I am pleased to announce that, despite continuous investments in our group, both profit and revenue of Knight Frank increased on the yearly basis. One can observe few exceptionally encouraging factors: in the United Kingdom, salaries per employee are the highest among major companies, and there are plans to expand staff of our branches that are around the world by 15 per cent within the next three years. What is more, in accordance with our global strategy, our aim is to achieve 1 billion USD in revenue by 2017 for the entire group. – said Alistair Elliott, senior partner in Knight Frank as well as chairman of the group.
During the last fiscal year Knight Frank participated in such transaction as the sale of 20 Grosvenor Square, London to international investment company was sold for 258 M. GBP. Another transaction included sale of Winchester House to Chinese Investment Corporation for 250 M. GBP. The company also assisted in search for a new headquarters for Estée Lauder as well as the relocation of the new office of UPS in United Arab Emirates.
During the last 12 months we have observed a strong increase in demand for commercial and residential real property. The report prepared by Knight Frank regarding the wealth (Wealth Report) indicated that 25 per cent of wealthy clients (HNWI) thorough the world have expressed interest in expansion of their shares within the real property market in 2013. We anticipate that this trend will continue. Within the commercial property market we can observe an increased interest in office space by the technology and media sector. It is an effect of an increasing demand among companies for an environment that would allow for simplification of cooperation. – said Alistair Elliott, group chairman.