>>240576011. Crown and old-money capital is pouring into AI, energy infrastructure, and alternative assets
The Crown Estate Act 2025, passed in March, is the most significant expansion of the Crown Estate’s investment powers in its history. It removed prior restrictions on asset types, enabling the Estate to function as a broad infrastructure and energy investment platform. The Crown Estate’s net asset value stands at £15 billion, with net revenue profit hitting £1.1 billion in FY2024/25. A 50/50 joint venture with Lendlease announced in May 2025 carries a potential gross development value of £24 billion across six projects targeting 26,000 homes, 10 million square feet of commercial space, and 100,000 jobs. A £1.5 billion redevelopment of Cambridge Business Park into 8 million square feet of science and innovation space signals a deliberate pivot toward the knowledge economy. Offshore wind remains the anchor, with Round 5 advancing in June 2025 and a partnership with Great British Energy to accelerate deployment.
Rothschild & Co led European M&A financial advisory in 2025 alongside Morgan Stanley. Five Arrows Secondaries Fund VI closed at €2 billion (70% larger than its predecessor) and Five Arrows Direct Lending Fund IV closed at €2.4 billion, both drawing pension funds, insurance companies, and family offices. RIT Capital Partners, the Rothschild family’s listed investment trust, reported 10.4% annualized NAV total return since 1988 — turning £10,000 into £378,000 against a benchmark of £141,000. RIT increased its gold exposure (contributing 0.5% returns) and holds California carbon credit positions. Private investments delivered 15% annualized returns over the past decade. Edmond de Rothschild REIM acquired €30 million in logistics and light-industrial assets across France, Germany, and the Netherlands in early 2025, targeting re-shoring and e-commerce growth.
LGT Group
