Describe your firm in a few sentences.

Prestige is a modern, boutique-style firm with a dedicated focus on the client. We are driven individuals who, together, form a close-knit team. We care as much for each other as we do for our clients.

What led you to become a broker?

It was the perfect storm of a culmination of events.

Having studied civil engineering at Leeds University, I began a trainee graduate position at Balfour Beatty. However, it didn’t take long to realise that working on a building site wasn’t really for me.

I was at a crossroads and didn’t know which way to go, so I did the only sensible thing I could think of and went travelling for a year. While out in Australia I was working in direct marketing, which of course transpired to be door-to-door sales. It wasn’t what I would call enjoyable but it gave me an invaluable grounding in the hardworking world of sales.

Upon my return to the UK I was working for Foxtons, the estate agent, which led to an introduction to Simon Nimmo and the mortgage side of the firm, Alexander Hall. I became its first-ever trainee broker and the rest, as they say, is history.

What are the biggest issues facing you as a broker?

Having worked through the 2008 financial crisis as a broker, I’ve experienced at first hand the things that can really go wrong.

I hear a lot of people talk about robo-advice, execution-only and Open Banking. However, I believe the real threats are those of which we are completely unaware.

Take coronavirus: who could have predicted this only two months ago, and the impact it is now having on the stockmarket and global economy? The most crucial thing is to stay open-minded and embrace change while remaining vigilant.

Which one thing could lenders do to improve brokers’ lives the most?

Communication and better access to underwriters are key. In a world that is now so process driven and automated, it is often hard to build relationships with lenders. However, there are lenders that understand the frustrations of brokers and want to build relationships. The more they can communicate and provide brokers with better access to underwriters, the more confidence our clients will have.

What plans do you have for the future of your firm?

Not only has Prestige recently celebrated five years of business, it has also been nominated for Best Small Broker at the Mortgage Strategy Awards for the second year running.

I’m immensely proud of how far we’ve come in half a decade, but I have my sights set firmly on the future and the growth of the firm. In another five years, I’d like to think we will have continued to expand the team with more like-minded, caring individuals – and, of course, the ultimate goal is to be nominated for Broker of the Year.

What advice would you give to a broker who is just starting out?

Learn to be comfortable with contacting as many people as possible and follow up every lead. Be professional always; the person you speak to today may not become a client now but could well become one another day, or lead you to future clients.

Always have a positive mental attitude and remember: Rome wasn’t built in a day. It takes time and patience to build momentum, but it will be worth it – and then some.

These are the core skills I learned knocking on doors in Australia for a year and they are the foundation upon which my career in this industry is built. If you have the opportunity to do the same, it’s the most incredible experience and one that will not only underpin your career but change your entire outlook on life. Just don’t forget your sunscreen.

If you would like your firm to be featured in Broker Focus, please email Mortgage Strategy deputy editor Gary Adams at:  [email protected]