We caught up with Ed Shaw, Partner & Head of Home Counties at Knight Frank to learn more about him and discovered what happened to Mr Rutley!

Tell me a bit about your background & that of Knight Frank

Having graduated from the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, I joined Knight Frank in 2005, beginning my career in the firm’s Country Department at the iconic 20 Hanover Square. From there, I was part of the move to the global headquarters at 55 Baker Street, before relocating in 2016 to lead the Ascot & Virginia Water office, a role that brought me closer to the Wentworth Estate and its unique community.

Knight Frank’s heritage is deeply rooted in property expertise. Founded in 1896 as Knight Frank & Rutley, the firm began as a valuations, surveying and auctions business, with its first sale taking place on Conduit Street in London. Its legacy includes notable milestones, from Senior Partner Howard Frank being knighted in 1914, to the sale of the Wentworth Estate in 1920 to W.J. Tarrant, a defining moment in the area’s history.

In 1996, ‘Rutley’ was dropped from the name to strengthen Knight Frank’s global identity, with Rutley Capital Partners later established in 2005. Over the decades, the firm has been involved in some of the world’s most significant property transactions, including the sale of the Qantas Centre in Sydney in 1986 - then Australia’s largest single property deal and later landmark instructions such as The Shard in 2010 and Battersea Power Station in 2011.

Today, that same commitment to expertise, integrity and global perspective continues to shape the way we advise clients, particularly within the prestigious markets of Ascot, Virginia Water and Wentworth.

How do you typically win new instructions?

Winning new instructions is built on trust, consistency and deep market understanding. We focus on giving honest, transparent advice, even when market conditions are challenging, ensuring clients feel confident in every decision.

Our track record speaks for itself, and we take care to showcase not only our successes but the experience and insight behind them. A thorough understanding of both established and emerging markets allows us to position properties effectively, while a strong, collaborative team working behind the scenes ensures every detail is managed seamlessly.

How do you balance sales, lettings and new developments within the business?

Our Sales, Lettings & New Development teams work together seamlessly. Locally we have a dedicated Lettings team in Ascot, Virginia Water & Windsor and also our South East New Homes team based out of Guildford.

What role does digital marketing and social media play for you now?

Digital marketing and social media have become valuable tools in how we communicate with our clients. They provide an immediate and efficient way to share information widely, not entirely dissimilar to sending out brochures, but far more dynamic and accessible.

They allow us to highlight our successes, share timely updates, such as insights following the Budget and ensure key information is always readily available. Just as importantly, they offer a more informal and ongoing connection; clients who may not be actively looking can still stay engaged by following their local agent on platforms such as Instagram, keeping them connected to the market in a natural, unobtrusive way.

Do you think personal relationships will become more or less important?

Personal relationships will only become more important. While technology continues to enhance the way we communicate, it cannot replace the value of genuine, trusted connections.

Initiatives such as My Knight Frank, launched in 2012, were designed not as a substitute for personal interaction, but as a way for clients to access information whenever they need it. When combined with having an experienced advisor at the end of the phone, ready to offer guidance and reassurance, it creates a truly seamless and supportive client experience.

What do clients value most from an estate agent today?

Honesty and communication.

Are you seeing more demand for off-market or discreet sales?

We haven’t seen a significant shift in overall demand for off-market sales but they continue to play a steady role within the market.

That said, some clients do prefer a more discreet, off-market approach. In these cases, we are able to demonstrate the strength of Knight Frank’s national and international network, connecting the right buyers and sellers with precision while maintaining the highest levels of confidentiality.

What are the biggest challenges facing estate agents right now?

Estate agents are currently navigating a number of challenges, with the market being influenced by wider global events and economic uncertainty. These external pressures have created a more complex landscape, requiring careful guidance, adaptability and clear communication to support clients through changing conditions.

Are you planning any changes or new initiatives in the coming year?

Following the launch of our Windsor office last summer, our focus is on continuing to build on that momentum, strengthening our presence and further expanding across key markets, while maintaining the high level of service our clients expect.

What would you be doing now if you weren’t an estate agent?

Probably a farmer!

So what happened to Mr Rutley?

Of all the three partners, Rutley’s partnership was the shortest as he died in 1909. Nevertheless as the decades rolled on, so did Rutley’s enduring name. Knight Frank & Rutley became an international business and wherever the firm had an office, the names of the local partners was added. So in 1983 when Knight Frank & Rutley joined with a leading Hong Kong surveyor they formed Knight Frank Kan & Baillieu.

In 1996, a hundred years after the company was founded  with offices all over the world, a simpler approach and a unified identity needed. Knight Frank were the two names every office had in common, so that was what the business became. 

To mark the moment, the firm made a donation to a wildlife charity in Bostwana working to protect the hippopotamus from extinction.

In return, Knight Frank named a hippo: Rutley. 

Though his life may have been shorter than it should have been, his legacy stretched far beyond what he could have imagined - in business, in geography, and, as it turned out, in botany.

Knight Frank is a Wentworth Lifestyle Partner