JLL Singapore cuts over 20 jobs or 1% of workforce; Knight Frank Singapore also lays off staff

[SINGAPORE] About 1 per cent of JLL Singapore’s workforce of more than 2,000 has been retrenched amid the real estate consultancy’s global restructuring exercise, The Business Times has learnt.

Of the more than 20 jobs cut, two research analysts are understood to have been laid off.

In response to media queries, a spokesperson for JLL said that the company undertakes “organisational realignment to streamline operations and position the business for long-term growth in a rapidly evolving real estate services market”.

The spokesperson added: “As part of this broader transformation across multiple markets, we have made the difficult decision to restructure certain functions in Singapore over recent weeks, which has impacted a limited number of roles.”

JLL Singapore has notified the Ministry of Manpower about the retrenchment, and also complied with the Singapore Tripartite Advisory on Managing Excess Manpower and Responsible Retrenchment.

Earlier, The Straits Times reported that some JLL employees had mentioned the layoffs on LinkedIn, with one saying that at least four employees from the same department were let go.

Affected employees, including those in the US market, reportedly received the retrenchment notice on Apr 15.

They could allegedly opt for early release or serve the full notice period.

Several senior executives have left JLL Singapore over the last year.

Singapore country head Chris Archibold left the real estate consultancy giant last April after a 21-year career there. He was named country head in January 2021 after leading the office leasing business for 14 years.

In July 2025, capital markets director Tan Hong Boon quit the firm, with Carin Puah from the capital markets team also departing.

Separately, Knight Frank Singapore, responding by e-mail to queries from The Business Times, said that “a small number” of roles in marketing and communications were affected by a broader strategic integration of its Singapore and Asia-Pacific teams, undertaken “to operate more effectively and to improve collaboration”.

A Knight Frank Singapore spokesperson said that the company is supporting the affected staff. “We continue to invest in our team in Singapore, including hiring key roles aligned to our future growth.”

Last October, the Koh family behind the Fragrance Group sold its stake in Knight Frank Singapore back to its London parent.