Describe a typical day in your job role?
No typical day which is why I love my job. I could be driving many miles to see clients, training staff in the office or working from home on my clients requirements.
Have you always wanted to work in the financial industry?
I started working in mortgages 20 years ago - I came across an opportunity to work in admin for a Birmingham based broker and quickly realised there was a career to be had from it. Previously having graduated in History with a BA Hons from Liverpool University, I had been working in a variety of call centre/ customer service roles without any great career plan. Within three years of my first job in the industry, I was setting up my first business and studying CeMap. I have subsequently taken CeFA and DipFA but concentrate on mortgages, protection and private medical cover. I specialise in helping the self-employed with their mortgage, personal and business protection and medical insurance requirements.
What questions do you mostly get asked when it comes to mortgages?
How much can I borrow? What will it cost? Do I need to get new books done? Will the lender accept my salary and dividends?
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I play guitar in a band called Small Time Crooks with my wife and a friend who is also a parent at my daughter's school. We cover mainly 70s and 80s classics. I am a keen photographer and I like the old school equipment I use a Leica 35mm and Rolleiflex medium format film cameras. I am a keen home cook and baker but possess no Bake Off level decorating skills!
What benefits does SortRefer give you and the business?
A central hub where we can track business and also a great way to avoid dreadful fees free solicitors even more so now Halifax have started offering cashback!
Describe your experience with SortRefer?
Very positive, hoping for even better case tracking in future.
What are your three rules to live by?
Be kind to everyone, live each day as if it was your last, try everything once except morris dancing.
What advice would you give to anyone wanting a career as a mortgage adviser?
You must be able to build long term relationships with clients and build their trust so they want you to arrange their protection too. If you just sell mortgages, you are unlikely to succeed or to get enough clients.
What surprises have you learnt along the way?
Just how consistently poor some lenders and solicitors can be. Names withheld at this point.
Describe SortRefer in three words One Stop Shop