Mortgage Broker Broadcast

Hosted by Craig Skelton

Business Entrepreneurship

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Episodes

237

Latest episode

May 2026

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About the show

Developing your knowledge to help you build a successful Mortgage Broker business. Craig Skelton shares his thoughts and experiences on all aspects of mortgage advice covering everything from operating in the banking world, estate agency based advisers all the way up to working as a self employed broker. He will be joined by experts from within the industry and other business sectors which all play a key part in becoming a successful mortgage broker in the modern world.

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60 recent

May 12, 2026Episode 1917 min

Choosing A Mortgage Network That Fits You

Send us Fan MailThe network you choose as an appointed representative can change far more than your commission split. It can shape how free you feel, how confident you operate, and whether your day-to-day work feels like the business you meant to build or a new version of the corporate machine you tried to leave behind. We dig into what “network culture” really means for a mortgage broker, beyond slogans, shiny onboarding, and a good-looking deal sheet.We talk through the practical moments where culture shows itself: when you need case help, when a compliance issue lands, when you want to try something new, or when you challenge a decision. I share better questions to ask networks, how to spot when support is reactive instead of proactive, and why you should speak to existing AR firms you find yourself, not just the ones you are introduced to. We also get clear on values-led mortgage advice, why values are business foundations (not fluffy words), and how alignment affects client outcomes, standards, and long-term growth.If you want to recruit advisers and build a firm, this becomes even more important. Your network becomes part of your employer brand through its systems, supervision, training, tone, and accessibility. We finish with a direct set of fit-check questions to help you choose a mortgage network that matches your stage of business and the stage you are trying to reach. This is also the last Mortgage Broker Broadcast for a while, so thank you for listening over the years. If this helped, please subscribe, share it with another broker, and leave a review so more people can find it.I help employed mortgage brokers go self-employed with clarity, confidence and one-to-one mentoring. Find out how Pathways or Coaching works at craigskelton.co.uk#mortgagebroker #mortgagebrokers #mortgagebrokeruk #mortgagebrokercoaching #coaching #mortgagebrokerage #mortgagebrokerbusiness #mortgagebrokermarketing #mortgagebrokertips #mortgageadvisor #mortgageadviser #mortgagecoach #businesscoaching #successmentoring #selfemployed...

May 5, 2026Episode 1813 min

Should You Become An Appointed Representative?

Send us Fan MailStarting your own mortgage firm sounds exciting right up until you hit the compliance wall. We unpack the Appointed Representative (AR) model in the UK and explain, in plain English, what it means to operate under a principal firm’s FCA permissions, how the oversight works, and why mortgage networks use this structure so often.We talk through the biggest reasons brokers choose the AR route: faster setup than direct authorisation, lower upfront costs, and built-in compliance support that can save you months of building policies, systems, and reporting from scratch. If you’re moving from employed to self-employed, AR can be a practical way to test the waters, build a client bank, and learn what it takes to run a business while sharing the regulatory load.Then we get honest about the downsides that can quietly shape your future: less control over processes and product panels, ongoing fees or commission splits, and the risk of being tied to your principal’s reputation. We also dig into the details many people miss like data ownership, client relationship portability, branding rules, tech compatibility, cultural fit, growth limits, and how your exit strategy affects the long-term value of your brokerage.If you’re weighing AR vs FCA direct authorisation, this gives you a clear decision framework and a due diligence checklist to protect your business. Subscribe for upcoming guidance on choosing the right network and planning a move from AR to DA, and if the episode helps, share it and leave a review so more brokers can find it.I help employed mortgage brokers go self-employed with clarity, confidence and one-to-one mentoring. Find out how Pathways or Coaching works at craigskelton.co.uk#mortgagebroker #mortgagebrokers #mortgagebrokeruk #mortgagebrokercoaching #coaching #mortgagebrokerage #mortgagebrokerbusiness #mortgagebrokermarketing #mortgagebrokertips #mortgageadvisor #mortgageadviser #mortgagecoach #businesscoaching #successmentoring #selfemployed...

April 28, 2026Episode 179 min

Clawbacks And Cover

Send us Fan MailInflation is back in the headlines, but the real story shows up in your clients’ bank accounts and in your clawback reports. When fuel, energy, and food costs rise at the same time as mortgage rates, people start cutting anything that feels optional and protection insurance is often first on the chopping block. I want to stop that knee-jerk decision before it harms the client’s home security and before it hits your income through indemnity commission clawbacks.I break down the three pressures shaping the market right now: rising living costs, higher mortgage rates with fewer products available, and the knock-on effect on protection budgets. From there, we get practical about why cancelling life insurance, critical illness cover, or income protection is usually short-sighted. Clients lose the benefit of locked-in premiums, and reapplying later can mean higher costs or tougher underwriting. The better move is almost always a review and a reset: reduce the sum assured, shorten the term, or restructure cover so something stays in force.We also dig into a moment that drives lapses every year: the annual policy anniversary statement. If clients call the provider first, “quick fixes” can turn into cancellations. If they call us first, we can explain what changed, check suitability, and present affordable options that keep them protected. I share a simple playbook for proactive anniversary reviews, budget reprioritisation, staying visible with regular updates, considering non-indemnity or mixed commission, and documenting everything to support Consumer Duty.If you want fewer clawbacks and stronger client trust during a cost of living squeeze, press play. Subscribe, share this with a broker who needs it, and leave a review with the one process you’re tightening up this month.I help employed mortgage brokers go self-employed with clarity, confidence and one-to-one mentoring. Find out how Pathways or Coaching works at craigskelton.co.uk#mortgagebroker #mortgagebrokers #mortgagebrokeruk #mortgagebrokercoaching #coaching #mortgagebrokerage #mortgagebrokerbusiness #mortgagebrokermarketing #mortgagebrokertips #mortgageadvisor #mortgageadviser #mortgagecoach #businesscoaching #successmentoring #selfemployed...

April 21, 2026Episode 1611 min

Stop Procrastinating

Send us Fan MailProcrastination rarely looks like doing nothing. More often, it looks like a mortgage broker “staying productive” all day while the real work keeps slipping to next week. When swap rates jump, lenders pull deals, and clients need calm guidance fast, it’s easy to tell ourselves we’ll get back to marketing, systems, and long-term planning once things settle. But if we’re not careful, firefighting turns into a pattern of avoidance that quietly stalls business growth.We unpack what procrastination actually is: not laziness, but discomfort. We dig into the common drivers for self-employed people such as fear of failure, perfectionism, low motivation after a heavy client day, and anxiety about making the wrong decision. Then we shine a light on “productive avoidance,” where researching the perfect CRM, polishing website copy, or tweaking brand colours feels responsible while you dodge the outreach, content, and follow-ups that genuinely move the needle. A simple question helps you spot it fast: is this task directly tied to revenue, client service, or long-term growth?From there, we get practical. You’ll hear how to shrink the first step, set deadlines that matter, add accountability, and design your environment for focus. We also cover making progress visible, protecting energy with single-tasking, using CRM automation and delegation to remove admin friction, and reinforcing momentum by celebrating small wins. The thread running through it all is progress over perfection, because “done” creates feedback and traction, while “perfect” often creates delay.If it helps, subscribe, share the show with a broker mate, and leave a review so more self-employed business owners can find it.I help employed mortgage brokers go self-employed with clarity, confidence and one-to-one mentoring. Find out how Pathways or Coaching works at craigskelton.co.uk#mortgagebroker #mortgagebrokers #mortgagebrokeruk #mortgagebrokercoaching #coaching #mortgagebrokerage #mortgagebrokerbusiness #mortgagebrokermarketing #mortgagebrokertips #mortgageadvisor #mortgageadviser #mortgagecoach #businesscoaching #successmentoring #selfemployed...

April 14, 2026Episode 1556 min

Truth Over Targets In Property Sales

Send us Fan MailEstate agency and mortgage broking sit on the same fault line: consumers want straight answers, but too many big firms reward scripts, vanity pricing, and long contracts. I’m joined by John Savage, a self-employed estate agent, podcaster, and ex-military negotiator who does not hold back on what he’s seen inside the industry and why sellers keep ending up stressed, stuck, and unsure who to trust.We get practical fast. John explains why inviting three agents round for valuations often produces the same outcome: the best talker wins, not the best operator. We dig into a simple way to flip that dynamic using a set of direct questions that test an agent’s track record, pricing accuracy, and ability to manage risk. We also talk about what “good” looks like when you treat a home sale like a project, from getting the legal pack ready early to building a plan for when viewings stall or chains wobble.Then we connect it back to mortgage brokers and the wider property transaction. We unpack conditional selling, the pressure to use an in-house mortgage broker, and how that tactic can spike buyer anxiety while undermining the trust a client has already built with their own adviser. Along the way, we look at why personal brand and social media education are driving an overhaul in both industries, and why AI will raise expectations without replacing the human job of calming, qualifying, and steering decisions.If you care about ethical property advice, better client outcomes, and building a business on trust rather than targets, listen now. Subscribe, share this with a broker or agent who wants to do it properly, and leave a review with your biggest frustration about the home-moving process.I help employed mortgage brokers go self-employed with clarity, confidence and one-to-one mentoring. Find out how Pathways or Coaching works at craigskelton.co.uk#mortgagebroker #mortgagebrokers #mortgagebrokeruk #mortgagebrokercoaching #coaching #mortgagebrokerage #mortgagebrokerbusiness #mortgagebrokermarketing #mortgagebrokertips #mortgageadvisor #mortgageadviser #mortgagecoach #businesscoaching #successmentoring #selfemployed...

April 7, 2026Episode 1411 min

How Mortgage Brokers Can Turn A Chaotic Quarter Into A Clear Q2 Plan

Send us Fan MailQ1 2026 didn’t just feel busy, it felt unstable. Inflation pushed up household bills, mortgage rates climbed, and lenders pulled products at speed. Many of us spent weeks calming anxious clients, racing to secure deals, and reacting to whatever changed that day. When business runs like that for long enough, firefighting becomes the default and the long term plan quietly disappears. We slow things down and do the work that actually creates momentum: a clear quarter one review built for mortgage brokers. We start with a simple KPI check that doesn’t drown you in spreadsheets. Leads and conversions show whether your pipeline is healthy. Protection metrics highlight retention issues, cancellations, and clawbacks. A remortgage pipeline review reveals how proactive you really are ahead of deal expiries. Then we go one level deeper and ask the question that matters most: why did the numbers move, and what patterns kept showing up in your diary and your daily habits? From there, we turn reflection into action for Q2. We talk through building an annual contact strategy with CRM reminders, using annual statements to trigger protection reviews, staying consistent online by repurposing content, and reassessing indemnity versus non indemnity commission to reduce cash flow shocks. We also make space for something brokers often ignore: how your energy and routines shape your results. If you want a sustainable mortgage broker business that can handle chaos without losing direction, press play. Subscribe, share this with another broker who’s been in the trenches, and leave a review with the one KPI you’re prioritising for Q2.I help employed mortgage brokers go self-employed with clarity, confidence and one-to-one mentoring. Find out how Pathways or Coaching works at craigskelton.co.uk#mortgagebroker #mortgagebrokers #mortgagebrokeruk #mortgagebrokercoaching #coaching #mortgagebrokerage #mortgagebrokerbusiness #mortgagebrokermarketing #mortgagebrokertips #mortgageadvisor #mortgageadviser #mortgagecoach #businesscoaching #successmentoring #selfemployed...

March 31, 2026Episode 1351 min

A Practical Path From CeMAP To Running Your Own Brokerage

Send us Fan MailCeMAP gives you a qualification. It doesn’t give you confidence in a first client meeting, a clean process for packaging a case, or a playbook for handling underwriters, lender criteria, and follow-ups when the pressure is on. That’s why we brought Ross McMillan back to The Mortgage Broker Broadcast to explain Fear Academy and why we built it inside Fair Financial for advisers who want to be truly self-employed and build a brokerage with their own brand.We talk honestly about the gap we see in the UK mortgage broker journey: lots of focus on compliance (which matters), not enough on the practical reality of giving mortgage advice. Ross breaks down what new advisers actually need to practise, including running a real fact find, sourcing with nuance, understanding criteria, using a CRM properly, managing documents, working with BDMs, and taking a case from first lead to completion while protecting the client relationship.We also get into mindset and culture. Self-employed means no guaranteed payslip, so support has to be real, human, and judgement-free. We explain how the academy’s first phase uses flexible modules over roughly 12 weeks with weekly 90-minute sessions, then continues into longer-term business development and community support across the appointed representative network. No egos, no competition, just people sharing what works and what didn’t.If you’re CeMAP-qualified and weighing up your next move, listen through and then reach out. Subscribe, share this with a broker who needs it, and leave us a review so more new advisers can find the support they’re looking for.I help employed mortgage brokers go self-employed with clarity, confidence and one-to-one mentoring. Find out how Pathways or Coaching works at craigskelton.co.uk#mortgagebroker #mortgagebrokers #mortgagebrokeruk #mortgagebrokercoaching #coaching #mortgagebrokerage #mortgagebrokerbusiness #mortgagebrokermarketing #mortgagebrokertips #mortgageadvisor #mortgageadviser #mortgagecoach #businesscoaching #successmentoring #selfemployed...

March 25, 2026Episode 1210 min

Firefighting Protects Clients Today But Systems Save You Tomorrow

Send us Fan MailMortgage rates don’t drift up anymore, they lurch. One day the deals are there, the next day they’re gone, and suddenly you’re fielding anxious messages from clients who can feel their payments rising. With energy costs climbing and inflation fears pushing swap rates higher, lenders are withdrawing products and repricing fixed rate mortgages at speed, and the pressure on mortgage brokers is real.We talk through what’s happening in the UK mortgage market, why two- and five-year fixes moving above 5% changes the tone of every remortgage conversation, and how to communicate without adding to the panic. I share why “firefighting” is sometimes the job: calling clients whose deals are expiring, securing rate switches early, and protecting borrowers from sudden jumps in borrowing costs. But I also draw a hard line, because crisis mode cannot be your business model.The most resilient brokers are not the ones with superhuman stamina. They’re the ones with structure: a CRM that tells you who needs action, templates that stop you rewriting the same messages under pressure, and systems that keep the rest of your pipeline alive while you deal with urgent cases. We also cover practical steps you can take right now: extend your review window to nine months, set expectations that the “4% deals” are largely gone, keep protection conversations on the agenda as living costs rise, and set a clear date to return to normal routines like annual reviews and proactive check-ins.If you found this useful, subscribe, share it with a broker who’s in the thick of it, and leave a review so more advisers can find the show.I help employed mortgage brokers go self-employed with clarity, confidence and one-to-one mentoring. Find out how Pathways or Coaching works at craigskelton.co.uk#mortgagebroker #mortgagebrokers #mortgagebrokeruk #mortgagebrokercoaching #coaching #mortgagebrokerage #mortgagebrokerbusiness #mortgagebrokermarketing #mortgagebrokertips #mortgageadvisor #mortgageadviser #mortgagecoach #businesscoaching #successmentoring #selfemployed...

March 18, 2026Episode 1110 min

How Mortgage Brokers Build Stronger Clients With Trusted Financial Advisors

Send us Fan MailYour clients don’t wake up thinking about interest rates. They wake up thinking about retirement, family security, rising costs, and whether they’re making the most of what they’ve built and as mortgage brokers, we’re often the first professional they tell the full story to.We close the Think Like A Financial Advisor mini-series by getting practical about financial advisor partnerships and why they matter now. With a UK wealth boom underway and retail wealth projected to climb toward £5 trillion by 2030, more clients want holistic financial advice across pensions, investments, retirement planning, and estate planning, yet the advice gap keeps widening. That’s a risk if a client turns to a holistic planner who also does mortgages, but it’s also an opportunity: we can stay at the centre by coordinating the right specialists at the right time.We break down the real benefits of a financial advisor referral partnership: deeper client retention, potential fee share revenue without taking on regulated advice, and reciprocal referrals that can create a steady flow of higher-quality leads. Then we get into the “how” inside the mortgage fact find, including the signals that suggest a wealth review and the simple questions that unlock meaningful conversations like pension readiness, aligning mortgage term with retirement age, and whether savings are working hard enough.Finally, we lay out next steps to build your own network: identifying client needs, researching local advisors, checking fit and values, formalising a compliant referral process, and rolling it out gradually with feedback. If you want a more sustainable, client-centred mortgage business built for any market, subscribe, share with a broker colleague, and leave a review.I help employed mortgage brokers go self-employed with clarity, confidence and one-to-one mentoring. Find out how Pathways or Coaching works at craigskelton.co.uk#mortgagebroker #mortgagebrokers #mortgagebrokeruk #mortgagebrokercoaching #coaching #mortgagebrokerage #mortgagebrokerbusiness #mortgagebrokermarketing #mortgagebrokertips #mortgageadvisor #mortgageadviser #mortgagecoach #businesscoaching #successmentoring #selfemployed...

March 11, 2026Episode 1016 min

Choosing Between Indemnity And Drip: A Broker’s Guide To Sustainable Protection Income

Send us Fan MailFear of clawbacks should never dictate advice. We take a clear, practical look at how protection commission choices indemnity, non‑indemnity (drip), and blended models shape cash flow, client outcomes, and the long‑term value of a self‑employed mortgage business. With plain‑English examples and simple rules you can apply today, we unpack what really changes when you shift from lump‑sum advances to steady monthly income.We start by demystifying indemnity: how two and four‑year periods work, why higher advances mean longer exposure, and how clawback can distort behavior if you are chasing short term spikes. Then we turn to non‑indemnity and show why drip income can smooth revenue, reduce stress, and often match or beat total indemnity over time. You will hear how recurring commissions fund admin support, marketing, and rent, and why a dependable base elevates your firm’s valuation when you plan an exit.From there, we map out blended strategies that keep cash coming in while building stability. Set a simple premium threshold, split by product type, or decide case by case life cover on indemnity, income protection on drip so you are balancing immediacy with durability. We cover the operational moves that make it work: checking provider terms, planning for the transition dip, using your CRM to drive reviews, placing policies in trust, and protecting persistency to safeguard both clients and revenue.The heart of the episode is a mindset shift from transaction to stewardship. When you align commission structure with Consumer Duty and long‑term client care, you create better advice, better retention, and a calmer business you can scale. If this conversation resonates, take ten minutes after listening to review your commission mix and set one simple rule you will apply on your next protection case.Enjoyed the conversation? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this with a broker who needs a smarter approach to protection income.I help employed mortgage brokers go self-employed with clarity, confidence and one-to-one mentoring. Find out how Pathways or Coaching works at craigskelton.co.uk#mortgagebroker #mortgagebrokers #mortgagebrokeruk #mortgagebrokercoaching #coaching #mortgagebrokerage #mortgagebrokerbusiness #mortgagebrokermarketing #mortgagebrokertips #mortgageadvisor #mortgageadviser #mortgagecoach #businesscoaching #successmentoring #selfemployed...