He was a late starter in the mortgage world, having a career change in his late 30s
James Vince (pictured) stands as a testament to the fact that it’s never too late for a career change. Now the managing director at Castle View Finance, Vince took the plunge into the mortgage industry in his late 30s, proving that passion and determination can be the driving forces behind a successful transition.
Getting into the industry
Vince’s foray into the realm of mortgages came after making an investment in property. Eager to comprehend every facet of the process, from the influencing factors to the intricacies of underwriting, he embarked on a mission to demystify the numbers that governed the industry.
Connecting with established figures in the industry, Vince obtained his full set of qualifications including Equity Release.
“Armed with the theory, I took a six-month self-employed role with a leading specialist brokerage, which is where I cut my teeth before setting up on my own as Castle View Finance,” he recounted. “Having a decent commercial background from senior roles within the commercial vehicle industry, the switch to mortgages and protection was a natural click – one I’m glad I made!”
Motivations to continue as a broker
A profound passion for property and the thrill of securing deals that others might deem challenging are the things that keep Vince motivated.
“Getting cases over the line that many others can’t – the sense of ‘it can be done’ – lives in the veins of Castle View Finance,” he said. “I hope that is a reflection of my personal beliefs, but I know the team reflects this in themselves.
“There is a great level of satisfaction when you speak to a client who has no idea how or where they’re going, to see them 12 months later with twice as many properties than they thought was possible and in a safe trading position.”
Vince claimed that, unlike many brokers, Castle View Finance is invested in the client’s decision-making process, understanding that “the long-term ‘why’ is as important as today’s rate and tomorrow’s refinance.”
Looking to the future
With a close friend as his operations director, an experienced broker covering the North East, along with key specialists in the business focused on customer service, social media, accounting and client strategy support making up his seven-member team, Vince now wants to add a further five passionate and market leading brokers in 2024.
He said he also looks forward to developing their brand and offering, with some industry leading changes that will make a full circle solution for clients – from onboarding to completions.
While Vince was tight-lipped about the specifics of Castle View Finance’s current five-year business plan, he hinted that it’s both focused and aggressive. The overarching goal, however, is clear — to protect clients from bad advice, support their future goals, and provide access to a robust support network.
“We’re proud to only work with selected and trusted connections that want to get it done,” he added. “Our team takes it personally and gets emotional (good and bad) for our clients, and building a strong property portfolio foundation is paramount for us.”
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