Knight Frank’s rural consultancy extends into North England, securing a key milestone in its ambitious two-year drive to establish a comprehensive national presence and tailored rural management and advisory service offering across the country.
Knight Frank, a leader in rural consultancy and estate management, has reached a major milestone with the official opening of its new Cheshire office, marking the “final piece of the jigsaw” in the firm’s expansive drive to offer comprehensive rural services across the UK. This latest addition establishes a dedicated North Division, unifying the market leading talented colleagues for the region under the leadership of newly appointed partner Ross Houlden, a distinguished figure in the rural sector.
This move solidifies Knight Frank’s commitment to landowners across the northern regions and marks the culmination of the first phase of a strategic expansion initiated by the firm’s Group Executive Board just three years ago. Knight Frank’s Head of Rural Consultancy and Proprietary Partner, James Farrell, who has overseen the growth of the rural estate management division, highlighted the significance of the expansion: “We’ve achieved a great deal in a short space of time in terms of physical growth and projects delivered, and the new North Division positions us to further support estate and farm business-owning clients in the region, and we are lucky to have Ross at the helm.
“His expertise and extensive, loyal client following will be invaluable as we help northern estates and farms seize both commercial and environmental opportunities. The timing couldn’t be better – the rural north is home to incredible landscapes and exceptional, ambitious estates eager to evolve, and we’re proud to work alongside landowners who share our vision for a resilient, purpose-driven countryside.
“For instance, our clients at the Ingleborough Estate are playing a key part in the Three Dales Landscape Recovery Project in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, where a consortium of farmers, landowners and conservation organisations led by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust are working to restore upland habitats and revive the populations of three iconic upland bird species: black grouse, curlew and ring ouzel. The project will re-establish natural processes reducing carbon emissions from damaged peatbogs, increase carbon sequestration from woodland and other habitats, improve water quality and reduce flood risk for downstream communities.
“Separately, our agri-business consultancy is helping agricultural businesses leverage available grants and environmental payments. For example, we recently supported a 1,200-acre farm in North Yorkshire by securing £60,000 annually in environmental funding, along with nearly £249,000 in capital grants for essential infrastructure improvements. This support is not only transforming the farm’s viability but also enhancing its sustainability, a vital step in supporting nature recovery.”
Since setting the expansion strategy in motion, Knight Frank’s rural team has welcomed 15 new partners and launched seven new offices across the UK, from Sussex and Kent to Cambridge, Leicestershire, and now Cheshire. This national network of over 70 consultants allows Knight Frank to bring tailored rural management and advisory services to landowners spanning the length and breadth of the country, supporting them in adapting to new challenges and opportunities in the evolving rural economy. In addition to core estate management, the consultancy offers strategic reviews, succession planning, natural capital assessments, and guidance in areas such as valuation, funding, viticulture, renewable energy, ELMS and the agricultural transition.
James Farrell has driven this growth with a focus on partner-led teams dedicated to transforming rural estates into sustainable, thriving businesses fit for the demands of this century and the next. “Our ambition has always been to foster estates that are not only resilient but pioneering,” added Farrell. “By expanding across the UK and bringing in the top talent the market has to offer, we’re empowering landowners to lead in environmental stewardship and rural innovation, from integrating renewable energy sources to optimising natural capital.”
Houlden will be instrumental in solidifying the firm’s presence across the North, leveraging his expertise and leadership to build on Knight Frank’s existing client relationships. He said: “Northern England is on the cusp of a rural renaissance, where traditional values of stewardship align with an eye for the future. It’s a privilege to join such a talented team, operating in such a dynamic environment. I invite Northern landowners to connect with us, to think boldly about what’s possible, and to capitalise on the countless opportunities that exist.”