Have a read through our news items to catch up on what's happening at The Mortgage Deskdotnet. We'll also be adding some relevant industry news articles, so be sure to keep checking back.

To make it easy, we've listed the articles by their headings below - just click the heading to be taken to the relevant news item.

"I have interviewed many candidates over the past 5 years for the role of mortgage broker here at The Mortgage Deskdotnet. I have been alarmed at the lack of knowledge and indeed professionalism of the bulk of the candidates. Our role here if not properly supervised, or mentored, can result in mistakes that cost a client many thousands of pounds. Ignorance of procedure, or lack of desire for a broker to improve his / her knowledge is not acceptable defence.

Our training here is rigorous, often involving up to 6 months of closely supervised advisory processes, followed by regular management and training on a monthly basis. That has worked well in re-training those individuals who have come to us as industry recruits, however, the need to grow the talent in our industry from outside professionals is a major factor for sustained, ethical and profitable business growth.

My decision to pilot an "apprentice scheme" will give the opportunity for skilled communicators to enter an industry, too long obsessed with just having any form of advice given, no matter what. We want to be seen as the flag bearer for professional advice in the City of  Brighton & Hove, and my investment in this process I see as the first step in that direction."

"I am delighted that Paul has agreed to join us here and lead the sales team at The Mortgage Deskdotnet. He brings with him many years of experience in the mortgage market, and of particular importance to me, the blue-chip training he received at John Charcoal. This will enable him to continue the development of not just the sales force, but also the processes involved therein that will improve our already high-standards of customer service.

In business, change is not an option, it is a necessary part of evolution. By working with Paul, now a member of my senior management team, I feel very confident that we will start to see the benefits of his efforts within Q1 of 2007."

"Victoria has been working closely with myself and my PA on my own personal clients for the last 12 months. She has demonstrated consistently over the last four years, and shown an exemplary level of Customer Service and desire to get the job done. She is studying for her IFA exams as she sees a natural progression to move into giving financial advice in the medium term. I am very impressed with her desire to continually be improving her knowledge of the industry and am very pleased that she has accepted the role of Practice Manager. With responsibility for the quality of work and customer service provided by five IFA's and myself across the five Companies within the group, she is another great addition to my management team."

"I am very pleased for Gillian that in less than 18 months as part of The Mortgage Deskdotnet, she has demonstrated by her conscientiousness, professionalism and many client plaudits, that she is ready for this senior role of responsibility. I know she will add strength to my management team that will continue to seek ways to improve the levels of Customer Service on which we pride ourselves. Well done and thank you for all your hard work." James Tierney, Managing Director.

With a continuing growth and success of The Mortgage Deskdotnet as a brand, James Tierney the Managing Director, is committed to building around him a management team with the necessary skills to help move the business to the next levels.

The success of the brand necessitated growth and in order to satisfy that demand, more capable and determined employees had to be found in order that service levels were maintained. To provide the right level of direction for the increasing workforce, three individuals needed to be found to fulfil the roles of Operations Manager for The Mortgage Deskdotnet, Sales Manager (director designate), and Practice Manager for all the associated financial planning companies. A general manager would also need to be found for the proposed General Insurance business that was looking more and more of a necessity.

Bidwells Estate Agents and The Mortgage Deskdotnet are delighted to be offering an exciting new venture in Patcham. On Saturday 1st April, they launched an office that provides professional, independent mortgage advice to the local residents and surrounding areas.

Mike Pattenden and Fiona Edgar are two of the Mortgage Advisors who will be based in the Patcham office. They have over 15 years of industry experience between them and are keen to use that knowledge to the best interest of their clients.

They have worked closely with Patcham's long standing independent estate agent, Bidwells, for the last 13 years. Sean Bidwell believes that the venture will enable his company to continue to offer a comprehensive service to his clients by working together with The Mortgage Deskdotnet's Advisors and selecting the best solutions for mortgages/remortgages. The office also provides an additional opportunity for the vendors of Bidwells Estate Agents to market their homes for sale via traditional window displays and double LCD TV screens.

The Old London Road office will provide a welcoming and relaxing environment in which customers can discuss their mortgaging requirements and feel comfortable revisiting Mike and Fiona in the future. The office is in the heart of the local community (opposite the Co-op Local) with free, unrestricted parking - why struggle into the heart of the City for a meeting if you don't need to?

Sean states that he decided on this venture as he was "aware that people are becoming more and more financially astute through press and new media. Having set up my estate agency here 15 years ago, I knew the community would be more confident in turning to a local independent business." Mike and Fiona have the backing of The Mortgage Deskdotnet's Head Office team in Brighton, with 4 Administrators to help see their mortgage business through to completion.

As Mike Pattenden, Associate Director of The Mortgage Deskdotnet says,

"We believe clients like to speak to people and know that their interests are being looked after, rather than call centres or faceless email contact. Mortgage Broking is a service industry and we have to provide a high level of service. I hope that this new initiative with Bidwells and The Mortgage Deskdotnet will be a great success in improving the service levels to the local community."