Aviva Investors agrees long-term partnership with Netflix at Longcross Studios

(London) – Aviva Investors, the global asset management business of Aviva plc (‘Aviva’), announces that it has entered a long-term agreement with Netflix, the global entertainment company, to operate and significantly expand the extensive film and production facility at the renowned Longcross Studios complex in Surrey.

The partnership, which will see Netflix take a long-term lease at the site, is expected to significantly increase the breadth and calibre of production facilities at what is already one of the country’s leading film production sites and furthering the UK’s status as a leading global centre for the cinema industry.

As part of the announcement, Aviva Investors has also acquired the remaining stake in a 72-acre film production site, which has been purchased from joint venture partner, Crest Nicholson, for £45 million.

Longcross Studios is a film and television production facility of significant heritage and importance to the British film industry, having provided production and filming facilities for major global productions including the James Bond franchise, films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Star Wars series and ITV television drama Broadchurch. The existing facility includes four main stages, 200 acres of backlot, a two-and-a-quarter mile test track, an off-road course, as well as a 150-year-old manor house which has been home to ‘Call the Midwife’.

The deal furthers Aviva Investors’ ownership of land at Longcross, with the business having co-owned the site – which totals approximately 380 acres – alongside its joint venture partner, Crest, since 2003. It also deepens Aviva Investors’ existing relationship with Netflix, which has its London headquarters in Fitzroy Place and also recently took residency of a substantial site in Uxbridge.

It also extends Aviva Investors’ provision of facilities to the British film and television industry, having completed the letting of two buildings in Park Royal, North West London, in January which will be turned into the brand-new 62,000 sq ft Garden Studios film studio complex. The asset manager has also invested into several buildings which currently house the BBC, STV and the Moving Pictures Company.

James Stevens, Head of Development, Global Real Estate, at Aviva Investors, said:

“We are very pleased, not only to increase our investment in Longcross and the UK’s creative industry, but also to grow our relationship with Netflix and bring a world-leading business to the region and further our strategy of actively targeting unique opportunities in this sector. It is exciting to see such a large global brand and pioneer in the digital entertainment industry demonstrate a strong, long-term commitment. We are confident that Netflix’s presence at Longcross will further cement it as a leading studio and create a truly world-class production centre for the British film industry. Moreover, this project will increase the depth and breadth of local employment opportunities, whilst also creating value for the UK pension schemes that make up a large proportion of our investor base.”

Anna Mallett, Vice President, Physical Production, EMEA/UK, at Netflix, commented:

“We are delighted to announce the expansion of our production presence in the UK. The new lease at Longcross highlights our commitment to investing in the UK creative industry and will provide a wealth of opportunities and production jobs, from entry level to heads of department. We’re excited to work with some of the best storytellers in the business to create amazing new films and series for our members.”      

For more information contact:

James Morgan

Media Relations Manager

Steve Ainger

Head of Media Relations

Important information

The information and opinions contained in this document are for use by the financial press and media only. No reliance may be placed for any purpose on the information or opinions contained in this document nor should they be seen as advice. 

The press release is provided on the basis that Aviva Investors Global Services Limited is not causing the communication of a financial promotion under exemption of the Financial Promotion Order, as Aviva Investors Global Services Limited has no control over the way in which an article based on this press release is prepared and published by the financial press and media. 

Except where stated as otherwise, the source of all information is Aviva Investors Global Services Limited (“Aviva Investors”) as at 11 April 2022. Unless stated otherwise any views and opinions expressed are those of Aviva Investors. They should not be viewed as indicating any guarantee of return from an investment managed by Aviva Investors nor as advice of any nature. The value of an investment and any income from it may go down as well as up and the investor may not get back the original amount invested. 

Issued by Aviva Investors Global Services Limited, registered in England No. 1151805. Registered Office: St Helen's, 1 Undershaft, London, EC3P 3DQ. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Aviva Investors

Aviva Investors is the global asset management business of Aviva plc. The business delivers investment management solutions, services and client-driven performance to clients worldwide. Aviva Investors operates in 14 countries in Asia Pacific, Europe, North America and the United Kingdom with assets under management of £268 billion in assets under management as at 31 December 2021.

Aviva PLC

We are the UK’s leading Insurance, Wealth & Retirement business and we operate in the UK, Ireland and Canada. We also have international investments in Singapore, China and India.

  • We help our 18.5 million customers make the most out of life, plan for the future, and have the confidence that if things go wrong we’ll be there to put it right.
  • We have been taking care of people for 325 years, in line with our purpose of being ‘with you today, for a better tomorrow’. In 2021, we paid £30.2 billion in claims and benefits to our customers.
  • Aviva is a market leader in sustainability. In 2021, we announced our plan to become a Net Zero carbon emissions company by 2040, the first major insurance company in the world to do so. This plan means Net Zero carbon emissions from our investments by 2040; setting out a clear pathway to get there with a cut of 25% in the carbon intensity of our investments by 2025 and of 60% by 2030; and Net Zero carbon emissions from our own operations and supply chain by 2030.  Find out more about our climate goals at www.aviva.com/climate-goals and our sustainability ambition and action at www.aviva.com/sustainability
  • Aviva is a Living Wage and Living Hours employer and provides market-leading benefits for our people, including flexible working, paid carers leave and equal parental leave. Find out more at www.aviva.com/about-us/our-people/
  • At 31 December 2021, total Group assets under management at Aviva Group are £401 billion and our Solvency II shareholder capital surplus is £13.1 billion. Our shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange and we are a member of the FTSE 100 index.
  • For more details on what we do, our business and how we help our customers, visit www.aviva.com/about-us  
  • The Aviva newsroom at www.aviva.com/newsroom includes links to our spokespeople images, podcasts, research reports and our news release archive. Sign up to get the latest news from Aviva by email.
  • You can follow us on:

o    Twitter: www.twitter.com/avivaplc/  

o    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/aviva-plc

o    Instagram: www.instagram.com/avivaplc

For the latest corporate films from around our business, subscribe to our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/aviva

Aviva Investors Global Services Limited
St Helen's, 1 Undershaft, London, EC3P 3DQ

Phone     +44 (0)20 7809 6000

Fax          +44 (0)20 7489 7940

Web        www.avivainvestors.com

Email      info@avivainvestors.com

Issued by Aviva Investors Global Services Limited, registered in England No. 1151805. 
Registered Office: St Helen's, 1 Undershaft, London, EC3P 3DQ. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and a member of the Investment Association.

Telephone calls may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes.