Knight Frank has appointed Mike Knowles to the newly created board-level position of Head of Lettings Business Development, consolidating several operational divisions under unified leadership.
The role merges the firm’s Lettings Completion Solutions, Relocation and Corporate Services, and Short Lets functions into a single structure. Knowles will join the lettings board when he starts on 13th July.
Industry experience
Knowles joins from CBRE, where he spent 12 years, most recently serving as Head of Residential Agency. His appointment comes as the rental sector continues to attract significant investment, with institutional interest in residential lettings remaining robust.
Gary Hall, Head of Lettings at Knight Frank, said the restructure aims to align teams and improve operational efficiency. “This new role and structure will enable us to better align teams and opportunities across the business,” Hall stated. “By bringing them together, we can sharpen our focus, improve efficiency, and strengthen our position for sustainable growth.”
The consolidation reflects broader industry trends, with build-to-rent investment reaching £3 billion in the first half of the year, indicating sustained demand for professional lettings services.
Strategic integration
According to Hall, Knowles will establish strategic direction for the integrated Business Development function and lead efforts to strengthen client relationships across the divisions.
Knowles said he would work with the lettings board to drive collaboration and efficiency within the residential lettings business.
The appointment signals Knight Frank’s focus on streamlining its lettings operations as competition intensifies in the residential rental market. The board-level nature of the role indicates the strategic importance the firm places on its lettings division amid evolving market conditions.