Economist Christopher Payne joins Knight Frank

Real estate consultancy Knight Frank has appointed Christopher Payne as chief economist for the company’s Middle East and North Africa division.

He has had an international research career, most recently as chief economist at Peninsula Real Estate. Prior roles include chief economist advisor to the governor and CEO of the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority, and as head of research and consultancy at the Kuwait Institute of Banking Studies.

Payne has worked in the United States and the United Kingdom, including as an economist for Bloomberg L.P. He has also worked at JPMorgan and F&C Asset Management, and obtained his Ph.D. from the London School of Economics.

Commenting on his appointment, he said: “The real estate sector in the Middle East and North Africa is one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving markets in the world. I am eager to leverage my extensive experience in economic analysis and real estate to provide our clients with the strategic guidance they need to navigate this complex and fast-changing landscape.”