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Knight Frank
Knight Frank
Knight Frank
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Knight Frank LLP is a global real estate consultancy and estate agency headquartered in London, England.

Key Information

Knight Frank's global network has more than 488 offices across 57 territories and more than 20,000 people managing commercial, agricultural and residential real estate worth more than US$817 billion (£498 billion).[1]

History

[edit]

Knight, Frank & Rutley is an earlier name of the firm. Howard Frank was an English estate agent, headed of the firms of Knight, Frank & Rutley of London and Walton & Lee of Edinburgh and was president of the Estate Agents' Institute from 1912 to 1914.

  • 1896: The firm is founded in London by John Knight, Howard Frank and William Rutley.[2]
  • 1897: The first recorded business property sale occurs in November, when Knight, Frank & Rutley sells a ‘cycle machinery and plant’ business in Battersea for £270 11s 6d.
  • 1911: The Crystal Palace is sold to Lord Plymouth for £210,000.[3]
  • 1914: Howard Frank, the senior partner, is knighted.
  • 1915: Cecil Chubb buys Stonehenge through Knight, Frank & Rutley for £6,600. Mr. & Mrs. Chubb gave it "to the Nation" three years later.
  • 1922: The firm handles the sale of Winston Churchill's house and sells Chartwell to him.
  • 1924: Hugh Grosvenor, 2nd Duke of Westminster sells Grosvenor House in Park Lane through Knight, Frank & Rutley.
  • 1927: The firm advises on the site assembly for the BBC's headquarters, Broadcasting House in London.
  • 1937: Most of the town of Lytham St Annes in Lancashire is sold – including the celebrated golf course.
  • 1974: Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire, dating back to 1132, is sold for £1 million.
  • 1981: In New York, Douglas Elliman Knight Frank sells Pan-American World Airways Intercontinental Hotels Corporation to Grand Metropolitan for $500 million.
  • 1996: On 1 January, ‘Rutley’ is dropped from the Knight Frank name as part of a plan to expand international market share.
  • 2000: Knight Frank sells the Duke of York's Headquarters in Chelsea, London, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.[4]
  • 2005: The firm is appointed to advise on the development of the London Olympic Village for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
  • 2006: With effect from 1 January, Knight Frank establishes a global real estate partnership with leading New York-based real estate service firm Newmark Knight Frank, formerly Newmark.
  • 2012: February, presents Battersea Power Station to the global property market.[5][6]
  • 2013: Participated in the founding of OnTheMarket[7]
  • 2015: Knight Frank wins the instruction to sell 231 prime residential units within the Royal Atlantis on the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.[8]
  • 2021: Rennie Property joined Knight Frank’s global network.[9]

Indexes and reports

[edit]

Global House Price Index

[edit]

The Knight Frank Global House Price Index is compiled using official government statistical office or central bank data where possible.[10][11][12][13][14]

House Price Sentiment Index (HPSI)

[edit]

The Knight Frank/Markit House Price Sentiment Index (HPSI) provides information on the UK housing market. The monthly survey gauges the sentiment of households across the country, and is an indicator of future house price movement.[15][16][17]

Country House Index

[edit]

The Knight Frank Country House Index is a valuation based index, compiled quarterly from valuations prepared by professional valuers in every Knight Frank Country House office in the UK. The index is based on the valuation of a comprehensive basket of properties throughout all United Kingdom regions based on actual sales evidence.[18][19]

Prime Central London Index

[edit]

The Knight Frank Prime Central London Index, established in 1976, covers the prime central London residential marketplace. The index is based on a repeat valuation methodology that tracks capital values of prime central London residential property.[20]

The Wealth Report

[edit]

The Wealth Report is an annual publication produced by Knight Frank. The Wealth Report looks at global prime property trends and wealth, and examines the prime and super-prime property markets.[21][22] The Wealth Report focuses heavily on the investment activity of global single and multi family offices. In their latest report of 2018, the Knight Frank Wealth Report expounded on the increase in family office real estate activity, citing both WeWork and the FINTRX Family Office Platform. The report stated that 57% of North American family offices had real estate exposure, while 48% of European family offices were currently allocated to the real estate sector.[23]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Knight Frank

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Knight Frank is an independent global consultancy firm founded in 1896 and headquartered in , . Specializing in residential, commercial, and agricultural property services, it offers valuations, market appraisals, agency, capital markets advisory, portfolio management, and investment consultancy to clients including high-net-worth individuals, financial institutions, and corporations. With over 740 offices across more than 50 territories and employing more than 27,000 people as of 2025, Knight Frank operates as a network of affiliated entities providing integrated property solutions worldwide. Originally established as Knight Frank & Rutley in London as a valuations, surveying, and auctions business, the firm has grown through strategic expansions and partnerships, including its 1983 merger with a Hong Kong surveyor to enter Asia and the formation of a global alliance with Cresa in 2021. Key historical milestones include advising on high-profile sales such as Stonehenge in 1915, Chartwell to Winston Churchill in 1922, and The Shard project in 2010, underscoring its role in landmark property transactions over 125 years. Structured as Knight Frank LLP—a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales—the firm is governed by a Group Executive Board that oversees global strategy, while its international operations function through distinct legal entities bound by common policies. Knight Frank's services extend to specialized areas such as private office advisory for family offices, hospitality capital markets, and , enabling end-to-end support across the lifecycle from acquisition to management. Its global footprint emphasizes key markets in , , the , the , and , with significant presence in the UK (106 offices and 11,000+ employees as of 2025) and (237 offices as of 2025). Renowned for research and market intelligence, Knight Frank publishes influential reports on , prime , and global trends, reinforcing its position as a leader in the sector.

Company overview

Founding and headquarters

Knight Frank was founded in 1896 in as Knight Frank & Rutley by John Knight, Howard Frank, and William Rutley, initially focusing on valuations, surveying, and auctions. The firm's first property sale occurred at Conduit Street in that year. In 2003, the company evolved into Knight Frank LLP, a registered in under number OC305934. Its global headquarters are located at 55 Baker Street, W1U 8AN, following a relocation there in 2008. As of 2025, Knight Frank employs more than 20,000 people across 600+ offices in over 50 markets worldwide.

Core services

Knight Frank provides a comprehensive range of residential services, including sales and lettings of properties across urban and international markets, valuations for individual assets, and full to handle tenant relations, , and compliance. The firm also offers specialized vineyard services, advising clients on the acquisition, , and sale of estates worldwide, drawing on expertise in agricultural and luxury rural assets. In the commercial sector, Knight Frank delivers agency services for transactions, occupier services to assist businesses in finding and optimizing workspaces, and portfolio valuations that assess entire holdings for or reporting purposes. Additional commercial offerings include market appraisals to determine values and potential, consultancy on development and strategies, tenant and representation during negotiations, relocation support for corporate moves, as well as rent reviews and lease renewals to ensure optimal terms. The firm extends specialized services through its Private Office division, which caters to high-net-worth individuals and family offices by facilitating buying, selling, renting, and investing in both residential and commercial properties on a global scale. Complementing this, Knight Frank's rural property advisory provides tailored guidance to landowners, farmers, and investors on estate management, planning permissions, diversification opportunities, and in rural areas. These services are supported by the firm's proprietary , enabling informed decision-making across all offerings. Knight Frank emphasizes seamless global transaction handling through its network of 600+ offices in over 50 markets, connecting clients to local expertise while coordinating cross-border deals efficiently.

Organizational structure

Leadership

Knight Frank is governed by a Group Executive Board that oversees the global network, sets overarching strategy, monitors performance, and ensures accountability across all member firms. This board, comprising key partners and executives from Knight Frank LLP, drives the implementation of the group's vision while maintaining consistent standards worldwide. As of 2025, the Group Executive Board is chaired by William Beardmore-Gray, who serves as Senior Partner and Group Chair, having assumed the role in April 2022 after joining the firm in 1994 and rising to head of Commercial and Global Occupier businesses. Other prominent members include Shishir Baijal, Chairman and Managing Director of Knight Frank and Non-Executive Chair of the region since April 2025, appointed to the board in 2023 to support and global operations; Karen Bowes, Group Chief People Officer since April 2023, responsible for strategy following her tenure at ; Anthony Duggan, Partner and Chair of , reappointed to the board in August 2025 to bolster European growth; and Mary O'Connor, a non-executive adviser appointed in April 2025, bringing expertise as a dual-qualified and lawyer. Stephen Clifton serves as Managing Partner, contributing to domestic strategic decisions. The board's membership draws from Knight Frank LLP's partners, who participate in collective decision-making on global policies, investments, and network expansions, ensuring alignment with the firm's values and culture. Member firms across subsidiaries, associates, and licensees in over 50 territories must adhere to these common policies or equivalent standards to uphold service consistency and brand integrity. This structure supports strategic initiatives, including international expansions.

Global network

Knight Frank operates a extensive international network spanning 61 markets across six regions, with more than 740 offices and over 27,000 professionals as of 2025. This footprint encompasses the (4 markets, including , , , and the ), the (4 markets: , , , and ), the (4 markets: , , , and the ), (16 markets: , , Chinese Mainland, , Hong Kong SAR, , , , , , , , , , , and ), (22 markets: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and ), and (11 markets: , , , , , , , , , , and ). The organization's global structure is built as a network of independent legal entities, including wholly owned subsidiaries, affiliates, ventures, and licensed partners, each maintaining separate , , and operational while adhering to shared brand standards and ethical guidelines. This decentralized model allows for localized expertise and in diverse markets, with Knight Frank LLP serving as the central coordinating entity based in . Official documentation from 2025 lists over 100 such entities worldwide, such as Knight Frank Hong Kong Limited and Knight Frank Pte Ltd in , Knight Frank Australia Pty Limited in , and Cresa Global Inc. & Affiliates in the United States, all functioning as distinct juridical persons. Knight Frank's international reach has grown through strategic entries into key regions, including via a merger in and the establishment of an office in , through the acquisition of full ownership in local operations, and the with the launch of Private Offices in New York and Singapore following a partnership with a leading occupier-centric firm. These expansions have bolstered the network's capacity to serve multinational clients in high-growth areas, particularly in residential, commercial, and wealth advisory services.

History

Early development (1896–2000)

Knight Frank was established in as Knight Frank & Rutley, a firm specializing in valuations, , and auctions, with its inaugural transaction being the sale of a at Conduit Street in . This early focus laid the foundation for the company's expertise in advisory services, emphasizing precise property assessments and competitive processes that would define its operations in the decades ahead. Throughout the early 20th century, Knight Frank handled several high-profile transactions that underscored its growing reputation in the British property market. In 1911, the firm facilitated the sale of to Lord Plymouth for £210,000, marking a significant achievement in handling landmark estates. Four years later, in 1915, it assisted in purchasing for £6,600, a deal that preserved the ancient monument before Chubb later gifted it to the nation. The 1920s brought further prominence, including the 1922 sale of Chartwell to Winston Churchill, which became his family home and political retreat, and advisory work on assembling the site for the BBC Broadcasting House in London in 1927. These transactions highlighted Knight Frank's role in both private and public sector deals, blending historical significance with commercial acumen. In the mid-20th century, Knight Frank expanded its auctions and valuations services, building on its foundational strengths to navigate post-war reconstruction and economic shifts in the UK property sector. This period saw the firm solidify its position as a trusted advisor for institutional and individual clients, with valuations becoming integral to decisions amid urban development booms. By the , such expertise was evident in transactions like the 1974 sale of in for £1 million, a that demonstrated the firm's capability in managing heritage properties of national importance. The late 20th century marked initial steps toward international presence while maintaining a strong UK base. In 1983, Knight Frank merged with a Hong Kong firm to create Knight Frank Kan and Baillieu, enhancing its Asian footprint, and simultaneously opened an office in Singapore to tap into emerging markets in the region. Closing the millennium on a high note, the firm achieved full acquisition of its Australian business in 2000, securing complete control over operations there, and completed the sale of the Duke of York's Headquarters in Chelsea to the Ministry of Defence, a pivotal urban redevelopment deal. These milestones reflected Knight Frank's evolution from a London-centric auctioneer to a more globally oriented consultancy by the year 2000.

Expansion and partnerships (2001–present)

In the early , Knight Frank pursued strategic initiatives to bolster its capabilities and international footprint. In 2005, the firm provided advisory services for the development of London's in preparation for the . That same year, Knight Frank launched Rutley Capital Partners, its wholly owned arm, aimed at managing s for high-net-worth clients and institutions. These moves marked a shift toward diversified within the property sector. The firm continued its growth through high-profile projects and operational enhancements. In 2008, Knight Frank relocated its global headquarters to 55 Baker Street in London, consolidating its teams in a modern facility to support expanding operations. By 2010, it secured an appointment as a key advisor for The Shard, Europe's tallest building at the time, handling leasing and sales for the mixed-use development. In 2015, Knight Frank was tasked with marketing 231 super-prime residential units at the Royal Atlantis Resort on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah, one of the emirate's most luxurious projects. Recent years have seen Knight Frank emphasize anniversaries, alliances, and specialized expansions. The firm celebrated its 125th anniversary in , highlighting its evolution from a UK-based consultancy to a global leader while unveiling new strategic priorities focused on client-centric growth. That year, Knight Frank formed a global with Cresa, the U.S.-based occupier-focused firm, to enhance services for corporate clients across more than 80 markets and strengthen its North American presence. From 2020 to 2025, the Private Office division, catering to ultra-high-net-worth individuals, expanded notably, including the opening of a fourth office in in 2022 to serve family offices in and the establishment of its U.S. headquarters in New York through a with that concluded in June 2025. In June 2025, Knight Frank concluded its long-standing with . Knight Frank has also garnered recognitions for its leadership, such as the EG Global Adviser Award for excellence in international property services, the 2024 UK Customer Satisfaction Award, and the 2025 Global Elite Award for Leading Global Real Estate Network.

Research and publications

Property price indexes

Knight Frank produces several specialized property price indexes that monitor trends, providing data-driven insights into residential market performance across global and regional scales. These indexes utilize , valuations, and surveys to track price movements, offering benchmarks for investors, policymakers, and market participants. By focusing on mainstream, prime, and sentiment-based metrics, they help contextualize economic influences on values without delving into transactional services. The Global House Price Index serves as a quarterly benchmark for residential property price changes worldwide, covering more than 200 locations across over 50 countries. It aggregates official data from central banks and national statistics offices to calculate weighted average annual growth rates, revealing patterns such as inflation-driven surges in emerging markets or subdued increases in mature economies. For instance, in Q2 , the index highlighted a modest global uptick influenced by varying regional recoveries, underscoring its role in identifying long-term trends like the historical average annual growth of around 5%. Launched to address the need for standardized global comparisons, the index avoids luxury segments to emphasize mainstream dynamics. The House Price Sentiment Index (HPSI), developed in collaboration with (now part of ), was a UK-centric monthly survey-based tool that gauged household perceptions of the housing market from 2009. It assessed confidence through questions on recent and expected price changes, sales activity, and broader economic factors, producing a score where readings above 50 indicated positive sentiment. The index captured qualitative shifts, such as perceived value increases during economic upturns, helping to forecast market direction ahead of official price data. However, no recent publications were identified after , suggesting it is no longer actively produced. Knight Frank's Country House Index tracks the rural property market, focusing on prime homes typically valued over £1 million in countryside locations. Updated quarterly through internal valuations by Knight Frank's country department, it measures price performance, sales volumes, and regional variations, such as stronger demand for equestrian properties or coastal retreats. The index highlights how factors like interest rates and lifestyle shifts affect high-value rural assets, with data year to June 2025 showing a 2.5% annual decline amid affordability pressures. This analysis aids in understanding the niche dynamics of the country house sector beyond urban trends. The Prime Central London Index monitors luxury residential prices in London's elite districts, including areas like , , and Westminster. Established in , it is a valuation-based series that records percentage changes in average prices for high-end properties, often exceeding £2 million, to spotlight influences such as international buyer activity and policy reforms. Observations through mid-2025 indicate declines of around 3% year-on-year, reflecting uncertainties around taxation and global mobility, yet positioning the market as relatively undervalued compared to pre-2015 peaks. This index is essential for dissecting the volatility of the super-prime segment.

Wealth and market reports

Knight Frank's flagship publication, The Wealth Report, provides an annual analysis of global private dynamics and landscapes. Now in its 19th edition for 2025, the examines the distribution of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), emerging trends in strategies, and preferences among high-net-worth investors across prime and alternative asset classes. It highlights shifts in wealth creation, with a particular emphasis on regional hotspots for , drawing on proprietary ; for example, the global population of UHNWIs ( of at least US$100 million) increased by 4.2% in 2024, surpassing 100,000 for the first time. A key component is the Attitudes Survey, which gathers insights from over 600 private bankers, wealth advisors, and s worldwide to gauge sentiments on opportunities, perceptions, and sector allocations, such as the rising in sustainable and technology-driven assets. The report's methodologies rely on Knight Frank's extensive global research library, incorporating a proprietary wealth-sizing model that integrates economic indicators, market transaction data, and survey responses to map distribution and identify hotspots. This data-led approach ensures a comprehensive view of how geopolitical events, , and technological advancements influence UHNWIs' portfolios, with sections dedicated to resilience, luxury residential demand, and diversification into assets like art and vineyards. For instance, the 2025 edition underscores the dominance of the in wealth generation, attributing it to robust economic policies and innovation hubs, while noting Asia's accelerating role in expansions. Complementing The Wealth Report, Knight Frank produces thematic market reports that delve into specialized sectors. The Global Data Centres Report 2025 edition explores the surging momentum in the data centre industry, driven by and demands, while addressing operational complexities such as power constraints and sustainability challenges across primary and emerging markets. Similarly, the Alpine Property Report 2025/26 previews trends in European ski resorts, highlighting the shift toward year-round destinations amid rising demand for luxury alpine homes, with average price growth of 3.3% in the past year led by Swiss markets. These reports utilize Knight Frank's transaction databases and regional expertise to analyze supply dynamics, investor yields, and regulatory impacts, offering actionable insights for institutional and private investors. The Global Development Report series further extends this coverage by examining trends in property development worldwide, focusing on how macroeconomic factors and innovations shape residential and commercial projects. The most recent detailed edition dates to 2020, which analyzed developer surveys to reveal pandemic-induced shifts in supply and , emphasizing adaptable, sustainable developments; no subsequent editions were identified as of , with these themes continuing to inform Knight Frank's broader market analyses. Collectively, these publications underscore Knight Frank's commitment to data-driven foresight, helping stakeholders navigate evolving and market conditions without delving into granular indexing methodologies.

References

  1. https://www.knightfrank.com/about-us/history
  2. https://www.knightfrank.com/about-us/structure
  3. https://www.knightfrank.com/
  4. https://content.knightfrank.com/resources/knightfrank.ae/pdf/customercare-brochure2015.pdf
  5. https://content.knightfrank.com/resources/knightfrank.com/about-us/knight-frank-global-footprint-2025.pdf
  6. https://www.knightfrank.com/private-office
  7. https://www.consultancy-me.com/news/11783/knight-frank-adds-capital-markets-offering-to-hospitality-practice
  8. https://businessindia.co/magazine/corporate-report/knight-franks-eventful-journey
  9. https://www.knightfrank.com/about-us
  10. https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/OC305934
  11. https://www.knightfrank.com/residential
  12. https://www.knightfrank.com/publications/tenant-guide-to-property-management-2021-8175.aspx
  13. https://www.knightfrank.com/commercial
  14. https://www.knightfrank.com/valuations
  15. https://www.knightfrank.com/occupier-strategy-and-solutions
  16. https://www.knightfrank.com/rural-matters
  17. https://www.knightfrank.com/research
  18. https://content.knightfrank.com/resources/knightfrank.com/legal/knight-frank-global-corporate-governance-policy.pdf
  19. https://www.knightfrank.com/contact/people/william-beardmore_gray-00000063
  20. https://www.knightfrank.com/about-us/our-leadership
  21. https://m.economictimes.com/industry/services/property-/-cstruction/knight-frank-appoints-shishir-baijal-as-asia-pacific-non-executive-chair/articleshow/115765085.cms
  22. https://www.knightfrank.com/about-us/our-leadership/karen-bowes
  23. https://www.creherald.com/anthony-duggan-rejoins-knight-franks-group-executive-board/
  24. https://www.costar.com/article/2002080386/knight-frank-makes-group-executive-board-appointment
  25. https://content.knightfrank.com/resources/knightfrank.com/about-us/entities-list-the-knight-frank-group-network-may-2025.pdf
  26. https://content.knightfrank.com/news/13784/7059-article-1.pdf
  27. https://therealdeal.com/national/2025/06/02/douglas-elliman-knight-frank-end-15-year-partnership/
  28. https://www.knightfrank.com/research/report-library/global-house-price-index-q2-2025-12456.aspx
  29. https://content.knightfrank.com/research/84/documents/en/global-house-price-index-q4-2024-12033.pdf
  30. https://content.knightfrank.com/research/350/documents/en/knight-frank-markit-house-price-sentiment-index-august-2017-4895.pdf
  31. https://content.knightfrank.com/research/100/documents/en/uk-residential-market-update-q3-2025-12304.pdf
  32. https://www.knightfrank.com/research/article/2025-02-03-prices-flat-in-prime-central-london-as-nondom-uncertainty-persists
  33. https://www.willowprivatefinance.co.uk/londons-prime-market-in-september-2025-value-emerges-amid-tax-jitters
  34. https://content.knightfrank.com/research/156/documents/en/june-2012-924.pdf
  35. https://www.knightfrank.com/wealthreport
  36. https://www.knightfrank.com/research/article/2025-03-05-the-wealth-report-2025-america-first
  37. https://content.knightfrank.com/resources/knightfrank.com/wealthreport/the-wealth-report-2024.pdf
  38. https://www.knightfrank.com/research/report-library/the-wealth-report-11989.aspx
  39. https://www.knightfrank.com/research/report-library/data-centres-global-report-2025-12054.aspx
  40. https://www.knightfrank.com/alpinereport
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