Knight Frank has expanded its Valuations and Advisory reach with the appointment of Julian Whiston as Partner, National Hotels and Hospitality.

The appointment marks the real estate consultancy’s move to grow and enhance its position within the hotels and hospitality sector within its Valuations and Advisory service line.

Prior to joining Knight Frank, Mr Whiston was Managing Director and Joint Head of JLL’s national Hotels and Hospitality Valuation Advisory division. During his tenure with JLL, in addition to undertaking valuation and related consultancy services within the hotels and hospitality sector, Mr Whiston also initiated and developed a capability with regards to providing the same in relation to the venues and attractions sub-sector.

He has also previously held roles at Colliers, Cushman & Wakefield, HVS, Richard Ellis International (CBRE) and Savills.

Mr Whiston is joining Knight Frank’s Sydney office and will work closely with the business’s interstate teams and markets including in Queensland where he has been based since 2009.

Knight Frank Partner and Head of Valuation and Advisory New South Wales Alistair Carpenter said Knight Frank’s Valuations and Advisory team was continuing to expand its offering to clients.

“Julian is a Certified Practising Valuer and a fellow of both the API and RICS with more than 30 years’ experience in the property industry across Asia, Australia, South Pacific and Europe, so he comes to Knight Frank with valuable knowledge, skills and market insight,” he said.

“He specialises in valuations and advisory as well as transactional support and related investment consultancy services in relation to hotel and resort properties as well as related hospitality sub-sectors.

“With hotel investment and development activity surging in recent years, Knight Frank has been looking to grow and enhance its position within the hotels and hospitality property sector.

“As a highly specialised sector with only a limited number of experienced and qualified practitioners, securing Mr Whiston was a strategic win for the organisation and an important milestone in terms of growing the New South Wales Valuation and Advisory service line.”

Mr Whiston said he is extremely excited about his move to Knight Frank and the opportunity to work alongside other hotel experts including Alistair Bell and Samantha Freeman, and cementing the organisation as the valuer of choice for hotels and hospitality assets.

“Knight Frank is an established and trusted advisor to the property industry, and I am delighted to be joining its Valuations and Advisory team,” he said.

“I look forward to working alongside Al Carpenter’s New South Wales team, as well as seasoned hotel valuation experts within the wider organisation.”