REMRSAM-Strategic Rural Asset Management

Module Provider: Real Estate and Planning
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Mrs Angela Cropley
Email: a.cropley@henley.reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Offering strategic advisory services is a key role for those aspiring to key roles in rural property consultancies. This module will explore both practical and strategic aspects of rural asset management, covering the breadth of property assetsÌýand the range of different property owners – private, institutional, public and third sector – with differing strategic objectives. It will introduce students to the diverse challenges rural businesses may face, and the strategies that may be used to tackle them. Students will need to use a range of management concepts and tools to come up with creative and innovative solutions to complex problems. The second part of the module will consider the influence of capital taxation on rural asset management and planning.Ìý

Aims:

The aims of the module are to provide students with the appropriate technical and strategic consultancy skills to advise owners on the strategic management of theirÌýassets, andÌýdevelop the practical day to day policies required to implement those strategies, including risk and investment appraisal. The subject will be considered from the viewpoint of a variety of different stakeholder owners, exploring how particular personal, financial, operational and regulatory influences impact on their estate strategies.Ìý

Assessable learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:

• Evaluate the varying strategic influences on the management of rural assets, including the key role of owners’ objectives.


• Apply analytical techniques andÌýproblem solvingÌýskills to formulate strategic plans for rural estates and other rural businesses and demonstrate how to implement them.


• Explore the impact of theÌýsustainability,ÌýnaturalÌý capitalÌýand ecosystem services debates on the management of rural estates.


• Investigate the capital tax regime and the role of tax planning in asset protection and succession.Ìý

Additional outcomes:

• Enhance communication skills through case studies and presentations in seminar sessionsÌý


• Develop report writing skills through courseworkÌý


• Enhance the ability to research and assimilate technical informationÌý

Outline content:

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  Land ownership and management objectivesÌý

  
  


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  Business structures and land occupation arrangementsÌý

  
  


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  Strategic influencesÌýon rural land managementÌý

  
  


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  Analysis of financial performance and riskÌý

  
  


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  Strategic asset management tools, techniques and proceduresÌý

  
  


• Implementat ion of strategy in a changing business environmentÌý


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  Taxation issues – particularly Inheritance and Capital Gains TaxÌý

  
  

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Delivery will be through lectures, possibly including visiting speakers from across the sector. Seminars will be used to provide a focus for applying knowledge and skills gained in the module to real-life examples.Ìý

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Coursework (report) 100%

In two parts:

1. Presentation of ideas (e.g. video recording, mindmap, briefing note, etc.) allowing for formative feedback – submission Wk 2 spring term.

2. Professional report (3500 words) – submission Wk 9Ìýspring term.

Formative assessment methods:

In-class case studies will provide students with the opportunity to apply their learning to real-life scenarios, and to receive informal feedback as to their understanding of core principles and concepts.Ìý

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: