Which locations and how many advisers and broker firms do you cover in your role at Standard Life Home Finance?
I cover a large region that spans Birmingham to Scotland, looking after over 1,000 financial advisers and broker firms. This extensive area allows me to engage with a diverse range of professionals and clients.
What personal talent/skill is most valuable in doing your job?
The most valuable skill in my role is effective communication. Being able to clearly explain complex financial products and concepts to advisers ensures they can, in turn, provide the best advice to their clients.
What personal talent/skill would you most like to improve on?
I am currently working on my creative problem-solving skills. While I already enjoy tackling challenges, further developing this skill will enable me to find even more innovative solutions for the advisers I support. This is an important skill that will benefit the business in making our processes more efficient and effective.
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What’s the hardest part of your job?
The hardest part is staying updated with the constantly changing regulations and market conditions. It requires continuous learning and adaptation to ensure the information or advice given to financial advisers is current and correct.
What do you love most about your job?
I love helping advisers feel confident in their knowledge and ability to assist their clients. Seeing the positive impact of my work on both advisers and their clients is incredibly rewarding.
What’s the best bit of career-related advice you’ve ever been given?
The best advice I’ve received is to always stay curious and never stop learning. The financial industry is dynamic, and continuous education is key to staying ahead.
How do you keep up to date with developments in the market?
I keep up to date by attending industry conferences, participating in webinars, reading financial news, and being an active member of professional networks and associations.
What is the most quirky/unique property deal you’ve been involved in?
There was a client who wanted to release equity from a small castle. The property had a rich history and unique architectural features, which made the valuation and legal processes quite fascinating. We had to work closely with experts and surveyors to ensure the equity release was handled appropriately, respecting the castle’s historical significance.
Tell us about your trickiest case – what happened and how did you resolve the problem(s)?
There was a recent client who had lost their spouse and was struggling with both emotional and financial challenges. They needed to release equity from their home to cover immediate expenses but were also concerned about their long-term financial security. We had to navigate the sensitive nature of their situation with great care. By working closely with the client’s family, legal advisers, and their financial adviser, we were able to create a tailored plan that provided the necessary funds while ensuring the client’s future financial stability.
What was your motivation for choosing this career?
My background before entering the world of later life lending was working for one of the UK’s largest estate agents; during this time, I kept coming across older homeowners who “couldn’t get a mortgage at my age”. This prompted me to look into alternative options for my clients, and I then came across later life lending.
If you could do any other job in the property sector, what would it be and why?
If I could do any other job within the sector, I would be a property developer. I find the process of transforming properties and creating new living spaces fascinating and rewarding.
What did you want to be growing up?
I would have loved to have been a presenter on Top Gear. The idea of test driving the latest cars, travelling to incredible locations, and sharing that passion and creating lifetime memories with friends sounds incredible.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
It would be the ability to instantly understand and speak any language. This would allow me to communicate with anyone, anywhere, and break down barriers.
What is your strategy for tackling challenges?
My strategy is to break them down into smaller, manageable parts and tackle each one systematically. I also believe in seeking input from colleagues and experts to gain different perspectives.
What is your greatest skill(s), either work- or non-work-related?
I think my ability to build strong relationships. Whether it’s with colleagues, advisers, or clients, I pride myself on being approachable and trustworthy.
And finally, what’s the strangest question you’ve ever been asked?
It was whether equity release could be used to buy a property with a vineyard in France. It was an unusual but intriguing query that led to an interesting discussion about the diverse ways people think about using their funds.
