The Intermediary – January 2026 - Flipbook - Page 73
M E E T T H E B RO K E R
What is something
outside of work that
people might like
to know?
I live in Brighton and Hove – or
“Hove, actually,” as we locals always
say – and I feel incredibly lucky to
call Sussex home. It’s one of those
places that genuinely ticks every box:
the energy of the city, the beautiful
South Downs, and of course,
the beach.
I’m only a five-minute walk from
the seafront, so a lot of my free time
is spent there with my daughter and
our toy poodle, Bear.
A fun fact many people are
surprised by: I started windsurfing
at 13, and at the time I was one of
the very few girls locally who could
actually master it.
A second fun fact is that I used to
work on a cruise ship as a croupier
in the casino. I started off swapping
money for rolls of coins for the
slot machines, then I progressed
to cashing in the casino chips and
finally was trained to deal blackjack,
roulette, poker and craps (dice). It
was certainly a fun few years.
What sets your
firm apart?
At Sophisticated Sussex Finance,
our driving force is genuinely
helping people. I often say the role
is surprisingly similar to my days as
a travel agent: you get to know the
customer, understand their goals,
budgets and future plans, and then
guide them through a process that
can otherwise feel overwhelming.
In travel, I matched people to their
ideal holiday.
Now, I match them to the
most suitable mortgage – and
the responsibility means even
more because it shapes their lives
long-term. That training in customer
care has proved invaluable.
We take pride in the little details,
the clear communication, and the
patience needed to guide clients
through what is often the biggest
financial decision of their lives.
We also provide full wrap-around
support such as solicitor referrals,
survey recommendations, and
ensuring protection is understood
and prioritised, so clients feel
completely looked after.
Our 5-star Google reviews
consistently mention our friendly
approach, thoroughness, and ability
to make clients feel at ease. Those
comments mean everything to us
and reflect the service standard we
work to every single day.
What are the main
opportunities
Hard work, resilience,
and a genuine passion
for helping people can
take you far”
are often high – to owning a home
can have a transformative impact.
Helping clients break into the
market, despite the hurdles, is one of
the most rewarding parts of the job.
for brokers?
Are there any
Right now, the landscape is evolving
quickly, which actually opens doors
for brokers who are proactive and
client focused.
Consumers are more aware than
ever of the value of personalised
advice, especially after the economic
uncertainty of recent years. This
creates opportunities for brokers
to deepen relationships, educate
clients, and showcase the difference
between using an adviser and
going it alone.
Innovation in lending – from more
flexible affordability models to
specialist products for self-employed
borrowers, later-life lending, and
deposit-boosting schemes – also
means brokers can help a broader
range of clients than before. As more
people face complex circumstances,
brokers who stay informed and
adaptable have a real advantage.
developments in
What are the main issues
currently affecting
your sector?
The biggest challenge in my local
area is affordability. Brighton and
Hove is a wonderful place to live,
but it’s undeniably expensive, and
saving a meaningful deposit can feel
almost impossible for many firsttime buyers.
This is why new, innovative
mortgage products are so vital.
Anything that helps people transition
from renting – where monthly costs
the pipeline?
I’m genuinely excited for 2026 and
the direction both the market and
my business are heading. Each year
brings new opportunities, new
clients, and new ways to grow.
Watching the business evolve from
something I built during redundancy
to a thriving brokerage is incredibly
motivating, and I can’t wait to see
what the next chapter holds.
Is there a message you’d
like to send to other
brokers?
When you’re starting out, it can
feel incredibly daunting – especially
when the income isn’t regular and
everything depends on your own
determination. But consistency
truly is the key. Keep showing up,
keep offering the best service you
possibly can, and keep marketing
yourself even when it feels like no
one is noticing. If you stay patient
and committed, your customer base
will grow.
If someone had told me five years
ago that I would be the owner of
Sophisticated Sussex Finance Ltd,
I wouldn’t have believed them. But
hard work, resilience, and a genuine
passion for helping people can take
you far. Dreams really can come true
– and this industry has space for all
of us to succeed. ●
January 2026 | The Intermediary
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