People
November 2023
Chris Woods is Promoted to Quantity Surveyor
June 2025
Q&A with Group Managing Director, Robin Knowles
As part of our 15th Anniversary Celebrations, we’re taking a closer look at the people, projects, and foundations that have shaped Knowles.
We are kicking off this special Q&A series with an in-depth conversation with our Group Managing Director, Robin Knowles, as he reflects on key milestones from the past 15 years, lessons learned in the super-prime residential sector, and the vision for the future of Knowles.
Q. Knowles is celebrating an impressive 15-year anniversary. How has the business transformed during that time, and what achievements stand out most to you?
Over the last 15 years, Knowles has evolved from a specialist contractor, into a leading name in super-prime construction across London and the Home Counties. Today, we manage some of the UK’s most exceptional private projects – from super-prime new build residences in London to private country estates. What I’m most proud of is the team we’ve built and the reputation we’ve earned—built on a foundation of integrity, precision, and service excellence.
Seeing the business grow while staying true to its core values has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of this journey. But on a day-to-day basis, meeting Clients and highly respected teams who know about Knowles and the work we do is truly humbling and something I am incredibly proud of.
Q. What led you to start Knowles, and what vision shaped the company in its early days?
While Knowles is marking 15 years, the roots of the business go much deeper. With over three decades of industry experience in my family, construction has always been part of my life.
When Knowles was founded, my goal was to raise the bar in construction: to create a company that not only excelled in delivery but redefined the standards of quality and professionalism, but still maintained a personal approach. From the outset, the ambition was to be agile, self-reliant, and consistently client-focused— these guiding principles continue to drive everything we do today.
Q. What differentiates Knowles in the luxury construction space, and why do so many top-tier professionals choose to work with you?
I’d like to think that it is our holistic, personal and end-to-end approach that sets us apart. Unlike many, Knowles handle every element of a project—from early structural work to right through to aftercare – it is all under one roof. The reason that we do this is to ensure continuity, accountability, and excellence at every stage.
Our in-house specialists bring deep expertise across disciplines, allowing us to deliver with accuracy and agility. That kind of integrated service is rare in our sector and is a key reason why architects, developers, and project managers repeatedly choose to work with us, but is also why a large part of our business is repeat Clients or referrals. We’ve built our reputation on trust, collaboration, and our unwavering attention to detail.
Q. What’s a typical day like for you as Managing Director?
No two days are ever the same—which is exactly what I enjoy most. My time is split between high-level strategy and business development, to site visits, project meetings and hands-on project involvement. Whether reviewing progress on live builds, meeting clients, or supporting teams across departments, I like to stay closely connected to all areas of the business.
This variety keeps me in tune with every aspect of Knowles—from commercial and health and safety to marketing and long-term planning. It’s demanding, but incredibly rewarding.
Q. What challenges has the business faced, and how have you navigated them?
Like many in our industry, we’ve had to adapt to economic shifts and complex project demands. What’s helped us navigate these challenges is the strength and agility of our team. We’re problem-solvers at heart, and we see challenges as opportunities to refine and improve.
Being able to pivot quickly and maintain focus on delivery – without compromising on quality – has been key to our resilience and long-term success.
Q. What’s next for Knowles? What do the next 15 years look like?
The future is all about building on our strengths while continuing to evolve. We’re continuing to expand our presence in the countryside through our dedicated Country division, and we’re further developing our post-construction services.
Our aim is to remain at the forefront of super-prime construction, always pushing the boundaries of what we can deliver – while staying grounded in the principles that have brought us this far.
