Just Mortgages has appointed a new broker to cover Spicerhaart estate agency clients in the Derbyshire area, as the first step in its drive to recruit up to 90 new advisers.

Spicerhaart and Just Mortgages are dividing their operations into different “territories” across the UK and creating up to 235 estate agency branch partner roles.

Some branch partners will not be working from a physical office, but they will still have a specific geographic patch that is their responsibility.

Branch partners will be linked up with a mortgage adviser who will work from home on any leads that are delivered

It is anticipated that each broker will cover two or three of these virtual estate agency branches or territories.

If the model proves successful, Just Mortgages expects to create between 60-90 new mortgage broker roles.

The move online has been accelerated by lockdown and will allow brokers to grow their business while working flexibly.  

All brokers will be employed by Just Mortgages, but the firm expects to offer opportunities to self-employed advisers in the future. 

The first broker to be employed under the new model covering the Derbyshire area is Rachael Fox.  

Fox joins from Nationwide where she was a banking manager.

She has worked in financial services for 12 years and as a broker for three.

She joins Just Mortgages from Nationwide where she was a banking manager and will cover the Derbyshire area in her new role. 

Fox says: “I will work closely with the branch partners, keeping everything simple and under one roof while offering a great service to the clients. 

“I want to offer mortgage clients a more flexible service, but the new model of working from home will also help me to achieve a work/life balance too.

“This is a brand-new role so I want to be there to help and support – not only the mortgage clients, but also the estate agency partners on how valuable the financial services bit can be both to them and to the clients who need professional and proactive mortgage and protection advice.”

Just Mortgages financial services director for the North and West Duncan Jones says: “This is an exciting new role that has evolved through changes within the Spicerhaart operating model. 

“The role is an indication of what the ‘new normal’ may look like for several Just Mortgages advisers.

“Rachael will work closely with the branch partners ensuring that our vendors receive the best service available through qualification of viewers and people offering on properties. 

“This will ensure that more sales reach completion.

“We anticipate several more of these roles becoming available and this will provide fantastic opportunities for both our existing advisers and also experienced advisers looking for something a little bit different.”

Hucknall branch manager Holly Evans says: “I’m very glad that Rachael will be working with our already fantastic team. 

“She is such a bubbly, bright person that I’m sure all of our partners will have total confidence when referring clients to Rachael that she will look after them as I know she will put all of her clients at ease.”