Highbury Team

Alasdair is one of the partners and a director of Hotblack Desiato, based in the Highbury office. Alasdair worked in the music business and catering, as well as other nationally based agencies before joining Hotblack in 2009. Born in Paddington, he lived in the Middle East as a child, then Scotland, Oxford and Hampshire before ending up back near where he started. Alasdair is a keen cyclist, and pleased to be so given the traffic and parking in Islington… He loves being part of the community in Islington, Highbury & Stoke Newington, enjoying the fact we have so many independent retailers & businesses locally which give such a rich and unique personality to the area. He likes to give measured, sensible advice and build relationships rather than simply trying to win short term business. Outside of work he spends a lot of time on his bike, in the US where his partner's family are from, and enjoys quality time with their cats, friends and family.

Al's favourite thing about North London: I love the view of the skyline from Primrose Hill. It frustrates me that my favourite coffee is from Peckham but at least I can buy it locally.

Daniel first came to Hotblack Desiato in 2014 and worked in the Islington office for four years as a lettings negotiator before moving to one of the larger corporate firms to see how life was on the other side! He benefitted from that clearly; he was offered the manager's role in Highbury a couple of years later and is now an Associate Director of the firm. Outside of work Dan likes to travel, keep fit and eat out with his friends.

Daniel's favourite thing about North London: Definitely the restaurants. You can't beat Green Lane's Mediterranean cuisine!

Saskia works as a senior sales negotiator/ lister covering Islington and Highbury. After deciding university wasn't for her and a year of dog walking, Saskia realised that she wanted to start a career in property and became an estate agent in Finchley. However lovely Finchley was, Saskia wanted to start selling properties in a more diverse, visionary area so, she joined Hotblack Desiato. She thinks this was the right call, as since joining in 2021, it's absolutely flown by! She puts that down to the lovely clientele and buyers surrounding the Highbury and Islington community and she thrives on 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 she will always enjoy and take pride in doing.

Saskia's favourite thing about North London: Camden market, and as a Hampstead girl of course the Heath

Oliver left school straight after his GCSEs having always had a burning desire to make something of himself outside of education. He went straight into his father's estate agency in Bedfordshire and learnt the basics, then moved to an agency in Finchley, and then the pull of a more central, buzzy environment brought him to Hotblack Desiato in 2023. Despite supporting Spurs - a tricky position to take when working in Islington… - Ollie has found himself thriving into the property industry.

Ollie's favourite thing about North London: I'm going to have to say it, White Hart Lane!

Local boy Gino grew up in N1 and NW1, with a view of estate agents as being flash and untrustworthy types. He thinks that image has shifted and works hard every day to give a great service - he is one of our most lauded colleagues on the Google reviews… Gino has developed a few properties over the years so he knows what appeals and landlords find his advice an added bonus they don't get from other agents. When not working Gino is busy keeping up with his partner and two young daughters, getting back to the office is a relief

Gino's favourite thing about North London: Of course, the mighty Arsenal!

A veteran of the fast-paced world of advertising, Rachel bowed out of creative and clients with the birth of her first child. She started her own small boutique agency from her home in Stoke Newington, but she did so well that she came on Hotblack's radar and was snapped up to join the lettings team. Rachel always liked Hotblack's presence as an independent and ethical estate agency who put clients before profit. Like Hotblack Desiato, Rachel's approach is people focused whether landlord or tenant. Prior to North London, Rachel was born in Hong Kong and lived in the Far East but has called Stoke Newington her home for over 25 years. Outside the office, Rachel loves camping in Cornwall, and walking her terrier Eric who is often in the office if you're lucky!

Rachel's favourite thing about North London: As a Stoke Newington girl, it's the funky boutiques and Clissold Park for me, as well as Woodberry Wetlands. Eric loves taking me walking round there on a weekend

Laura is the property manager for the Highbury portfolio, and has been in the property industry for nearly a decade. She started her foray into agency as a negotiator, so the has good experience of what tenants are looking for which stands her in good stead. Laura found out her real passion was in looking after tenants and nurturing those relationships, so has flourished in this role. Laura is a born and bred Northerner, but London quickly became her home; she deems herself an honorary Southerner. When not working Laura can usually be found in a beer garden with a cold pint - weather permitting.

Laura's favourite thing about North London: Easy access to the M1 and M6!

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.