Knight Frank appoint former Lendlease boss Rod Leaver as new CEO

Rod Leaver has been named the new CEO of Knight Frank.

Leaver, the former CEO of Lendlease Australia and later CEO of Lendlease Asia, has been an independent real estate advisor since returning from his role in Asia in 2016.

He has been advising groups on real estate strategy, portfolio governance and urban regeneration projects.

While CEO, Leaver successfully formulated and executed a new strategy for Lendlease Asia, securing two major urban regeneration projects in Singapore and Malaysia totalling US$6 billion, and its first Senior Living development in China.

Leaver said he is delighted to be joining Knight Frank.

"The focus on delivering outstanding client service by providing the best professional advice together with developing outstanding talent accords very much with my own approach to business," Leaver said.

"As a partnership, Knight Frank encourages a sense of entrepreneurship amongst its people while also taking a long-term perspective. 

"I am very much looking forward to starting in May.”

Leaver was named CEO of Lendlease Australia in 2010 and took the top job at Lendlease Asia a year later. 

He had previously been Lendlease's global head of investment management. 

Leaver will replace outgoing chief executive Stephen Ellis who will retire from the firm in June 2019.

Knight Frank chairman and senior partner Alistair Elliott thanked Ellis for his contribution to the partnership over the past nine years.

"His energy and enthusiasm have been central to the success of the Australian business and we wish him well in his retirement.

"I would also like to welcome Rod, whose credentials are absolutely aligned with our desire to substantially grow the Australian business over the next few years.”