Knight Frank launches new leisure team headed by John Rushby

Property advisor Knight Frank has launched a specialist leisure team headed up by John Rushby.

Rushby joins KF as partner and head of specialist leisure, leading a new service line, which builds on the company’s property investment team.

Rushby was previously with Colliers International, where he was head of specialist leisure, working across valuations and advisory in the space. While at Colliers, he valued Wimbledon’s All England Club, the Emirates Old Trafford, and a host of leading golf courses, theme parks and marinas globally. Mergers, acquisitions, corporate strategy, and security review work also form part of his skill set.

Knight Frank’s new leisure team will specialise in business, portfolio, and operating asset valuations; deal origination; feasibility advice; business turnaround; security reviews; operational and operator selection services; consulting; and brokerage.

Rushby, said: “As an emerging asset class, the specialist leisure market is growing as astute investors look to diversify their portfolios. Having worked in this field for a number of years I’m pleased to see the demand grow; this is an ideal time for Knight Frank to launch a dedicated team.” 

Shaun Roy, head of specialist property investment at Knight Frank, added: “We’re seeing more and more clients seek expertise in the leisure arena as the lines between work and lifestyle become increasingly blurred; leisure continues to be at the forefront of consumer’s minds and it’s something they’re spending more on. This will be a real growth area for the business as the sector becomes more sophisticated and leisure assets become more appealing to investors as long-term income-producing assets.