Knight Frank, the global property agency and consultancy, has strengthened its Middle East Research team with the appointment of Faisal Durrani as head of Middle East Research, it has been announced.
In a statement, Knight Frank said that Durrani will bring a wealth of in-depth local market knowledge to the Middle East Research team. He will be working closely with MEA Managing Director, James Lewis, to create and deliver a world-class research programme centred on thought leadership initiatives and issues that will shape the region’s property market as the post-COVID recovery begins.
Durrani arrives with more than 15 years’ experience in property, most recently as Knight Frank’s head of London Commercial Research in their London HQ, where he and his team provided consultancy and strategic advisory services to a range of global clientele, including investors, landlords, developers, HNWI, banks and institutions.
His knowledge and experience spans all real estate sectors and includes markets across the Middle East and West Africa, the statement added.
“I am thrilled by the opportunity to work with Knight Frank’s teams across the Middle East and Africa to develop thought provoking property research that starts and leads conversations around market defining issues such as ESG and sustainability, as well as understanding the post-pandemic landscape across the region’s real estate markets,” Durrani said.
“Working alongside such high calibre professionals to further the goals and ambitions of Knight Frank is an extremely exciting prospect, presenting me with an opportunity to help shape and deliver world leading property market research and analysis”.
Amongst Durrani’s most recent successes was Knight Frank’s 2021 London Report, where as editor-in-chief, he led and delivered the flagship publication, elevating its status through a collaborative approach across the firm’s global network, under the motto of ‘taking London to the world’. The range and depth of content attracted widespread acclaim from clients around the world.
“Faisal’s experience in the MEA region and his more recent time covering central London will provide our clients enhanced perspectives of these dynamic markets. We all very much look forward to his contribution to the team and our clients,” James Lewis, Partner, managing director at Knight Frank Middle East & Africa, stated.