Describe your firm in a few sentences
Having been in the industry for more than 20 years — from being an underwriter and working for a packager to becoming an employed broker — I decided to start Mortgage Saving Experts, which is a directly authorised company.
The most important thing is to never give up. Keep going, because you will make it
After working as a self-employed broker for various networks, I knew I wanted to offer our clients and brokers something different.
I wanted us to concentrate on providing exceptional service and enabling each broker to have their own voice.
Another thing that makes Mortgage Saving Experts stand out is the fact our compliance system is not ‘overkill’, unlike that of many networks, but at the same time it is very robust.
What led you to become a broker?
After leaving school I had many jobs before securing one as an underwriter with an adverse lender in London. I had a great time!
While working there I met my future wife. She was a broker at the time and I moved to Brighton to be with her.
One way to get more brokers into this sector is for more companies to create their own academy or other training programmes
After all the roles and types of experience I had obtained within the mortgage industry, I decided to become a self-employed independent broker.
Many people are scared of being self-employed, but for me the benefits far outweigh those of being employed.
Looking back, I naturally fell into the industry and felt being a broker was an obvious career move.
What plans do you have for the future of your firm?
We have lots of exciting plans!
Our goal is to become a recognisable name with a reputation for being both a fair company that listens to its brokers and an overall great company to work with.
And we want to be one of the best brokerages in the country for our clients.
The majority of ‘modern day clients’ do not fit a particular box
For me, it’s all about providing exceptional customer service, every time.
This is why we have received great recommendations from our clients, along with five-star Google and Trustpilot reviews — for us, going the extra mile is the norm.
As well as this, we are expanding the business by taking on more brokers.
We will also be setting up a mortgage broker training academy in 2022 to encourage both inexperienced and unqualified brokers to become the best they can be.
What single thing could lenders do to improve brokers’ lives the most?
Where to start on this one?! There are obviously many answers to this question but the simple one for me is to have a common-sense approach to underwriting applications.
Although this does not apply to all lenders (there are some good ones out there), 95% of lenders could adopt a human-being assessment of mortgages while maintaining their criteria.
Many people are scared of being self-employed, but for me the benefits far outweigh those of being employed
Having an ability to look outside the box would be a massive help to modern society because the majority of ‘modern day clients’ do not fit any such box.
Sensible underwriting would also ensure that the idea of treating customers fairly was adhered to, as well as helping more customers overall.
What advice do you have for a broker just starting out?
Don’t give up — there is lots of business out there.
Being a mortgage broker is by no means an easy job. People should be under no illusion about this
Start with your family and friends; get them to recommend you. Pop into your local estate agents or accountants to see if they can refer clients. Just keep building your network and clients — and your knowledge will grow.
I must repeat that the most important thing is to never give up. Keep going, because you will make it.
How can the industry encourage a new intake of brokers?
Being a mortgage broker is by no means an easy job. People should be under no illusion about this. It takes hard work and determination.
One way of getting more brokers into this sector is for more companies to create their own academy or other training programmes.
If you would like your firm to be featured in Broker Focus, please email Mortgage Strategy deputy editor Gary Adams at: gary.adams@mortgagestrategy.co.uk
