Knight Frank’s Birmingham head, Mark Swallow, resigns

  Mark Swallow, head of Knight Frank’s Birmingham office and one of the city’s best-known agents, has resigned.   The equity partner joined the firm’s Newcastle office in 1994 and has been head of the Birmingham office since 1999. He resigned last week and his last day at the company was on Friday.   Swallow is now on gardening leave with no firm plans as yet for his future career.   Ashley Hudson, investment partner and Swallow’s second in command at the office, replaces Swallow with immediate effect as head of the Birmingham office.   Speaking exclusively to Estates Gazette, Swallow said: “It’s been a really tough decision but I’ve been with Knight Frank for 17 years, set up two offices and built up the student accommodation sector for the firm.   “I now want to broaden my horizons and get out into the market and try to exploit some of the opportunities out there.”   Alistair Elliott, head of Knight Frank’s commercial division, added: “We’re sorry to see Mark go. He’s done a great job and will be a loss to the business. But we remain very committed to the Birmingham office. We have a broad base and really good people there who will no doubt rally around Ashley.”   Swallow remains in contact with KF via the transition period and said the split with Knight Frank was “all very amicable.”   lisa.pilkington@estatesgazette.com   To access all EGi news stories and commercial property data sign up for a free trial today, or visit the subscription options page to find out more.