Which locations and how many adviser and broker firms do you cover in your role at Bank of Ireland?
I cover South and Central London, as well as parts of Sussex, Surrey and Brighton. In total, I work with around 140 broker firms.
What personal talent or skill is most valuable in your role?
I’d say being friendly and approachable. I’m a real glass half-full person, and brokers know they can rely on me to come back to them quickly and do what I say I’ll do. That helps build trust, which makes a real difference when we’re working through more complicated cases together.
What skill would you most like to improve?
Definitely data analysis. There’s so much information out there and it plays a big role in the industry, but it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. I’d like to feel more confident using it in a meaningful way.
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What’s the hardest part of your job?
The pace of change across the market can be challenging for everyone. Where I can make a difference is in staying close to brokers and giving them the support they need, especially in helping them find options for clients that fall outside of traditional criteria.
What do you love most about your job?
The people I work with. I enjoy helping brokers find solutions and guiding cases through from start to finish. A lot of the cases I see are more complex, which I love, and there’s nothing better than that feeling when it all comes together. At Bank of Ireland for Intermediaries, we’re lucky to have a common-sense approach and easy access to underwriters, so brokers know we’re right there with them when it matters.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve received?
“Choose a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” That came from my grandmother. She was absolutely right.
What’s been your biggest career lesson?
Be true to yourself and succeed on your own merit. If you’re genuine and work hard, it shows.
How do you stay on top of market developments?
I read the trade press every day, including Mortgage Solutions, LinkedIn and other platforms. I also keep it simple by listening to my brokers and learning from their experiences. We also talk a lot as a business development team and share what we’re seeing on the ground, which really helps us stay in tune with the challenges and opportunities for brokers.
What’s the most unusual property deal you’ve worked on?
A house purchase that came with 22 acres, nine stables and full equestrian facilities. Definitely not your everyday case.
Tell us about a tricky case and how you handled it.
It was the equestrian property I mentioned. The client’s income was complex, and we wouldn’t normally accept an application for a semi-commercial property. I made sure I fully understood the client’s situation and worked closely with the broker to present a clear narrative to the lender. Open communication throughout meant we could keep things moving and support the client properly. Having access to underwriters and a flexible approach on the lending side really helped us.
What led you to a career in mortgages?
I’ve always loved solving problems and seeing the results first-hand. You get to make a difference and work closely with people, which really appealed to me. I also liked the idea of working with intermediaries and being part of that support system.
If you could do any other job in the property sector, what would it be?
Probably an estate agent. I love seeing how people decorate their homes and I find the stories behind properties fascinating.
What did you want to be growing up?
A veterinary nurse. I’ve always loved animals, but I realised it might be too emotional a job for me, so I chose a different path.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Still growing with Bank of Ireland, and continuing to work closely with brokers. I’d like to keep helping shape our proposition. Supporting brokers in areas like credit history, gifted deposits or unusual income streams is something I really value, and I’d love to keep building on that.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Invisibility.
What’s your approach to tackling challenges?
Take a minute and breathe. Once you break a problem down, it usually feels more manageable than it did at first glance.
What’s your greatest skill, in or outside of work?
Organisation. It’s a big part of my job and also helps in day-to-day life, especially when you’re juggling three kids and a busy household.
And finally, what’s the strangest question you’ve ever been asked?
“If you could choose any five liquids to come out of your fingers, what would they be?” Rosé wine was the first one that came to mind.
