The Accidental Estate Agent: A Journey from Pints to Properties

If you told 18-year-old me that one day I'd be running my own estate agency, I'd have laughed and poured you another pint.

That’s because my career began, quite literally, behind a bar—serving drinks, cracking jokes, and learning the art of customer service from a legendary Irishman named Donnie. He taught me a lot: how to keep a perfect pint, the power of a warm smile, and that no matter what, people always remember how you made them feel.

Then came my first ‘proper job’—frontline customer service for Transport for London at King's Cross Station. Back then, the area wasn’t exactly the vibrant, hipster hub it is now. My days consisted of chasing ticket touts and, on occasion, some rather enterprising ladies out of the ticket hall. It was an eye-opener, to say the least.

A Life-Changing Loss

Then life threw me a curveball I never saw coming. My dad passed away from bowel cancer at just 50 years old. I was 24, my younger brother was only 20. That moment shook me to my core. It made me realise that life is short and unpredictable and that I needed a plan—a long-term career where I could build something meaningful.

My dad was my hero. I idolised him. He managed my football teams at youth level, mentored me, and above all, taught me that integrity is everything. He worked for a company for most of his adult life, and gave them his absolute best, and yet when he was gone, he left no pathway or legacy for his sons. That didn’t sit right with me. I felt compelled to do it differently—to carve my own path, to take risks, and to ensure that whatever I built, it would last beyond me.

The Wrong Career and a New Direction

Numbers had always made sense to me, so accountancy seemed like the perfect fit. So, I did what any aspiring Jerry Maguire of the financial world would do—I joined Kingston Smith LLP as a trainee accountant. I nailed the studying but quickly realised that audit work was about as exciting as watching paint dry. My dreams of financial glory faded faster than my enthusiasm for spreadsheets. Show me the passion! I thought as I started questioning whether this was the right career for me.

So, I pivoted. If I couldn’t be the Jerry Maguire of accounting, maybe I could be the Jerry Maguire of football! I landed a job at the Middlesex County Football Association, working in the sport I loved. Unfortunately, the pay suggested it was more of a ‘passion project’ than a career. And when grassroots football participation took a nosedive, so did my role.

A new opportunity came knocking (or rather, another friend came to my rescue), and I stumbled into the relocation industry at Crown Worldwide. Here, I found my groove. I moved people across the globe, saved my department a cool £150,000 with an internal initiative, and genuinely loved what I did. But there was always that itch—the one that whispered, Maybe you should be your own boss… 

Taking the Leap into Property

In the background, my brother and I were knee-deep in a property development project. By 2016, it became clear that I needed to take the plunge. So, I did something bold (or maybe just reckless)—I left the comfort of salaried employment and went solo as a home-finding consultant. Terrifying? Absolutely. Worth it? 100%.

Then, in 2018, my life changed again—this time, for the better. My son, Raff—or '& Co' as he’s affectionately known—was born. Fatherhood gave me an entirely new perspective, one that emphasised the need for stability and long-term planning. I needed a role that provided structure, security, and the opportunity to forge a lasting career. With that in mind, I joined Savills.

Their reputation, brand status, and structured environment seemed like the perfect fit for my next move. I took to it instantly, my figures were exceptional, and I quickly progressed within the company. But ultimately, my outspoken nature, strong opinions, and unwavering moral compass didn’t align with theirs. In June 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic, Savills let me go.

Leslie & Co: A Different Kind of Estate Agency

That was my defining moment. At the age of 38, with no job, in the height of an unprecedented global pandemic, I had a choice—find another safe corporate role or back myself and build something meaningful. And so, Leslie & Co was born.

Most people fall into estate agency in this country—often as a gap year job or temporary work while figuring things out. With a low bar for service and no barrier to entry, the mediocre can succeed, earn good money, develop egos, and perpetuate the stereotypical English estate agent reputation.

But think about it—you walk into Tesla and get treated exceptionally well. The representative knows everything about the cars, and service levels are typically excellent. Yet when it comes to buying a home, often worth hundreds of thousands, sometimes millions, estate agents can be clueless. You get treated like just another number in the churn-and-burn machine.

It’s not like this in most of the developed western world. In places like the US, Canada, and Australia, estate agency is a respected profession—licensed, highly skilled, and with fees reflective of the expertise provided.

Because estate agency should be about supporting people during the most emotive and expensive transactions they are ever likely to undertake. It should be about empowering homeowners with a dedicated, data-driven approach that allows them to make informed decisions about their next steps.

A Commitment to Doing Things Differently

Not nonsensical, unsubstantiated overvaluations to win business, racing to the bottom on fees, and tying customers into long contracts—only to promise the world and underdeliver. After all, the bitterness of poor service lingers long after the sweetness of a cheap fee is forgotten.

It should be about integrity, about putting people before profits, and about creating a zero-excuse culture where results speak louder than gimmicks. Or, as Jerry Maguire would say, fewer clients and more personal attention. 

At Leslie & Co, our mission is simple: to change the perception of estate agency by delivering an experience that reflects the true value of what an estate agent should offer.

We’re not here to be the biggest; we’re here to be the best—measured by the satisfaction of our clients, the strength of our relationships, and the results we achieve.

I didn’t want to just start another estate agency—I wanted to do things differently. I wanted Raff to grow up seeing a different example, one where risks can lead to rewards, where integrity isn’t just a word but a way of doing business, and where success isn’t about being the biggest, but about doing things the right way. I don’t want him to just inherit a business—I want him to inherit a legacy. I want him to see that building something for yourself, something that lasts, is possible if you’re willing to back yourself. After all, I had already experienced the worst that could ever happen.

Why Leslie & Co?

At Leslie & Co, we do things differently. No minimum contracts, no nonsense—just honest advice, top-tier service, and a commitment to the community. Whether it’s supporting local businesses, sponsoring grassroots football, or simply ensuring our clients get the best possible outcome, we’re here to make a difference.

So, here I am. From pulling pints to pulling off sales, from chasing ticket touts to chasing property deals—every step has led me here. And I wouldn’t change a thing.

If you’re looking for an estate agent who values relationships over revenue, who sees people rather than pound signs, and who genuinely cares about getting the best result for you—then let’s talk. Because at Leslie & Co, we’re not just selling homes; we’re building legacies. Help me help you!