A great workplace is one where people feel supported to grow, explore new paths, and build a career they’re genuinely proud of. Connor Heyworth and Shannon Barbrook are great examples of that journey, moving from estate agency into mortgage advising with confidence, encouragement, and a clear development pathway.
What made you feel this was the right place to build your career?
I have worked for Arun estates coming on 8 years now and have always felt supported and encouraged to develop myself and get the very best from my career. Through the excellent and in depth training courses in the estate agency side of things I knew that the mortgage industry would follow in the same suit. I was not disappointed with the level of training I received when joining Mortgage Matters either. - Connor Heyworth
What inspired you to transition from estate agency into mortgage advising and how did your sales experience help prepare you for this?
It was always something I considered. As I felt I hadn’t found “the dream job” when the vacancy was live, I felt at the time I wasn’t ready, I wasn’t sure how you get into the world of mortgages. I’ve always been chatty, helpful, and bubbly but just not found the “click” in the role that suited me as a person. One day my manager Emma approached me and asked me “why have you not applied? What’s the harm in a conversation?” and after careful consideration I went for chat, I met Paul and Gavin, done my research and thought “This is for me! I can do this!
I think as I was an agent prior, I really enjoyed the satisfaction of helping a customers get the keys to their new home. I loved meeting clients from all backgrounds and going on that journey with them and the transition was much natural than I thought it would be. - Shannon Barbrook
How did we support you through your qualification and training?
I was encouraged and supported when I made the decision to move over to mortgages and the company even funded my studies and paid for the exam required to start my financial qualification. I am now a fully CeMap qualified mortgage broker to which the company continued to support me through after joining the mortgage industry as there are 3 exams. There are 3 exams in total, only 1 of which is required to start your journey with Mortgage Matters. - Connor Heyworth
What do you enjoy most about being a mortgage advisor with us?
Honestly, it’s helping people move forward. As someone who has always had a dream of owning their own home (I was let down by a mortgage advisor a few years ago) it made me feel really disheartened, which was a feeling that I never got over. When you left not knowing what options there were for me as no one went through them with me but also gave me a full honest conversation. The fact I can reflect this and help provide these options for clients, getting a thank you email for going out of my way to help someone achieve their dream is more satisfaction I could ever ask for. For me there is no better feeling than getting home after a busy day and thinking “I’ve truly helped someone”.
The estate agents I work for are the foundation if great support and teamwork on the Isle of Wight and I wouldn’t be able to enjoy and thrive in my role without my teams. - Shannon Barbrook
