On this day 20 years ago, John collected the keys to 82 Pitshanger Lane and grabbed a paintbrush - and there began an incredible journey - sometimes frustrating, always rewarding - to become a well and truly established business "on the Lane".

In those 20 years, it has been a pleasure and privilege for John to be involved in the lives of so many individuals, helping them to achieve their goal of living in Pitshanger and seeing new families with babes in arms become part of the community - with some of those babies joining JME for work experience or as Saturday staff!

John and Rhian have made many lifelong friends of all ages over the years and one couple stand out, providing John's first "double deal", becoming firm friends - even attending John and Rhian's wedding - and still regularly socialising with them.

John has been an agent in Ealing for 30 years and has brought his unique style and personality to John Martin Estates, creating a professional yet personal and friendly service for all. It still makes us all smile when a new client or applicant seems surprised to find themselves talking to "the man with his name above the door" - but that personal touch has created relationships with clients lasting for years and generated countless word-of-mouth recommendations.

From the outset, John has made a point of being involved in, and giving back to, the community and has sponsored numerous local schools and nurseries, as well as photocopied newsletters galore for local allotment and neighbourhood watch groups. He was also one of the group of traders who originally established "Light up the Lane" in 1997 as well as being the founding sponsor of Party in the Park, funding the event for its first few years.

In recent years, John has been the first Chairman of the newly formed Pitshanger Village Traders' Association, seeing the traders protect and promote the Lane which John loves and which is now a finalist in the Great British High Street Awards. John has led the traders' entry in the competition and would dearly love to see the Lane triumph and get the recognition it and the traders deserve.

To commemorate 20 years in the Pitshanger community, John has now purchased a defibrillator for the Lane which is housed in the distinctive yellow box outside the office, as well as organising training from London Ambulance Service for traders and residents. "If the defib saves just one life, its purpose and our intention will have been fulfilled" says John - Pitshanger's community estate agent without a doubt!