Experiencing the many ups and downs of the property market first-hand teaches you to take a considered view. It has given me a very practical approach to property matters which helps immensely when I am giving advice and guidance to clients.Andrew Pearce

Andrew is arguably the most experienced estate agent in Pinner.

He entered the profession in 1969 and qualified as a Surveyor four years later. Andrew has been a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors for more than 15 years and is also a member of the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation.

My father before me was a Chartered Surveyor," he says. "I was really interested in the technical side of property so it was a natural step to follow in the family tradition.

Forty years on, Andrew still loves the buzz and the challenge of a vibrant estate agency office and helping people with their property matters, whether that is buying and selling homes or services for the commercial sector. He is very 'hands on' and handles many valuations and sales in Pinner personally.

Over the years I have worked through the full spectrum of economic scenarios, from deep recession and the three day week in the 1970s to the property booms of the mid '80s and late '90s. Experiencing the many ups and downs of the property market first-hand teaches you to take a considered view. It has given me a very practical approach to property matters which helps immensely when I am giving advice and guidance to clients.

Andrew remains true to his conviction that a practice oriented towards service is the way forward. In January 2011, after 20 very successful years as Baker Pearce, he brought together all the disciplines of the property profession under one roof to offer a bespoke all-encompassing service to people in Pinner.

I've always been drawn to Pinner, he says. This is such a friendly community with a unique character. I wanted to break away from the normal estate agency mould and do things the Pinner way.

He rebranded the business as Andrew Pearce Estate Agents & Chartered Surveyors for residential sales and lettings, together with an integral and thriving commercial property business spanning north-west London.

Andrew's industrious enthusiasm for the property market has never wavered. Promoted to manager at the age of 22, Andrew divided his time between work and rebuilding a derelict cottage in Harrow. In 1980 he married, moved to Pinner and was invited into partnership at Wrethams, the local family estate agents and surveyors with offices in Pinner, Rayners Lane and Harrow. Andrew negotiated the sale of this practice to The Prudential before forming Baker Pearce in 1990.

Andrew brings the same passion and expertise to his hobbies. Leading his team of amateur sailors as skipper of his beloved Magnum, he has twice represented his country - in 2004 and 2008 - in the Commodores Cup, one of the main yachting international events in the northern hemisphere. There's nothing like it for teamwork, he enthuses. You are totally reliant on each other to cross the finishing line first. It's very competitive and the camaraderie is wonderful.

Andrew has rebuilt three 1930s MGs over the years. I bought my first one for £250 in 1973 as a present to myself for passing my surveyors exams and spent four years rebuilding it. I still love tinkering around under the bonnet and getting stuck in. It's the engineering side of me; I do love finding out how things work! says Andrew.

Andrew's wife, Hilary, is heavily involved with the local operatic society at Hatch End arts centre. Their three daughters grew up in Pinner and one is still a member of the St John's Church choir. I am really proud to live and work within this community and always strive to give something back, whether that's sponsoring local school fetes or selling tickets for the many social and cultural events in our neighbourhood.