Knight Frank Hires Antonio Wu to Lead Greater China Capital Markets

Knight Frank has appointed veteran broker Antonio Wu to the newly created role of head of capital markets for Greater China, effective immediately.

Wu joins Knight Frank from Colliers International, where he spent 21 years and held the title of deputy managing director in Hong Kong. He previously served as director of investment and residential sales for CBRE and director of investment for Savills in Hong Kong.

In the new role, Wu will oversee the capital markets team in formulating real estate strategies for major developers and investors, as well as spearhead the expansion of Knight Frank’s capital markets services across Greater China.

Paul Hart, managing director for commercial markets at Knight Frank Greater China, said Wu’s appointment comes at the right time, with the economy rebounding sharply and investors regaining their confidence.

“Driven by accelerating economic recovery, we are seeing growing investor demand in key gateway cities, including Hong Kong, London, Singapore and Sydney,” Hart said.

Team in Place

Also joining Knight Frank are Ken Ma, director of capital markets; Henkey Li, director of capital markets for Greater China; and Morris Tung, senior manager of capital markets. Along with Knight Frank’s existing Hong Kong capital markets team, they will report to Wu.

“Antonio and the new team’s experience are a great asset to clients and colleagues alike and will build upon our already well-established market presence,” Hart said. “Importantly, the new team will bolster our Chinese mainland capabilities, particularly in the Greater Bay Area.”

From 2016 to 2020, Wu led his team to conclude deals amounting to over HK$44 billion ($5.7 billion now), Knight Frank said.

His key deals included New World Development’s sale of 181 and 183 Queen’s Road Central to Singapore sovereign fund GIC for HK$2.6 billion, as well as GIC’s sale of the low block at 181 Queen’s Road Central to Macquarie Global Property Advisors for HK$2.4 billion.

Hong Kong Stalwart

A member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Wu began his career in 1986 as manager of office leasing at property appraisal firm Vigers Hong Kong. He has a bachelor’s degree in management studies from the University of Leeds and a master’s degree in real estate from the University of Hong Kong.

At Colliers, Wu focused on promoting investment services for clients throughout Asia via a platform that brought together all of the agency’s offices in the region.

As head of the investment services and retail services division, he handled transactions involving commercial, retail and luxury residential properties, as well as hotels, serviced apartments and development sites.