Global property consultancy Knight Frank has expanded its Project & Building Consultancy team with the appointment of James Orchard as partner.
Orchard will work closely with Craig Frost, Knight Frank’s head of project management, and Charles Ingram Evans, head of project and building consultancy at Knight Frank, to advise clients on all aspects of property and asset management, including sustainable refurbishment, tenant engagement and smart enablement.
He will be expected to help clients navigate the post-pandemic asset management landscape, adapting to changing occupier demands and the increased focus on operational carbon emissions.
Orchard joins Knight Frank from CBRE, where he worked as a senior director for six years. At CBRE, he drove the growth of the refurbishment and repositioning service line for its project management team, leading on business development and project delivery initiatives.
Before this, between 2006-2016 Orchard worked for Colliers International, focused on the delivery of high-profile refurbishment and fit-out projects across the UK. With extensive experience in complex retrofit instructions and office project management initiatives, he will leverage his expert knowledge at Knight Frank to build the team’s capacity to advise clients on each stage of complex projects, from pre-acquisition due diligence through to the execution of value-add strategies and disposal.
Said Frost: 'Landlord and Cat A project management is an increasingly important area of growth for the team, reflecting the potential for sustainable refurbishment projects and long-term asset management initiatives to deliver strong returns for investors.
'The expansion of our project management function has been instrumental in strengthening our capacity to fulfil the needs of clients, and James’ appointment will further bolster the variety and quality of services we provide. I am excited to welcome him to the team.'
Said Orchard: 'Knight Frank is an industry leader in whole-life project and building advisory services. In light of landlords and investors’ heightened focus on sustainable refurbishment and awareness of the important of asset management in retaining occupiers and supporting leasing, I am thrilled to be joining a dedicated, like-minded team of experienced industry experts in the project management field.
'I look forward to working with the team and supporting its continued delivery of high-value outcomes for clients.'
