Which locations and how many advisers and broker firms do you cover in your role at Accord Mortgages?
The areas where my brokers live are varied. I have quite a few in the North East, with a concentration in Nottingham, Lincolnshire and North West London as well, so they are generally spread across the country. This is because, in my role as a TBDM, I don’t own a specific area, unlike my field-based colleagues. In fact, our role often involves supporting brokers in locations that our BDMs who are field-based find more difficult to reach.
What personal talent/skill is most valuable to you in doing your job?
People skills, especially being able to kick-start a new relationship with a broker, having never spoken to that person before. It’s crucial to earn their trust from the get-go. This is so important because, essentially, they are doing business with me as a person – as well as with Accord.
What personal talent/skill would you most like to improve on?
The ability to switch off from work – something I find really hard to do when I’m elsewhere. This is an important skill to learn, though, to ensure valuable downtime and recharge so that you can be at your best when it comes to serving clients.
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What’s the hardest part of your job?
Starting that new relationship – and making that initial first contact with brokers. As much as this is a part of my role I really enjoy, it can also be tricky initially to persuade them I have something valuable to offer that is worth spending their time on.
What do you love most about your job?
Having that impact on people’s lives. Of course, we deal with brokers, but it’s all about that end goal of supporting the borrower they represent with their homeownership goals. For example, I myself was a first-time buyer just a few years ago. Buying your first property is an amazing moment, so if we can help our brokers to help their clients, it’s so rewarding knowing that we’ve been part of making that happen for someone.
Are there any (popular) misconceptions about your job/role?
The great opportunities that come with my role have been a surprise. As a TBDM, I expected to be in an office all day taking and receiving calls. In reality, it’s not at all like that. For example, I’ve been in the role for a few months and I’ve already participated in a roundtable event, presented to brokers, attended a conference and been out with a field-based BDM, supporting them with their meetings. So the role has plenty of opportunities to go out and see people face-to-face and build a network.
What’s the best bit of career-related advice you’ve ever been given and who gave it to you?
I’m part of a mentoring scheme at Yorkshire Building Society (of which Accord is the intermediary-only lending arm), which provides the opportunity to connect with another colleague to help us with our personal development and career goals. My mentor told me recently to always think about the bigger picture. Previously, I would look at things on a day-by-day or a week-by-week basis. However, to achieve success, it’s important to think bigger than that – for example, when building relationships with brokers, they might not be in a position to give you a case straightaway, and it’s about much more than that. What’s important is having positive interactions, helping them to achieve the right outcomes for their clients and building those long-term relationships.
What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your career?
Networking is key, as is building a strong group of supportive colleagues around you. Building your personal brand is also really important – using LinkedIn, for example, to get your name out there and build a strong list of contacts.
How do you keep up to date with developments in the market?
I use LinkedIn as well as reading lots of industry articles, such as those in Mortgage Solutions. I’ve also subscribed to daily emails containing updates on the market. However, a trick I have also learned is to use artificial intelligence (AI) by asking Microsoft Copilot to scan key news sources and give me a daily summary of the top five key points I need to know about the market. That’s really useful if I’m short on time. The other crucial source of insight is those all-important conversations with peers and brokers, to gauge feeling on the ground.
What was your motivation for choosing this career?
I started my career eight years ago in the Yorkshire Building Society branch network. I was driven by the desire to work in an impactful field dealing with people. For example, whether you’re in the branch dealing with customers face-to-face, talking about their savings or helping someone with their first or subsequent mortgage, you’re supporting them and putting them in a better financial position, and it’s a very rewarding feeling to be able to help them achieve the right outcome.
If you could do any other job in the property sector, what would it be and why?
I’d be a mortgage broker, mainly because they sit on the frontline, helping people to get onto or move up the property ladder. The role is all about supporting people to achieve their homeownership goals – which is something I feel passionately about.
What did you want to be growing up?
I wanted to be three things – a footballer, a professional darts player and a pilot, preferably all at the same time.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself having progressed into a role as a field-based BDM. My objective is to master my current role and then move on. Crucially, I want to continue to grow personally and professionally, putting myself in the best position possible for when the next opportunity arises.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
I know it’s a bit obvious, but time travel. I’d love to re-live certain days – like the day my son was born. I’d also love to go back to Wembley when Huddersfield were promoted to the Premier League.
What do you do to unwind?
Playing darts – not that I’m very good at it. It’s a very frustrating game, but I love it.
What is your greatest skill(s), either work- or non-work-related?
My drive and motivation. If there’s something I want, I’ll go for it. I’m very, very driven, and this helps me a lot, both in my personal life and my career.
And finally, what’s the strangest question you’ve ever been asked?
“If you didn’t support Huddersfield Town, who would you support?” My answer is no one, as nothing compares to their 90 minutes of disappointment most weeks.
