Highbury Team

Hi, I’m Alasdair. I am a director of Hotblack Desiato and based in our Highbury office. I have variously worked in the music business and catering before joining Hotblack in 2009 following a nationally based role at another estate agency. I was born in Paddington, and have lived in the Middle East, then during my late teens and twenties in Scotland, Oxford and Hampshire ending up back near where I started. A long-suffering Arsenal fan, I’m also a keen cyclist which is just as well given the parking and traffic situation where we operate. I very much enjoy being part of the community in Islington, Highbury and Stoke Newington where I lived for many years. We are blessed to have many independent retailers & businesses locally and a strong sense of community. I try not to lose sight of the fact we work in villages, and the importance of giving measured, sensible advice and build relationships rather than simply trying to win business. Outside of work I spend a lot of time on my bike, in the USA, and enjoying quality time with my cats and my family. We have pretty decent coffee here in the office so please do pop in, that’s when we don’t get it from Vent over the road by the church.

I first joined Hotblack’s in 2015 and stayed for 4 years working in the Islington office as a lettings negotiator. I left for a while because I wanted to gain experience by working for one of the large corporate firms, and I believe that I benefited from this because Hotblack’s came back to me and offered me the Manager’s role in Highbury which I am really enjoying and it feels good to be back working for Hotblack’s. Outside of work, I like to travel, spend time with family and friends and keep fit.

Hi, my name is Saskia and I work as a senior sales negotiator covering Islington and Highbury.

After deciding university wasn’t for me and a year of dog walking, I realised that I wanted to start a career in property and became an estate agent in Finchley.

However lovely Finchley was, I wanted to start selling properties in a more diverse, visionary area. So, I joined Hotblack Desiato!

Clearly the right decision, as since joining in 2021, it’s absolutely flown by! I put that down to the lovely clientele and buyers surrounding the Highbury and Islington community and being able to build personable and unique relationships with them. Helping clients through their property selling journey and helping buyers purchase their new home, is something I will always enjoy and take pride in doing.

Hi, my name is Charlie and I work as a Sales Negotiator in our Islington Branch. I was lucky enough to grow up in Highbury, over the last few years the one thing that really stood out to me is the sense of community in the area. At age 15 I started working in Godfrey’s before moving to The Woodbine. Throughout this time I got to know a lot of the locals, many of which I am still in touch with to this day. This was also something that really drew me to Hotblack Desiato, as they have thrived in the area for many years whilst building up meaningful and lasting relationships with clients. I believe this provides us with a personal touch which is very tricky to come by in the industry, and as someone that loves meeting new people this is perfect for me! I joined Hotblack Desiato in July 2022, and it’s absolutely flown by. I have really appreciated the opportunity to apply and further all the knowledge I gained on my Real Estate course at Oxford Brookes Uni, and look forward to an exciting future with the company.

Hi! I’m Ollie, I have just started here at Hotblack Desiato in the Highbury office. I left school straight after GCSE’s as I’ve always had a burning desire to make something of myself outside of school. I went straight into my father’s estate agency in Bedfordshire where I stayed for just over a year learning the basics. I then moved to a firm in Finchley, and although I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, I thought it was time to step foot into a buzzy area like Highbury. Although I support the best team in North London (Spurs) Highbury has many beautiful properties which helped draw me here. I’m really happy to have joined a reputable firm like Hotblack Desiato!

Hi, I’m Gino. I have had the pleasure of working in the Highbury Office since 2019. I was lucky enough to grow up in North London, to be more specific Camden and Islington. Before I transitioned into the industry, I knew that Estate Agents were tarnished with a questionable reputation. As such, I wanted to make it my mission to demonstrate to people that there are good agents out there that operate with a high degree of integrity and build a solid reputation (check our Google reviews). When I was offered the opportunity to join Hotblack Desiato, it was an easy decision to make as their philosophy and outlook was very much aligned with mine. I have done my fair share of property development over the years, carrying out and overseeing the projects myself, so I’m very knowledgeable when it comes to a property’s potential. Working at Hotblack Desiato has taught me how amazing and diverse the London market can be, I cover everything from traditional period properties to new developments. Outside of work, I enjoy spending good quality time with my children, family, and friends as that is what matters most in life!

I moved to North London after University in Bournemouth and spent a fast paced and exciting 10 years in the advertising industry both on the creative and client services side. After the birth of my first child in 2016 I started my own small boutique lettings agency from home in Stoke Newington. When Hotblack asked me to join their lettings team in Highbury in March 2024 as a negotiator, I jumped at the opportunity. I was looking to join an office environment again and be a part of a wider team. I’ve always been impressed by HotBlack’s brand as an independent local North London agent. Their approach is people focused whether you’re a landlord, tenant, contractor or now as I am discovering employee. Prior to North London I have been lucky enough to live in the Far East, born in Hong Kong and in later years the Middle East. I now call Stoke Newington my home having lived in the area for over 25 years. Bringing up two kids who have attended local schools. I enjoy camping in Cornwall every summer and walking my dog Eric. He is sometimes in the office with me at Highbury so pop by and say hi.

Hi, my name is Laura and I am the Property Manager in our Highbury Office, having joined in June 2024. I have worked within the property industry for nearly 10 years, initially as a Lettings Negotiator, but found my real passion was looking after our tenants and properties to the highest of standards. I am a born and bred Northerner, but London quickly became my home and I now deem myself an honorary Southerner! When I am not in the office you will most likely find me with a cold pint in a hot beer garden… (if luck sees us well that is!)

Hi, I'm Eric and I am the emotional support officer at Hotblack Desiato Highbury. I live with my Mum and family in Stoke Newington, near the reservoir & Clissold Park where I can be found often on weekends running after my ball. Mum works in the Lettings department, and I often come to work with her, so you might see me running around the Fields at lunchtime too! My first role here was as head of security but I lost that position after an incident with a contractor who dropped some keys back late, and a bone from Godfrey's butchers; but I've signed an NDA so I can't talk about it. At my disciplinary, it was highlighted that working in property is a stressful job and that having a guy like me in the office is excellent for mental health and generally creating a more cheerful atmosphere, so I was re-deployed and I was told at my last one-to-one that I am far better suited to this position. Do pop in and say hi any time, I am extremely friendly and rarely say no to a dog biscuit.