_Knight Frank introduces its newly launched Private Wealth service

Earlier this year, Knight Frank recruited Rory Penn and Thomas van Straubenzee to lead its newly established Private Office. Joined by Paddy Dring, Head of Global Prime Sales, Rory and Thomas reveal how they advise their clients for the future.

Above from left: Rory Penn, Paddy Dring and Thomas van Straubenzee

What is the Knight Frank Private Office?

Rory: We’re a fully integrated commercial and residential advisory service for private clients. That’s the official answer!

Thomas: To put it simply, we provide clients with a single point of contact for a best-in-class service across Knight Frank’s extensive global offering; whether you’re looking to expand your property portfolio with a house in Belgravia, an office investment in the City or a villa in St. Tropez.

Paddy: The Private Office is here to advise against the backdrop of ever-changing real estate trends. Today, a trophy residential investment in London isn’t enough; clients often also want assets that produce an income and measurable long-term results. Our team provides trusted, in-depth guidance on commercial and residential assets around the world.

How did the Private Office come to be established?

Paddy: Knight Frank wanted to evolve its Private Wealth team and, given Rory and Thomas’s phenomenal track record, we immediately knew they were the right people to lead the Private Office. It’s unusual to find agents who are both commercially qualified and very experienced within the residential market.

Before joining Knight Frank, Rory and I were running prime London agency VanHan. We saw a huge opportunity at Knight Frank to utilise its global connectivity and expertise to deliver the very best advisory service to current and future clients. The chance to become a part of the world’s leading independent property firm was too good to refuse.

Who can the Private Office assist and how?

Rory: We advise private clients and family offices, as well as their advisors, many of whom want clear advice alongside the utmost discretion at all times. We are 100% real estate focused.

Thomas: We help wealthy families around the world to manage, build and develop their legacy in real estate. 

Rory: Many of our clients are diversifying their portfolios with both residential and commercial property. We’re often initially introduced to advise on a prime residential property and are subsequently asked to also help to build or advise on commercial or mixed-use portfolios.

For example, Tom and I recently sold a house in Chelsea on behalf of a client who mentioned that they also owned a private hospital in Harley Street. We went onto advise on extending the building’s lease from 13 to 23 years to increase its capital value, before selling it to a major financial institution for circa £40M, with a 3.5% net initial yield – a fantastic result for the client.

Thomas: That happens quite a lot – we recently sold a large flat for an American client who turned out to own the impressive Grade II* listed Fulham Town Hall, so we’re now advising on that sale too! It’s an incredible central London development opportunity.

How could a client benefit from getting in touch with the Private Office?

Rory: The property market can often be noisy, confusing and even daunting at times. We’re here to help navigate through that uncertainty, providing straightforward advice and streamlining the process by providing a single point of contact.

A couple of weeks ago, a European client asked if we’d advise his grandchildren on their first property investments. That’s our ultimate goal; to form lasting, trusted relationships with families and their future generations.

How does the Private Office work with other Knight Frank teams?

Thomas: Collaboration with many of Knight Frank’s 15,000 experts around the world is key to delivering a seamless service to our clients. We speak with our prime central London offices, residential development, commercial and international teams on an almost daily basis.

If there was just one thing everyone could know about the Private Office, what would you like it to be?

Rory: That we’re here to give honest, straight-forward advice on the prime residential and commercial markets.

Thomas: And that the private office ensures you receive the best of all Knight Frank’s services, be it sales, acquisitions, development, finance, or any of our many other services!

Paddy: Ultimately, the Private Office looks to the future. We don’t just advise clients on the best investment right now; we advise on the best investment for their children, grandchildren and the many generations to come.

To find out how the Private Office could advise you on your property portfolios visit: