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 Public-private partnership to assist KF rural clients
The Rural Services Network has today announced a ground-breaking strategic partnership arrangement with the world's largest privately owned property firm, Knight Frank LLP. The network is England's largest rural partnership and the national umbrella organisation for rural local authorities and other public service providers delivering services to rural communities.
The RSN represents organisations serving the needs of over 11 million people, many of them in small, remote communities as well as in market towns and large villages.
Members include local authorities, police, fire and ambulance services, NHS trusts, housing associations, national parks, transport operators and consumer organisations.
The partnership with Knight Frank will ensure that the Rural Services Network continues to highlight to national and local government the issues faced by rural service providers both public and private harnessing the views of public, private and third sector bodies who live and work in England's predominantly rural areas.
As the network's dedicated property partner, Knight Frank is supporting the network's website and email newsletter services.
Graham Biggs, Chief Executive of the Rural Services Network, said: "Knight Frank has an excellent reputation for professionalism and integrity. Its expertise and experience derives from longevity. Much of this has been accrued through its professional activity in the rural sector - agriculture, farms, estates, historic houses, rural enterprises, rural communities, land and property, rural housing, strategic planning, facilitating investment in the rural economy. It has an innovative and flexible corporate culture that is open to 'blue sky' thinking - a singular attraction during these challenging times when there are strong arguments for pooling resources, sharing ideas and for co-venturing.
Mr Biggs added: "It also has extensive experience in working in partnership with the local government sector. Last but not least, Knight Frank is, quite simply, the leading independent global residential and commercial property consultancy and its work embraces areas in which the RSN also has a strong interest - property, planning, enterprise and diversification, energy, development, best value, performance management, land and housing and investment in the rural fabric."
"We look forward to working with Knight Frank as the first of our strategic partners from the private sector."
James Del Mar, Head of Rural Consultancy at Knight Frank, said: "Knight Frank is continually searching for ways to help its rural clients meet the many challenges that face them today, as well as assisting them to prosper from the many opportunities that are also available.
"We recognise at first hand the inextricable relationship between the public and private sectors in the provision of goods and services. Our clients are, variously, consumers, clients, employers, employees, stakeholders, land and property owners, investors and producers and suppliers. Local authorities and public service agencies draw on the expertise and material of the private sector for an increasing and deepening range of services, advice and personnel.
"As well as helping our clients, we believe it is vital to support the countryside and communities in which they live. That is why we are particularly pleased to be supporting the Rural Services Network, which we believe play an invaluable role ensuring rural issues are kept at the forefront of the political agenda."
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Land & politics 
