Islington Team

Managing director James spent the majority of his life living in various parts of Islington. He started at the firm in 1989 under the tutelage of Geoffrey Hotblack and rose to partnership in 1998. He opened the Highbury office in 2006 and ran that before handing it over to Alasdair. He now looks after new business, working with developers and contractors which he finds pleasantly challenging, as well as the small business of running the firm! To unwind he gets on his bike and goes cycling. He also organises the Hotblack bike rides, a great way for everyone to get together out of the office and keep fit too!

James' favourite thing about North London: Largely flat from the river up to Muswell Hill, but plenty of hills further north to get my Tour de France on…

One of the few true home boys, Jake was born in Canonbury in 1971, and had the pleasure of going to Canonbury school. 26 years later, his children followed in his footsteps. When his first child went, he was shocked at how small the hall was and how little the climbing frames were. His primary love (after his wife and four children ) is skiing, and he spent 6 years as an instructor in the French Alps and touring the world. However, a broken back cut that career short. He started in estate agency in 1995, joining Hotblack Desiato in 1998 with partnership following in 2023. He skis as often as having 4 children allows, and he has a passion for design/ architecture and sailing.

Jake's favourite thing about North London: I do like the cricket at Lords on a summer afternoon...

Head of Lettings Jess has lived in North London all her life, and is the youngest of 4 siblings. Having previously worked in the Camden Branch, she took a break and moved into the busy and wonderful world that is Islington. She took some time out to explore her passion for baking, which she have loved since she was a child. During her time away, she enrolled in a patisserie school and qualified as a pastry chef. Jess can either be found at home covered in flour, shouting at people on the 'Great British Bake Off' and playing netball in the park.

Jess' favourite thing about North London: I've never been south of Waterloo so I really can't comment

Born and raised in Islington, Maya began working for Hotblack Desiato after she had graduated from Bournemouth with a degree in Photography in 2019. Having worked in our Camden office for 2 years, Maya is now based in her local office in Islington and loving it. On the weekends she enjoys going on runs, spending time at home, and visiting the great pubs that North London has to offer. If you're ever wondering down Upper Street, please feel free to free to pop in for a chat

Maya's favourite thing about North London: Most weekends find me pottering in the homeware shops on Upper Street - Aria, Twenty/ 21, I need to let more flats!

Charlie works a Lettings Negotiator in Islington. He joined Hotblacks in July '22, straight after studying Real Estate Management at Oxford Brookes Uni. Charlie transferred to Lettings after 2.5 years in Islington & Highbury Sales. He was lucky enough to grow up in Highbury, and has always lived in the area, so when the opportunity to work at Hotblacks popped up, it just made sense. Charlie's approach to this job is a bit unorthodox, he is absolutely not a "salesperson" in the sense that he won't ever push people towards things they are unsure about. He sees himself as more of a matchmaker, who benefits from knowing buyers well, building strong relationships, and just being quite straightforward with people - and it seems to work! Charlie's favourite part of the job is cycling around Highbury in the sun, and his biggest achievement so far is probably being the two-year reigning Fantasy Football Champion, but to be honest there isn't much competition here. Maybe one day he'll compete in terms of his professional achievements also.

Charlie's favourite thing about North London: I am a fashion guru - Soho and Spitalfields for the little indie shops…

Samatha joined Hotblack Desiato's property management team in 2014 and received a warm and friendly welcome from everybody. Originally from up north Samantha has lived in London for over 20 years. She enjoys being a property manager - she feels it keeps her on her toes as no day is the same. She is a 'people person' and naturally goes above and beyond to meet the needs and requirements of clients and tenants. In her spare time she enjoys chilling and spending time with family near Birmingham, they do great fish and chips up there! She also enjoys travelling, reading, cooking and studying historic pictures. She also collects old dictionaries - she loves words

Samantha's favourite thing about North London: Absolutely nothing, I live in South London!

Rita joined the firm in 2020, working with the Highbury team and the moved on to take over the Block portfolio. Having grown up in N5 she feels the area is the perfect fit. Rita has years of experience in ASTs and property management, and is excited to bring her skills to the table. She currently works across the estate, ensuring the blocks are managed to the highest standard. Outside of work, Rita is always with family or socialising with friends. She enjoys travelling, staying active and indulging in good food

Rita's favourite thing about North London: The restaurants! You could spend a lifetime just going to a different place every night on Upper Street

Coming all the way from sunny Cornwall, Ali graduated from Oxford Brookes and went straight into estate agency. He enjoys tennis, socialising and of course surfing - as you'd expect from a former Cornwall resident. The bright lights big city of Islington and North London are a welcome evolution from the streets of Oxford and Ali gets a lot of reward out of the joy people clearly experience at key handover

Ali's favourite thing about North London: When you come here you think it's going to be all serious and impersonal but I love the communities of all the separate places