The mortgage mole
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Fit for purpose Last month Mole joined the rest of the industry in congratulating Association of Mortgage Intermediaries director Robert Sinclair when he was named mortgage personality of the year at the Mortgage Strategy Awards. But Mole was intrigued to learn that this was just one of Sinclair’s achievements and the mortgage guy has been hiding a talent.
In 1975 Sinclair was crowned pole vault champion at the Scottish Indoor Championships athletics event as well as British University Champion in 1978.
Mole thinks brokers will be glad to know they have an athlete on their side as the sector faces the toughest patch in its history. And the ability to wield a big stick could also come in handy when the regulator starts being a nuisance.
Running joke Mole was tickled last week to receive a parcel from Wriglesworth Consultancy guru James Staunton.
Staunton had taken part in the Vertical Rush challenge in aid of Shelter, involving running up the stairs of high-rise Tower 42 in London.
Unfortunately for the Wriglesworth team the event took place the day after the Mortgage Strategy Awards meaning most were feeling a little worse for wear before they even started.
Staunton sent his sweat-stained runner’s number complete with emergency information form to the Strategy team including editor Robert Thickett, and Mole couldn’t help but laugh at the running man’s comments.
Under ’details of medical conditions’ Staunton wrote “attended 2010 Mortgage Strategy Awards last night” and where it asked for a doctor’s name and address he wrote “it’s Thickett’s fault - he’ll pick up the BUPA bill in the event of my death”.
Beloved broker It’s been a tough few years for brokers and the sector has struggled to gain the appreciation it deserves. So Mole was pleased as punch for one intermediary who received quite an accolade last week. Roy Hawkins, owner of Heswall Mortgage Services, was named the most loved mortgage broker in the UK.
In a survey organised by website thebestof.co.uk respondents were asked to give testimonials about those they have done business with and Hawkins, who set up his business in 2006, was chosen as the UK’s favourite broker.
“I am delighted to have received such great recognition and humbled that so many of my clients took the time to record their testimonials,” Hawkins told Mole. “It is fantastic to know that we’re getting our customer care right,”
Well done Roy - Mortgage Strategy salutes you.
Marathon man Finally, Mole would like to offer his support to Rob Jupp, director of Savills Lending Solutions, who plans to run the 2010 London Marathon.
This will be the third marathon for the 6ft 7in man-mountain after he completed the New York run in 2006 and the Berlin course in 2008.
“Once again I will be proudly donning the green vest and running for my good friends at Macmillan Cancer Care,” Jupp told Mole.
“Those guys are simply immense for anyone unfortunate enough to have cancer and it’s a pleasure to support them. My aim is to raise £3,000 and any help in achieving this would be very much appreciated.”
To show your support and donate visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/robjupp
