Knight Frank, a global real estate consultant, has announced the appointment of Dr. Christopher Payne as Chief Economist in MENA, effective June 2024.

Assuming the lead role for the MENA research team, Dr. Payne brings around three decades of expertise in economic analysis, real estate, and financial markets. With his deep understanding of regional economic dynamics, he will drive the consultant’s commitment to delivering top-tier economic insights and strategic guidance across the region.

Before his appointment, Dr. Payne served Coldwell Banker Saudi Arabia as the Chief Research Officer for six months. Prior to that, he worked with Peninsula Real Estate as the Chief Economist and Head of Investor Relations. In his previous roles, he served Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) as the Group Strategist and Economic Advisor, Kuwait Institute of Banking Studies as the Head of Research, and Bloomberg as the Senior Economist, writing extensively on the GCC economy and real estate markets. Outside the GCC, he served JP Morgan Chase, PwC UK, and F&C Asset Management, writing on U.S. banking regulation, monetary policy, and fiscal policy, often presenting his findings on Capitol Hill. In the UK, he enriched his expertise in global economic trends, emerging market equities, and financial analysis.

Dr. Payne holds a PhD from The London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Bachelor in Anthropology from the University of Cambridge. He is also a certified Chartered Accountant from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales. He has authored numerous studies and articles, as well as two books, “The Consumer, Credit and Neoliberalism: Governing the Modern Economy" and "The Economists' Diet."

Welcoming Dr. Payne on the MENA research team, Faisal Durrani, Partner and Head of Research MENA, said, "We are delighted to welcome Chris to our growing research team. His tremendous experience and deep understanding of the GCC macroeconomic environment will be invaluable in unlocking value for our clients and underpinning our property intelligence.”

Dr. Payne also expressed, "I am absolutely delighted to join Knight Frank MENA, a firm renowned for its exceptional and market-leading research and insights. 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.”