What locations and how many advisers and broker firms do you cover in your role?
I am the key account manager for Central London for TML, and this means working with quite a variety of brokers from many larger London firms as well as the more boutique specialist brokers.
How have you changed the way you establish and maintain a good relationship with brokers in (and after) the pandemic?
We were very lucky at TML as the move to work from home in the pandemic was seamless, and this made it much easier to adapt. A lot of the applications that I deal with are complex, so I’ve always dealt with these with a combination of both online and face-to-face interaction in order to check every detail and ensure a smooth process. Therefore, I was able to maintain this process during the pandemic and found Zoom very effective for building relationships with firms. I still use Zoom now for quick requests, but there’s no replacing face-to-face visits.
What personal talent/skill is most valuable in doing your job?
My internal relationships are just as important as the relationships I make externally. Knowing who the right person is to agree a case or who to speak to within the credit and products team to ensure we have the right proposition is truly invaluable and ensures any deal goes through smoothly.
What’s the hardest part of your job?
Juggling everything. My aim is to appear as a swan; while I may be paddling furiously underneath the water, I should seem calm and collected on the surface.
What personal talent/skill would you most like to improve on?
My patience, I am an instant sunshine kind of person. My patience has improved as I have matured, especially after having my daughter.
Where would you rather be stuck, in bumper-to-bumper traffic, or back-to-back meetings?
Back-to-back meetings. I like meetings as they give you a chance to learn about your broker’s business and get to know them more personally and find out their values.
What’s the best bit of career-related advice you’ve ever been given? Who gave it to you?
My father used to say, “Luck is where opportunity meets hard work.” You create your own opportunities by working hard and making things happen for yourself. Never settle and take a chance.
What is the most quirky/unique property deal you’ve been involved in?
Not a quirky property but I love dealing with large portfolio landlords with complex lending structures and putting deals together.
If you could do any other job in the property sector, what would it be and why?
I would have liked to have followed in my father’s footsteps and become an architect. I have always been interested in architecture and in particular modern architecture, that or a property developer. Property is in the family, I am married to a quantity surveyor.
What did you want to be growing up?
I wanted to be fashion designer. My art was good but not good enough to be at the top of my game, so I trained to be a fashion buyer. When I graduated, I started working in the buying office of a high street fashion chain and hated the environment, so I made a career change. I left my job and started working in finance, an environment I love.
What makes you laugh?
My husband. He is my best friend and always makes me giggle with his rubbish jokes.
What’s your favourite face paint design, or pattern to wear?
Camouflage, I am drawn to camouflage gym leggings.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Flight. Imagine being able to fly anywhere for free and never get stuck in traffic – particularly with current petrol prices.
What’s your cure for a rainy day or hangover?
Shopping, I just love shopping, just ask anyone I know.
What, or who, inspires you?
My family.
What makes a great colleague?
Team orientated people with a strong work ethic.
Name your favourite restaurant and why you love it.
Tough one as I have many. I like to keep it local and support local businesses. If I had to pick one, I would say The Cape in Beaconsfield. It has great food but even better memories as my mum and I have a girly lunch there every Saturday and then a mooch round the shops.
