Knight Frank bolsters rural business in north of England

Knight Frank’s new office will open in July and be located at Oakwood Park Business Centre, Harrogate.

The firm also welcomes Simon Britton, a well-known figure in the region and UK agriculture, joining the firm as a Partner. Sally Britton also joins as an Associate in the Rural Consultancy team.

Knight Frank began operating in the north of England at the beginning of 2022 when Claire Whitfield joined as a partner alongside a team of four consultants. The seven members of the team, consisting of both estate and agricultural consultants will be based out of its new Harrogate office and service clients throughout the north of England, from Derbyshire through to the Scottish borders.

Britton joins the firm with 27 years’ experience in agriculture and rural based consultancy. During his career he has focused on subject areas including complex family and business matters, strategic business planning, farm management, partnership and joint venture structures, enterprise diversification, and DEFRA’s subsidy schemes.

Previously, Britton was a Senior Equity Partner and Head of Rural at George F.White LLP, a Partner at Strutt & Parker and a Director at Savills. He is currently the Chairman of the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants.

Working with Tom Heathcote, a leading expert in regenerative agriculture, Britton is responsible for establishing and leading Knight Frank’s north of England agricultural consultancy offering. In particular, he and his team will focus on strategic business reviews, expert witness work, day to day farm management and business re-structuring. Sally Britton will focus on budgeting and cash flow monitoring, grant applications, rural diversification, environmental land management and the emerging natural capital markets.

Simon Britton, partner, Knight Frank Rural Consultancy, said:

“UK agriculture is transitioning through its biggest change in more than 100 years. More so than ever, farmers and landowners need clear and straightforward advice to help them navigate this uncertain and fast moving – yet exciting – time. There will be significant opportunities for financially sound and well-structured businesses. I am looking forward to working in partnership with Knight Frank’s rural clients; helping them to achieve personal and business objectives in a coordinated and profitable manner, laying the foundations for their sustainable future.” 

James Farrell, Head of Rural Consultancy at Knight Frank, said:

“I am delighted to welcome Simon and Sally to the team, and am extremely excited about the launch of our latest office in Harrogate, which follows recent openings in Oxfordshire, Sussex and Cambridge; we will shortly also open an office in Kent. Simon and Sally bring a wealth of farm management experience and expertise which will further add to the depth of our offer to clients across the north; exciting times.

“We have worked hard to build a market leading team that shares a commitment to inspire each other so that we can enhance the lives of those we work with and together shape a future of shared growth, happiness and prosperity. Supported by the latest tech, data, digital solutions, research and analysis we are an agile, intelligent business built for a new era with the experience and expertise to transform the lived experience of estate and farm business ownership and create a countryside fit for the future.”