Iain Keys has left Bidwells to join Knight Frank as a partner, focusing on life sciences.
Keys will be charged with growing the firm’s presence in Cambridge, and will work on life sciences and tech real estate.
Emma Goodford, head of life sciences at Knight Frank, said: “As we expand the Knight Frank capability in life sciences and innovation it is brilliant to welcome Iain Keys to the firm and establish a presence in Cambridge and the wider Arc region.”
Keys added: “After four very enjoyable years at Bidwells, working with some fantastic people, I am delighted to say that I am starting a new position as partner at Knight Frank. I will be growing the Knight Frank presence in Cambridge and working on all aspects of science and tech real estate as well as continuing my film studio work and development consultancy. Exciting times ahead!”
Keys worked at Bidwells from December 2018, working on projects including the 1m sq ft Hertswood Studios, near Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, which aims to be the largest studio complex in the UK. It will be situated next to the 30-acre Sky Studios Elstree, forming part of the UK’s first digital and film cluster. Plans were submitted in March 2021.
Life sciences expansion
Explaining Knight Frank’s plans for expansion in the life sciences sector, Goodford told EG: “Our focus has been to grow a team focused on the Golden Triangle markets, but not ignore the fact that the sector has opportunities across the whole UK, and work as part of our UK cities network as well. I think that would allow us to explore advisory opportunities elsewhere in the country potentially as well. And the work that we are increasingly now doing with our partner in the US, Cresa, is one where I think the opportunity lies, particularly in the occupational markets.”
The move comes after the life sciences sector started to cool last year following a strong 2021. Goodford said: “What I think has happened to the sector generally is that a lot of people at the beginning of the pandemic got very excited about it because there was so much discussion. So, they have been tourist investors who had a look because they thought the market was hot and they wanted to be involved. And as they have understood it a little more, they have realised perhaps it is not for them.
“A clutch of perhaps 15 investors, who have more international experience, particularly US experience, and can leverage that, are investing here in the UK. So, there is plenty of opportunity for quite a broad range of investors and developers to get involved and try to fill that gap.”
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