Top of the League - December

19 December 2011

Top Of The League - the competition that seeks to reward the best talent in the broker market - has returned for another season. Launched by Woolwich mortgages from Barclays in 2010, the aim is to offer intermediaries an opportunity to scoop fantastic prizes, such as the Barclays Premier League Player Of The Month trophy. But this season has an exciting twist. Working with Barclays and last season’s judges, who have signed on for another year, the competition will concentrate on networks and clubs. Each month we will focus on a different network or club and look for a Player Of The Month exclusively from that company.

Iron man performance from Sherlock

December proved to be one of the strongest months we have ever had for Top of the League with a highly successful shortlist.

There were a number of strong company performances but more citizenship entries than we have ever seen before, so Openwork clearly places a high degree of importance on fund raising within its community.

Almost every entry had raised significant amounts of money for extremely worthwhile causes as well as performing at the highest levels in business.

Bobby Sherlock from Stan Sherlock Associates is a highly worthy winner. In the past we have seen entries from people who have completed marathons for charity but Bobby is the first one we have seen who has completed the UK Iron Man challenge, a 2.4 mile swim, cycling for 112 miles and then a full 26 mile marathon.

Bobby completed this Herculean effort in 13 hours and five minutes, raising £3,800 for charity in the process.

Top Of The League will now take a short break for the holiday season then return in February. The next networks we are seeking nominations from for Top of the League will be Pink Home Loans and LSL Property Services.

Client relationships are key to success

Openwork is pleased to have worked with Barclays on Top Of The League. Celebrating outstanding performance is something that is at the heart of Openwork so I’m delighted to see Bobby Sherlock win well-deserved recognition.

We are known for our industry-leading, exclusive multi-tie proposition, underpinned by our close-knit community of advisers.

With such a strong peer group Bobby has done brilliantly to win but it’s no surprise, given the work he has done to build a successful model for what is a well regarded family business. In particular, the building society agency has helped cement a key lender relationship, while driving new clients into the business.

Openwork helps advisers boost profitability, whether that be in the mortgage, protection or wealth management market. We put huge emphasis on training and competence, ensuring our advisers offer trusted face-to-face advice and it’s this that has seen Bobby develop outstanding client relationships and grow his business.

December shortlist

• Bobby Sherlock, Stan Sherlock Associates
• David Harvey, The Centre Court Partnership
• Craig Fish, Lindon-Travers Associates
• Paul Elliott, Simply Finance Group
• Charlotte Ware, Moneysprite
  
  

NAME: Bobby Sherlock
COMPANY: Stan Sherlock Associates
JOB TITLE: Mortgage adviser

WHY JUDGES PICKED SHERLOCK:

• Runs a Yorkshire Building Society agency with his mother, adding clear profit to the business and almost trebling deposits over the year.
• Took charge of an Openwork study group for the JO1 taxation exam for the Retail Distribution Review and achieved a 100% pass rate.
• Raised over £3,800 for the Openwork charity and a local cystic fibrosis charity by competing in the UK Iron Man challenge in July 2011.

WHAT DOES BEING CROWNED TOP OF THE LEAGUE MEAN TO YOU?
I’m a bit overwhelmed – it’s extremely pleasing to have been awarded the prize.

AS WELL AS WORKING AT YOUR FAMILY’S BROKERAGE YOU ALSO MANAGE A YORKSHIRE BUILDING SOCIETY AGENCY AND COMPLETED THE UK IRON MAN CHALLENGE – HOW DO YOU FIND THE TIME?
The Iron Man challenge was something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I found out that my wife Emma was pregnant in December last year so I thought it was now or never and signed up to do it.

WAS THE IRON MAN CHALLENGE THAT YOU DID IN JULY, WITH A 2.4 MILE SWIM, 112 MILE CYCLE RIDE AND MARATHON, AS TOUGH AS IT SOUNDS?
Yes – every step was difficult. The worst bit was the running, just simply because of where it came in the order of events after the swim and cycling. I’d like to do another one but not for a number of years.

WHAT’S THE MARKET LIKE IN YOUR LOCAL AREA OF CARLISLE AT THE MOMENT?
It’s probably comparable to other places – it’s reasonably difficult with the lenders, but we’re still busy. We do a lot of remortgage business and have systems in place to contact people before deals finish. There’s also a reasonable amount of buy-to-let business as well.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO FINANCIAL SERVICES?
It’s a family business. My dad, Stan Sherlock, has been a mortgage broker since the late 1980s. I went to university to study economics and finance and decided that the family business was something that I’d like to come in to.

WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF THE JOB?
The customer facing part as I enjoy speaking to and dealing with people.

FINALLY, IF YOU COULD BE ANY FOOTBALLER FOR A DAY, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?
Well, I’m more a cricket and rugby man, but I’d have to say George Best in his heyday. He was a fantastic footballer who liked a drink as well.

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