Office address: 39 Station Lane, Hornchurch, Essex RM12 6JL
Website: www.connectbrokers.co.uk
Year established: 1998
Company type: financial services
Employees: 15+
Expertise: buy to let mortgages, expat mortgages, commercial mortgages, foreign national mortgages, bridging finance, development finance
Parent company: Connect Group
Key people: Liz Syms (CEO), Jim Selley (director), Jane Benjamin (director), Alan Baldwin CeMAP (director), Darren Fletcher (manager), Emma Roberts (head of intermediary relationships), Kevin Thomson (director), Tracy Robinson (manager)
Financing status: N/A
Connect for Intermediaries is a mortgage network and broker support service based in Essex. With more than 15 employees, the company partners with over 170 lenders to offer comprehensive mortgage solutions. They provide brokers with resources, training, and support to navigate the mortgage market effectively.
Connect for Intermediaries was founded in 1998 with the aim of supporting mortgage brokers through comprehensive services and training. In 2015, the company launched its mortgage network, significantly enhancing its support capabilities for brokers. By 2018, Connect introduced the Connect Academy, which was designed to provide extensive training and development for mortgage advisers.
In 2019, Connect began packaging services for several mortgage companies, further expanding its product offerings. The company also partnered with Assetz Capital, a company that provides property-secured loans to businesses, to increase its reach and lending options. Most recently, the company strengthened its leadership team, adding three new directors to improve operational effectiveness and training programs.
Connect for Intermediaries offers a diverse range of products and services, accessible through bundled packages or referral services. These include:
residential mortgages: solutions for first-time buyers, home movers, and remortgages
buy-to-let mortgages: tailored products for property investors and landlords
commercial mortgages: funding options for commercial property acquisitions and refinances
bridging loans: short-term finance solutions for property purchases and developments
second charge mortgages: additional borrowing secured against a property
equity release: options for homeowners to release equity from their properties
specialist lending: solutions for clients with complex or non-standard requirements
mortgage packaging services: assistance with packaging and submitting mortgage applications
Connect for Intermediaries has a dynamic work environment, with a team that plays a friendly and supportive role. Fostering strong lender relationships, the company provides their advisers with flexible working hours and allows employees to work from a branch or home. Other possible benefits include:
Connect Mortgage Advisers receive comprehensive support
including lead generation and in-house marketing team
dedicated mortgage administrators for applications and processing
compliance and training programs
employed packages offer a basic salary, commission, and pension
self-employed packages provide flexibility, available initial financial support, and higher earning potential
access to the OMS portal for streamlined management
Member Zone with exclusive resources and support
Connect Academy offering extensive training and development opportunities
opportunities to join Connect Network
Connect for intermediaries focuses on enhancing the wellbeing of mortgage brokers by providing a comprehensive support system designed to promote mental and physical health. Their initiatives aim to foster a balanced lifestyle, reduce stress, and increase productivity within the mortgage broker community.
as a member of the Diversity and Inclusivity Finance Forum (DIFF), the company dedicates itself to promoting equality and inclusivity within the finance industry. DIFF has activities including:
workshops
networking opportunities
panel discussions
resources and toolkits
Case studies and success stories
Connect for Intermediaries is actively involved in the Green Agenda, demonstrating their commitment to environmentally sustainable practices within the mortgage industry. By integrating green initiatives, they aim to promote eco-friendly housing solutions and support clients in making sustainable choices. Their efforts include a variety of activities and goals designed to reduce the environmental impact of the housing market, such as:
partnerships with eco-friendly organisations
promotion of green mortgage products and educational resources
support for energy-efficient home improvements
participation in industry-wide sustainability forums and discussions
incentives for clients who choose green home options
advocacy for regulatory changes to support green initiatives
Liz Syms serves as the company's owner and CEO. Syms is also the owner of Connect IFA, Connect Mortgages, and Connect Mortgage Club, with eight years of experience as a financial adviser at Prudential. She graduated from Kent and Canterbury College.
The key people who support Syms in leading the company include:
Jim Selley, as director of training, leads the training programs and development initiatives
Jane Benjamin, serving as director of mortgages, oversees the mortgage product offerings
Alan Baldwin CeMAP, as director of compliance, manages compliance operations ensuring regulatory adherence across the company
Darren Fletcher, as a relationship manager, maintains and develops broker relationships
Emma Roberts, head of intermediary relationships, manages intermediary partnerships and collaborations
Kevin Thomson, as sales director, drives the sales strategy and broker engagement
Tracy Robinson, serving as business recruitment manager, focuses on recruiting and onboarding new brokers
Connect for Intermediaries plans to continue their operational expansion to stay ahead in the mortgage market. The company recently partnered with Saffron Building Society, enhancing broker support and broadening their product offerings. This expansion helps brokers access a wider range of lenders, improving their ability to meet client needs.
Additionally, the company's mortgage network, Connect Brokers, remains focused on providing comprehensive support and resources to brokers, ensuring they stay competitive. Moving forward, Connect for Intermediaries is committed to continuous improvement and innovation, leveraging new partnerships and technologies to better serve brokers and their clients.
Find out who scooped the top honours…
Network's advisers and their clients can source the lender's suite of products and features
The network's advisers and their clients gain access to the lender's range of products
Mortgage Introducer celebrates the 55 female trailblazers who have soared to new heights in the mortgage industry over the past year
The event was designed to support the network's AR firms and advisers
She was promoted from her relationship manager role
They join the leadership line-up to support plans to drive the business forward
The network's members gain access to the lender’s range of specialist mortgages
More than 1,000 appointed representative advisers get an additional option
It aims to build momentum in providing mortgages to the underserved age group
