Broker discusses how he fell into the industry by chance
Every broker has undergone their own unique experiences to get to where they are today; Barry Webb (pictured), chief executive of Mortgage Saving Experts, said he simply fell into the industry by chance.
Getting into the industry
“I sort of fell into the industry really; I used to live with a lady many moons ago who had a job in London, and I thought ‘I have nothing to lose’ so I applied for literally any job in London, way back in 2001,” Webb said.
He said he saw a job advertised with John Charcol as an administrator for processing mortgages for their online section. “People used to apply for mortgages online, yes in 2001 - for all you millennials out there,” Webb joked. He said the atmosphere and the people were great, many of whom he has stayed in contact with over the years.
Following a good few years at John Charcol, Webb decided to become an underwriter in Canary Wharf for Platform Home Loans, when paper mortgage applications and documents used to be posted to lenders.
“I stayed at Platform Home Loans for a couple of years and gained valuable experience within the industry,” Webb said.
While there, he met his wife and decided to move to Brighton where she lived. There, he started work for Lloyds Bank in its lending department while studying for his CeMAP, which he passed in 2005 and subsequently became an adviser the same year.
In January 2007, Webb decided two years as an adviser at a bank was long enough and had ambitions to operate independently. “I then became self-employed as an independent mortgage adviser and have been working under various networks and DA firms ever since,” Webb said.
A new chapter
In August 2017, Webb and his wife decided to start Mortgage Saving Experts, with the intention of shaking up the industry by creating an open network where every broker and person within the company has a loud voice.
“I believe that things cannot change without people having the ability to voice their opinions freely, and if those suggestions are valid for improvement, then I will, of course, implement them,” Webb said.
Motivation to continue as a broker
Webb said his motivation to continue as a broker comes from helping customers achieve their homeownership dreams.
“When a first-time buyer comes to you and says they are unable to get a mortgage because they have tried two other brokers who failed, and I got them an offer within 48 hours, that is priceless,” Webb said.
He added that it is the satisfaction he gets from clients being able to buy the property they want, that is key.
“I have also been doing this job for a long time, and due to my extensive knowledge of the market, I am able to pass on that knowledge to other brokers who need help with cases, or advice on where to advertise and what to do in certain situations,” Webb said.
Looking to the future
Webb said the future of Mortgage Saving Experts is bright, with the firm having a two pronged approach going forward.
“The first is we wish to grow the business and become one of the go-to places to get your mortgage, because customers know they will be looked after by every single member of our company,” Webb said.
The other area the business is planning on branching out into, Webb said, is becoming a network, focusing on making the adviser’s sales journey as easy and simple as possible.
“Our job is simple, keep compliant, do right by the client and make everyone’s life as easy as possible,” Webb said.
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