What does your role entail and how long have you been doing it?
Since 2016 I have been a telephone BDM at the Tipton. My role entails supporting brokers with completion of decision in principles (DIPs) and applications and being a reliable point of contact for all intermediaries, in respect of new enquiries and case updates.
What attracted you to working in the mortgage finance sector?
I have always been business minded so felt I would be well suited to working in financial services. The mortgage industry in particular offers a wide variety of different and challenging jobs e.g. mortgage sales, processing, BDM roles etc. This is a positive and attractive factor when considering a career in the mortgage industry.
What were you doing in the five years before starting here?
I was just completing my A levels at college while working part time in a restaurant.
What personal skill is most valuable in doing your job?
Organisation. My job can often involve spinning many plates at the same time, so being well organised is a key skill which helps to prioritise my workload and not miss or overlook anything.
What personal skill would you most like to improve on?
Knowledge. I have learned so much in my current role and my knowledge has grown massively, both in terms of our criteria and also mortgages as a whole. However I feel there is still a tremendous amount to learn regarding the wider industry including more detailed aspects of the mortgage process
What is the most memorable property case you’ve been involved in?
A client was looking to purchase a property that was downvalued. The same client then looked at an alternative property to buy which again was downvalued. This was followed by another attempted purchase on a third property that unbelievably was again downvalued. It was only on the client’s fourth attempt that the property purchase went through and valued up successfully. I have never been involved in a case where a client has experienced so much bad fortune on one application. So this case will always be memorable to me.
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
I hope to be much more knowledgeable in all areas of mortgages and hopefully be in a role at the Tipton commanding a greater level of responsibility. I’m particularly interested in pursuing a role as a BDM or a mortgage adviser where I can have more face-to-face contact with clients and intermediaries.
If present‐day you could go in time back and tell yourself something five years ago, what would it be?
To be more confident and to knuckle down and study for my CeMAP qualifications at a faster pace. I passed CeMAP a while ago, however I do feel I could have obtained the qualification much quicker if I had pushed myself harder.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve tackled so far in your career?
The very beginning of my career as I knew very little about mortgages or the processes involved when it came to buying a house. It was very daunting and frustrating time. I felt that I was unable to do my job to a good standard. However with ongoing training, great support and guidance from my colleagues at the Tipton, I now feel much more confident in my job. Without this investment in me by the Tipton I could have easily thrown in the towel.
If you could have one super power, what would it be?
Teleportation. This would be a great power to have to get to places quickly. This would especially come in handy when getting to and from work every day – it may even lead to extra time in bed in the morning.
And finally, what’s the strangest question you’ve ever been asked?
Do you do mortgages? Yes.
