Knight Frank names new head of London residential sales
Knight Frank has appointed Liza-Jane Kelly as head of London residential sales, with the former Savills executive due to join the firm in September.
Kelly, who most recently served as Head of London Residential at Savills, will become a Proprietary Partner and work alongside current Head of London Residential Sales Rory Penn during a transition period. Penn is due to become Senior Partner and Group Chair in April 2027.
Kelly has more than 25 years’ experience in the London residential market, having previously held senior roles at Hamptons International and Marsh & Parsons before joining Savills in 2018 to lead its core London sales business.
In her new role, she will oversee Knight Frank’s London residential sales operation, join the firm’s Residential Board and lead the strategy and performance of its network of London sales offices. She will also take responsibility for expanding Knight Frank’s recently launched affiliate broker model, which enables self-employed brokers to operate under the firm’s brand in areas adjoining its existing London offices.
Tim Hyatt, head of residential at Knight Frank, said: “Amid some of the toughest market conditions I’ve witnessed, Knight Frank has remained the leading agent across our London markets under Rory’s leadership. He has steered the business through significant change, not least the launch of our affiliate broker model, which is gaining strong traction among top-tier brokers.
“Liza-Jane brings a distinguished track record of building and scaling estate agency businesses across an extensive London network, and I’m confident she will build on this momentum – bringing fresh energy, clear strategy and new thinking to further strengthen our offer. I look forward to working with her as we continue to cement our market leadership together.”
Kelly added: “Knight Frank’s reputation in the London market is exceptional, I am looking forward to building on that legacy and helping shape the future of our residential business in the capital.”
Former Strutt & Parker head of sales joins Moveli
Moveli has appointed senior London estate agent Andy Harris, who joins the brokerage after more than 20 years working across the capital’s residential property market.
Harris has held senior roles at Strutt & Parker, John D Wood & Co., Dexters, Bective Leslie Marsh, Domus Nova and Foxtons.
Most recently, he was head of core sales and senior associate director at Strutt & Parker, where he led the firm’s Kensington core sales team.
His appointment strengthens Moveli’s presence in London and follows a broader trend of experienced estate agents moving into brokerage and self-employed agency models.
Moveli co-founder, Ben Littlewood, said: “Andy joining Moveli is another example of the calibre of agents choosing the brokerage model. Having held senior positions at some of London’s most respected agencies, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the network. We are delighted to welcome Andy to Moveli as we continue to strengthen our position as the UK’s leading upper-market brokerage.”
Gareth Kelly joins Harding Green
Harding Green has appointed Gareth Kelly, a prime central London estate agent with more than 23 years’ experience in the residential sector.
Kelly joins the agency after an 18-year career specialising in the Prime Central London market, where he advised clients across Notting Hill, Bayswater and the surrounding areas.
He previously served as a director at Marsh & Parsons, leading the firm’s Notting Hill office and overseeing residential sales and acquisitions across W11 and W2.
At Harding Green, Kelly will strengthen the firm’s presence in Prime Central London and work with clients buying and selling homes across the capital.
Rowe & Co hires Luke Blackburn as branch partner
Rowe & Co has appointed Luke Blackburn as branch partner of its new office in Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire.
Blackburn joins Rowe & Co Homes from Charters Estate Agents, where he spent almost three years working in the Hampshire property market before taking up the role of branch partner this week.
He said: “This move isn’t simply about a bigger building. It’s about creating capacity for the next stage of growth and ensuring we continue to offer the level of service that has helped us establish the business over the last few years.”
