MEET THE TEAM

I became partners with Geoff Hotblack in 1981; our ‘divorce’ in 1986 was friendly and I bought his half back in 1998 when he retired to his guns, cars and the country. I have worked in Islington on and off since 1976 and sold my first house in Theberton Street for £26,000! Remarkably HD is the oldest agent left in Islington now; many having been swallowed up by the larger and flashier types. Being the company insomniac, I am usually in the office at 7am but leave early to go running and be with my wife Alex and our 4 grown up children who all still live at home. Pleasures outside include Spurs (that is a debatable one, obviously), skiing and single malt!

Born in Canonbury in 1971, I had the pleasure of going to Canonbury school. 26 years later my children followed in my footsteps. When my first child went there I was shocked at how small the hall was and how little the climbing frames were. My primary love (after my wife and four children) is skiing and I spent 6 years as a ski instructor in the French Alps and travelling the world. However, a broken back cut that career short. I started in estate agency in 1995, joining Hotblack Desiato in 1998 with partnership following in 2003. I ski as often as having 4 children allows me and I have a passion for architecture/ design and sailing.

I have spent the majority of my life living in various parts of Islington. I started at the firm over 21 years ago as a trainee under the tutorage of Geoffrey Hotblack and I rose to partnership in 1998. I opened the Highbury office in 2006 which I have been running since. Talking of running, I do a fair bit as well as football and cycling, when my work and the commitments of three children allow!

Australian born I have lived in a multitude of countries but I have now decided to settle in Britain – I have lived Highbury for 5 years. Formerly a snowboarding instructor, I decided the world of estate agency had a more solid basis. I began working in Highbury in 2006 and I was promoted to lettings manager in 2007. I have just moved to the Islington office which I am really enjoying.

I used to organise parties for young aristocrats until I decided to move into the fast-paced world of selling property. I like meeting people, understanding what it is they want and cutting out the rubbish that so many sales people think is essential – trying to persuade people to like things they obviously don’t. I feel uncomfortable doing that so I don’t do it. You may see me cycling around North London bumping into lampposts and waving at passers-by. That’s not because I’m accident prone but it’s because I am always on the look-out for good properties for my clients and because I believe in developing good community relations. If you want to find a property without having uncomfortable conversations – give me a call. Maybe we can do business!

Islington born and bred, I have worked for Hotblack Desiato for three years now. I have a very sporting background in that I used to play for Leyton Orient and Arsenal and for three years was a professional tennis coach so I am not entirely sure why I picked to be an estate agent four years ago but hey ho, maybe it was the free car. Most of my colleagues say I am a little too cockey especially Lucy ( Sales Negotiator ) however I must be doing something right. Come and see me if you need a flat, whenever you like.

Originally from Northern Ireland, I had itchy feet so I studied at Georgetown University in Washington DC and somehow ended up in London. Thanks to watching too many property programmes I started as a lettings negotiator in the Hotblack Highbury office back in 2007 and after some time in each of the offices, I found my perfect spot was in the Islington basement doing property management. When not dealing with leaking roofs, broken boilers and blocked drains I enjoy cycling, reading and I’m quite partial to a pint of Guinness or two!

When I started at Hotblack Desiato, in 2010, I had the best commute: 5 minutes from my front door – walking! I was so local that I could watch my son play football at his nursery from my desk. My father was born and bred in Highbury and I guess he must have passed something on to me as, despite being raised in Lincolnshire, I find that I live 6 streets from his old family home. Now I am based in Islington it feels just as local and I get to commute in Betty, the Hotblack Desiato taxi.

Born one late afternoon In North Wales, around 198… something, my father quickly realised I was not cut out to be a farmer. My time as a teenager was spent flying, shooting, rock climbing, hiking and bike riding…. so he decided to sell the farm and send me off to University. Amazingly I graduated with Honours in the field of Computing. I quickly realised computing was not for me, so I set off to London and got my first job with Hotblack Desiato. That was 8 years ago. I’m still here.

Hi, I’m Shell. I’ve been here with Hotblack Desiato for 10 years now, I used to deal with all the rent renewals but I now work in property management. I have a young daughter so I work from home 2 days a week, it saves me the commute and I do manage to get my work done.  However, I really like the buzz of working in the Islington office on my ‘office’ days.  Outside of work I am a keen runner and enjoy spending time with my family.

I’m originally from California and came to the UK to study at the University of St Andrews. Having lived in West London for the past 10 years, my role here at the Islington office has allowed me to discover a new and exciting patch of this great city. My background is in PR & Marketing but don’t let that put you off! I don’t like a hard sell as much as you don’t. When I’m not traipsing around N1, I spend my time running (I did the London Marathon once!), travelling and checking out the local restaurant scene.

Starting at Hotblack Desiato at the end of 2012 in management has been in one word..eventful! I graduated in Property Development at Portsmouth University and decided property was what I wanted to base my career around. Working downstairs has a vibrant feel – I think the radio helps! When I’m not on the phone in the basement, you can find me…. well you can’t – I’m not sure myself half the time.

Hi I am Vicky!  I’m one of the property managers.  I am fairly new to the team, but it didn’t take long to adapt, as everyone is very friendly here. I am really happy to be a part of Hotblack family. With a degree in international tourism management and work experience in various industries I have finally settled in real estate, and I absolutely love it.  I enjoy working in Islington; as it is one of London’s trendiest areas, it is such a busy and fun place to be.

I am the latest member of the Hotblack Desiato Property Management Team.  I have lived most of my life in Edgware and Harrow. I had never visited Islington until I had my interview, but when I arrived I felt right at home.  I studied law at University, although I still have a passion for it I have always wanted to explore other fields of work and property management is suiting me well.  It was a really exciting opportunity for me to be offered the job at Hotblack Desiato and I’m really enjoying working with a great team of people.