Knight Frank strengthens India occupier services team amid growing corporate real estate demand

Shipra Tewari returns as Director, Global Portfolio Solutions, bringing dual-sided market expertise as India’s corporate real estate market reaches new records

MUMBAI, 13 May 2026 — Knight Frank has appointed Shipra Tewari as Director within its Global Portfolio Solutions (GPS) team in India, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to one of the world’s fastest-growing corporate real estate markets.

Shipra Tewari returns to Knight Frank after a period with Godrej, one of India’s leading conglomerates, where she developed the group’s managed office solutions platform for Godrej Ventures, a real estate private equity firm investing institutional capital in Indian markets. She previously spent five years at Knight Frank advising major occupier clients on portfolio strategy, transaction management and workplace solutions across India.

Her appointment deepens Knight Frank’s established India occupier services capability, which spans transaction management, portfolio advisory, flexible workplace strategy and a Centre of Excellence hub in Bangalore. The India team works closely with Knight Frank’s wider Asia-Pacific GPS network, which includes transaction management hubs in Australia, Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and across Southeast Asia.

Tim Armstrong, Global Head of Occupier Strategy and Solutions, Knight Frank, says, “India is central to our growth strategy across Asia-Pacific. We are seeing strong and sustained demand from global corporates building and expanding their operations in India, seeking an advisor who combines deep local knowledge with genuine global reach. Shipra's return strengthens a team that is already delivering for major clients in this market, and her experience on both the corporate and landlord side gives her a perspective that is hard to find."

Viral Desai, International Partner and Senior Executive Director, Occupier Strategy & Solutions, Industrial & Logistics, Capital Markets and Retail Agency, said, “India’s office market has witnessed an extraordinary phase of sustained, high-velocity growth, and Knight Frank has consistently been at the forefront, delivering differentiated, future-ready solutions that are both strategic and deeply client-centric. Our office transaction team has played a pivotal role in shaping this momentum through insight-led advisory and execution excellence. Shipra’s appointment marks a decisive step in further elevating our capabilities. Her proven expertise in building enduring client relationships, combined with an unwavering commitment to service excellence, will significantly strengthen our platform as we continue to set higher benchmarks for quality, trust, and long-term value creation for our clients.”

India office market context

India’s office market continues to set records according to India Real Estate- Office and Residential Market report, Q1 2026. Global Capability Centres dominated leasing activity in 2025 and remained the primary demand driver in Q1 2026, accounting for a record 14.4 mn sq ft or 48% of total leasing during the quarter, the highest share and absolute uptake ever recorded in a single quarter. India-facing firms recorded the strongest growth, leasing 5.8 mn sq ft, a 22% year-on-year increase. Vacancy levels have tightened from 17.2% in 2021 to 13.9% in Q1 2026, sustaining a rental upcycle that has given landlords increasing pricing power even as several global office markets face headwinds, making expert occupier advisory more critical than ever.