Knight Frank has elevated Nick Braybrook, its long-standing head of London capital markets, to the role of global head of capital markets. This strategic move comes as the firm identifies a significant uptick in investor appetite for prime London office assets, with €5.8bn earmarked for deployment in 2025.
Braybrook, who has steered the London capital markets team through €5.8bn worth of transactions over the past three years, brings over two decades of expertise to his new global role. His appointment aligns with Knight Frank's ambition to capitalise on the renewed interest in London's core office market, characterised by ESG-compliant buildings with long-term leases and modern amenities.
"There is now a growing pool of global institutional capital looking to capitalise on mispriced London offices," Braybrook noted, highlighting the market's potential for investors seeking stable, long-term returns.
The resurgence is underpinned by a combination of factors: a significant correction in asset prices, a severe occupational supply shortfall, and rising rents. All-in borrowing costs for prime London assets have decreased to approximately 5.5%, enhancing the attractiveness of large-scale investments. Notably, the first month of 2025 witnessed two substantial sovereign wealth fund investments into London offices, signalling robust confidence in the market's trajectory.
"The market can only ignore for so long a severe occupational supply shortfall and rising rents on top of a major correction in prices, and we are now seeing that change," Braybrook emphasised, underscoring the shifting dynamics in London's office sector.
People Mentioned:
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Nick Braybrook: Partner, Head of London Capital Markets, Knight Frank; newly appointed Global Head of Capital Markets
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Philip Hobley: Head of London Offices, Knight Frank
Companies Mentioned:
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Knight Frank: Global property consultancy firm
IMAGE: Nick Braybrook. (Knight Frank)
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