Office address: 51 Eastcheap, London EC3M 1DT
Website: www.better.co.uk
Year established: 2015
Company type: financial services
Employees: 200+
Expertise: property finance, residential mortgages, remortgaging solutions, buy-to-let, commercial bridging loans, residential bridging loans, semi-commercial bridging loans, and mortgage protection
Parent company: Better
CEO and key people: Tessa Skot (president and COO), Dominic Byrne (ACA) (senior director), Nick Shershnev (director), Amanda Aumonier (head of mortgage operations), Jack Smithson (head of organic), David Chapman (head of underwriting), Shaun Maclachlan (head of finance)
Financing status: formerly VC-backed
Better.co.uk is a digital mortgage broker based in London that provides services to simplify the mortgage process. The company compares around 12,000 mortgage offerings across 100 lenders to find the best solution for the client. It has more than 200 employees, with offices in Cardiff and London.
Better.co.uk, originally known as Trussle, rebranded in 2023 after Better’s acquisition of the company. Trussle launches in 2015, with software engineers working until 3 am. In 2016, the company makes its first mortgage submission.
The company reaches £100 million in loans in 2017. By 2019, Trussle celebrates submitting £1 billion in loans and achieves 2,000 five-star in reviews. Trussle is directly authorised by the FCA in 2020 and is acquired by Better in 2021.
Better.co.uk has an array of different mortgage offerings, each includes specific requirements that are meant to match the needs of the customers. Key offerings include:
residential mortgages: offers a wide range of residential mortgage products, tailored to meet the diverse needs of homebuyers
remortgaging solutions: clients can explore competitive remortgaging options to secure better rates or release equity from their homes
buy-to-let mortgages: this product caters to property investors looking to purchase rental properties, offering favourable terms and expert advice
commercial bridging loans: these short-term financing solutions are designed for commercial property transactions, providing quick access to funds
residential bridging loans: similar to commercial bridging loans, these are aimed at residential property transactions, ensuring smooth transitions between purchases
semi-commercial bridging loans: a hybrid product for properties with both residential and commercial elements, offering flexible financing options
mortgage protection: provides insurance products to protect clients against unforeseen circumstances affecting their ability to repay their mortgages
Better.co.uk prides itself on its core values, defining who they are and why they are vital for business success. The company commits to these values as a clear and transparent reflection of what it should be like. These core values are:
inclusive and diverse: embrace all people, cultures, and ideas
good judgement: earn customer trust by making wise decisions
honest: be truthful with others and oneself, confront difficult truths
respectful: show respect for oneself, others, and the mission
persistent and tough: overcome challenges and barriers with resilience
Better.co.uk has specific working values that guide their actions and integration into business practices. The company upholds these values for maintaining integrity, ensuring sustainable growth and a positive work environment. These working values are:
customer-focused and empathetic: always prioritise the customer’s perspective and needs
execution driven: ensure ideas are implemented with urgency and commitment
hard-working: tackle challenging tasks with dedicated effort
boundary-pushing: think ambitiously, question norms, and embrace new mistakes
enthusiastic: show passion for the mission and excitement in helping customers
Better.co.uk promotes taking care of its staff, recognising the importance of employee well-being for company success. They believe that a supportive environment enhances productivity and morale. They offer a range of benefits, including:
holidays: 25 days per year (plus bank holidays), increasing with length of service
in-office lunches: free lunches provided weekly, Monday to Friday, in Cardiff or London offices
health: coaching sessions with Sanctus, private health insurance through Vitality, and a health cash plan with Medicash
socials: engaging activities like cooking, dancing, and go-karting
invested in you: annual five days and £500 budget for skill development or investment
enhanced parental leave: three months of enhanced leave on full pay after 12 months of service
matched charity donation: up to £200 matched per calendar year for charity events or donations
Tessa Skot has served as Better.co.uk's president since 2022. Skot held significant roles in companies like Cision, Zencargo, Bain & Company, MIT, Goldman Sachs, and Standard Chartered Bank. She graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with an SM in technology and policy and the University of St Andrews with an MA (Hons) in financial economics.
Key individuals supporting Skot in leading Better.co.uk include:
Dominic Byrne (ACA), senior director of finance and HCM, oversees financial operations and human capital management
Nick Shershnev, as director of product, is responsible for the development and innovation of Better.co.uk's product offerings
Amanda Aumonier, serving as head of mortgage operations, ensures efficient processing and customer service in the mortgage department
Jack Smithson, as head of organic, focuses on organic growth strategies and SEO initiatives
David Chapman, head of underwriting, leads the team that assesses and approves mortgage applications
Shaun Maclachlan, as head of finance, manages financial planning, reporting, and analysis
Better.co.uk aims to continue its trajectory of growth and innovation. As part of this vision, the company plans to enhance its technological infrastructure to offer even more streamlined and efficient services. The rebranding of Trussle to Better.co.uk signifies its commitment to expansion and better customer service.
A significant partnership with Optimus is set to significantly develop the home-moving process further, making it simpler and faster for clients. This collaboration will bolster Better.co.uk's market position and drive future growth. As the company moves forward, it remains focused on leveraging technology to improve the mortgage experience and expand its market reach.
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