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SpacesLondon’s commercial property agent market is large, competitive and diverse. Driven by its role as major global financial centre, London is home to over 850 commercial real estate agencies, ranging from international consultancies to high street firms and boutique specialists. Serving the workplace, retail, industrial and mixed-use sectors, these agencies act as intermediaries between tenants and landlords, helping businesses find the space they need to succeed and grow.
The reach and remit of London’s commercial agents vary. Global full-service firms, such as CBRE, Knight Frank and Savills, deal in major non-residential properties on an international scale. National players, such as Carter Jonas and Lambert Smith Hampton, focus on UK properties, while smaller niche agencies specialise in local real estate only.
A commercial property agent is a professional who helps businesses buy, sell, lease or manage commercial real estate – for example, offices, retail units, industrial sites and warehouses.
There are different types of commercial agent. Leasing agents oversee rental arrangements, while investment agents advise on the purchase of office or retail assets. Development agents source land and advise on planning. And occupier advisors represent tenants during relocations, renewals and workplace strategy development.
Within their specialist areas, commercial property agents provide a range of services, including market research and valuation, marketing and listings, and negotiation of lease terms and sale prices. They also arrange property viewings and inspections.
A London commercial property agent helps landlords, tenants and investors navigate one of the world’s most competitive real estate markets. Their role blends market intelligence, negotiation and strategic guidance tailored to London’s fast‑moving office, retail, industrial and mixed‑use sectors.
Part broker, part strategist and part market analyst, a London commercial property agent enables clients to make informed decisions in a city where location, timing and positioning are key. In particular, they offer services aligned to London’s uniquely clustered, regulated and complex property environment.
Before you begin your commercial property agent search, you need to think about the kind of agent that will best suit your needs.
A bigger agency will have access to a greater range of properties, but there might be cost and customer service implications to consider. Some of the larger firms may target higher-end commercial real estate, which will have a greater rental price tag. Client volume may also mean they can’t give you the time and attention you need.
Smaller local agencies, on the other hand, are likely to offer more personable and flexible customer service. They will have a detailed understanding of their local area and will tailor their searches to your specific real estate requirements.
The process of finding your agent will either involve scoping out a commercial agency and contacting them directly. Or it will involve using a real estate platform – such as Rightmove – to conduct your property search, with the associated agent appearing beside each search result.
Ultimately, whichever route you take, the property will be the main driver of your search and the foundation of your relationship with a commercial agent.
To find the perfect space for your business, you need to think about the size of the workplace you require. How big is your workforce? Is your business growing? Do you need additional space to support innovation and creativity? Does your service offer lend itself to open-plan layouts, or more siloed and private office space?
You also need to think about location. In London, key sectors tend to occupy specific districts and areas – for example, the City and Canary Wharf for commercial and finance; Covent Garden for marketing; and Old Street/Shoreditch for creative and tech. Do you want to be located among your industry peers, or would you rather strike out somewhere new?
There are also different types of workspace to consider, which you will need to include in your property search criteria.
Here, in our opinion, are 21 of London’s best commercial property agents you should have on your list.
SHB Real Estate is a London-based commercial property consultancy known for blending strategic advisory with proprietary technology. Specialising in office acquisitions, disposals, lease advisory and building consultancy, SHB supports occupiers and landlords across a range of sectors, including tech, finance, media and education. The company has a team of chartered surveyors, property managers and data specialists, delivering tailored solutions that optimise space, reduce costs and enhance workplace performance.
Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) is one of the UK and Ireland’s leading commercial property consultancies. Serving both public and private sector clients, LSH offers real estate services across investment, leasing, valuation, development and asset management. Now part of the Connells Group, LSH has expanded its footprint and strengthened its presence in Scotland and the South East. It is known for its progressive approach, helping clients unlock value across the property lifecycle while championing sustainability, innovation and community impact.
Newton Perkins is a specialist commercial property consultancy focused exclusively on the City of London. The firm offers expert advice across leasing, acquisition, investment, rent reviews, lease restructuring and property management. Known for its deep market knowledge and strategic insight, Newton Perkins represents both landlords and occupiers, with clients ranging from global insurers to tech startups. The firm has recently advised clients on commercial space transactions in The Gherkin, 40 Leadenhall and 125 Old Broad Street.
Newsteer is a multidisciplinary real estate advisory firm offering strategic support across planning, development, regeneration and occupier services. Blending technical excellence with commercial acumen, Newsteer delivers tailored solutions in sectors including retail, commercial, industrial, healthcare and infrastructure. Known for its collaborative ethos, the firm prioritises client partnerships and ESG impact. It operates UK-wide, delivering value to clients through agile, insight-led real estate strategies.
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Noble Harris is a boutique commercial property agency specialising in office leasing, acquisition and strategic advisory. With a client-first ethos and reputation for discretion, the firm represents both occupiers and landlords, offering tailored solutions from flexible workspace sourcing to leasehold disposal and asset management. Its portfolio spans high-profile addresses in Covent Garden, Fitzrovia, Marylebone and the City. Noble Harris combines market insight with a dedicated approach, building long-term trust with clients including private equity firms and global brands.
Devono is a leading commercial property consultancy specialising in tenant representation across office leasing, workplace strategy and relocation. Pioneering the occupier-first model in the UK, Devono offers conflict-free advice that prioritises client interests over landlord relationships. Their integrated services span search and lease negotiation, design and build and workplace consultancy. From startups to global firms, Devono helps businesses secure commercial space that aligns with brand, culture and growth.
Bureau is a boutique property agency known for sourcing and negotiating flexible and conventional office space in the leased, managed and serviced office sectors. Bureau takes a highly personalised, hands-on approach to occupier representation, helping clients navigate the complexities of the London office market. It focuses on saving clients time, money and stress by managing the entire property search and lease journey. Offering friendly, transparent service and deep market knowledge, Bureau is a trusted partner for startups, scale-ups and established firms alike.
CBRE is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm. Headquartered in Dallas, CBRE offers integrated services across property leasing, investment sales, facilities management, valuation, workplace strategy and ESG advisory. In the UK, CBRE is a dominant force in office, retail, logistics and alternative sectors, advising landlords, occupiers and investors on complex real estate decisions. Known for its data-driven insights, CBRE supports clients through every stage of the property lifecycle, from acquisition and development to operations and portfolio optimisation.
Savills is a global real estate services provider, offering comprehensive advisory across residential, commercial, rural and mixed-use property. In the UK, Savills is a market leader in office leasing, investment, development consultancy, valuation and property management. The firm combines deep sector expertise with a strong client focus, advising landlords, occupiers, investors and developers on complex real estate strategies. An established leader in sustainable, data-driven property decision-making across urban and regional markets.
JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle) is a global real estate services firm operating in over 80 countries. JLL delivers integrated solutions across leasing, investment, valuation, project management, workplace strategy and sustainability. In the UK, JLL is a leading advisor in the commercial, retail and residential sectors, among others, providing services to landlords, occupiers and investors. JLL has a reputation for leveraging its strong ESG advisory and PropTech innovation to support resilient, high-performing real estate portfolios.
Stoneway specialises in sourcing and securing office space for growing London businesses. The firm offers tailored advice on leased and flexible office space, providing expert search and negotiation services for clients. It is known for its responsive, detail-driven approach and deep understanding of occupier needs, focusing on transparency, speed and strategic fit in its approach to negotiations. Stoneway’s portfolio includes landmark transactions at the Walkie Talkie and the Southbank.
A global property advisory firm with a strong UK presence, Newmark delivers strategic services across capital markets, tenant representation, landlord leasing, planning and development, valuation and property management. The firm combines deep local knowledge with expansive global reach, offering data-driven, sector-specific insights to investors, developers and occupiers. Well regarded for its smart, independent advice and commitment to sustainability, Newmark helps clients drive value across diverse asset classes, from offices and logistics to mixed-use and infrastructure projects.
Corep is a London-based, occupier-focused real estate advisory firm, delivering strategic property solutions across acquisition, lease negotiation, portfolio review and workplace transformation. The firm champions a client-first approach, providing tailored, data-driven advice for businesses in the professional services, finance and media sectors. Their services range from sourcing new workplaces to managing surplus space and optimising entire portfolios. With ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications and RICS accreditation, Corep combines operational rigour with environmental responsibility.
Bray Fox Smith is a multidisciplined commercial property consultancy. The firm focuses on delivering high-quality projects across commercial, capital markets, occupier services and residential. With expertise in leasing, investment and development, Bray Fox Smith works closely with clients to understand their needs and objectives. The team’s breadth and depth of knowledge ensures successful execution, delivering innovative and dynamic real estate solutions across the UK.
BNP Paribas Real Estate is a leading European property consultancy offering integrated real estate services. As part of the BNP Paribas Group, the firm combines financial strength with deep sector expertise, supporting occupiers, investors and developers across the office, retail, logistics and residential markets. In the UK, BNP operates from key regional hubs, delivering tailored advice on leasing, acquisitions, development and asset strategy. It is known for its pan-European reach, ESG leadership and innovative data-led approach.
Colliers is a global commercial real estate services and investment management firm. In the UK, Colliers operates across the office, industrial and retail sectors, providing expert advice and support in leasing, capital markets, valuation, project management and occupier strategy. With its enterprising culture and client-oriented approach, Colliers combines deep market intelligence with innovative real estate solutions. The firm is also a leader in ESG advisory and workplace transformation, helping businesses align real estate with sustainability and performance goals.
Rebase is a London-based, tenant-only office advisory firm, offering agile, bespoke solutions for businesses. With roots in global real estate, Rebase delivers high-calibre consultancy across leasehold acquisitions, serviced and managed offices, disposals and workplace strategy. The firm helps clients from startups to established brands align workspace decisions with culture, growth and operational goals. As RICS-qualified surveyors, Rebase help to simplify complex decisions and deliver tailored office solutions that support productivity, flexibility and long-term value creation.
Vail Williams is a full-service property consultancy offering expert advice across commercial and residential real estate. The firm works with occupiers, landlords, developers and investors, providing services in agency, valuation, planning, lease advisory, investment, property asset management and business rates. Known for its regional insight and partner-led approach, Vail Williams has a strong track record supporting clients in sectors such as industrial, office, retail and healthcare.
Making Moves is a London-based, tenant-only property consultancy that helps businesses find, secure and design office space tailored to their needs. The firm offers end-to-end services across office search, lease negotiation, workplace strategy and fit-out project management. Focused on transparency, flexibility and client advocacy, Making Moves supports startups, scale-ups and established firms, with an in-house design-and-build team ensuring seamless delivery from brief to move-in. Making Moves also integrates sustainability and social impact into its operations.
Carter Jonas is a UK-based multidisciplinary property consultancy offering services across the commercial, residential, rural and infrastructure sectors. The firm operates from over 30 offices nationwide, delivering strategic advice in agency, valuation, planning, development, investment and property management. It supports landlords, occupiers, investors and public sector bodies, with a dedicated commercial division specialising in office, industrial, retail and science park assets. Carter Jonas is a proud UK Green Building Council (GBC) member.
Compton is a commercial property agency specialising in office leasing, investment and occupier services across Central London. Blending deep market knowledge with creative flair, Compton offers curated workspace solutions, focused on tenant representation, landlord leasing, strategic marketing and business rates advisory. Through platforms like Compton TV and Compton Studio, the agency has redefined how real estate engages with culture and community. Their vibrant storytelling and immersive viewings help clients find spaces that inspire.
Final thoughts
Finding a London commercial agent that’s right for your property search can seem daunting. Remember, think carefully about your needs as a business, your search criteria and priorities. You might want the reassurance of a big global player with a London presence. Or you might feel more at home with a boutique agency that focuses exclusively on the local market.
There are three main types of commercial space you need to be aware of today. These are:
Traditional commercial space refers to a leased property used for business operations, typically under a long-term contract with full control over layout, branding and infrastructure.
Renting space through a formal lease agreement (typically three-to-ten years), the tenant has full control over the premises, including office branding, fitout and operational setup.
Traditional spaces are often located in multi-let commercial buildings. They can comprise whole-floor lease arrangements, dedicated square-footage or standalone units. Often requiring upfront capital and longer-term lease commitment, traditional spaces may be better suited for established or growing businesses.
Serviced commercial space is fully furnished, ready-to-use office space that’s typically offered on a flexible rental basis. Tenants tend to share communal areas and amenities, reducing operational overheads, while pricing is usually all-inclusive, covering utilities, internet, cleaning, reception and other uses.
The management and day-to-day operations of serviced spaces are handled by a third-party provider, making this an ideal option for smaller businesses or start-ups seeking agility, speed and ease-of-use.
Coworking commercial space comprises shared, flexible work environments, where businesses and individuals rent desks or private offices within a communal setting.
Designed to foster collaboration, creativity and convenience, coworking spaces enable companies and freelancers to work side by side, with a choice of hot desks, dedicated desk space and offices.
Rental arrangements are flexible, usually available on a monthly or daily basis, while amenities – such as Wi-Fi, meeting rooms, breakout space, kitchens – are typically all-inclusive. Plug-and-play setup ensures maximum agility and minimum fuss.
So, which London agent will help you find the commercial space you need?
If you require guidance on finding the perfect commerical propertyagent or would like to discuss your office space search options, get in touch with us.
Commercial property agents typically charge between 1% and 3% of the purchase price for a property sale, and between 7% and 15% of the first year’s rent for leasing. Fees can also be structured as flat rates or commissions. They are often negotiable depending on property value, location and services provided.
To find the perfect commercial property, you need to start by defining location, size, and purpose. Research suitable properties that fit your criteria. Contact a commercial agent that’s suited to your needs – i.e. a local London boutique firm, national or international agency, depending on the scope of your operations and search requirements. In addition, we recommend getting expert advice from architects or designers to match the structure to your vision and budget, ensuring it feels “right” and functions well for you.
First and foremost, you need to ensure your office is conveniently located for your employees, clients and suppliers, with good local transport connections. It needs to be accessible and visible, not hidden away and hard to find. It also has to cater for your staff’s everyday needs, with good onsite facilities and local amenities. Minimal maintenance, good connectivity and value for money are other key considerations.
Commercial property leases in the UK can range from short term (three to five years) to long term (10 to 25 years), with no legal maximum. Some leases can be granted for extremely long periods if structured more like ownership. The most common modern office lease terms are five, 10 or 15 years, often with break clauses for flexibility.
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