The family "behind the Goodwood Estate plans to take the brand outside" the U.K., according to Robin Pagnamenta of the LONDON TIMES. Charles Gordon-Lennox, the 11th Duke of Richmond, said that the family, which owns the 12,000-acre Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, is "in talks about taking its motorsports events -- including the Goodwood Festival of Speed -- to an additional venue in the Middle East." Qatar is the "most likely candidate because the estate already has close ties with the wealthy Gulf state," which sponsors its summer horseracing festival, Glorious Goodwood, or the Qatar Goodwood Festival. Gordon-Lennox said, "There is a real opportunity to take the brand beyond the estate. We are trying to create a long-term sustainable business with a focus on big events." Most of the estate’s income "comes from motorsport ticket sales, track days at the circuit and deals with sponsors such as Mastercard, which supports the Goodwood Festival of Speed." The estate also operates a hotel, restaurant, golf courses, farms and other businesses. Turnover at Goodwood Estates is forecast to exceed £100M ($134.5M) this year for the first time, up 9% from £91M in '16, while pre-tax profits are expected to rise 20% to about £4.4M ($5.9M) (LONDON TIMES, 12/28).
