Alistair Bell has returned to Knight Frank as Partner and Joint Head – National Hotels & Hospitality, based in Sydney. He will share the role with Samantha Freeman, based in Knight Frank’s Melbourne office.

Knight Frank has made a new appointment to its Valuations and Advisory team, as it gears up for a very busy year in 2021.

Alistair Bell has returned to Knight Frank after two years, being appointed in the role of Partner and Joint Head – National Hotels & Hospitality, based in Sydney. He will share the role with Samantha Freeman, who is based in Melbourne.

Mr Bell has more than 40 years’ experience in the hotel sector, with the majority of his career spent at Knight Frank.

He started in Knight Frank’s London office in 1977, eventually heading up the Knight Frank Hotels team and covering the UK, Western Europe, the east coast of America and Africa.

Upon leaving the UK to move to Australia in 2000, Alistair settled in the Knight Frank Sydney office in 2001 where he became Divisional Director, Hotels and Leisure; a role he held until 2018.

Ms Freeman said she was thrilled to be leading the national team alongside Alistair. “We are very pleased to have Alistair back in the fold,” she said.

“He is held in high regard by his Knight Frank colleagues, competitors and clients alike, with a career spanning continents and decades.

“Having such depth of experience, strong relationships and brand alliance, Alistair was the first choice for our Sydney team, and a natural fit to share the leadership role.”

Ms Freeman said the timing of Alistair’s appointment was ideal, as the hotels and hospitality sectors emerge from the various lockdowns, border and travel restrictions.

“There is a real market need for measured and trusted advice upon which to base decision making,” she said.

“Alistair, I and the national team look forward to working with our clients and colleagues, to navigate through this and beyond.”

Mr Bell said he was excited to be resuming his hotels and hospitality property career with Knight Frank.

“This is a challenging time to be in the hotels and hospitality market in the face of COVID-19, with many changes taking place in the wider property market, however with such a challenge comes opportunities and 2021 is anticipated to be a very busy year,” he said.

“With our experience and expertise we will ensure our clients receive the best opportunities and advice to add value.”