Obituary: Tributes paid to Knight Frank ‘man mountain’ Monk

Condolences and memories of Knight Frank’s head of central London property asset management, Will Monk (MRICS), have poured in following his sudden passing. Monk, 46, spent more than 13 years at Knight Frank, joining from King Sturge in 2008, establishing himself as a consummate professional in the property asset management sector. Robin Stevenson, a partner in Knight Frank’s central London property asset management team who worked alongside Monk for almost a decade, said: “I can honestly say that I will never meet a more genuine, honest, loving and hardworking individual. A man mountain of a personality and of physical stature. He was always the loudest person in the room, but he was a people person. He took time to speak individually to every member of his team, accounts and his building managers every week. In return he received respect, honesty and loyalty. He truly loved his team, and we loved him back.” Knight Frank’s head of property and asset management, Michael Lewis, added: “Will was a hugely respected member of the Knight Frank team and the industry at large. He was instrumental in growing the central London property asset management business to the sizeable force it now is, and was quite rightly immensely proud of his achievements. A life and career cut tragically short, he will be tremendously missed by all.” Alongside his day-to-day work at Knight Frank, Monk was a keen cyclist, taking part in the annual Club Peloton Cycle to MIPIM and other events to raise much-needed funds for charity. Nick Hanmer, chief executive of Club Peloton, which runs the annual Cycle to MIPIM event, said: “Will was a towering presence and larger-than-life personality within Club Peloton since his first Cycle to MIPIM in 2012. Always keen to be involved and get stuck in, Will was happiest at the back of the peloton, full of encouragement and support for countless people and more than happy to give a gentle push to help others realise their two-wheeled dreams. “Off the bike he was a fundraising dynamo and enthusiastic supporter, leading the Knight Frank team and raising more than £200,000 in the process.” Fellow ride captains and cyclists from across the industry remember Monk as a motivator and reassuring voice with a healthy dose of dry humour. “Will was part of the Cycle to MIPIM family,” said Dan Higginson, a director at Greycoat. “Those new to cycling, in particular, benefited from his patience and guidance. He was a larger-than-life character whose reassuring presence in the peloton was instrumental in many achieving their goals. As a fellow ride captain, he was great company, dishing out healthy amounts of humour at the expense of himself as much as others.” Kevin Gray, founder of architecture firm Gray, remembers Monk as “big and tough, but always had a boyish twinkle in his eye”. “His bone-dry sense of humour and unwillingness to say more than necessary was a huge motivation to so many,” said Gray. “He carried so many riders, some of them literally, down to Cannes over the years, setting a benchmark for the principle of offering a helping hand to those that need it. After the ride in 2019, he wrote to me, and signed off with, “until then, Chapeau”. It is so sad to think that he won’t be there with us again, but I suspect many of us will look over our shoulders on those cold, windy French roads just to check that his reassuring presence is still with us. It will be, of course. Chapeau, Will.” Across the peloton of industry professionals that became Monk’s friends – and clients – the lighter side of this big man and personality has been remembered. “One of my fondest memories was the games I played changing Will’s Garmin from miles to kilometres when he was having his tea,” remembers Richard Heath of structural engineers Momentum. “He was a very English man who insisted on the mile as the correct unit of measurement, and would then complain about my antics over the radio.” Heath added: “I’ll always be able to picture Will charging up the wrong side of the road on his green bike, politely shouting two-by-two and then taking a well-earned rest with the rest of us at the tail of the peloton.” “I am not sure anything that I can say will really be able to sum up the gap that Will’s death has left in all of our lives,” said David Johnston, partner at Wedlake Bell. “Maybe it was something to do with the laws of physics but whenever Will was close, whether in a suit or riding his bike, it felt like you were drawn towards him.” He added: “His passion for people and getting them involved and challenging them to do things they did not think they could do was and will always be an inspiration to me and many people I know. That was exemplified by the money he raised personally, the support that Knight Frank gave and the number of people that took part in the Cycle to Mipim that would otherwise never have undertaken the challenge. He will be hugely missed by all of us that knew him and I will think of him whether I resume my normal spot at the back of the peloton.” Fellow ride captains Chris and Charmaine Rees said: “Will was such a huge part of the property industry’s cycling community. He was a great Club Peloton ride captain – probably the most happy of the bunch. Even on the cold dark mornings,  he was always there when you needed a push up a hill or a wheel to rejoin the group, always stopping to help those who had a puncture and usually having a seemingly endless supply of snacks. There are so many happy memories, good times and laughs along the way. A true friend and gentleman, his presence will be missed. May you rest in peace.” Monk is survived by his wife and two sons. A memorial will be held on 23 July. The Monk family have asked for people not to send flowers, but instead make a donation to Club Peloton in his name, which can be done here. Plans are currently being drawn up to run a memorial ride in Monk’s name, celebrating his love of cycling and to raise funds for charity. To send feedback, e-mail samantha.mcclary@eg.co.uk or tweet @samanthamcclary or @EGPropertyNews