Global property consultancy Knight Frank has announced that Rory Penn will succeed William Beardmore-Gray as the firm’s senior partner and group chair in April 2027.
The decision follows a formal election process.
Headquartered in London, Knight Frank has more than 20,000 people operating from over 600 offices across 50 markets.
Penn, who is Knight Frank’s head of London residential sales, chair of its global private office and a member of the UK board, will join the firm’s group executive board in April 2026, beginning a year-long transition period ahead of taking up the role.
The handover allows for thorough succession planning, Knight Frank said, and gives an opportunity for the senior partner elect to fully immerse themselves in the Partnership’s global business and strategic priorities.
Rory Penn joined Knight Frank in 2018, after Knight Frank bought VanHan, the business he co-founded with Thomas van Straubenzee. KF said he has since been instrumental in driving growth across the partnership’s global private office and London residential sales businesses.
He spent a decade client-side, starting his career at Grosvenor, with subsequent positions at private equity real estate firms Rowan and Palmer Capital.
Knight Frank said Penn has deep experience across commercial and residential real estate, both in the UK and internationally having worked with a wide spectrum of private capital, private equity and institutional clients over his career.
William Beardmore-Gray will retire from the partnership in March 2027 after 36 years with the firm. Having joined Knight Frank in 1991, Beardmore-Gray has built a career advising clients in London and across the firm’s global network. After gaining experience with investors, developers and occupiers in the London market, he was elected Head of the occupier strategy and solutions global service line in 2013, and senior partner and group chair in 2022.
Beardmore-Gray said: “Rory is an exceptional successor to lead the Partnership from 2027, and I look forward to seeing the firm continue to thrive under his stewardship. As well as a background in commercial property as an investor, he has, for many years, been one of London’s most respected residential advisors to major clients. As chair of our global private office, he has strengthened our capabilities with UHNWs and family offices across prime commercial and residential markets worldwide. He is a driven, collaborative and strategic leader with an ambitious global mindset.
“I will, of course, be sad to leave the Partnership in 2027, but will be staying active within the industry and look forward to exploring new opportunities. However, over the next 15 months, my focus remains firmly on delivering strong performance for our fantastic global partnership.”
Penn said: “Being elected as Knight Frank’s next Senior Partner is a tremendous honour. I care passionately about our clients, our brand, and most importantly our phenomenal people. We are privileged to represent an extraordinary calibre of private and institutional clients, advising and transacting on the most remarkable real estate in the world, across all sectors. I look forward to working closely with Will over the coming months to ensure a seamless transition. Under Will’s leadership the firm has undergone significant development, strengthening our global partnership and deepening long-term client relationships. I am excited to build on this momentum with colleagues across our network.”