Zulieka Davis has worked in property sales for over 15 years. She started as an estate agent in South London in 2004 and bought her first property after 18 months. She has since worked for various property companies in both sales and marketing roles. After taking time to travel through Southeast Asia, Davis returned to London and took her current role as Sales Manager at Atkinson Mcleod in Hackney, where she helps oversee the sale of homes in the area. Davis enjoys the diverse neighborhoods of Hackney and believes the area will continue developing in the future.

1. ABSOLUTELY Property
I
moved house seven times as a child, and
strangely enough I loved having a new room,
living in a new street and exploring new
areas. I am originally from London (born in
Dulwich) and at school I loved English, as
well as Art, and went on to study Graphic
Design and Typography. However, I always had a
burning desire to sell property.
I started out as an estate agent in 2004 in a
South London agency. I was on a mission to
buy a property and luckily it took me 18 months
to achieve my goal. The first role I has was as
a lettings negotiator in Oval and Kennington.
I soon learned that lettings wasn’t for me and
moved into sales in East Dulwich, just before that
area became the sought after location it is now. I
then went on to open a new office in Lewisham.
Following that, I left that company to work
for a central London agent, and during the
credit crunch years, post-2007, when the market
had died down, I decided to use that time to
add another string to my bow and moved into
the world of media. I began working for News
International on the property titles at The Times
and The Sunday Times. I worked as an Account
Manager for four years, managing the accounts of
advertising agencies and their clients’ exposure in
our print, online and iPad offerings.
After a while I grew bored of London and
decided to do a bit of travelling, as I hadn’t taken
the usual gap year after studying. I saved some
cash, rented out my flat, sold my car, quit my
job and went to South East Asia. It was a great
experience and extremely liberating for me.
When I came back, I learned about the role of
Sales Manager at Atkinson Mcleod in Hackney
where I currently work. I had always missed selling
property and being an agent. It’s my passion and
part of who I am. I went along for the interview
and here I am! We opened the doors of our
new office in October last year. Since then, we
have been extremely busy which is great and so
positive for a brand new office. The locals have
really welcomed us to the area.
After returning from my travels I decided
that if I was going to continue living in this
city, I really needed to fall back in love with
London, and it has been Hackney that has
helped me do that. I love that each section
of the area has its own totally different vibe
and character. From London Fields and
the Broadway market, to the open spaces
and village feel of Victoria Park, the ever
increasingly popular Chatsworth Road, and
the stunning streets of De Beauvoir.
Our offices are located right next to the
Hackney Empire which is a reminder of the
history in Hackney, and I love the grade II
listed properties in the area. We’re also really
close to Hackney Picture House, it’s great to be
able to pop in to catch a film on a weeknight. I
really appreciate the independent coffee shops
here like Hackney Bureau further along Mare
Street and L’eau à la Bouche on Broadway
Market.
I feel Hackney and its surroundings will
continue to develop and grow in the future.
Areas neighbouring the hot spots are
benefitting from the ripple effect and growth
that has impacted upon particular pockets of
this part of East London. The “Fashion Hub” is
also an exciting project that will bring further
develop the area, and I cant wait to see it all
unfold, knowing I’ve been a part of it. I feel
blessed to work in such an evolving part of
London that I feel so enthusiastic about.
020 8510 4430; atkinsonmcleod.com
Zulieka Davis
Sales Manager: Atkinson McLeod, Hackney
WORDS
In their own
Photography: Sebastian Barros
76 77