More detail on how I came to be here can be found on the ‘Making of Imagine’ page.

The challenge in recruiting a team for this business is that clients, quite rightly, expect us to be open very long hours, to be knowledgeable and professional on housing and financial matters and have great people skills. However, in my experience, the individuals who will do the hours are usually young, inexperienced and lacking in people skills and the ones who do retain those qualities don’t want to work the hours. The team below have been hand picked to ensure we can cover all bases. If they are young they are well mannered, none cocky and happy to pass on difficult situations to more experienced hands and if they are a bit older they are still young enough to retain the enthusiasm to put in the hours required.

With respect to the entire team, Glenn is my 'main man' at Watford. He's the person I turned to when I moved 'upstairs' to develop the business. I trusted him to run the branch and to deliver the Imagine service in the way I want it done. It's like handing over your child to allow someone to manage your own business and not a decision made lightly. Glenn is the most talented agent I have ever had work for me and that made the decision a good deal easier. Additionally he is surely the man with the loveliest hair in estate agency. It's only since working with Glenn I discovered there were men on this planet who used hair straighteners.

Danny arrives with 'Legend' status stamped on his back having spent over ten years in the industry performing at the highest level. A one company man till now he sought brighter surroundings, new challenges and a pay rise. When none of those materialised Imagine happily snapped him up! Hopefully he can now scale even greater heights although that's not altogether difficult for Danny as he's not the tallest chap in the world and most things require him to scale some amount of height. I'm not saying he's short, but it's the first time I have ordered a company vehicle to come with a booster seat installed for the driver!

After 3 years loyal service Tom was promoted in 2010 to be a Senior Negotiator. He's one of the most likeable chaps you could wish to meet. Unassuming, respectful, well mannered, hard working and ambitious, it's a combination that regularly gets me letters from clients declaring their appreciation. He's spent time in Lettings and Sales to become the well rounded individual we see today with a real grasp for all aspects of the industry.

Watching over the flock like a proud Mother Hen, Valerie keeps everyone in check as the voice of experience she undoubtedly is. Battling back to working life after two knee replacement operations she is another truly hard working character whose effort level would shame many half her age. Her role is undoubtedly the most difficult of all the staff as she is directly in the firing line of clients during the transaction process when they are at their most stressed. Not a position for the faint hearted and one she carries out with real integrity. When she first joined I was really concerned about the use of colourful language and near the knuckle humour, but to be fair to her she has kept it down to a minimum.

Mark is a class act. Very experienced, with over twenty years in the industry although annoyingly aside from a few grey hairs that don't show up in his picture he never seems to age. Very assured and adept at calmly dealing with the stresses and strains that can come with working in Lettings. We converted him from having spent all his formative years on the Sales side of the business to take over Lettings as a fresh challenge. When he joined Imagine he originally took just a six month contract. We're are now heading for six years together and I still see no signs of him going anywhere else - thankfully!!

Claire is one of the easiest employees to manage I've ever worked with. She never gets emotionally carried away, whether things are going for her or against her, she is just consistently easy going and well natured. This make her a calming influence on those around her which is useful in what can be a stressful environment. Despite her placid demeanour she does also hold the Imagine world record for lets agreed in a month - a staggering 17!!!

Darren joined us on one of the stranger career re-routes we've encountered. He arrived via a stint working at Mecca Bingo and so to make him feel at home I've used traditional bingo calls to introduce him - Since he first No. 4 (Knocked at my door) undoubtedly he's shown me he's No. 15 (young and keen). He's promised me he will No. 75 (strive and strive) to No. 71 (Bang the drum) about all our properties for sale and to let. When challenges arise he's committed to push No. 82 (Straight on through) and can't wait to hand over his first No. 21 (Key to the Door). If that wasn't corny enough - how's this for a finale...Next time he shouts 'House' let's hope it's because he's sold one!!!

To Sales people administration is often considered a necessary evil and as such can be treated a little lapsidazically. That's why it is vital I employ some different individuals who thrive on figures, attention to detail and order. Miranda is one such person who likes to have everything neat , tidy, in its place and accurate. In her accounts role those are vital qualities that make her all the more valuable.

Katrina is an experienced Property Manager who brings real charm and charisma to the administrative role she undertakes. Very personable and approachable, tenants, landlords, contractors and other staff have all taken to her almost overnight. She is the initial point of contact for all new managed lets as well and taking on the lion's share of our property inspections. Her other main task is to oversee the Check Outs at end of tenancies and smooth over that process. Carries everything out with a smile, top girl!

Jason's background was in the hotel and catering industry. He had become disillusioned with the lack of rewards for his hard work and turned to Estate Agency in 2007. In Imagine he found the perfect company to suit his style. His strong customer service attributes tied in with our ethos and he climbed the ladder very quickly to earn the chance to have a stake in his own office in 2009. He's battled to meet the challenges of running a business, while building a stand out reputation in Bushey as a considerate and hardworking person who genuinely cares about his clients requirements. In 2011 with his business enjoying increasing success, his burgeoning confidence saw him shedding the pounds and getting in shape to swim in The London Triathlon.

Spring 2011 recruit in preparation for our advance on St Albans in 2012. Jamie comes highly recommended from working in North London where he climbed the ranks from Trainee to Branch Manager in 5 years. Cool, confident, determined, hard working and mature beyond his years, Jamie represents exactly the type of character we look for in the business. His constant enthusiasm makes him great fun to be around and rubs off on his colleagues. He considers himself one of the better looking chaps in the team, which may well be true, but then the standard of competition should be factored in!!

A Summer 2011 starter Matt secured the job after he told me about his exploits with the UK Maccabi football squad. This collection of the most talented young Jewish footballers is not easy to be part of, but his determination to succeed and be part of it was quite inspiring. He subsequently played in tournaments around the world in front of thousands of people. His audience may not be quite as large these days, but that level of commitment he displayed will stand him in very good stead in this industry. We have high hopes for him.

Marcia had a brief stint with Imagine back in 2009, but circumstances meant she moved on as quickly as she started. However, she had created an excellent impression with her ability to do the job and so when Jupiter's moon drifted, the stars collided and fate bought her back on to my radar it didn't take too long for us to agree terms and start back where we left off.

She intersperses her Letting duties with Sunday stints as a Wedding Dress model, although when I suggested that must mean people are getting married later in life, it didn't go down to well.

Undoubtedly one of the world's most immaculately manicured men, Gio always looks as though he has come straight from the tailors. I've become convinced he transports a 'Corby' trouser press with him at all times. I've never seen a hair out of place (although he has less volume to worry about than once he did) and you could use his shoes as mirrors they gleam so much. To top it all, I don't mind admitting he always smells delicious. I'd have him around the place purely to gaze at, but as a bonus he happens to be a very high quality Broker as well. We first worked together over a decade ago and he remains the finest exponent of the mortgage business I have come across. Not directly employed by Imagine, he is fully Independent in terms of lenders and able to offer advice as such.

Samantha is a Bushey local who has set about forging a career in the TV and Film world. Various presenting roles including as host on Psychic TV (which she knew she was going to get) among other shows, as well as some short films soon to be aired on Sky have set her on her way. Imagine TV is of course a career highlight to date, on route to her ultimate goal of starring in Eastenders! We detect a certain likeness to a young Peggy Mitchell which surely opens up casting opportunities. Find out more about Sam at www.samanthamacnicol.com.