Knight Frank, the global real estate adviser, has launched a new consultancy practice with the senior appointment of Neil McLocklin, as Head of Strategic Consultancy EMEA to head up the service, as the firm expands its remit.
Joining Knight Frank from Cushman & Wakefield where he was a Partner and Co-Head of Strategic Consulting EMEA, Neil will be leading the charge in building Knight Frank’s pan-European strategic consultancy practice.
Neil has previously worked as Head of Workstyle Consultancy at BT, Director Consulting EMEA at international architect Gensler; and as Director of Consulting and Advisory Services and Business Transformation at Capita Symonds. He was subsequently at Cushman & Wakefield for six years, before joining Knight Frank.
As part of Knight Frank’s wider strategy to grow the occupier business, Neil’s appointment will provide strategic consultancy advice to clients by aligning real estate strategy to business strategy and helping them navigate the changing commercial real estate landscape. Advising on workplace, global location strategy, and CRE operations best practice, Neil will be developing Knight Frank’s consultancy services by building a talented and experienced team across Europe.
Neil McLocklin, Partner and Head of Strategic Consultancy EMEA, at Knight Frank, said: “We are seeing a quantum step in commercial real estate towards a more agile and consultative way of working. In today’s ever changing international marketplace working practices are evolving. As a leading global real estate advisor, Knight Frank is in the perfect position to provide counsel to clients on how to navigate this shift, advising on real estate where business strategy meets reality.
“With real estate opening the doors to a more flexible and creative office dynamic, it is important for occupiers to understand how their real estate strategy can align with the wider economic landscape. Knight Frank is committed to growing a strong team; providing a valuable consultancy service to address the changing needs of clients. Ultimately, there is no value in real estate without people, so it is paramount to understand the wider drivers that influence customers in order to effectively provide value for clients. I am looking forward to the challenge of building the consultancy practice with Knight Frank and addressing the different factors that are driving the change in the relationship between business and real estate.”
Will Beardmore-Gray, Global Head of Occupier Services and Commercial Agency, said: “Neil McLocklin is the market leading expert in providing strategic occupier advice, and has an outstanding track record in understanding real estate strategies. He is the ideal hire to implement and develop Knight Frank’s consultancy services. At Knight Frank we understand that transacting commercial real estate is about more than bricks and mortar and we are continually looking for the best ways to add value for our clients. With Neil at the helm we are committed to growing a team to move consultancy services up the value chain, to best service our clients’ needs.”