This month, we are sitting down with Sonya Matharu (pictured), founder of The Mortgage Atelier.
How did you get into the mortgage industry?
Like many in the industry, it was almost by chance. I started as a temporary PA to a mortgage broker (my father-in-law, as it happens), and I was immediately fascinated. I was learning something new every day, and what really drew me in was the client experience and hearing people say: “If I’d known that, I would’ve done things differently”.
It made me realise how much financial knowledge impacts people’s lives, and how rarely we’re actually taught it. I pushed to take on more admin work, then trained for my CeMAP and qualified fully. That led me to join The Mortgage Mum, a brilliant female-led brokerage, where I spent nearly five years before venturing out on my own and launching The Mortgage Atelier – a firm built around making the mortgage process transparent and manageable for everyone, regardless of their financial background.
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What has been the biggest learning over your career?
There have been so many! I joined the industry at 20 years old, and I’m about to turn 31, so in many ways, I’ve grown up in it. But if I had to choose one, it’s that you’re always learning. When I first started out, I was so eager to know everything straight away, but in this industry, that’s just not possible.
The pace moves fast, the market keeps shifting, and no one has all the answers. What matters more is knowing where to find the right information when you need it and staying open, curious, and adaptable. That’s been the most valuable lesson by far.
You founded The Mortgage Atelier last year. What has the first year been like?
It’s been a whirlwind in the best way. Starting something from scratch is never easy, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. There’s been a real sense of alignment in building a business that reflects my values, my voice, and the kind of client experience I truly believe in.
Naturally, there have been challenges (there always are in year one), but the response has been so encouraging. I’ve worked with brilliant clients, collaborated with trusted partners, and started shaping something that feels genuinely special. One of the most fulfilling parts has been building my team and surrounding myself with people who care deeply, who share the same ethos, and who each bring something unique to the table. It’s still early days, but our foundation feels strong, and our clients are happy – and that’s what matters most.
Looking ahead, what are the strategic priorities for 2026?
For us, 2026 is about growing with intention. We want to work with more clients, absolutely, but not at the expense of the experience we’re known for. That means building in a way that’s sustainable and expanding the team thoughtfully, streamlining how we work, and refining our services to support both quality and scale.
Recruitment will be a big focus – bringing in advisers who truly align with our values, not just in what they do, but how they do it. We’re also looking at our internal processes and client journey end to end, making sure everything we build supports that same level of care, clarity, and tailored advice.
What advice would you give someone considering launching their own mortgage broker firm?
Get really clear on your ‘why’ and build everything around that. It’s easy to get caught up in the logistics or the branding (and those things matter), but your purpose will be what guides you when things feel uncertain. Because they will. Because the shift from being a self-employed adviser to running your own firm is bigger than it looks.
I didn’t expect it to feel so different, but once I launched, it hit me – especially mentally. The responsibility is greater, the decisions are heavier, and there are days you’ll quietly question everything. But your ‘why’ is what anchors you. Knowing exactly what you want to build, how you want people to feel, and what kind of experience you’re here to deliver will carry you through.
Also: don’t rush. Grow steadily, build processes that support you, and protect the client experience at all costs. You only get one chance to build your reputation – so do it your way, with intention, and don’t lose sight of what made you want to start in the first place.
The Mortgage Atelier is an appointed representative (AR) of Stonebridge. What encouraged you to go AR as opposed to directly appointed (DA), and do you think more broker firms will change to AR?
For me, it was about building a business with strong foundations. Going AR meant I could focus on the client experience, my team, and the brand itself – without being weighed down by the operational and compliance demands that come with DA status, especially in the early stages.
It’s my first time running a firm, and the cost of DA is high, not just financially, but mentally. I knew I didn’t want the pressure of navigating a fast-paced regulatory landscape alone. I wanted a network I could trust, and Stonebridge offered exactly the right balance of support and autonomy. I could still shape something entirely my own, with full creative and strategic freedom, but with a safety net behind the scenes.
I do think we’ll see more firms moving between AR and DA as their businesses evolve, but much like mortgages themselves, there’s no one-size-fits-all. It’s all about knowing what kind of structure will best support your goals. For us, AR felt like the right foundation.
What is the current headcount of the business and are there plans for further recruitment?
We’re currently a team of five across advice, operations, marketing, and finance. It’s a close-knit setup, and that’s very intentional. Everyone on the team plays a meaningful role in shaping the client experience, and it’s that shared sense of purpose that allows us to deliver something genuinely tailored.
Looking ahead, there will be growth, but it has to be the right kind. I’m not interested in chasing numbers or scaling for the sake of it. Recruitment will come, but only when it supports the long-term direction of the business. I want to protect the quality of what we do while refining how we do it. Whether that’s through smarter processes, sharper service design, or carefully expanding the team in a way that strengthens rather than stretches our foundations, we will see. The vision has always been boutique in feel, but big in ambition, and we’re building with both in mind.
What do you think are the biggest opportunities and challenges for brokers going into 2026?
I think 2026 is a chance for brokers to evolve, not just endure. One of the biggest opportunities is trust. The market has been unsettled for a while, and people are craving clarity and steady guidance over rates alone. That creates space for brokers to meet a different kind of demand. To elevate the quality of advice. To adopt artificial intelligence (AI) where it adds real value, rather than chasing the latest trend. And to step into the space clients actually want us in: trusted, strategic, and human. We may also start to see generational wealth shifts reshape buying behaviour entirely.
On the flip side, the pace of change is a challenge. Whether it is regulation, tech, or client expectations, everything is moving fast, and that can feel overwhelming. AI will be a big one, and I’m already seeing the impact of that across industries. The pressure to adopt it quickly, without fully understanding how it fits into your business or benefits your clients, can be derailing. People are already turning to AI tools for advice. That brings its own risks because it opens the door to misinformation, hallucinations, and guidance that is not regulated, accurate, or tailored. Part of our role will be helping to unpick that and guide clients back to advice they can trust.
What would you want the mortgage industry to know about The Mortgage Atelier?
That I’m doing things differently, and deliberately so. The Mortgage Atelier was never meant to be just another mortgage firm. I built it to feel more human, more considered, and to respect the emotional weight of the decisions clients are making. We’re boutique by design, but not small in vision, and what makes our position quite unique is how closely we’re connected to both clients and the wider industry. It means I can help bridge the gap between brokers, lenders, and clients, and open up conversations that often don’t happen. And I’ve been really grateful for how willing the industry has been to give space to that perspective. Ultimately, I want the industry to know that we’re listening, we’re engaged, and we’re building something that reflects both where the market is now – and where it could be going next.
