Much Ado About Nothing: Why bifurcation, not decline, is the real story in Prime Central London
Richard Rogerson explains how quality is now defining liquidity in the capital’s top neighbourhoods - and flags more key trends to watch in 2026, from shifting demographics to the return of debt.
Richard is the CEO of RFR and leads the firm’s Advisory practice. He principally focuses on transactional and advisory mandates for the firm’s private clients who look to him particularly for strategic counsel and tactical input on a wide variety of their most complex residential property issues. Prior to joining RFR, Richard was a Partner at Macfarlanes, one of the world’s most prestigious law firms. As a lawyer, Richard advised private clients, investment funds and corporates across multiple sectors including private equity, finance and real estate. Richard has edited two books on finance and private equity and holds an LL.B Law (Hons) from the University of Durham.
What to read next
Lucian Cook: Painting a picture of Prime Central London’s ‘decade of adaptation’
Savills' Head of Residential Research appraises how PCL's property market has changed over the past ten years - since George Osborne's sweeping reform of the property tax regime - and looks ahead to what…
By Lucian Cook
This too shall pass: On noise, narrative & the need for perspective in Prime Central London
Richard & Sophie Rogerson explain why the reality of London’s luxury market may be more resilient than the headlines suggest - and what policymakers must do next.
Changing Fortunes: How government policy has shaped the Prime London resi market
The LonRes team analyses which tax reforms, policy decisions and bouts of political uncertainty have had the biggest impact since 2010.
By Nick Gregori
Companies in this article
RFR PropertyMost read
Budget 2026: The prime resi industry’s hopes, fears & expectations
Special Feature: PrimeResi surveyed leading estate agents, buying agents, developers & advisors to gauge the luxury property sector's feelings & forecasts about this week's big fiscal event.
By PrimeResi
UK Sotheby’s lays claim to 88% of PCL’s £15mn-plus market
Luxury brokerage reports Q3 sales stats - including some eye-catching claims about its dominance at the top of the market.
Social Circuit: Marcus Cooper Group & Valouran launch boutique St John’s Wood scheme
In Pictures: Property crowd gathers to toast the conversion of a landmark former chapel into five luxury apartments.
New figures reveal £541mn Stamp Duty slump after Reeves Budget
Knight Frank has been crunching the numbers ahead of John Healey's big speech, revealing a sizeable drop in high-end sales and the Treasury's tax take.
Savills brings in Aston Chase veteran Rosenblatt
Firm bolsters St John's Wood team with one of NW London's best-known operators.
Shackleton’s Kensington base lists at £20mn after owner’s ‘extraordinary journey’
Vendor navigated RBKC’s notoriously tough planning system to turn the explorer’s former family home into an art-filled ‘masterpiece’.
Sotheby’s International Realty names new global boss
US brokerage veteran Mark McLaughlin takes the reins as Philip White moves into Executive Chairman role.
Government confirms 100% ‘mansion tax’ premium for empty homes
Latest Measures & Industry Reactions: More details of the incoming High Value Council Tax Surcharge bills have been revealed, with first bills due to arrive in March 2028.
By PrimeResi
Agency reports ‘renewed momentum’ in Prime Central London’s £4mn+ market
High-value transactions are up 62% as the firm continues to make heavyweight hires and expand its new broker division.
By PrimeResi
Queensway graduates to London’s luxury apartment big league
Ranked: Analysis reveals the top streets, squares & districts for £5mn-plus flat sales, as new developments redraw the prime property map.
LATEST ARTICLES
Strutts puts AI to work on property search, claiming agency first
Heritage firm's new website takes buyer briefs in everyday speak, with listings also being readied for discovery through ChatGPT and its rivals.
OBR downgrades house price, transaction & construction forecasts
Fiscal watchdog expects 4% fewer property sales over the next five years than were predicted in March.
By PrimeResi
Sale agreed on final Knightsbridge Gate apartment
The last of the PCL scheme’s 15 residences has found a buyer, rounding off a sales campaign that saw guide prices hit £25mn.
Super-prime St John’s Wood project goes for above guide
'Buyers will move decisively for exceptional homes in the best locations,' says agency after sealing £10.1mn deal.
My Property Career: Quickfire Q&A with Knight Frank’s James Cleland
Recruitment guru Barry Collins chats with prime resi industry leaders & entrepreneurs, distilling decades of experience & career highlights into 60 seconds.