He used to work in the complaints department, assessing claims of unsuitable advice
With over 20 years of experience in financial services, Rob Peters is now the principal at Altrincham-based advice provider Simple Fast Mortgage. He shared with the Mortgage Introducer the story of how he became an adviser.
Getting into the industry
So, how did Peters get into the mortgage industry?
“I am not sure that I had a childhood aspiration to be a mortgage adviser,” he explained. “My first financial services job was administering the redemption of mortgages at Bradford & Bingley Building Society in 2002.
“I’ve always been a problem solver and went on to learn about the various areas of the business. My employer offered to pay for mortgage and financial adviser qualifications, so I took that opportunity. I then worked in the complaints department, assessing claims of unsuitable advice.”
However, there was no role available to use his adviser qualifications fully at the mutual, so he went to the Cotswolds as an employee in a big financial advice firm.
In 2007, Peters set up as a self-employed independent financial adviser (IFA) – three months before the credit crunch meltdown. He built a business through the recession and economic downturn using innovative thinking and hard work. However, as he was still lacking in business experience, he exited a partnership, in 2010.
He spent the next 10 years working as an independent specialist for Delotte, KPMG, Price Waterhouse Cooper, Grant Thornton, and The Financial Conduct Authority.
Motivation to continue as an adviser
Peters said he re-evaluated his life at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. That was when he decided he needed to take control of his own destiny and be at home more.
Over a two-decade career, he often saw customers receiving poor quality financial and mortgage advice, resulting in inappropriate, or high-cost products being recommended.
He realised there was a gap in the mortgage market for high quality advice and excellent customer outcomes, specifically for clients with complex situations. This eventually led him to set up Simple Fast Mortgage during the pandemic, with an aim of gaining clients through digital marketing and advising remotely.
“I am a financial adviser that specialises in property finance,” Peters said. “My motivations are that, at heart, I am an entrepreneur and a problem solver with a passion for customer service and excellence. This is what you can expect at Simple Fast Mortgage.”
Looking to the future
Peters looks to the future with hope to continue to do better and to learn and grow, both as an individual and as a business.
“To deliver exceptional standards of advice and service to clients and seek out new and innovative ways to achieve this, embracing new technology” is another one of his aspirations.
“I currently have a vacancy for a mortgage adviser and would like someone highly motivated to succeed who is equally passionate about delivering great outcomes for our customers,” he said.
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