Defence Estate study

The HERO Review by the Centre for Defence Studies, King’s College London, for Morgan Sindall Group plc proposes more effective MoD partnering with local authorities and the private sector, new approaches to home ownership and separation of MOD operational and support responsibilities.

The Centre for Defence Studies, King’s College London today published an independent report into the operation and management of the UK’s Defence Estate. ’The Hero Review: Harnessing Efficiencies, Rethinking Outcomes - The Future of the Defence Estate’ considers the enormous property and landholdings of the Ministry of Defence (one of the largest landowners in the UK) and is a timely and important inquiry into delivery of an estate fit for purpose and supportive of the objectives of the military covenant - the understanding between the service personnel and their families and wider society of a duty of care owed to those who serve.

Commissioned by the construction and regeneration group concern, Morgan Sindall plc, the Hero Review has spent 6 months considering the wider implications of reform within defence estates and represents an innovative partnership between academia and industry in policy research. The study identifies new approaches to the financing, use and disposal of the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD’s) significant assets, and the future of housing for service personnel.

Dr John Gearson, Director of the Centre for Defence Studies said: ’The HERO Review is intended to be an important step forward in developing fresh approaches to how the defence estate is managed in an increasingly challenging economic climate."

The effective operation and management of the huge assets held within the defence estate directly impacts on the retention, well-being and future prospects of many service personnel. As the management of the defence estate becomes more commercially aware and flexible there will be associated positive benefits for those in our armed forces now and in the future.’