People Moves: Knight Frank launches specialist leisure team headed up by John Rushby

17/10/2022

Press Release - John Rushby is a specialist in commercial leisure, having valued Wimbledon's All England Club, the Emirates Old Trafford, and a host of leading golf courses, theme parks and marinas across the globe. Joining as Partner and Head of Specialist Leisure, John will lead Knight Frank's new service line, building on its market-leading property investment team.

He has over 25 years' experience in advising on esoteric leisure sectors such as caravan and lodge parks, stadiums, marinas, and visitor attractions including aquariums and theme parks. John has also advised on high-profile assets including valuing the iconic All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon, Emirates Old Trafford, and over 250 golf courses ranging from individual private members' clubs to world-renowned courses and resorts.

Prior to joining Knight Frank, John was Head of Specialist Leisure at Colliers International, where he worked across the valuations and advisory space. As such, mergers, acquisitions, corporate strategy, and security review work also form part of his skill set.

Our 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.

Shaun Roy, Head of Specialist Property Investment at Knight Frank, says: "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.

"John's appointment is very exciting and drives forward our strategy to provide our clients with the best, market-leading insight and commercial opportunities, internationally. He has an exceptional track record and unrivalled experience.''

John Rushby, Partner and Head of Specialist Leisure at Knight Frank, says: "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.

"I'm looking forward to building on Knight Frank's specialist investment and valuations credentials and working closely with my colleagues around the world to provide our clients with innovative and best-in-class advice."