The super-active Knight Frank (KF) LinkedIn team would have been frightfully happy the day they posted a photo of their Senior Partner, William Beardmore-Gray (Ampleforth and KF Lifer), on the steps of Number 10 at a gathering to discuss diversity in real estate. So far, so good.
But wait, what’s this? Hard on the heels of that Number 10 photo-op – in fact the very next KF post – heralds KF’s “excitement” at the appointment of their brand-new European leadership team, all set to lead KF boldly into a new era! The photos of this new-age team showed… wait for it…
Three white, middle-aged men. Whoops.
The Leasehold Reform Bill making its way through Parliament has provoked a lot of anger in – and to be fair some very sensible criticism from – the valuation fraternity, especially from those that earn their crust advising freeholders on lease extensions. If Michael Gove has his way, those days are over, and a spot of re-training will be required from that section of the RICS world.
However, one valuer that is about to earn his money is Charlie Coombs, alumnus of London estate agent Douglas & Gordon, and now of Gerald Eve. Coombs will need to offer tea and sympathy – and possibly something a bit stronger – when he advises his big London estate clients that their balance sheets have been shredded due to the abolition of marriage value.
But could it be large G&Ts and Pimm’s all round at Sunningdale Golf Club as they toast Gove (and the threat of Angela Rayner)? The Club’s long-standing dispute – err, negotiation – with the freehold owner of much of its course, St John’s College, Cambridge, has caused all sorts of ructions at the nineteenth hole, including committee revolts, threatened libel actions and fractious EGMs.
Might the Leasehold Reform Bill – and the direction of travel against freeholders in favour of lessees – bring St John’s to the negotiating table with a sale of their freehold interest to the Sunningdale members? Watch this space…
In this age of caffeine-free oat lattes, no black shoes with laces, VAR, and alcohol-free lunches, it is good to see that one aspect of the old ways remains.
Picture this: very large Agency 2023 Christmas Party and the oldest story in the corporate world plays out in front of everyone… Older male boss and younger female colleague get over-refreshed and show everyone just how much they mean to each other. A very old take on the new adage of “embracing diversity, equity and inclusion.”
