| Tell us about your job and what’s involved on a typical day?My typical day starts with coming into the office at around 8:30, listening to music and responding to emails till 9. Thereafter its meeting clients throughout the day, explaining how myself, First Mortgage and buying a house works. When meeting clients, it’s my responsibility to identify and recommend the best solutions and mortgages to clients and getting these approved. When it come to finalising the clients mortgage and protection requirements, I take 1 hour to ensure I am fully prepared and ready for the meeting and then present my recommendations to the clients.
What previous roles and experiences led you to your current position?
I have now been working for First Mortgage for over 7 years and started in the company aged 22 as Sales Support to the Dundee Office. Previous to this I worked as a Sales Assistant at Dunfermline Building Society. I was sales support for almost 3 years before deciding to complete my CMAP exams and 1 year after I was up and running as a mortgage advisor with First Mortgage. Since then I have never looked back and have now relocated from Dundee to the new office in Kirkcaldy, where I was delighted to be appointed branch manager.
What do you like most about this company?
The support the company has given me over the years. I was always encouraged to progress and was pushed in right direction by Wendy and Ian to move from the Sales Support role to mortgage advisor. First Mortgage have continued to help me improve throughout the 3 years I have been an advisor and still provide support when I need it. I also love that Ian is a keen golfer and annually has golf days out at amazing courses!
What do you consider the key challenges for the mortgage industry this year?
Continuing to try and change the public perception that buying a house is difficult, complicated and expensive.
Who’s been your greatest hero in business?
Bill Gates, he revolutionised the computer industry having started with nothing.
What’s on your desk?
My computer and phone plus a photo book of my two children, Liam and Charlie.
What’s the best piece of advice you could give someone?
Always be confident in yourself. If you can’t, then how can others be confident in you?
If you could be a superhero for a day with unlimited powers, what would you use them for and why?
I would love to be able to read people’s mind and I would use it in day to day life when meeting with clients to make sure when you ask ‘do you have any credit commitments’ or ‘have you had any credit issues’ that they were telling the truth!
What’s your favourite gadget?
My iPad, anyone that knows me knows I am a complete technophobe, however I could not live without the iPad now, it’s my 2nd wife!!
What did want to be when you were a child?
When I very young, I wanted to be an Asda checkout assistant (because of all the money they handled) and as I got a little bit older, I wanted to be an accountant (because of the money I thought they earned). How sad is that!!
Who’s your favourite musician/band?
Aqua and the Vengaboys!! Seriously it would probably be Artic Monkeys or The Strokes.
What was the worst piece of advice you’ve been given?
‘Have children….it’s easy!’
Who is your current mortgage with?
Halifax.
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