_Men's Health Month spotlight: Luke Kievenaar

Luke Kievenaar is a Partner and the Head of Property Management within the Investment Lettings and Management team at Knight Frank. Over his eight-year tenure, Luke has been a champion of resilience, openness, and progress not just professionally but also in his personal health journey. 
 
Living with Colitis: finding light after the struggle

For as long as he can remember, Luke has lived with the challenges of Ulcerative Colitis, a condition that left him in constant pain and feeling as though he was perpetually jet-lagged. After years of ineffective treatments, from tablets to infusions, he made a life-changing decision two years ago to have a stoma implanted, affectionately nicknamed “Bilbo Baggins.” 
 
This pivotal moment brought significant relief, addressing many of his physical symptoms and allowing him to focus on improving other aspects of his health. “The stoma fixed 70% of the issues,” Luke explains, “but it also highlighted that I had been setting aside my mental health for far too long.” 
 
Understanding neurodiversity: An ADHD diagnosis

Encouraged by his wife, Luke recently sought clarity on long-standing attention challenges and was diagnosed with ADHD. While this came as a surprise, the diagnosis provided validation for traits he had previously chalked up to quirks of his personality. 
 
“Masking my ADHD for so long was exhausting,” he reflects. “Now I’ve found strategies to work with it, and I see the positives — neurodiverse individuals can offer unique perspectives and think outside the box.” 
 
Luke believes that embracing neurodiversity in the workplace can unlock creativity and innovation. “Knight Frank has an opportunity to support everyone fully, which not only benefits the individual but strengthens the firm as a whole.” 
 
Balancing health, family and work 

Family has been a cornerstone of Luke’s journey, with his wife providing unwavering support. Equally important has been the flexibility offered by his managers, allowing him to manage his health without compromising his professional commitments. 
 
“I used to overthink and worry about letting my team down,” he admits. “But I’ve learned that small adjustments, like being open with your team and not putting unnecessary pressure on yourself, can make all the difference.” 
 
Redefining masculinity: Encouraging men to speak up 

As someone from a generation where men often “silently get on with things,” Luke understands the stigma around discussing health challenges. But he firmly disagrees with the notion that speaking up is a sign of weakness. 
 
“Talking about health — physical and mental — opens doors to empathy, understanding, and solutions. It reduces stigma and encourages others to do the same.” 
 
Luke also highlights the critical role men play in driving meaningful change within the workplace. “Stop the narrative that ‘DEI doesn’t involve me.’ Men hold many of the senior positions at Knight Frank, they have the power to ask the right questions and prioritise inclusion.” 
 
Walking the walk: Supporting others

As Co-Chair of Knight Frank’s Ability Employee Resource Group (ERG), Luke is committed to fostering a more inclusive environment. He is particularly proud of initiatives like the rollout of the Disability Sunflower scheme and the firm’s Disability Confident Level 2 certification, but recognises there is more to be done. 
 
“Small changes can have a big impact. I want to help others get to the point where they feel empowered and understood, just as I have.” 
 
Practical advice for colleagues

Luke’s advice to anyone facing challenges — whether physical, mental, or neurodiverse — is to take small, manageable steps. “Find a neutral person to talk to, whether that’s a therapist, a member of an ERG, or a colleague. Don’t be afraid to explore the resources available, like Knight Frank’s wellbeing initiatives, BUPA support, or HR teams.” 
 
Looking ahead

Luke’s journey is a testament to the strength found in vulnerability and the power of open conversations. Through his leadership at Knight Frank and within the Ability ERG, he hopes to continue breaking down barriers and fostering a workplace where everyone feels they can thrive. 
 
“Ultimately, when we create environments that allow people to be themselves, we all win.”

Find out more about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Knight Frank.