German bank IVG Immobilien and Mayfair-based investment firm Evans Randall have appointed Knight Frank to oversee the property management of 30 St Mary Axe - also known as the Gherkin - in the City of London

Knight Frank has taken over from an in-house team at the Gherkin, which was bought in February by the 50:50 joint venture for £630m from Swiss Re. The 500,000 sq ft (46,451 sq m) tower, which reached completion in 2004, was designed by Foster & Partners.

The company was also this week given a five-year contract with Westminster City Council to provide property management, valuation and advice services.

Knight Frank won the Westminster contract from Nelson Bakewell and Dunlop Haywards. It will manage around 500 properties owned by the council.