Our History
BigBlackHen.com, based in Ware, was founded by Nigel Adams as he felt that there had to be a more innovative, consumer friendly and cost-effective way for people to sell their homes in the internet age. In 2005 BigBlackHen.com started life in deepest darkest Exmoor, and went from success to success, culminating in the company having the accolade of being voted amongst the top 20 estate agents in the country at the 2010 ESTAs, one of the biggest award ceremonies in the business.
In 2010 Nigel opened an office in his home county of Hertfordshire where he now lives. The business has gone from strength to strength and was awarded “Business of the Year – runner up” in the FSB Herts Business Awards in 2016. The black hen Sold boards have become a familiar site all over Hertfordshire and North London.
Meet The Team
The team at BigBlackHen.com all live in Hertford and are truly dedicated to providing excellent customer service both to our clients and to the many hundreds of buyers that we deal with every year. It’s a people business and we believe in putting you first.
We offer a fresh approach to selling homes with innovative high quality marketing and a personal service, all for a low fixed fee. We offer clients a refreshing alternative to the traditional high street Estate Agent with their high commissions and complicated contracts.
Nigel Adams
Before starting BigBlackHen.com, Nigel Adams spent 16 years in the advertising industry in the UK, Australia and even the Philippines working with major brands such as Ford, Guinness and Unilever. He grew up in Little Berkhamstead, attended Lochinvar House School in Potters Bar and played rugby for Welwyn Rugby Club over 30 years. His goal is to ensure that our clients get the most innovative marketing allied with the best customer service.
Bobbie Pearson
After working in many different roles including a long stint at IBM, and even living in Canada for a while, Bobbie now lives in a house-boat on the River Lea and has been our Customer Service Manager for over 10 years. Her hard work and dedication have helped us achieve consistent 5-star reviews on Google every year since we opened our Hertfordshire office.
Clarissa
People often ask what gave us the idea for our admittedly rather unusual company name. The answer is that it was inspired by our beautiful Black Orpington hen, Clarissa, pictured opposite. She is our “head of sales” and works 24/7 to get your home noticed.
Charity Work
We have raised and donated over £15,000 for local charities since opening our virtual doors in Hertfordshire in 2010. Among the many things that we have done to raise money locally include fund-raising for the Isabel Hospice in Peru, completing the three peaks challenge in the Derbyshire Dales (never again!), organising the (brilliantly bonkers!) charity bed race two years running at the Woodman pub in Wild Hill, two Curry-Oke nights at Rubys in Hertford and even getting locked in “Jail” in the Howard Centre.
We also donate £20 for every house that we sell leading to around £1,000 a year heading to brilliant local causes including the Isabel Hospice, Steph’s Wishes, Teens Unite, and the Lister Area Kidney Patient’s Association.
We are also proud sponsors of Welwyn Rugby Football club and support the excellent club charity JOCA (Just One Click Away) that aims to help youngsters cope with mental health issues that might tragically lead to suicidal thoughts and feelings.
Hertford : 01992 878580
Welwyn Garden City : 01707 817844