Voices in Property - Trevor Abrahmsohn

Welcome to our quick-fire spotlight on industry leaders and entrepreneurs in Property.

In this edition, Trevor Abrahmsohn, Director at Glentree Estates, shares personal insights and experiences with anyone who may be currently working in or aspiring to join the London property industry.

What are you most proud of in your career?

Leaving footprints in the snow and never having broken my word in 52 years!

I hope I leave the Industry in far better condition than when I started. I have always tried to protect my clients’ interests, regardless of effort or cost.

I started Fabric Magazine and OnTheMarket.com, but unfortunately, I never received a thank you for 30 years of pro-bono work. 

First property job and how you got it?

From dentistry, I started my career in estate agency in November 1974, just after the secondary banking crash. It was the worst month of the worst post-war year that anyone could have started in commerce. I was ‘wet behind the ears’, ‘pregnant with promise’ and wanting to reinvent the Industry, which was Dickensian at best. I wanted to make a difference, and I believe that my unfettered selling techniques were unique at the time and helped propel Glentree to success. 

My next-door neighbour was an estate agent, and I joined his business at a time when the whole selling team had ‘thrown in the towel,’ as the market was so bad! It was like trying to start a business in Hiroshima the day after the bomb!

What motivates you?

Pride in my work and doing audacious deals which my peers feel are very difficult.

I have always felt that the impossible is perfectly possible, it just takes a bit longer.

Best advice for preparing for an interview?

Do your research, be confident, and ‘charm the pants off’ the interviewer.

You don’t like holidays or time off. You would eat and sleep in the office if you could. Sick days are verboten, and being paid is a luxury!

What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

After hearing the tenth No, the eleventh is the answer you want!

Which leader, entrepreneur, founder, or CEO inspires you?

Winston Churchill. 

Facing insuperable odds, he galvanised the Nation and was determined never to give up. He was wise, resourceful, and his military planning was immaculate.

When WWII started, our Navy was competent, but the RAF was nonexistent. Thank goodness for that idiot, Neville Chamberlain, who filibustered Hitler, giving Britain the chance to build up a meaningful Air Force. In the Battle of Britain, the Luftwaffe amassed the greatest number of aeroplanes ever assembled in order to bomb the UK back to the Stone Age and submission. Our brave airmen in their Spitfires and Hurricanes, gave them a ‘bloody nose’ and the rest is history.

Your best deal?

I sold the most expensive house in the world, in London, in 1993, and nobody knew anything about it to this day!

What’s your favourite restaurant?

Demartino, Great Portland Street. They serve an inexpensive chicken

Milanese with pasta, which is award-winning!

Apple or Android?

Apple anytime!

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Should you have any enquiries, email us at info@collinspropertyrecruitment.com or give us a call on 020 7435 0309.