A moving story: Introducing the Relocation & Corporate Services team

John Humphris heads up Knight Frank’s Relocation & Corporate Services, leading an expert, multilingual team of 12 to deliver bespoke home search solutions. In this interview, Humphris outlines the invaluable assistance he and his team offer to a diverse range of clients and the unique added value of their links into the entire Knight Frank network.

Q: What is the primary aim of the Relocation and Corporate Services Team?

A: We offer a complimentary VIP service helping a diverse clientele of businesses, institutions and private individuals find predominantly, but not exclusively, rental property as well as short-term and serviced accommodation. We offer a dedicated, bespoke and fully end-to-end proposition, a single point of contact, working with clients at every stage, from initial consultation through to helping them settle in. It adds up to an invaluable, discreet and time-saving service.

Q: What areas do you cover?

A: We work primarily in London and the Home Counties, the destinations the majority of our clients are focused on. However, thanks to the Knight Frank network, we can help source property across the UK. For example. just this week I spoke to clients looking to rent in the Cotswolds where Knight Frank has six offices, and we have previously assisted with block deals in regional cities such as Liverpool for other clients. In addition, I have counterparts in several global hubs such as New York, Hong Kong and Singapore and can assist with outbound home-finding services.

Q: Who are your clients?

A: We work with a diverse range of international professionals and private clients across a wide variety of sectors and backgrounds. Last year we arranged a combined total of over 700 lettings for corporate tenants across 40 different business sectors. We have long-established relationships with international blue chip corporate clients, diplomats and embassies from North America and across the world, elite sports professionals and film and music agencies and production companies. Clients also include high net worth individuals, Japanese corporates, legal, technological and pharmaceutical firms, as well as wealthy international students from all corners of the globe. What they all have in common is a desire for a timely, discreet and expert service. They come to us because they want our help and understand that we can make their life easier.

Q: Tell us more about your team.

A: They are a talented and multi-disciplinary group whose diverse talents mirror the diversity of our clients. For example, the Japan Desk understands the nuances and complexities of the specific lease terms that Japanese corporates such as Mizuho, MUFG or SMBC demand. The Sports Desk works in harmony with the fast pace and seamless service that premier league clubs expect, bringing in players, staff and management at short notice, offering unparalleled access to the market matched by total discretion. The Diplomatic Desk, helping our embassy clients secure property in London, is conversant with security requirements and lease terms. The team includes native French, Japanese and Mandarin speakers.

Q: What properties do you work with?

A: A complete mix depending on our client’s requirements. In recent years we have transacted on homes across all the London postcodes, east to west, prime central London out to North London, the Home Counties and beyond. For example, Wimbledon Village, Richmond and the elite private estates in Surrey are perennially popular with many CEOs and VPs while university students coming from China and Japanese corporates favour living in new developments close to their campus and in the city. We source the property style and location that best suits each client.

Q: How does the service work?

A: Every client is assigned an account manager who will be their single point of contact throughout. After an initial consultation with the client to understand their exact needs, we screen properties that fit the brief and pull up a short list. Typically, we might screen 20-25 properties ourselves before whittling that down to a curated choice of perhaps 6 or 7 for the client to view. We accompany clients on every visit and assist throughout the negotiations, completing documentation and carrying out due diligence. We can also help with all necessary support services including removals, furnishing, insurance and finance. We know the best educational consultants and can assist with so many aspects of life in a new country or city.

Q: What specific value do you add for clients?

A: We are an invaluable single point of contact into the wider Knight Frank partnership, an extensive network of agents, which means we facilitate our clients’ property search at every step, saving them valuable time and becoming a trusted partner. Our successful and long-established track record is based on teamwork and deep market expertise coupled with local knowledge. This blends with the ability to tap into our extensive national and international network, the hallmark of Knight Frank and what makes us unique. No one else can rival our reach, our market-leading research and our expertise on the property market. Our success for clients can also be measured in our long-term relationships and on-going business. Recently, a senior partner at a major US financial institution found an apartment in prime central London with us and now we are in touch with other new hires from the same company. That’s a frequently repeated story.

Q: How has the market changed in recent years?

A: After working in lettings teams in Knightsbridge, Hyde Park and Marylebone, I took up my role running the corporate services team four years ago, and since the Covid lockdowns, the department has seen three successive years of 25% growth. London remains a very attractive place to live and has strong global appeal, attracting talent from around the world. Interesting themes that we have noted include the strong rebound of the tech sector post Covid, and while that has now calmed, other sectors seeing notable growth in activity include the Legal and Financial sectors. And we continue to grow our reach and network in all of the specialist areas we cover. For example, our share of the Japanese relocation market has grown significantly in recent years.

Q: Which desk is currently the busiest?

A: At the time of writing, all of our desks are extremely busy with new hires coming to the UK over the summer in preparation for autumn.  Interestingly, activity from the Film and Media market has been growing substantially, with an ever wider array of requirements and locations that we are able to service. The UK is second only to Hollywood in the film production industry. As well as tax breaks for filming here, we have exceptional home-grown talent and facilities. We have also seen growth in the number of requirements from US-based clients, whether professionals, wealthy private individuals or talent and management involved in the film, sports and other industries.

To find out more about The Relocation & Corporate Services, please get in touch with John Humphris.