Broker discusses her career and what she is seeking to achieve in the future
Everyone has their own story to tell about how they become a mortgage broker - Katrina Horstead, from The Mortgage Mum, began her working life with roles in local government and the NHS.
Getting into the industry
“Buying my first house at 18 gave me an early insight into the mortgage process, with my interest in the mortgage industry being further ignited by meeting a colleague’s husband who had an IFA business,” said Horstead (pictured).
She added that this then prompted her to take the decision to study for her mortgage and protection qualification alongside her current job.
“Once qualified, I joined the friends’ IFA business as a self-employed mortgage and protection adviser, when self-certificated and 125% loan-to-value (LTV) mortgages were a thing,” Horstead said.
After a few years in the role, Horstead said she took a break from the industry to have a family and become involved in her husband’s designer clothing shops, managing the finance, website, and marketing areas of the business.
“I loved doing this, particularly as a lover of all things fashion, and my role today encompasses some of the same aspects, however I always had the desire to go back to the world of mortgages; I eventually came across the team at The Mortgage Mum and the rest is history,” Horstead said.
Motivation to continue as a broker
Horstead said the industry has changed considerably since she first entered the mortgage world, mainly regulation, which she added was very much needed.
“I am motivated to continue working as a broker with a passion for helping individuals and businesses navigate the complex mortgage process, as well as the satisfaction of finding clients the best possible mortgage deals and essentially saving them money,” she explained.
A particular factor in her desire to continue as a broker is building long term relationships with her clients, she said.
Looking to the future
Being a self-employed broker, Horstead said she was always looking to grow her business by entering new markets, in order to build and maintain successful working relationships with clients and lenders alike.
She sought to provide clients with the most appropriate mortgage products and services, whilst cultivating a reputation for professionalism and expertise within the industry.
“Building and maintaining relationships with clients, thus focusing on developing long-term relationships with clients, providing them with ongoing guidance and support, really is key to my business focus,” she said.
Always seeking to increase her knowledge and training, Horstead regularly took courses, attending industry events, webinars, and networking with other professionals and experts in the industry.
By doing this, it enabled her to remain a valuable asset for her clients and helped them achieve their goals.
“Another area I am working toward improving is embracing technology, I believe it is the future and holds the key to unlocking greater consumer outcomes,” Horstead said, pointing to various tools to enhance service delivery, whilst not moving away from customer service.
“I have a keen interest in this area which I would really like to give some focus over the year ahead,” Horstead said.
Education in mortgages was also an area of interest for Horstead, in discussing a client's needs, she concluded.
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