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The property consultancy giant boasts 300 offices comprising more than 11,000 staff in 16 markets in the region.
Craig Shute has been appointed to the role of CEO, Asia Pacific (APAC) at Knight Frank, stepping into the big job after roughly a year with the firm running its business in greater China.
Shute brings more than 25 years of experience in the real estate industry, having held senior leadership positions globally across Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong SAR, and the USA.
Previously, Shute served as the managing director of JLL in Victoria, and from 2008 to 2016 he led CBRE’s operations in Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan. He will base himself in Singapore to take on the high-powered Knight Frank role.
The executive will have a long transition into the position, taking over Knight Frank’s Asia Pacific operations from the region’s current CEO, Kevin Coppel, who is set to retire from the partnership in March 2025.
William Beardmore-Gray, senior partner and group chair of Knight Frank, sees the appointment of Shute as a testament to the firm’s dedication to strengthen its presence across APAC.
“With a proven track record of driving growth and delivering strong results across multiple markets, Craig’s leadership will play a key role in shaping the next phase of our APAC strategy,” Beardmore-Gray commented.
Upon the announcement of the new leader in the region, the firm also spoke to the outgoing executive’s achievements. Knight Frank pointed to its acquisition of the McGrath business in Australia as one of Coppel’s major deals.
“Under [Coppel’s] leadership, the region has become one of the fastest growing and most dynamic areas of our global business,” Beardmore-Gray said.
He expressed his confidence that Shute would build upon the legacy left by Coppel.
“I am confident that Craig’s extensive industry experience and strategic vision will help us continue our growth trajectory in this important region.”
On his part, Shute said he was honoured and excited by the opportunity.
Speaking of the brand’s offering, he said he believed the firm was destined for growth in the region, due largely what he described as a unique offering in the property landscape.
“We are different. Knight Frank’s entrepreneurial, unique partnership structure ideally positions us to provide superior services and advice to our clients and attract the best talent in the industry. This powerful combination will continue to see our brand expand throughout this diverse and ever-evolving region”.
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