My alarm goes off at…
…6.20am. I like to go out for a run before work as it sets me up for the day.
The winter weather can make it feel somewhat less appealing but I love being out running as the sun comes up.
I wanted to work in the mortgage industry because…
…we get to help people buy and stay in their home, which gives me purpose.
At the Tipton we help lots of clients who have been turned away by high-street lenders, so I feel proud that we’re able to help them.
When someone takes the time to get in touch just to thank me for my support on a case, it really makes my day
People aren’t ‘one size fits all’ and it’s important that mortgage lending isn’t either. I love the way we manually underwrite and apply a common-sense approach to lending.
Something that surprised me about my job was…
…the amount of variation in my role.
The title of key account manager suggests I look after and develop our key accounts, but I get involved in so much more, such as sales and marketing meetings, events planning, presenting at events, policy reviews and criteria research.
We help lots of clients who have been turned away by high-street lenders, so I feel proud that we’re able to help them
I really enjoy being a part of and learning about what happens behind the scenes as this gives me context and understanding, which I can pass on.
A misconception about my role is…
…that as a small building society we would look at only simple or local cases. Actually, we lend to anywhere in England and Wales.
My typical day entails…
…starting by checking my messages and getting back to any enquiries that have been sent overnight.
I then check the decisions in principle and full mortgage applications that have been submitted and get in touch with any brokers that may need my support.
I really enjoy being a part of and learning about what happens behind the scenes
The rest of my day really varies. Most of the time I’m out visiting brokers, packagers or clubs, but some days I work from home doing video or phone appointments. At other times I’m in head office.
As life is returning to ‘normal’, I’m spending more time at events, which is great as I love meeting people face to face.
A perk of the job is…
…when someone takes the time to get in touch just to thank me for my support on a case. It really makes my day.
My favourite work memory is…
…when I was a broker, I met a lovely couple with two young children. They’d worked really hard to save up a deposit so they could buy their own home and were willing to relocate to be flexible with their budget. But he’d recently begun working as a self-employed delivery driver so his income couldn’t be used and her income alone wasn’t sufficient.
People aren’t ‘one size fits all’ and it’s important that mortgage lending isn’t either
I arranged a joint-borrower sole-proprietor mortgage for them and will never forget their reaction when I told them they had a mortgage offer. They were so delighted!
To unwind after work…
…I’m lucky enough to live opposite some woods and I love going for walks there.
Over the winter, because it gets dark so early, I spend most evenings in front of our log fire, which I absolutely love.
