MIDDLE EAST - London-based global real estate management and advisory firm Knight Frank has extended its global network by opening a office in Bahrain to cover the burgeoning Middle Eastern property market.

Knight Frank now has €480bn under management and almost 200 offices across the globe in 39 countries, and already has a presence in Dubai, Kuwait and Qatar.

Leading Knight Frank's Middle East expansion is Don Bradley, who rejoins the firm as chief executive for the Middle East from rival advisers and management group, Cluttons, where he fulfilled a similar role for the Middle East. Bradley actually began his career at Knight Frank as an investment consultant in 1972.

Bradley has 26 years experience in property consultancy for both institutional and private investors but believes Knight Frank is expanding in the Middle East at an ideal time.

"The markets in the Middle East region remain exceptionally active at this time and embrace major landmark schemes with commercial, residential and leisure use components," Bradley commented.

Knight Frank is already working with major development groups in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman have made use of the UK's firm's extensive experience for the past seven years.

The firm now intends to provide a full range of consultancy services across the region's commercial and residential sectors.

A team of experienced Gulf-based property consultants will now be sought to work alongside Bradley as well as appointing senior personnel already working within the Knight Frank group to the new office.