Knight Frank Australia has appointed Katrina Rathie as an Independent Non-Executive Director to its Boards as the company embarks on its next chapter of growth.
Ms Rathie will replace outgoing Board member Naseema Sparks, who made an outstanding contribution over the past nine years.
A highly respected independent chair and non-executive director, Ms Rathie brings strong experience in corporate governance, business leadership, strategy and culture to the role.
Her distinguished legal career spanned 35 years, including serving as Partner in Charge, Sydney, at global law firm King & Wood Mallesons.
Ms Rathie currently holds several board positions, including Non-Executive Director at SBS and Asia Society Australia, as well as Advisory Board Member at Media Diversity Australia.
She previously served as Chair of Bubs Australia, for which she was recognized as Chair of the Year (Small Company) at the Australian Financial Review Boss Director of the Year Awards in May.
Ms Rathie is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of Chief Executive Women.
Knight Frank Australia Chief Executive Officer James Patterson welcomed the appointment as the company looks toward future growth.
“Katrina brings a wealth of expertise, including decades of experience advising blue-chip brands, ASX listed and Fortune 500 companies with a strong focus on governance and risk,” Mr Patterson said.
“Her board leadership across listed, government and for-purpose organisations reflects a disciplined approach to decision-making and accountability.
“Katrina’s strategic thinking and ability to challenge conventional perspectives will bring a fresh lens, helping us think differently and accelerate our ambitions.”
Ms Rathie noted her personal connection to the real estate industry as part of her enthusiasm for the new role.
“I am a native Sydneysider and my mother was a real estate agent so I grew up talking real estate deals around the kitchen table,” Ms Rathie said.
“Property is the lifeblood of Sydney, buying and selling real estate is how many people make money in this town.
“I am delighted to join the Boards of Knight Frank Australia and Knight Frank Australia Holdings where I can bring my skills, lived experience and diversity of thinking to the business.”
Ms Rathie highlighted the alignment between her values and those of Knight Frank, which operates as a global partnership model similar to her previous firm.
“Like the King & Wood Mallesons global partnership where I spent most of my career, Knight Frank is a global partnership model that puts clients first as their partners in property and cares deeply for their people, the planet and the community,” she said.
“With this alignment of values, I am confident that I can make a difference and help propel the business profitably forward.”
Knight Frank is the world’s largest privately owned property business with over 600 offices across more than 50 countries including 12,500 employees in the Asia-Pacific region.
