New CEO for Knight Frank SA’s commercial division

MAIN IMAGE: John Jack, CEO of Knight Frank Commercial Division 

Global real estate company Knight Frank SA has appointed John Jack as the new chief executive officer of their commercial division.

Jack, who has been with the company since 2010 when he joined as Gauteng Director being tasked with securing a foothold in the Gauteng market, replaces Tony Galetti and Francois Staples, who remain on the Knight Frank South Africa board as non-executive directors.

Galetti is one of two founding members of Galetti Knight Frank which now trades as Knight Frank SA (the commercial division) and forms part of the Knight Frank global network. Galetti has over 15 years in commercial and development property in South Africa, the United States and the United Kingdom. He currently heads up operations and new business.

Jack’s appointment follows shortly on the heels of Richard Hardie being appointed in May this year as CEO of Knight Frank South Africa’s residential division.

According to a statement by the company, Jack’s appointment echoes the company’s significant growth in Gauteng to align with Knight Frank’s large African footprint, with more than 700 employees in offices across South Africa, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Nigeria.

“With more than 12 years’ experience in the commercial property sector, John was the natural choice of succession plan for the business. Having gained extensive experience in the industrial and institutional markets, he was instrumental in securing one of the largest brokered commercial sales in South Africa at R1,744bn, as well as growing the Gauteng office tenfold over the past 5 years,” comments outgoing CEO Galetti.

Galetti said Jack has worked closely with a number of developers to bring tenant-driven builds to completion. “John’s development experience is often called upon in the company. His property knowledge is extensive, having consulted to clients including The Sandvik Mining, Otis, Nampak and the African Development Bank on development proposals and existing office and industrial leases and sales.

“We welcome him on board as our new CEO and look forward to an exciting new chapter at Knight Frank South Africa,” concludes Galetti.

Email news of changes in executive management as well as extraordinary achievements by individuals, branches or independents to editor@propertyprofessional.co.za for consideration.

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