"I was always interested in finance as an option"
While still studying at the University of the West of England in Bristol, Graham Taylor worked part time in betting shops for Coral Racing. After graduating with a degree in Politics, he continued to work in his role as a deputy manager – then a full-timer – at Coral while he was figuring out what he really wanted to do.
How did he get into the mortgage industry? Taylor, founder and managing director at Gloucestershire-based mortgage broker Hudson Rose, shares his story in this Mortgage Introducer feature.
Getting into the industry
“I was always interested in finance as an option and particularly something with a sales element as it feels like my natural habitat,” Taylor said.
And when he saw an advertisement for a job with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages at the back end of 2006, he decided to give it a go – the rest is history!
After four years as a mortgage and protection adviser with L&C, he worked for HSBC as a mortgage manager for a year and transferred to Capital Private Finance, where he stayed for more than six years.
Taylor started Hudson Rose in 2018 with the aim of creating a brokerage that reflects his personality and delivers the best customer experience. He said he wanted to bring his own unique style to the industry, not least because of his signature hairdo, but his ability to make clients feel comfortable, explain all the options, and translate mortgage lingo.
Motivations to continue as a broker
“I genuinely think I was put on this earth to do my job,” Taylor stressed. “A mix of customer service, numbers and problem-solving plays to my strengths, and I really enjoy it.”
And with Taylor and his colleagues at Hudson Rose looking nothing like the typical mortgage adviser, he knows that they have to work even harder than their suited and booted counterparts. It’s an added motivation for them not to be accused of opting for style over substance.
Taylor also recognises that his role will also somewhat transition as the business grows.
“I don’t necessarily see myself in an advising role forever,” he said. “Things change, and I am excited to grow with the business.”
Looking to the future
Taylor is keen to expand further with more offices and more brokers so that they can offer more financial services under the Hudson Rose umbrella.
“I want to continue to grow Hudson Rose as a brand,” he said. “I have some exciting ideas of what we can do.”
Taylor added that their approach to a professional service such as mortgage advice has resonated with so many people that they will continue to improve and strive to be the best.
He then quipped, “As for future plans, isn’t there a saying ‘if you want to make God laugh, tell people your plans’?
“But I do know that whatever happens, we will do it in our own style and have some fun along the way.”
Are you a mortgage broker who also has a story to tell? Leave a comment in the discussion box at the bottom of the page, and you might get your story featured here too.
