The combined turnover for both divisions was £28.3bn in 2018, an increase of £8bn on 2017’s figure of £20.3bn.
The self-employed division, which launched in 2016, saw its profits more than triple in 2018 compared to 2017, while the employed division saw a 22% annual uplift. Overall across both divisions, profits were up 54%.
In terms of staff numbers, the two divisions combined saw broker numbers increase from 210 in 2017 to 320 in 2018.
Self-employed strategy pays off
This increase was driven mainly by the self-employed division which has seen broker numbers almost triple in a year, from 81 in 2017 to 240 at the end of 2018, confirmed the company.
And this success has continued into 2019, with the business enjoying a busy start to the year.
Operations director John Phillips said Just Mortgages’ success was down to great customer service and taking advantage of new opportunities in a shifting market.
He said: “Over the past year, the market has been a bit tougher, and for many brokers, the fall in demand for house purchase hit them hard, with their leads drying up fast. They are then forced to start calling up former clients to try and get remortgage business.
“At Just Mortgages, we don’t work like that. We have always put client relationships at the heart of everything we do and our brokers are all in regular contact with their clients. So when the market is more focussed on remortgage and protection, for us, it is not a desperate attempt to find new leads, but business as usual.”
Phillips said another major factor in the firm’s growth was the success of its self-employed model.
He said: “Our self-employed division offers a solution to brokers who are looking to go self-employed but are worried about giving up the support they get from being employed because it offers the best of both worlds.
“They are completely self-employed, and therefore, in control of their own business, but they have a dedicated sales manager to help and support them. We don’t charge a monthly fee, so it is in everyone’s best interest for our self-employed brokers to be successful, and successful they are.”
New hires
In February, Just Mortgages appointed two area directors to its self-employed division.
Jon Taylor has been appointed area director for the South East, joining from Countrywide where he worked as regional sales manager.
Jason Whiteley has been hired area director for the North East, joining from Primis, where he worked as area manager.
The pair will provide support and backing to Just Mortgages’ self-employed brokers to help them make their businesses a success.
Just Mortgages advisers also offer a full financial review so that they can make recommendations for protecting the individual’s health, home, belongings and loved ones.
