Describe your firm in a few sentences
Your Mortgage Room is a small, dynamic firm based in Brighton. It offers comprehensive mortgage and insurance products to suit all types of lending.
We have a highly skilled team who are dedicated to our main aim: to provide a five-star service and peace of mind across all our services.
What led you to become a broker?
Like so many brokers in the industry I fell into the job, after being recruited by a corporate estate agent.
I’m sure there are many future brokers out there who simply don’t know that this career could be an option for them
I soon realised the fast-paced environment suited my personality, and the feeling of helping someone achieve their financial goals was incredibly rewarding. It was never something I’d imagined, but I love it and the rest is history.
What plans do you have for the future of your firm?
The requirements of clients are forever changing. We are starting to see more people with things like complex-income scenarios and adverse credit.
To grow with the trends that emerge is essential for us as a business to ensure we continue to provide the best possible service to our clients.
As a new broker, always have the client’s best interests at the forefront of what you do
One of our top priorities is ensuring that all clients are protected in times of financial difficulty, such as if they were to become sick or unable to work.
I will be looking to employ a dedicated protection specialist as well as a trainee mortgage broker to foster new talent in the industry.
What dynamic does an all-female broker firm offer clients?
We are an all-female brokerage by chance, not by design. My objective for building my business is to attract talented, trustworthy and dedicated individuals. It just so happens that, at the moment, it’s an all-female team.
Our main aim is to provide a five-star service and peace of mind across all our services
Our company culture is built on collaboration, mutual respect and a commitment to excellence.
As a small-business owner, it’s essential to me that all our clients are given exceptional service with a personalised approach. With the team I have, I am confident this is what we deliver.
What single thing could lenders do to improve brokers’ lives the most?
Lenders that have effective business development support with which we can build good relationships are invaluable, but not all lenders are equal.
To grow with the trends that emerge is essential for us as a business
If every lender were to invest in giving its business development officers the tools to help mortgage brokers when things go sideways, it would make our lives a lot easier!
What advice do you have for a broker just starting out?
The most important advice is to make sure you always have the client’s best interests at the forefront of what you do.
Imagine the service you’d want your parents, grandparents, siblings, friends or yourself to receive. That’s what you’re aiming for. If you provide a good service, you will get repeat business.
The feeling of helping someone achieve their financial goals was incredibly rewarding. It was never something I’d imagined, but I love it
As a new broker, it’s also vital that you find a firm that will support you. If you don’t know something, find out. You will inevitably make mistakes, but with the right support you will make them once and learn from them to become a knowledgeable broker.
In addition, if it doesn’t go your way one day, don’t take it to heart. Leave it at the door and come back with a fresh head tomorrow.
How can the industry encourage a new intake of brokers?
Like me, so many brokers simply fell into the job.
Increasing the visibility of being a mortgage broker would be a great place to start. I’m sure there are many future brokers out there who simply don’t know that it could be an option for them.
Our company culture is built on collaboration, mutual respect and a commitment to excellence
Highlighting potential career growth and earnings, and sharing success stories and the ability to help people achieve their financial goals, could be just the ticket to spark a ‘What if…?’
If you would like your firm to be featured in Broker Focus, please email Mortgage Strategy deputy editor David Burrows at: david.burrows@emap.com
This article featured in the September 2023 edition of MS.
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