Knight Frank India elevates Viral Desai as CEO

By Sohail Khan 4 September 2026, 2:59 pm

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Business News›Industry›Services›Property / C'struction›Knight Frank India elevates Viral Desai as CEO, to take charge from April 2027

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Knight Frank India elevates Viral Desai as CEO, to take charge from April 2027
Synopsis

Knight Frank India has appointed Viral Desai as its new Chief Executive Officer. Desai will assume leadership of the company's India operations starting April 1, 2027. He has been a dedicated employee with the firm since 2007. Desai brings extensive experience in transactions and business development to his new role. He will work closely with the current CMD during the transition period.

MUMBAI: International property consultant Knight Frank India has appointed Viral Desai as Chief Executive Officer, with the senior executive set to take charge of the real estate consultancy’s India operations from April 1, 2027.

Desai, who has been with Knight Frank since 2007, currently serves as Senior Executive Director – Transactions and oversees the firm’s Occupier Strategy & Solutions (OSS), Industrial & Logistics, Capital Markets and Retail Agency businesses. He has played a key role in the growth and development of the business over nearly two decades.

He is also an International Partner of Knight Frank and a member of the Group Strategy Board, giving him a broad perspective on the firm’s international business, client priorities and strategic direction.

“Viral has been a key part of Knight Frank India’s growth and has consistently demonstrated his ability to build businesses, develop strong teams and deliver for our clients. He has shown the ability to lead through different market cycles and challenges, while giving the businesses under his leadership a clear path for growth,” said Shishir Baijal, International Partner, CMD, Knight Frank India.

Desai will work closely with Baijal during the transition period ahead of formally assuming the CEO role on April 1, 2027.

“I have seen first-hand the strength of our platform, the quality of our people and the trust we have built with our clients. There is a strong foundation to build on, and our opportunity now is to continue raising the bar across every part of the business. I look forward to working with our teams across the country to strengthen our market position, deepen our client relationships and build on the progress we have made across our businesses,” said Desai, CEO-designate, Knight Frank India.

Craig Shute, CEO, Asia Pacific, said India was one of Knight Frank’s “most significant and successful businesses globally”, adding that Desai brought “deep knowledge of the Indian market and a genuinely international perspective.”

Headquartered in Mumbai, Knight Frank India has more than 2,000 experts across Bangalore, Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Indore and Kochi.

Backed by strong research and analytics, it offers a comprehensive range of real estate services across advisory, valuation and consulting, transactions including residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, land, and capitals, facilities management and project management.

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