Which locations and how many advisers and broker firms do you cover in your role at Pure Retirement?
I’m the BDM for the South East and Central London at Pure Retirement. We are a dedicated lifetime mortgage lender, and I deal with hundreds of individual advisers and a vast number of firms who turn to a specialist lender such as us to help their over-55 clients achieve their financial goals.
The patch is a dynamic area, which gives me the opportunity to work with a wide variety of business models, adviser experience levels and client needs. That variety keeps the role interesting and allows me to tailor my support to suit each firm individually.
What personal talent or skill is most valuable in doing your job?
Empathy is the most valuable skill I bring to my role. Being able to genuinely put myself in other people’s shoes helps me understand advisers’ challenges, priorities and pressures. It allows me to build strong, trusting relationships and offer support that’s meaningful, practical and aligned with what advisers are trying to achieve for their clients.
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What personal talent or skill would you most like to improve on?
I’m keen to continue broadening my technical knowledge by undertaking further exams. I currently hold a Certificate in Mortgages and Equity Release, but my long‑term goal is to become chartered. Ongoing learning is really important to me, and I see it as a way to add even more value to advisers and their clients.
What’s the hardest part of your job?
Working in the field can sometimes feel isolating, particularly with long periods spent travelling between meetings. That said, the BDM team has a fantastic relationship and we’re in constant communication, sharing insights, advice and support. That connection makes a big difference and ensures you never really feel on your own.
What do you love most about your job?
Building genuine, face‑to‑face relationships is what I love most. Being able to connect in person makes a real difference and helps build stronger partnerships over time. I really enjoy getting to know advisers and their businesses beyond just the numbers and being someone they can rely on consistently.
Are there any popular misconceptions about your job or role?
That it’s glamorous. The reality is often grabbing lunch from a Tupperware box between meetings while sitting in the car. That said, it’s all part of the role and something I genuinely don’t mind – it comes with the flexibility, variety and autonomy that I really value.
What’s the best piece of career‑related advice you’ve ever been given? Who gave it to you?
“Stop and appreciate how far you’ve come.” You’re always striving for the next step, so it’s important to acknowledge your progress and give yourself credit along the way. That advice really stuck with me. It came from my career coach at my previous company, Kelly Spier.
What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your career?
That it’s not a race. Growth takes time, and real development comes from experience, not speed. Enjoying the process and learning along the way is just as important as reaching the end goal.
How do you keep up to date with developments in the market?
I use a mixture of LinkedIn, internal updates and constant knowledge sharing within our BDM group chats, where we regularly share articles, insights and experiences. If I need to dive deeper into a specific topic, a bit of additional research usually fills in the gaps. Staying curious and connected really helps.
What is the most quirky or unique property deal you’ve been involved in?
Every case has its own unique elements, but covering the South East and London often means working with quirky conversions and non‑standard properties. These cases are rarely straightforward, which keeps things interesting and makes each case a learning experience.
Tell us about your trickiest case – what happened and how did you resolve it?
One of my trickiest cases involved multiple complexities all at once, including lease extensions alongside a purchase, all under tight time constraints. It required careful coordination across several parties.
I managed this by maintaining clear and consistent communication throughout, ensuring everyone was aligned. I kept the adviser fully updated on our processes, requirements, and timelines so expectations were managed effectively, and I positioned myself as the main, trusted point of contact to keep everything moving smoothly.
What was your motivation for choosing this career?
I started straight out of university on a six‑month fixed‑term contract in a customer contact team for a lifetime mortgage lender. Speaking directly with lifetime mortgage customers, I saw firsthand how much the product could genuinely help people. Seeing the difference it made in their lives is what made me fall in love with the industry.
If you could do any other job in the property sector, what would it be and why?
Management. It’s where I built many of my core skills early in my career before moving into sales, and it’s something I’ve always enjoyed. Supporting people, developing teams and helping others grow have always interested me.
What did you want to be growing up?
A pop star – despite being completely tone deaf.
Where do you see yourself in five years, or how do you think your job will change?
I think artificial intelligence (AI) will play an increasingly important role in enhancing the BDM position, supporting efficiency, insight and data‑led decision-making. That said, relationship‑building will remain at the heart of the role, and that personal connection will always be irreplaceable.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Being in two places at once – it would definitely help with diary management and travelling.
What do you do to unwind? What are your desert island discs?
Sunset walks are my go‑to way to unwind, especially near the coast. I also love switching off with a terrible TV programme and really good food – sometimes that’s exactly what’s needed.
What is your greatest skill, both in and out of work?
Building relationships, listening well and being approachable. Whether it’s with advisers, colleagues or people outside of work, I try to make people feel comfortable and heard. Kindness is free and it goes a long way.
And finally, what’s the strangest question you’ve ever been asked?
My old boss once asked whether I’d rather fight one horse‑sized duck or 100 duck‑sized horses. He lived by the mantra, ‘make work fun and get it done’, so our days were often broken up with riddles and quirky questions like that – it definitely kept things light‑hearted.
