His path to becoming a mortgage adviser was not a meticulously planned one
In many industries, success stories sometimes unfold in unexpected ways. Simon Bridgland (pictured), director and adviser at Release Freedom, shares his story of how he ventured into the mortgage industry and discovered his passion for helping clients secure their dream homes.
Getting into the industry
Like many industry professionals in the 1990s, Bridgland’s path to becoming a mortgage adviser was not a meticulously planned one. Having explored various jobs in construction after leaving school, he felt the need for something different. Then, a serendipitous encounter with an advertisement in a local newspaper paved the way for a new chapter in his career.
“I saw an advert by Abbey Life offering to help individuals train and get qualified in financial services, what’s the worse that could happen?” he recounted.
Bridgland took the plunge, underwent training, and successfully passed the Financial Planning Certificate exams. Thrown into the realm of direct sales, he quickly learned the art of listening to clients and delivering tailored solutions.
“As a self-employed adviser with no salary, you soon learn to listen to what a client is telling you and learn very quickly how best to deliver the solution to them,” he said.
According to Bridgland, the mortgage market in the 2000s presented a different landscape, with face-to-face interactions dominating the scene.
“Mortgage life was very different to how it is now, obviously all face to face, so you would naturally work within a particular town or region, and fight among your peers to be the go-to person in the area, it really was a sales role then,” he recalled.
He honed his expertise in the mortgage market, working as an adviser based in estate agencies. But a hiatus from mortgages led him to bancassurance, advising on a wide range of personal financial needs at a major high street bank. While the experience was enriching, Bridgland felt a void and eventually departed in 2014.
“At that time, I had become very disillusioned with the role I was in, and when the bank wanted to merge the wealth management role with the private banking role, I had enough and decided to set up a couple of other businesses unrelated to financial services,” he related.
“These businesses were doing well up to when COVID hit and stopped both dead in their tracks. Up to that point, I had the good fortune to be able to set up my own financial services business which ran from the same premises.”
In the aftermath of setbacks, Bridgland seized the opportunity to establish Release Freedom in 2019, specialising in mortgage advice. His goal was clear: to provide comprehensive assistance at every stage of life, from first-time buyers to those in the twilight of their years. His unique approach involved offering a full spectrum of personal mortgage advice with a special focus on later life lending.
Motivations to continue as a broker
Bridgland’s motivation to continue as a broker stems from the genuine desire to help clients navigate their financial needs.
“The thing that struck me is how much clients really needed helping, be it simple life insurance needs or more complex investment needs,” he shared. “For me, the buzz came from obviously the ‘sale’ as it was in those days, but also the great feeling you get from helping people, from showing them the way they can achieve what they are hoping to achieve, it makes you feel good.”
During his tenure with Abbey Life, Bridgland discovered a particular fondness for advising on mortgages. The profound impact of this product on individuals, as they strive to own their homes, fuelled his passion.
“To be relied upon to help people achieve the goal of owning their homes was such a thrill that I knew, this was where my passion would settle,” he said.
Looking to the future
Despite the challenges of growing from a zero-client base, Bridgland is determined to expand Release Freedom, with his unwavering focus on the client remaining as the driving force.
“Rather than having to farm out clients to other advisers for later life needs, I felt I could look after them, I knew I could also offer the great service I was known for previously, in the later life arena,” he said.
Looking ahead, Bridgland aims to solidify his position as a trusted adviser in the later life lending sector, exemplifying resilience and dedication in a constantly evolving industry.
“The business still has a long way to go in terms of growth,” he acknowledged. “Having gone from a zero-client bank to where I am now takes a lot of effort.
“But I am always on the lookout for new clients. The focus is, as it has always been, the client. Do right by them, and they will look after you.”
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