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Kenny has recently joined the firm as our Head of Estate Agency. Kenny was born in Nigeria, his family then moved to Prestwick and then Dumfries where he started his education before moving to Musselburgh and on to Loretto school in Musselburgh. Kenny continued his education at the University of Aberdeen where he earned a BSc in Agriculture. Kenny then moved to London where he stayed for several years before relocating to sunny Portugal. Kenny and his family settled and lived in Portugal until they returned to Scotland and moved into the Borders six years ago. Kenny now lives in Peebles and loves its beautiful location and sense of community. Kenny has worked in property for twenty-three years, beginning his career as an Estate Agent in London before moving to work in Portugal and then later in Scotland. Kenny brings a wealth of experience and is very familiar with the local market. Kenny loves all things property, but has a particular interest in architecture and the variety and development of construction over time. The history and evolution of engineering, structure and styles of property is something that Kenny is passionate about. Kenny’s favourite thing about being an Estate Agent is meeting and getting to know people from all walks of life and he loves seeing, visiting (and selling) all types of property. Kenny has many interests outside of Estate Agency and property. He loves sport and enjoys both watching and playing golf and tennis. He enjoys being home and having time to work in his garden but he also has a passion for travelling and seeing the world. Kenny enjoys entertaining and when he is not working he will often be found in the kitchen cooking for his friends and family. Kenny’s children also love sport and he is supporting them with his position as the treasurer of the Borders U17 netball club. Kenny’s three favourite things (in no particular order) are: Portuguese red wine; travelling and spending quality time with his wife and children; and Watching rugby, in particular Edinburgh/Glasgow/Scotland matches.

Annette is our Property Manager and works in our Estate Agency department. Annette has worked for Blackwood & Smith for over twenty years, having previously worked in the whisky industry and also a brief period teaching in the Middle East. Originally from Kilmarnock and schooled at Kilmarnock Academy, Annette has lived in Peebles for 26 years. There are almost too many things to mention but with its central location, beautiful scenery, wonderful walks, busy social calendar and its lovely people Annette adores living in Peebles. Annette has worked at Blackwood and Smith for over 24 years and enjoys meeting new people. Annette is passionate about property and knows the Peeblesshire market inside out. It is not unusual for Annette to carry out a valuation and be able to tell a homeowner that she has sold their house previously (sometimes more than once)! Annette’s greatest strengths are her outstanding negotiating skills. With more and more budget or online only estate agents around prioritising a quick sale and not necessarily at the best price, Annette’s traditional approach prioritising negotiation leads to many clients achieving a better price than they otherwise would with other agents. Annette loves selling property and her favourite part of her job is securing a great sale price and making clients happy. When Annette isn’t at work selling your properties she enjoys cooking, cleaning, reading and watching a good crime thriller. Annette loves travelling and has been lucky enough to live in and travel to lots of exciting places. Annette’s three favourite things are: family, travelling and going out for delicious food.

Amy is our newest Estate Agent. Amy has lived in Peebles from birth, starting her education at local primary school Kingsland and continuing on to Peebles High School. She loves living in the Borders and her favourite thing about Peebles is the support and closeness of the local community. Amy has always had a keen interest in property; she loves looking at different houses and gets excited about identifying the potential in each and every one. Growing up locally and in recent years having kept an eye on the local market, she is thriving in her Estate Agency career! If you are local you may already be familiar with Amy from her time at Bank of Scotland and more recently with Evolution Bottling and Packaging Solutions. Before these roles she worked in Mortgage Servicing for Barclays. Amy has a long career history of excellent client care. Her exceptional customer service experience is a huge advantage when helping clients sell their homes. Amy is a highly organised and motivated individual and the combination of these skills means that your property is in safe hands. Amy loves supporting people through the process of selling their homes. Her favourite part of her job is helping people find a dream home that ticks all of their boxes. In her free time you will find Amy cheering on her boys at judo or football. Amy likes to play the piano in her spare time, and comes from a very musical family. If she manages to get some time to herself (this can sometimes be a rare occurrence with two young children) she can be found in a quiet corner completing a good jigsaw. Amy’s three favourite things (in no particular order) are: Family; DIY and Music

Sarah is our Marketing Manager. Sarah is responsible for creating and implementing the Firm’s marketing strategy but also works alongside the team in our Property Shop using her expertise to assist estate agency clients in the marketing of their homes. Originally from Larne in Northern Ireland, Sarah moved to Scotland in 2002 to study for a Marketing and Business Degree in Dundee. Since graduating in 2006 Sarah has worked in marketing roles for several large companies, including two large law firms in Dundee and Edinburgh. Sarah now lives locally after moving to Peebles 6 years ago. Her favourite thing about living in the Borders is the sense of community. Peebles reminds her of the small town where she grew up in Northern Ireland, and is also the perfect place to raise a family. Sarah’s favourite part of her job is the ever-evolving nature of marketing. She loves learning and developing new skills and implementing them in her daily job. She also loves seeing a project develop through from start to finish and then coming to life. Sarah’s three favourite things are: City breaks, baking & long lie-ins (which are currently a rare treat with three children).

Claire is one of the newest members of the team and is in charge of Business Development and project implementation. Claire is originally from the central belt but now lives locally in West Linton. She attended school in Stirling and then the University in Aberdeen to study Law. With its beautiful views and sense of community she loves living in the Scottish Borders. Raising a young family, it feels like a lovely, safe and vivifying place to raise a family. Claire originally trained and practiced as a solicitor in Edinburgh before taking a career break returning to work with Blackwood & Smith in August 2022. Claire is reasonably busy with work and two young children but enjoys baking, knitting and sewing with any free time. She loves organising and planning and is the Chair of her children’s school PTA committee. Claire enjoys meeting with new people which she gets to do on a regular basis as part of her job. She is very detail orientated and enjoys problem solving so loves starting (and finishing) a project and seeing any improvements made in action. Claire is excited to see the firm thrive and continue to grow. Claire’s three favourite things are: spending time with her family, party planning and going on holiday and being warmed by the sun.

Struan is a Partner at Blackwood & Smith. Struan takes a particular interest in all aspects of property law, including the purchase and sale of residential, commercial and rural property, and also commercial leasing. Struan also assists clients with private client work including, Wills Executry Administration and Powers of Attorney. Struan became a Partner in 2017 having originally joined the Firm as a Trainee Solicitor in 2011. Brought up in Innerleithen, Struan studied law at the University of Aberdeen before moving back to the area in 2010. Struan currently lives in West Linton with his wife and two young children. Struan loves living in the Scottish Borders and thinks that it is the best place to raise a family. Struan sits on the Council of the Law Society of Scotland, the governing body of the Society, as well as the Society’s Property Law Committee. Struan is also a founding member and the current Chairperson of the Scottish Conveyancers Forum. Through his involvement in the Property Law Committee and Scottish Conveyancers Forum, Struan is involved at the forefront of developments in Scottish property law and practice, including participating in working parties involved in drafting the latest versions of the Scottish Standard Clauses, New Build Standard Clauses and PSG Residential styles. He is also a Member of the Society of Writers to the Signet. Struan’s favourite part of his job is the satisfaction of completing multiple transactions on a Friday and then heading home for a well-deserved beer. With two young children Struan doesn’t have a lot of time for hobbies but when he is not working he enjoys, reading, walking and watching sport (he is not himself a sportsman so prefers to watch). Struan’s three favourite things are: his family, being on holiday (somewhere different each time), and cricket.

Fiona Fleming is a Partner at Blackwood and Smith and joined the firm in 2003. She provides advice on a variety of private client matters including Wills, Powers of Attorney Trust Administration and Executries. Along with her colleagues Fiona also provides advice in relation to residential sales and purchases. Fiona attended school and university in Edinburgh but has called Peebles home since she moved here over 30 years ago. She loves the mix of independent shops, businesses and the easy access to the gorgeous countryside. Fiona believes that the role of a solicitor in a rural practice such as Blackwood and Smith is to offer specialist legal advice as required, but also to act as a trusted adviser on whom clients can depend to look after their interests as they would their own. Outside of work Fiona is an avid gardener and a keen sailor. Her 3 favourite things are: sunshine, sea breezes and bananas!