In just eight years, Jessica Bishop has worked her way up to become one of London’s most successful – and best-known – real estate brokers. With £750mn worth of deals done – including several over the £40mn mark – the DDRE Global star is in the vanguard of young, high-profile advisors making waves on the PCL scene. In conversation with PrimeResi, she discusses her meteoric rise from admin assistant to super-prime dealmaker, what prompted her to choose self-employment over corporate life, her most memorable sales & the big trends at play at the top-end of the market…

You began your career just eight years ago, starting as an admin assistant at Knight Frank’s Kensington branch and working your way up to becoming one of London’s most successful brokers; what were the key lessons you learned early on, and what advice would you give someone taking their first steps in the luxury real estate industry today?

Pitching for business is one of the greatest skills of a real estate advisor and I learned very early there are two critical factors when pitching. One is knowledge based – be as prepared as possible. And secondly, which is arguably more importantly, is to show your enthusiasm for the house and working with the client. I used to believe that I had to be very ‘professional’, which from what I had learnt translated into being ‘serious’. However, I realised clients are looking for passion and enthusiasm.

Often their home will be their greatest asset and they want to work with someone is unashamedly eager to sell their property. Of course, you need to read the room, but I don’t think you can go overboard on enthusiasm! Clients value speed and efficiency. Whilst you might be new in the game, and not know as much as your mentors and competitors, or be as skilled at pitching or navigating deals, you can work harder than them. I responded to a buyer immediately at 11pm and he said he knew then that he wanted to work with me. Three years later he is still a client and still brings this up. This will place you well whilst you build up your reputation and network.

What are the main differences between your day-to-day role now, as a DDRE Global advisor, and life in the corporate agency world?

One of the main differences is I’m now able to dedicate more time to my clients, whether that is in person or over the phone. Being self-employed, I’ve much more flexibility with my time and can follow the relationship wherever it takes me, rather than being confined to a limited area. I’m now highly client-focused, prioritising the delivery of exceptional service over having to meet specific KPIs, which is one of my favourite aspects of my role at DDRE Global.

You have transacted on over £750mn-worth of real estate to date, including multiple deals above £40mn; which deals have been the most memorable, and do you have a favourite amongst the properties you have sold?

Over the course of my career, I have two standout deals. It might come as a surprise to some, but they aren’t the highest value.

The first was the sale of a house in Ilchester Place priced at £27.3 million. It was a corporate transaction which involved managing 18 different lawyers, accountants, and tax advisors across three different jurisdictions and time zones. It was a huge learning curve and consumed my life for six months. The lead lawyer said he had never worked with an agent that had navigated a deal so effectively and it would not have been done without my lead and direction on both sides. This was extremely satisfying as, historically, people have overlooked the role of an agent in a deal.

The second was a small one-bedroom apartment in Maida Vale priced at £610,000. My client was an elderly lady moving into a retirement home and was willing to accept £600,000 to get it sold, but I managed to negotiate an extra £10,000 which made a huge difference to her circumstances. In fact, I received a very emotional call from her niece to explain this covered three years’ worth of service charge in the new retirement home and was so helpful. It was incredibly heartwarming knowing I’d made such a difference. My client still follows me on LinkedIn and likes my posts.

Research tells us that elite-level buyers are getting younger; what do today’s HNW buyers most value in a property agent/broker, and how is the broker-client relationship evolving?

While knowledge and the ability to execute the deal remain essential, clients also want to enjoy working with their advisor. Since these relationships can last a long time, through many future purchases and sales, it’s crucial that the broker understands their clients’ values, interests, and lifestyle preferences. It’s similar to being part of a members’ club — clients want their broker to genuinely belong, not just be another face in a shiny suit.

Around half of your clients are US-based looking to buy or rent in London; what is driving this trend, and which are currently the most popular addresses here for high-end American buyers?

Practically speaking, America has more millionaires than Ireland has people. As the fastest-growing demographic, it makes sense that this wealth, including newly acquired wealth, will seek investment opportunities outside the US. Americans have a romantic vision of London – you can replicate a beautiful penthouse, but you can’t replicate the culture and history of London. Ultimately, they feel comfortable here and there is no language barrier. Americans are already taxed on their worldwide income, so to remove non-dom status does not affect them as significantly as it does other ultra-high-net-worth individuals.

In terms of where they are looking, new build developments across London and family homes in golden postcodes such as Kensington and Notting Hill remain popular with US buyers.

What attributes afford a property “best-in-class” status, in your opinion? Are there any new residential developments – in the UK or internationally – you have been particularly impressed by recently?

The quality in the UK is far higher than anywhere else that I have seen internationally throughout my career. A “best-in-class” property is one where views, ceiling height, location and finish are all unrivalled. For example, the finish at Holland Park Gate is meticulous and the service impeccable.

You have previously credited DDRE Global’s ADVSR platform as a key tool in your dealmaking; can you talk us through how it works, and what advantages it gives you as a broker?

Essentially, ADVSR enables me to connect with brokers around the world and foster global collaboration, giving them the opportunity to present my listings to their clients and trusted contacts under their own personal brand, and vice versa. The technology is also the first to manage the sharing of details around off-market instructions with full control of access and no digital footprint. In an industry traditionally working in silos and competing for so-called market share, this is a real game changer. Through ADVSR, I’m working together with like-minded advisors to offer access to 100% of the market, internationally. I’ve had more viewings as a result and therefore, a happier client.

Are there any other tech advances in the real estate space that you are excited about?

We are building something very exciting at DDRE Global which is game changing for the industry… watch this space!

Your hugely popular social media content transcends property and lifestyle; does this generate new business directly or is it more about brand-building?

It definitely generates lots of new business for me – and DDRE Global more broadly. I’m currently marketing a house in Kensington priced at £6.25mn and my client found me on Instagram. I’ve also sold a £25mn house thanks to my Instagram page. The buyer was referred to me by a friend and, before contacting me, she researched my Instagram to see if she would like working with me. She particularly loved my ‘outfit of the days’ and ‘colourful’ Instagram – saying it was a breath of fresh air compared to who she had been speaking to. They went onto purchase an investment property from me at circa £6mn just two years later.

DDRE Global recently starred in Netflix series Buying London; did it give a true reflection of life at the agency, and what has been the upshot of all the attention it received?

Principally, Buying London is a show to entertain and anyone expecting a documentary is going to be disappointed! Our working days are long and impossible to capture in a few hours of footage so, inevitably, a lot of the less impactful context is left on the cutting room floor. It has had a phenomenal impact on the business, regardless, with DDRE Global seeing a record performance since it landed. For me personally, I was contacted by someone I met two years ago playing tennis on holiday. Having watched Buying London and seeing that I worked at DDRE Global, they decided to reach out again after all this time. They have since invited me to pitch for a house worth £20 million – watch this space…

How different do you think the UK estate agency industry will look in ten years time?

It has already changed so much in my eight-year career, and that was before the introduction of AI and the daily use of social channels. In the future, I have no doubt that everything will be automated and digitalised through AI. Everyone will have content creators rather than EAs and it will therefore all be about the service of the individual.

If you were in charge for the day, what one policy change would you make to improve the way the market works?

Amendments to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) are essential, as it is the most prohibitive part of the buying process and stifling supply as many empty nesters have little incentive to move with such a financial hit waiting for them. My focus would be on helping those trying to enter the property market, particularly for homes under £1 million. Reducing SDLT would invigorate the lower end of the market and create a healthier housing environment in the UK.

The current SDLT system has stagnated the market, inflated rental prices, and contributed to the housing crisis. In the Netherlands, where there is no SDLT, it is much easier for individuals to build wealth. Meanwhile, a yearly paid tax, like in the US, has a lot of merit. Paid annually as a more manageable sum, it removes the strong disincentive to moving – up or down –while still maintaining an income for the government. In a society that values social mobility, real estate is a key avenue for economic growth.

The high SDLT also fosters negative perceptions of the super-prime market and the high-net-worth community, as they are resented for their ability to afford such taxes.

What’s your latest cultural recommendation? (e.g. a book/film/exhibition)

I’ve recently read Role Play by Clara Drummond and would highly recommend. The book uncovers the superabundances of Brazilian elites – their art, ethics, and monied ambivalence in the face of social inequality, machismo, and violence. The book’s main character, Vivian is a curator, not just at her gallery gig in Rio de Janeiro, but in every aspect of her life.

What’s the best advice you have ever received?

Someone once told me to always think about how you can help first. It will change the dynamic of the conversation and relationship.

IG. jessica.bishop.property
L. linkedin.com