Global property consultancy Knight Frank has appointed Tim Robinson as UK managing partner, succeeding Stephen Clifton in April 2027.
Robinson brings 30 years’ experience at Knight Frank. As head of commercial, the consultancy said he has led the business through "challenging market conditions, delivering record revenue and profit while growing high-value consultancy and annuity income streams".
As UK managing partner, Robinson will lead Knight Frank's UK business, overseeing its residential and commercial operations and driving the strategic direction, governance and performance of the firm's home market, which comprises 79 offices. He will also become chair of the UK board and remains a member of the group executive board.
Clifton will retire from the partnership in March 2027 after 27 years with the firm. Having joined Knight Frank in 2000, Clifton built a distinguished career in the capital markets business before leading the firm's commercial division for seven years. He was appointed UK managing partner in 2025, a role created to strengthen leadership across the UK business.
Robinson, who was also a leading West End office agent, will begin a transition period ahead of formally assuming the role, Knight Frank said.
William Beardmore-Gray, senior partner and group chair of Knight Frank, said in a statement: "Tim combines deep experience, strong leadership and an unwavering commitment to Knight Frank's values and culture. He is exceptionally well placed to lead our UK business through its next chapter.
"I would also like to thank Stephen for his outstanding contribution to the Partnership. His leadership has helped strengthen our business, nurture future talent and reinforce the collaborative culture that remains central to Knight Frank's success."
Robinson added: "Knight Frank is an exceptional business, built on the strength of its people, the quality of its advice and the trust placed in us by our clients. I am incredibly proud to have been elected as the firm's next UK managing partner.
"Stephen has overseen a period of significant progress for the UK business, helping to future-proof the partnership through strategic investment in data and technology, strengthening our culture of collaboration and developing the next generation of leaders. I look forward to working closely with him during the transition and building on these strong foundations as we continue to evolve our business and deliver outstanding outcomes for our clients."
In December Knight Frank announced that Rory Penn will succeed William Beardmore-Gray as the firm’s senior partner and group chair in April 2027. As with Robinson's appointment, that decision followed a formal election process.
Headquartered in London, Knight Frank has more than 20,000 people operating from over 600 offices across 50 markets.