"We have recently empowered our underwriters to make lending decisions up to £500,000 without recourse to credit or risk committee."
FR: What area do you cover?
I work across the whole of England and Wales. I am on the road three or four days a week supporting our key accounts and attending broker events.
FR: If you had one ‘top tip’ for life as a BDM, what would it be?
Truly believe in the company you work for, be passionate and sincere in everything you do and go to bed at night knowing you have done your best.
FR: How do you pass the time on the road – books, podcasts, audio books?
I am a big music fan so I listen to a wide range of music while I am driving, You can’t beat the 70s, 80s and 90s in particular although there are some amazing talents around nowadays like Ed Sheeran, Adele and Sam Smith.
When I am staying away overnight, I tend to catch up with my emails, make calls and watch a bit of TV. The Apprentice is on at the moment and I love watching Sir Alan refereeing board room battles and competitive egos.
FR: What’s one thing you wish all brokers knew?
We have recently empowered our underwriters to make lending decisions up to £500,000 without recourse to credit or risk committee. This is something of a major leap for the team and we really want to get the message out to our broker community. We want to hear from advisers when they believe they have a good case, our underwriters have the authority and the expertise to make the right decision for the customer.
FR: A quick email on Monday or a phone call in the afternoon – how can brokers contact you?
I am on my mobile any week day from early morning for brokers to contact me. For enquiries as to whether we can help you on a specific case, it is best to call our broker relationship support, Beth Stanbridge. Beth can respond quickly to your enquiries and pass you on to the underwriters if appropriate.
FR: And lastly - what’s your favourite place to stop for a coffee when you’re between meetings?
I am allergic to coffee so it’s always a cuppa for me. I do like to support independent cafés which often offer home made food where possible (there is a great little deli in Chalfont St Giles I use when I’m working at the office). When I am out and about, if I am in London then its probably Pret a Manger I head for the most as there are plenty of them scattered around the capital to choose from.
