Property Sector Leadership Shifts: Knight Frank, Cavendish and Housing Tech

Knight Frank Appoints New Group Chief Financial Officer

Knight Frank has confirmed Chris Davis as its group chief financial officer, taking the permanent position after serving as interim CFO. Davis will lead the property consultancy's global finance function and join the Group Executive Board, with responsibility for financial performance and delivery of the firm's international strategy.

Davis brings more than 24 years of international business experience, having held CFO roles at Marlet Property Group and G.Network, and served as chief restructuring officer at Hilding Anders. He also spent a decade as an equity partner at AlixPartners and THM Partners. The appointment follows a competitive selection process, with Davis currently undertaking a transitional period as responsibilities are handed over across the partnership.

"This is an exciting time to be stepping into the role of Group CFO at Knight Frank," Davis said. "The role is evolving, requiring an increasingly sophisticated understanding of data-led decision-making and commercial forecasting. Knight Frank is primed for growth and I am looking forward to helping deliver this."

William Beardmore-Gray, senior partner and group chair of Knight Frank, highlighted Davis's track record and leadership credentials. "Chris has already demonstrated an excellent understanding of our business and shown impressive leadership ability. He is well positioned to steer Knight Frank into its next chapter of growth."

Cavendish Announces Staff Promotions Across Sales and Lettings

Regional agency Cavendish has promoted three members of staff at its Grosvenor Street office in Chester. Emily Pickering has been promoted from sales progressor to senior sales progressor, Daniel Owen becomes lettings operations manager, and Annie O'Brien takes on the role of lettings development manager.

Pickering, who joined Cavendish in 2025 as the agency's first dedicated sales progressor, will continue focusing on progressing transactions and helping sellers through the conveyancing process. Owen's remit includes overseeing processes and improving consistency across the lettings operation, whilst O'Brien—previously lettings manager at the Mold office—will focus on developing and growing the agency's lettings business.

A further promotion has been announced at the Mold office, with Sophie Lewis becoming senior lettings negotiator and valuer.

David Adams, Cavendish's managing director, emphasised the internal development approach: "The promotions are particularly pleasing because all of them have come from within the existing team. This fits with our ethos of wanting to keep developing our people internally and giving them opportunities to progress their careers with Cavendish."

Adams highlighted each appointee's contribution, noting Pickering's impact on transaction velocity and client communication, Owen's growing operational involvement, and O'Brien's success in winning new lettings instructions and building landlord relationships.

Housing Sector Expert Joins AI Dispute Resolution Platform

Jennifer Ryans, former senior executive at the Housing Ombudsman, has joined AI-enabled dispute resolution platform Ctrl AI as director of strategic partnerships for housing and alternative dispute resolution. Ryans will lead partnerships across the housing, ombudsman and wider dispute resolution sectors as Ctrl AI expands its market presence.

Ryans previously served as head of dispute resolution at the Housing Ombudsman and was deputy chief operating officer at the Pensions Ombudsman. She will retain her position as non-executive director at The Property Ombudsman alongside the new role.

The appointment comes as housing providers prepare for changes under Awaab's Law, scheduled to take effect on 30 November 2026, which will extend legal requirements for social landlords to investigate and address a wider range of housing hazards within specified timescales. Ombudsman and alternative dispute resolution services are dealing with growing caseloads as compliance and complaint-handling requirements increase.

Anup Kollanethu, co-founder and CEO of Ctrl AI, praised Ryans's expertise: "Jennifer's experience is truly unique. She understands the challenges facing housing providers, ombudsman services and dispute resolution organisations from both operational and strategic perspectives. As demand for our expertise continues to grow, Jennifer's insight and deep sector knowledge will be invaluable in helping clients adopt AI confidently and responsibly."

Ryans expressed optimism about AI's transformative potential: "After many years leading change across the ombudsman and housing sectors, I've seen the challenges organisations face in meeting growing demand. I believe AI has the potential to transform these sectors more profoundly than any change programme I've worked on. I'm excited to help organisations realise the benefits of AI while maintaining the trust, fairness and accountability that matter most."

Source: Property Industry Eye.