Knight Frank launches Academy for young Saudi talent

Global professional services firm Knight Frank has launched an Academy in Saudi Arabia, aimed at nurturing talent in the Kingdom’s real estate sector.

Focused on the development of young talent, the Academy offers graduates a 2.5-year program, providing them the opportunity to work and simultaneously obtain a Master in Science in Real Estate from Oxford Brookes University, and a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) qualification.

“Our Academy will foster homegrown talent in Saudi Arabia. By collaborating with Oxford Brookes University, we ensure that our graduates receive the best real estate education while gaining diverse experience through rotations in various service lines,” said Max Gardiner, Senior Manager at Knight Frank in the Middle East.

Talal Raqaban, Partner at Knight Frank, added: “The Academy aims to shape future leaders in Saudi Arabia, providing thorough academic education and hands-on experience to enable the next generation of real estate professionals. The program opens up a world of career opportunities for graduates in areas such as real estate consulting, retail advisory, valuations, transactions, and capital markets.”

Headquartered in the United Kingdom, Knight Frank is a global real estate consultancy with more than 20,000 staff in 50+ countries. In the MENA region, the firm has offices in United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Egypt.

The local initiative in the Kingdom is aimed at boosting the firm’s support to local Saudi talent, in line with Saudization targets for the professional services landscape.

James Lewis, Managing Director of Middle East & Africa at Knight Frank, said: “This initiative represents our commitment to creating the future and nurturing talent and in so doing – valuing the individual. The Academy offers a unique opportunity for ambitious graduates to receive a world-class education and hands-on experience, setting them on a path to become future leaders in the industry.”

Paul Jenkins, Senior Lecturer in Real Estate at Oxford Brookes University, said the university welcomes the unique approach of combining academic qualifications with practical skills. “We aim to equip aspiring professionals with the knowledge, skills, and professional qualifications needed to excel in the dynamic field of real estate.”