One of Knight Frank’s highest-ranking equity partners has resigned.
Paul Willis, 50, head of Knight Frank’s City office, is to leave in April after 25 years with the firm.
His role will be taken over by Guy Napier, head of City investment and development.
Willis was one of three equity partners in the City office, along with Napier and head of agency Bradley Baker.
Willis said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Knight Frank and look forward to doing a substantial amount of business with many areas of the firm in the years to come. They are a great bunch.”
A source said Napier’s appointment was made “after consultation with salaried partners”.
“Willis has been instrumental in the growth of the City team and was under absolutely no pressure from either above or below to resign.”
Willis has for some time wished to become a principal and will be pursuing this on his departure.
The source said his relationship with Development Securities could “play a major role” in his plans.
Willis has been one of DevSec’s most trusted advisers and is a non-executive director at the firm.
He is close to DevSec’s founder Martin Landau, who stepped down as a director last December.
Willis’s resignation comes two months after fellow equity partner and head of retail and leisure Nigel Clough left the firm.
That was the first time one of the 25 equity partners had left Knight Frank since head of commercial property Michael Soames quit after 28 years at the company in May 2001.
References: EGi News 28/07/03
