Just Mortgages has announced the formation of a brand-new regional performance management team to enhance support for area directors and advisers within its growing self-employed division.
The new team consists of three internal promotions with Jonathan Phillips covering the north region and both Ben Peart and Richard Mills based in the south. The team will operate as a second line of influence, working closely with area directors to review adviser business plans, respond to any challenges and identify opportunities to upskill advisers and help grow and expand their businesses.
Using their knowledge and expertise, the aim is for the regional performance managers to empower area directors to help advisers get the most out of their careers and businesses. This could include sales development, plugging advice gaps and training needs, or supporting their own recruitment.
Jonathan has been part of Just Mortgages for more six years, serving as an area director himself, before moving into an interim regional management role. Prior to this, Jonathan has held senior roles with Tesco Bank, Reeds Rains and HSBC in a career that has spanned more than two decades.
Richard Mills is promoted from his role as financial services director and has previously served as both regional director and area director across more than 5 years with Just Mortgages. Before this, Richard spent nearly two decades with Countrywide. Ben Peart joins the team from his role as regional director and is also a former area director himself. Ben’s resume includes roles with Countrywide and Connells.
Jonathan Philips said: “I’m thrilled to be taking on this new strategic role, working closely with the area directors across the region to influence and support them in helping our advisers grow their businesses. The area directors have been really receptive and the response across the division has been very positive. We all have the same goal of helping our advisers succeed, so my role now is all about influencing our directors, helping them to nurture strong relationships and understand what is required to help brokers meet their goals as an individual adviser and as a business owner.”
Ben Allkins, head of mortgages and protection at Just Mortgages adds: “The introduction of regional performance managers is an exciting next step in our strategy, designed to make sure we really are giving our advisers all the support they need to launch, scale and succeed in a self-employed environment. Establishing a second line of influence ensures our brilliant area directors are alive to every opportunity and are able to meet the individual needs of the broad range of businesses that make up our self-employed division.
“Jonathan, Richard and Ben bring a wealth of experience from within the division and the wider market, and have the respect of our directors and advisers. As the division continues to grow and interest to join only increases, strengthening the support structure we place around every adviser business becomes absolutely critical. We are fast approaching 500 advisers and have clear ambitions to double that number in the coming years.”
Alongside nearly 500 self-employed advisers across the country. Just Mortgages has more than 150 employed advisers based in estate agency branches nationwide. In addition, advisers in Just Mortgages also have access to the brokerage’s financial advice arm Just Wealth and referral opportunities to discuss pensions, savings, investments and estate planning.
Advisers benefit from day-to-day support with sales, marketing and compliance, as well as ongoing training and mentoring. Those looking to expand can take advantage of additional licence courses held by Just Mortgages, or sign up for the business principals programme. This provides the necessary leadership and management training to enable advisers to recruit, manage and support their own team of brokers and admin staff.
