Knightsbridge Circle reports 15% increase in membership numbers

Travel and lifestyle concierge service Knightsbridge Circle has reported a 15% increase in members since the pandemic began.

The lifestyle management company, founded by Stuart McNeill, says membership numbers have grown since March 2020, and the growth has led the business to expand with new offices set to open in Monaco and Miami later this year.

McNeill said its “ultra-high net worth members” were looking for round the clock support to navigate testing times for travel. He said his team had also quickly pivoted its offering to meet new requirements of its membership, such as providing at-home experiences such as wine tastings, Peleton bikes and even setting up a home-brewery for one client.

Knightsbridge Circle also added a medical concierge service to its offering at the start of the pandemic, giving members access to online GPs, fast-track hospital appointment, as well as at home Covid testing.

The increase in members comes despite Euromonitor International research showing that the world’s top three wealth segments (ultra-HNWIs, HNWIs and affluent) are set to decline collectively by 4.8%.

McNeill added: “Along with my team of Personal Managers we have distilled our insights and destination intel, to present an edit of what’s trending and why. More enriching travel experiences, philanthropic activities and prioritising physical wellbeing are just some of the new key trends to emerge from the pandemic, which are currently shaping the decisions of our ultra-high-net-worth members.”

Highlighting emerging trends for future travel, McNeill said demand for private jets was soaring, with members spending “even more money on exclusive and private experiences post pandemic”, adding that families who traditionally flew first class were now opting for private jet travel.

McNeill reported that numerous Knightsbridge Circle clients relocated whole offices and homes abroad over the summer in a bid to escape the UK. He said clients moved to destinations such as Monaco, Dubai and The Bahamas over the summer months, with McNeill anticipating that many of his clients won’t return to the UK until April when the vaccine has been widely rolled out across the country.