Our head of Private Clients Stuart Bennett talks client loyalty, building a legacy based on trust, and the relationships that have shaped his three-decades in luxury property.
Agency is not simply about transactions, but trusted relationships. Of all the lessons Private Clients head Stuart Bennett has learnt over his career, this is the one that sticks.
“Property is just the starting point; what matters most are the ties that develop around it,” he reflects. “Our network – with clients and peers – is stronger than it’s ever been in my 29 years in Prime Central London.”
Simply, this means access: uncovering hidden opportunities, sourcing best-in-class homes and guiding high-net-worth families and family offices with a deeply personalised service.
You’ve been involved in some landmark deals. What were your highlights of 2025 – and what are you taking forward into this year?
2025 was truly a year of pulling together, creating lasting relationships, and the continued privilege of helping clients find their dream homes. We worked on some dynamic and diverse searches – from securing a masterpiece Little Venice home for long-term rental to matching a one-of-a-kind Notting Hill penthouse to its next custodian.
More than those successes though; it’s the journey that we go on together that resonates, above and beyond any singular highlight. Some of the clients I first met in those early days are still with me decades later. That continuity speaks volumes – and remains at the forefront as we step into 2026.
Just this week, we secured a signature family home on one of Chiswick’s most sought-after streets for a New York-based client. What began as a call on Christmas Eve evolved into a carefully curated search, initially spanning Parsons Green to Queen’s Park. As their plans for a long-term move to London became clearer, we refined the brief and ultimately identified Chiswick as the perfect fit.
Earlier this month, another long-standing client came to us with a more urgent challenge. Having purchased a family house through us last year, they were in the midst of a full renovation that had run three months over schedule. With their growing family needing more space in the interim, time was of the essence. Within three days, we presented a tailored solution – aligning dates, location and space – and they are now comfortably settled, relieved and genuinely delighted.
For me, this encapsulates the value of Private Clients: being a constant, trusted point of contact with the experience and resources to pivot quickly, respond calmly and deliver the right solution, whatever the scenario.
Chiswick family home
A signature home on one of Chiswick’s most sought-after roads, secured for a New York-based family’s relocation to London.
Notting Hill penthouse
A rare duplex penthouse offering lateral living, a private roof terrace and lift access directly into the apartment – discreetly sold off-market to the perfect buyer.
Little Venice townhouse
Calling on our trusted network, we secured long-term tenants for this standout Little Venice home – seamlessly connecting two valued clients for a swift result.
How does the Private Clients model differ from a traditional sales or buying agency?
Private Clients is about breadth, depth and discretion. Yes, we buy and sell homes, but that’s only part of the picture. We offer a complete, end-to-end service, connecting clients with designers, architects, lawyers, financial advisors and beyond, to make the process seamless.
Our Ibiza business and sister brand, Domus Stay, gives us a unique scope in the second-home and rental markets. And now with our partnership with BARNES International, our reach is truly global. I can call colleagues in Paris, New York or Marbella in an instant.
Just as important, I deliberately keep my client base lean. Clients often tell me I feel more like a personal advisor than an agent. That’s the essence of Private Clients: it’s not simply about transactions; it’s about trusted relationships.
The team works almost entirely on referrals — what do UHNW clients value most in an advisor today, and how is that relationship evolving?
Trust, discretion and personalised service are everything. UHNWs want an advisor who can guide them, expedite decisions and surround them with best-in-class expertise. For many, property is the entry point, but what matters most is the relationship that develops around it.
Often, clients come to me with complex needs or aspirations that have been unresolved for years. My role is to assemble the right team of solicitors, advisors, surveyors, architects and create a clear strategy. It’s about being the trusted constant before, during and long after the deal.
Discretion is central to your work; how has its role in the super-prime market changed in recent years?
Discretion has always been paramount, but the way it’s exercised today has changed dramatically. In the early years, before the internet, privacy was far easier to protect. Today, almost everything about someone’s life can be uncovered with a few clicks. For clients, that makes true discretion more valuable than ever. My responsibility is to shield them from exposure. That means working only with trusted contacts I’ve known for years and keeping networks intentionally tight.
When clients feel they can place absolute confidence in you, that’s when real relationships are built. And the referrals that come from those relationships are a testament to how much discretion still matters.
How significant is the off-market sector to your transactions, and do you expect its share to grow?
Off-market transactions are fundamental at this level. They’re not about glossy listings or public advertising, they live in conversations, phone calls and quiet introductions. For many of my clients, the very fact that a property remains unseen by the wider market is part of its value. Buyers, too, take comfort in knowing they’re accessing something truly private.
Because of the network I’ve built over decades with fellow agents and private offices and advisors, I’m often aware of exceptional opportunities before they’re visible to anyone else. That insider knowledge is crucial, and I believe the importance of this off-market sector will only grow in the years to come.
“Private Clients is about breadth, depth and discretion. We offer a complete, end-to-end service, connecting clients with designers, architects, lawyers, financial advisors and beyond, to make the process seamless.”
What impact has Domus Nova’s new partnership with BARNES International had on client opportunities and cross-border deals?
Our partnership has been nothing short of transformative. Almost immediately, we began seeing instructions come through the network and new clients introduced from markets we wouldn’t otherwise have reached so seamlessly.
A London-based buyer wanting a second home in New York can now be guided through one trusted ecosystem. Domus Nova brings the local expertise, the nuance of each London neighbourhood, while BARNES International extends our reach. Together, it’s an incredibly powerful combination that allows our clients to think globally, without ever losing the detail and care of local knowledge.
You’ve noted increased client movement between West London, Ibiza and the Cotswolds — what’s driving these shifts?
Lifestyle is the single greatest driver of movement right now. The Cotswolds, for example, has never been more appealing, it offers space and pace, yet remains close enough to London to feel connected. It’s become the natural extension of the capital for many families. Among our current searches, we’re currently working to find a Cotswolds home for a London-based global family.
Ibiza, meanwhile, has transformed in recent years. What was once a seasonal escape is now a year-round destination, with a world-class food scene, design culture and international community. The architecture alone reflects the island’s evolution.
For many clients, the dream is a three-part life: a London base, a countryside retreat, and a Mediterranean getaway. Remote working has accelerated this trend, making it not only aspirational but achievable. To meet this growing demand, we’ve expanded our Private Clients team with Lisa Bellen, who works between Notting Hill and Ibiza. Her dual perspective adds huge value; she understands both markets intimately and brings a high-net-worth network that complements our own.
What trends are you seeing in UHNW search criteria — in terms of property types, amenities, and locations?
There’s been a noticeable shift towards properties that offer more than just square footage. Branded residences and serviced apartments are in high demand, developments like The Peninsular, The Rosewood Hotel & Residences and The Whiteley, which combine luxury living with hotel-level amenities, are particularly attractive to international buyers who value convenience, security and service.
In terms of location, Notting Hill has undergone a remarkable evolution. What was once considered a fringe location, is now firmly prime central London, with its excellent schools and international appeal. Buyers there are often looking for either family houses with communal garden access or lateral apartments and the lifestyle to go with it.
What ties it all together is that clients today want homes that are experience-led. They want services, community and the flexibility to lock up and leave. A property that offers design, lifestyle and security resonates far more than bricks and mortar alone.
Is technology changing how the super-prime market operates, or does it remain fundamentally relationship-driven?
Technology has absolutely made an impact. It’s invaluable for amplifying reach, raising awareness and ensuring we’re visible in the right spaces. It makes certain processes more efficient and helps us connect across borders.
But when it comes to super-prime property, this remains a relationship business. Nobody decides to buy a £20m house because of an algorithm. They make that decision because they trust the advisor beside them, because the relationship has been built on integrity, track record and understanding. Technology can support that relationship, but it can’t replace it. At this level, human connection is everything.
What excites you most about your day-to-day role leading the Private Clients division?
What excites me most is the variety and the privilege of being trusted at pivotal moments in people’s lives. One day I may be advising on a £30m townhouse: the next, helping restructure a portfolio across London and Ibiza. Each client, each scenario, is unique, and the reward of helping someone achieve their property goals is a wonderful feeling.
Property is emotional, people buy and sell homes because of life events: growing families, divorce, bereavement. My role is to guide them through those moments with as little stress as possible. When you get that call from a client saying, “thank you, this wouldn’t have happened without you,” that’s the real motivation.
Over time, the greatest reward has been the referrals and repeat business. When clients come back to me, or introduce me to their friends and family, that’s when I know I’ve delivered something lasting. That’s the legacy I want the Private Clients division to build on.
Discover more about our Private Clients offering, and connect with Stuart
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