there any point in researching them? Is it relevant
to researchers? I think that it can be an excellent source of leads, and support.
Landowners can derive substantial rental income from their landholdings. They might
move in interesting social and business circles, and have some valuable connections.
A number of them have grant-making trusts, as well as links with local/regional 
and other charities.

Check out the website of The Valuation Office Agency, an executive agency of HM 
Revenue & Customs. www.voa.gov.uk The site is a new resource to me, so I have barely
used it. If anyone has recommendations to make, please add a comment.

Clinton Devon Estates now has a website, detailing business activities. John Varley
is director there, having spent a number of years at BT in senior management roles.
Is this a one off, or is it part of a new trend amongst landowners, that could be
useful to fundraisers and researchers in all sorts of ways, I wonder?

## Advertisement

 [⌊Posthub advert. You create the campaign. We'll handle the postal journey. Get started at post-hub.co.uk.⌉](https://fundraising.co.uk/ads/posthub-20261007-300x250/)

After the (RiF) conference, some of us eventually ended up in a pub across the road“
The Big Red”. It is truly a remarkable venue. If you are ever near the Holloway 
Road, I would recommend that you pay a visit.