Knight Frank appoints UK managing partner
Knight Frank has named Tim Robinson as its next UK managing partner, with the current head of commercial set to take over from Stephen Clifton following his retirement next year.
Robinson was elected to the role through a formal partnership process and will assume responsibility for the firm’s UK residential and commercial businesses in April 2027. He will oversee the strategic direction and performance of Knight Frank’s 79-office network across the UK, while also serving as chair of the UK board and remaining a member of the group’s executive board.
A Knight Frank veteran of more than three decades, Robinson currently leads the firm’s commercial division and has held a number of senior leadership positions during his career.
The appointment follows the planned retirement of Clifton, who will step down from the partnership in March 2027 after serving as UK managing partner. The succession plan provides the business with a clear leadership transition as it prepares for its next phase of growth across both its residential and commercial operations.
William Beardmore-Gray, Senior Partner and Group Chair of Knight Frank, said: “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.”
New chief executive named at Derwent London
Derwent London has appointed Jonathan Murphy as its next chief executive, with the former Assura boss set to take up the role on 1 September 2026.
Murphy will join the board as an executive director and succeed Paul Williams, who announced earlier this year that he intends to retire from the business.
He served as chief executive of Assura, the FTSE 250 healthcare property REIT, from 2017 until 2025, having previously held the position of finance director. During his time at the company, Assura expanded its portfolio and capital base before being acquired by Primary Health Properties last year.
Murphy has also served as a director of the British Property Federation since 2019 and was a member of the advisory board of the European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA) between 2018 and 2025.
Williams will remain in post until Murphy takes over in September before stepping down from the board. He will leave the business on 22 January 2027 to allow for a transition period.
Derwent London said the appointment followed a recruitment process overseen by the board and supported by an external executive search firm.
Rightmove founder Harry Hill joins VetsCompared
Harry Hill, the founder of Rightmove and former chief executive of Countrywide, has been appointed chairman of veterinary comparison platform VetsCompared.
The appointment comes as the veterinary sector prepares for new transparency requirements being introduced by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), aimed at making it easier for pet owners to compare providers and understand pricing.
Hill launched Rightmove in 2000 and later spent two decades leading Countrywide, helping build the estate agency group into one of the largest property businesses in the UK.
VetsCompared, founded by Eddie Holmes, operates a comparison platform that allows pet owners to compare veterinary practices, assess bills against national benchmarks and obtain quotes from multiple providers. The business also runs ComplianceForVets.com, which helps veterinary practices prepare for incoming CMA regulations.
The company said Hill’s appointment will support its next phase of growth as it expands both its consumer-facing comparison services and compliance offering for veterinary practices.
Founder of VetsCompared, Eddie Holmes, commented: “Harry is one of the most respected entrepreneurs and business builders in the UK, having played a pivotal role in creating one of the most successful consumer marketplaces this country has ever seen.
“When we first started discussing the future of VetsCompared, it quickly became clear that many of the challenges currently facing the veterinary sector are remarkably similar to those that existed in the property industry before the arrival of platforms like Rightmove.
“Pet owners are increasingly demanding greater transparency, easier comparison and better access to information, while veterinary practices are looking for practical ways to communicate their value and expertise.
“Having Harry invest in the company and join as chairman is a huge endorsement of what we’re building and brings an enormous amount of experience as we enter the next stage of growth.”
Hill commented: “Having spent much of my career helping businesses use technology to improve transparency and empower consumers, it was immediately clear to me that VetsCompared is addressing a genuine need within the veterinary sector.
“The business is bringing innovation to a market that has historically lacked the digital tools and transparency that consumers now expect in many other areas of their lives.
“What impressed me most is that VetsCompared isn’t simply focused on helping pet owners, it’s also creating solutions that support veterinary practices as the sector adapts to regulatory change and evolving consumer expectations.
“I believe the business is exceptionally well positioned for growth and I’m delighted to be joining as chairman at such an exciting stage of its journey.”
