Impact Specialist Finance says it plans to boost its self-employed adviser division.

Despite the pandemic, the Horsham-based broker says that its business has seen “a vast increase in referrals” over the last year.

The number of house purchase approvals made in 2020 came to 818,500 in 2020, according to data from the Bank of England released this week, a 13-year high.

This number is the highest in a single year since 2007 and comes off a record low of 9,400 approvals recorded in May 2020.

Impact managing director Dale Jannels says: “Despite some challenging times, the housing and mortgage markets have performed admirably over the past 12 months. We’re seeing a vast increase in referrals from a number of key partners requesting assistance with specialist and complex scenarios for a range of borrowers, which means we are in the privileged position to expand the business.”

He adds: “We’re looking for experienced advisers who will appreciate the additional support that comes from an established family business and a role which can also provide them with additional flexibility, greater earning potential plus a level of freedom and work autonomy that may be lacking in their current role.”

Jannels says he expects to take on 10 extra advisors over the first three months of the year, and perhaps more after that.