Can you tell us more about your exciting role as Head of International Residential Sales for Knight Frank Hong Kong?
My role as Head is supporting and leading a very successful Sales team and providing the best platform for brokers to perform. A large part of our business is exhibition sales. Typically, a developer will approach my team and ask for a strategy on how we propose to sell their development to our market. Therefore, I am very much involved in the strategic planning and organisation of the sales events.

Day to day, I like to think the role of creating a fun and energetic atmosphere is just as important as everything else, it is important for me to have a great team dynamic! 


Sounds like you create a well-balanced work environment for your successful team, and we admire that this play a huge importance for you. What is it your international clients are looking for when purchasing a new home in the UK?
Education, access to Central London and a variety of amenities are the main drivers for our clients. More families are looking to relocate to the UK permanently, in areas such as West London and Surrey. These postcodes are becoming popular due to excellent schools, transport links and access to open space.

Driven by permanent relocation and a need for space, there has been an increased appetite for houses, typically in Greater London areas. We are also seeing investors focusing on second tier cities. Whilst prices are relatively low, and yields are high, areas such as Birmingham and Manchester have become increasingly popular.

Like many, the global situation must have impacted international buyers. How did you overcome these challenges?
Like every international market, our clients not being able to physically view properties abroad has been the main implication. Tough quarantine restrictions and fears over COVID-19 has meant that being able to fly to the UK or any other country has been difficult. 

However, developers and our specific teams on the ground have adapted very quickly, by providing virtual viewings, video content and imagery to help our clients throughout the decision process. We of course understand the importance of viewings, especially those who have not been to the UK, so having these tools at our disposal has been incredibly helpful.

What grocery item do you miss most from the UK?
We are lucky in Hong Kong; it offers most western cuisines, so I am never too far from a good roast dinner or fish and chips. We also have access to M&S and Tesco for all my home comforts. However, the one thing that I miss the most is being able to buy milk and cheese or most dairy products at a reasonable price, the average price for cheese here is around $80HKD which is around £8.

Being an expat for 3 years now, what advice would you offer someone who is looking to relocate?
My advice would be to take every opportunity you get to relocate overseas, my whole experience so far has been great. I have met so many amazing people, experienced a different culture and widened my knowledge of international markets. Joining a sports team or any form of activity really helped me to find friends and get a feel for the community here. 


In celebration of Lunar New Year, how will you be spending the holiday?
Normally this holiday is spent travelling to destinations like Bali or Thailand. Sadly, that luxury has been removed by crippling quarantines on return to Hong Kong, so this year it looks like I will be hosting a dinner party for close friends.