Q & A with Alexander McLean from Knight Frank’s Sports Desk
Working with some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment to solve their property needs is all in a day’s work for the newest member of the Private Office
For elite sportsmen and women, stellar individual success and the related financial rewards can come at a very young age. The average age of Premier League footballers for example is 26 and teenagers routinely run out for top tier teams. Providing bespoke property advice to these elite sporting stars is one of the roles of Alex McLean, the newest member of Knight Frank’s Private Office.
Alex established Knight Frank’s Sports Desk in 2018, advising and assisting professional athletes and social media personalities with all property-related matters, a role that as of January 2025, he now conducts within the Private Office team. In this interview, he outlines his role, the support he provides and the highlights of working with his high profile clients.
Q: What motivated Knight Frank to establish the Sports Desk?
A: I joined Knight Frank in a business development role in 2014 and over the years met a number of professional athletes. The vast majority were young, under 30, time poor with very busy schedules that they had little control over and while they were wary of who they could trust, they were all looking for expert, reliable advice. There was no one with our level of reach providing a specialised service for them, so establishing a dedicated contact for all their property needs was a logical step. That was seven years ago and in the time since, the wealth within this next-gen has gone to another level. I have a client, a first time buyer, who purchased a house at over £5 million. That makes it even more important that they are advised well. And to be most effective for them, it’s also about understanding the matrix around them, their accountant, lawyer, financial adviser, agent and family.
Q: What clients do you work with?
A: Since we introduced the Sports Desk, the range of clients has expanded. I work with athletes, the majority of them footballers, and also boxers, cricketers and Formula 1 drivers and increasingly with social media and You Tube stars. Initially I worked directly with football clubs, arranging rentals and sales as players moved during the transfer window and from that, I got to know the players themselves and now deal directly with many of them. I still spend time with several Premier League football clubs, offering advice workshops and educational seminars to players in their Academies on all property issues, tenancy agreements, stamp duty and tax for example. For several clients, I transact for their family and friendship group as well.
Q: How do you cater to their specific needs?
A: Athletes rarely have a clear cut routine. Top flight footballers for example typically only get their daily training schedule by WhatsApp the evening before, and their diaries are very fluid, making it difficult to arrange property viewings. I’m used to working evenings and weekends to fit around that. Top sportspeople and social media stars also travel extensively, crossing time zones, and it’s not unusual for me to get messages – and reply to them - in the middle of the night. Time is often critical and we are used to expediate transactions quickly. During football’s transfer window, I help many clubs find rentals for players at very short notice. Discretion is of course key too. Many of my clients are household names but also incredibly private, especially over where they live. Recently, when I was showing a prime central London property to a professional sportsman and his wife, he was spotted and immediately hounded by people wanting a selfie. Confidentiality, total discretion, responsiveness and an understanding of their needs are all essential.
Q: What are the advantages to your clients of using the Sports Desk?
A: The advantages are the same as for all clients of the Private Office: a bespoke and dedicated service with a direct, single point of contact into everything that Knight Frank offers. That includes arranging bespoke mortgages through Knight Frank Finance because many clients have relatively short careers so ‘normal’ mortgage terms do not work for them. We connect directly with our relocation services, rental and sales searches, advice on building a property portfolio, early access to off-market properties, property management, interior design and more. For my clients, the ease and consistency of having me on speed dial is invaluable, and essential for building trust. It’s why I have clients who I’ve transacted for ten or more times over the years, and not only in the UK but also overseas and occasionally, investment in the commercial property sector.
Q: What are some of your most memorable career moments?
A: There’s a huge variety in my role. I have transacted on substantial parcels of land and helped clients buy homes for £10 million plus on estates in Surrey. These deals are not especially tricky once they have found the right property. Most clients are time poor so will not consider a house that needs work for example. Getting referrals from satisfied clients is hugely rewarding and so is helping clients buy their first home. One client started off by renting a relatively modest property because his first priority was putting his sister through private school. Subsequently he bought his own house as well as one for his sibling at £500,000 and for his parents at £1 million, all through Knight Frank.
Q: What does the future hold for the Sports Desk?
A: With Henry Faun, Head of the Private Office in the Middle East, we are currently discussing opportunities in Saudi Arabia. There has been huge investment in sports there, notably in boxing in Riyadh and football with enormous salaries being paid, added to by confirmation from FIFA last month that the 2034 Men’s World Cup will be held there. We are also looking to assist clients increasingly with investments and holiday homes internationally through Knight Frank’s extensive network. Go-to locations historically among athletes include Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo on Portugal’s Algarve. On a personal level, I feel privileged to do what I do, working with a lot of great, young talented people, and plan to continue expanding the scope of the Sports Desk.
