The buzz in property management is all about proptech and artificial intelligence, and while these are hugely important factors in optimising facility management going forward, building owners still value good people above all else in property management, according to Knight Frank.

Knight Frank Partner, National Head of Asset Management Services (AMS) Lisa Atkins said talent acquisition had been a major focus for the firm’s AMS team, and it had been a large contributor to its growing list of recent wins, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne.

Knight Frank’s AMS team has recently been appointed to manage:

• Pembroke-owned assets the T&G Building in Melbourne and 20 Martin Place in Sydney
• MEC Global Partners Asia owned assets at 850 Collins Street and 575 Bourke Street in Melbourne, as well as 130 Pitt Street in Sydney
• 510 Church Street in Melbourne, owned by Alfasi Group and 360 Capital
• 75 Castlereagh Street in Sydney, owned by OCBC
• 19 Gillies Street and 420 King William Street in Adelaide, owned by one client under two separate entitles, Adabco Pty Ltd and Edge Developments SA Pty Ltd
• Compass Centre, Bankstown in New South Wales, owned by Aware, an asset managed by Atlis

“Ongoing investment in our people and focus on continuous performance improvement and excellent client relationships has seen our AMS teams across the country win several significant appointments, which continue to drive our momentum and growth,” Ms Atkins said.

“Since I started with Knight Frank two and a half years ago we have focused on acquiring the right talent, with not only great experience, but those that align with our values and culture.

“The property industry is really a people business, and our people are key to our success.

“We look for strong, inspiring leaders to help develop our teams’ capabilities and drive delivery of best- in-class service for our clients.

“We have assembled an amazing team of people around Australia and we have an excellent track record of solid performance as a result.”

Knight Frank Head of Asset Management Services NSW Jeremy Prestoe, who joined Knight Frank less than two years ago, said the firm’s AMS business had been restructured to focus on clients.

“Platforms are also important, and we have best in class systems in the industry, but really it’s all about people,” he said.

“We find our clients value good people to manage their buildings above all else.

“It sounds cliché, but our focus really is on being the best and most professional property managers we can be.

“That includes communicating with our clients, and helping and guiding them, to ensure their buildings are being run at the optimum level for tenant retention.”

Knight Frank Head of Asset Management Services Victoria Ben Veale said: “Our success relies on our people, and our ability to create a culture that ensures we attract and maintain the best talent in the market.

“This depth of talent, combined with our track record and connected senior leadership team is what is really propelling us forward and creating great momentum.”

The most recent appointment to the AMS team has been Terri Taylor as Head of AMS in Western Australia, who has moved to Knight Frank from Hawaiian, one of Western Australia’s best-known and highest-performing private real estate owners.

Michael Marshall recently joined as Head of Asset Management Advisory, where he is leading a team to provide end-to-end asset management consulting solutions to support clients in developing and delivering property strategies for any asset class.

Leanne Newberry has also joined as Head of Transformation in AMS, with her role designed to transform how AMS operates to enhance Knight Frank’s client experience by empowering people, uplifting the firm’s platforms and improving processes, ensuring best-in-class client service with efficiency and scalability across every service.

Neil Proudlove joined Knight Frank as Account Director for Region Group - formerly SCA – following Knight Frank entering a three-year partnership with Region Group in the middle of last year to manage its portfolio of quality sub-regional and neighbourhood shopping centres with freestanding retail assets focused on convenience retailing in Australia.

Related Reading:

Knight Frank appoints Terri Taylor new Head of AMS Western Australia

Knight Frank appoints new Head of AMS in South Australia

Knight Frank appoints Jeremy Prestoe new Head of AMS in NSW

Knight Frank appoints new Partner, Lisa Atkins Head of Asset Management Services