We are an independent mortgage and insurance adviser firm based in Norwich. Our dedicated team of friendly, enthusiastic individuals cover the whole country from our Norwich office. We also have some equally enthusiastic individuals based in London and the South East. Please see our Adviser profiles below and click to find out more.

Mortgage Director

Vincent Burch

Mortgage Director

Vincent Burch first began work as a mortgage broker in 2002 with The Mortgage Practise, before mortgages were regulated. Regulation soon came by MCOB, FSA, and now both the FCA and PRA.

Vincent joined The Mortgage Times Ltd in 2003 as a Business Development Consultant. In 2004, he saw thorough the new introduction of mortgage regulation by the Financial Services Authority.

When The Mortgage Times then set up a Mortgage Adviser Network, Vincent became responsible for recruiting advisers in both London and Surrey. He also consulted with mortgage brokers on criteria for the many lenders processed in house by The Mortgage Times.

In 2006, Vincent set up his own directly authorised mortgage processing business. Since the financial market collapsed, he returned full circle back to mortgage advising, and is now based in the lovely city of Norwich.

Main responsibilities: Vincent heads up the team and oversees the day to day operation of the business. Developing and maintaining relationships with clients, and key lenders in addition to supporting his colleagues is all in a day’s work for Vincent.

Years in the industry: Beginning his career as a broker in 2002, sees Vincent have close to 20 years’ experience in his field.

Now lets find out a little more directly from the man himself.

What was your dream job as a kid? “To be a Policeman, then it moved to an RAF jet fighter pilot (until sadly I found out I was too tall)”

Tell us an interesting fact about you?  “As a child, my picture was on the box of a Meccano box set.  My dad worked in marketing for Airfix and the child models didn’t arrive, so I had to step up. I believe my mum still has an original box somewhere”

Favourite meal? “Any meal I get to eat with my wife”

The thing you value the most about Vincent Burch Mortgage Services? “After working for the Mortgage Networks and Mortgage Packagers at the start of my career, I wanted to offer a service that no one could beat.  We do not have a Mortgage Lender Panel, which means we can go to almost any lender ensuring we get the best deal for the client.  All while typically not charging a broker fee.”

What would your friends say about you? ” Not to mention the ‘M’ word. I do tend to get quite passionate when talking about finance”

Tell us about your usual morning routine? “Wake up make the tea, walk the dog, make the wife a cup of tea, jump in the shower, get the kids up, make them breakfast, make the beds, empty the dishwasher, take the kids to school… I hope the wife is not reading this, as this is everything she actually does”

Tea or Coffee? “Both, strong tea and strong milky coffee”

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? “Expanding the business while still overseeing the day to day operations. With my kids more grown up, I would hope to also have more quality time with my wife.”

Head of Residential Mortgages

John Nwobodo

Head of Residential Mortgages

We sat down with John Nwobodo, one of our most experienced advisors to talk all things mortgages and find out what makes John tick outside of the office.

Main responsibilities?: Advising on and arranging the following types of mortgages and specialty finance for my client’s financial needs; Residential (owner occupation, BTL, Holiday Lets, Limited Company BTL, HMO and Multi-Unit Freehold properties); Commercial (owner occupation and Investment properties) and Bridge loans.

How many years have you been in the industry?: “I am lucky to have over 17 years in financial services, beginning my career as a financial planning manager with Barclays Bank in 2004. Following this period with a high street bank I went on to work with Life Search as a protection advisor, before finally switching to mortgages in 2012.

What was your dream job as a kid? “I always imagined I’d be a fighter pilot, being quite a huge Top Gun fan definitely influenced this idea.”

Tell us an interesting fact about you?  “What a silly question, everything about me is interesting of course.”

Favourite singer? “My favourite singer is Mariah Carey. I like to think if given the chance to meet me she would realise I am her dream man. Please Mariah come and rescue me!”

Your favourite thing about working at Vincent Burch Mortgage Services? “It’s about the people that work here. It’s about the customers who need our help. It’s never about bravado. It’s never about hot air. It’s always about making the complicated appear simple so our customers know exactly what they are getting. Vincent Burch Mortgage Services promotes an ethos that is very much aligned with my own.”

What would your friends say about you? “He wears his heart on his sleeve.”

Tell us about your usual morning routine? “Shut the alarm up! Get straight out of bed. Shower, shave and get dressed for success? Yeah right!”

Tea or Coffee? “Coffee in the morning and tea in the early evening.”

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? “Hopefully I will still be fit and healthy, loving my job like my 10 year old younger self.”

Accounts Manager

Amy Burch

Accounts Manager

Main responsibilities?: Overseeing the company accounts and Human Resources.

Now lets take the time to talk to Amy herself.

How many years have you been in the industry?: “Over 6 years. Starting off as an administrator, quickly moving into managing the company accounts and Human Resources.”

What was your dream job as a kid? “With lots of encouragement from family I always wanted to be a professional dancer.”

Tell us an interesting fact about you?  “When I was 12 I danced on Blue Peter. With my dance school Peggy Spencer’s, we took part in a charity group event.”

Favourite car? “VW Beetle. Although I have never owned one, so hopefully my husband is reading this!”

Your favourite thing about working at Vincent Burch Mortgage Services? “Working alongside my husband each day, we are a great team. Couple that with the mix of characters and experience in the business, means we are perfectly placed to help almost anyone with their finance.”

What would your friends say about you? “Feisty but fun and caring.”

Tell us about your usual morning routine? “First things first its got to be a Tea, quickly followed by a shower. Then it’s a mad dash to get my two boys ready for school. Quickly walk the dog, drop the kids off at school and drag myself into work!”

Tea or Coffee? “Tea.”

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? “Still supporting the growth and ongoing success of the business.”

Head of London and Home Counties

Ertash Ali

Head of London and Home Counties

Main responsibilities?: Listening to clients needs and helping them get the best mortgage deal, that most importantly is suitable to their requirements.

Now its time to sit down and talk to Ertash himself.

How many years have you been in the industry?: “My mortgage career started in 2004 when I set up my own advisor business Portland Mortgages, in conjunction with an estate agent business my brother and I already operated. After that I moved to JLM mortgages as an advisor, eventually joining the Vincent Burch Mortgage Services team. In total that leaves me with over 16 years experience.”

What was your dream job as a kid? “I have always had a fascination with architecture and buildings steeped in history, for this reason I wanted to be an architect.”

Tell us an interesting fact about you?  “I haven’t moved house since the age of 4. Moving in at this time to what was the family home, and have lived here ever since, 56 years.”

Favourite football team? “Currently the best in Europe Chelsea Foot Club!”

Your favourite thing about working at Vincent Burch Mortgage Services? “Great team to work with and bounce ideas off.”

What would your friends say about you? “Loyal, hardworking, family man who is always helping others.”

Tell us about your usual morning routine? “I start my day with an all important cup of coffee and prepare my porridge, watch the morning news program, make my wife a cup of tea, then prepare myself for work.”

Tea or Coffee? “Coffee – strong.”

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? “in 10 years time I will be retired and living in Cyprus.”

Head of Administration

Steve Clarke

Head of Administration

Lets hear a little more from Steven himself.

Main responsibilities: “Heading up a team of wonderful individuals who ensure that compliance standards are maintained whilst successfully progressing applications through to completion in a timely manner. Striving to provide the best service possible – There’s always a client at the end of the journey!”

Years in the industry: “Beginning his journey in the world of finance as a telephone BDM for RBS Natwest for 6 years. Joining Nationwide saw Steve further adding to his experience with multiple positions, finishing as an in branch mortgage representative.”

What was your dream job as a kid? “My dream job when I was little was a soldier.”

Tell us an interesting fact about you?  “It has been mentioned that I have a cracking pair of legs – best calves in the office! Thousands of steps taken a week definitely help.”

Favourite film? “Die Hard. Not only is it the best film ever made, but it’s also the best Christmas film ever made – no arguments!”

Your favourite thing about working at Vincent Burch Mortgage Services? “Hands down, it’s the people I work with. We have such a mix of characters all with different views and opinions, it’s never dull in our office!”

What would your friends say about you? “Hardworking, dedicated, and family oriented.”

Morning routine? “The alarm goes off at 5:15am, I then make sure I get my morning steps in before hitting the office and then I log in to my systems. Picking up emails from over night and making sure my diary is all in place to crack on with cases as soon as possible. I also check on the work loads of my team to ensure we are all in a good place to start the day.”

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? “Unless my lottery numbers have come up and I have already retired on a mountain of cash, then I honestly don’t know – Hopefully I will still be here, progressing in my career and growing my team! Long term plan of course would be to spend more time at home with my family and enjoy a good quality of life.”

Head of Buy to Let

Andrew Bowles

Head of Buy to Let

We sat down with Andrew and discussed his current role and find out a little more about the man behind the broker.

What are your main responsibilities?: “I deal with all kinds of enquiries, from Vanilla Buy to Lets to Expat finance. I work with first time landlords helping them on the first steps of their journey, and experienced property investors. My biggest client owns 883 properties.”

Years in the industry: “I have been working at Vincent Burch Mortgage Services for nearly 7 years and the mortgage industry as a whole for just over 20 years. I was previously an underwriter at RBS and this experience certainly helps me understand and work through any complex cases I deal with.”

Your favourite film? “I am a big fan of Ben Affleck and absolutely love the film The Accountant, they have recently announced a sequel so I can’t wait for that!”

The thing you enjoy most about working at Vincent Burch Mortgage Services? “For me there is nothing more satisfying that completing a complex case and having a happy client at the end of the process.”

What would your friends say about you? “I love to host and have recently invested in a hot tub and pizza oven, so I hope they would reference this.”

Tell us about your usual morning routine? “My alarm goes off at 5:50am, I then jump in the shower, have a coffee and catch up on Instagram.”

Tea or Coffee? “Coffee.”

Head of Large Loans

Gary Boorman

Head of Large Loans

Main responsibilities: Helping clients to grow their property portfolios. Providing a smooth bespoke service on complex deals, often involving large sums of money.

Now lets sit down with Gary and find out a little more.

Years in the industry: “My first Mortgage was written in 1990 when I was a financial adviser with the Prudential. I was focused purely on Mortgages when I worked for Woolwich property services from 1991. In my youth I had trained as a flooring fitter, with several years contracting to John Lewis. I was a commercial account Manager with NFU Mutual so I have 18 years as a full time Mortgage broker ”

What was your dream job as a kid? “As a child I wanted to join the Army, which I did straight from school and served 3 years in the Royal Signals as a Special Telegraphist”

Tell us an interesting fact about you? My partner and I have 8 kids between us and I can confirm it is definitely not cheaper by the dozen!”

Favourite film? “My Favourite Film is Cinderella Man a true story of James Braddock the Boxer”

The thing you enjoy most about working at Vincent Burch Mortgage Services? “We are like a family who support each other in and out of work. We collaborate and share experience to find the best results for our clients. We can allow as much time as required on every client for the best result and typically not charge a fee”

What would your friends say about you? “I dare not think what my friends say about me, but I would hope they’d say I am positive in my outlook, have many stories due to my age and that I am good for a chuckle.”

Tell us about your usual morning routine? “Get up, have a coffee with Marmite on toast. Check the headlines. Shower, get dressed and then pick my daughter up who catches a lift with me to the city of Norwich”

Tea or Coffee? “Coffee in the morning and Tea in the afternoon”

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? “Still offering mortgage advice but doing less hours and travelling much more.”

Head of Bridging and Development Finance

Morgan Bowker

Head of Bridging and Development Finance

Main responsibilities: Morgan’s advanced experience of this element of the property market makes her your ideal candidate if you are looking to secure Bridging or Development Finance. Great relationships with key lenders and keeping on top of current criteria are all in a days work for Morgan.

Years in the industry: 12 years. Starting as a cashier on the counter at Lloyds TSB. Then moving to Barclays as a personal banker. Finally beginning her mortgage advisor career with Natwest as a mortgage advisor.

Now lets find out some more directly from Morgan herself.

What was your dream job as a kid? “Anything outside, or a lawyer as I got older. I enjoy being outside and love nothing more than walking my Labrador Mable.”

Tell us an interesting fact about you?  “One of the few couples who got married in 2020 despite the COVID pandemic, although my big day went from a long weekend in Italy with 75 of my family and friends, to 10 people at Norwich castle.”

Favourite food? “ALL FOOD”

The thing you value the most about Vincent Burch Mortgage Services? “The people I work with.”

What would your friends say about you? “That I am a terrible story teller, I never seem able to get to the point. ”

Tell us about your usual morning routine? “Wake up, coffee, write in my gratitude journal, then workout. ”

Tea or Coffee? “Coffee, always coffee, lots of coffee”

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? “Hopefully with at least 3 dogs, in a house with a big garden and my lovely husband.”

Head of Limited Company Mortgages

Matthew Barrett

Head of Limited Company Mortgages

Main responsibilities: Heading up the LTD company mortgage team, Matthews numerous years of experience are an invaluable asset to the entire team. If there is a lender related question you can’t find the answer to, Matt is definitely your man.

Years in the industry: Starting with Norwich Union as a customer advisor, focusing on bonds, pensions and life insurance he has been in the industry for 16 years.

Now lets find out a little more directly from Matthew himself.

What was your dream job as a kid? “I wanted to be an electrician, clearly I didn’t know how to aim for the stars. Although lately I seem to be living this earlier fantasy by being everyone’s resident DIY expert.”

Tell us an interesting fact about you?  “I spent 3 years on a soccer scholarship at university in the US, obtaining a massively useful degree in physical anthropology!”

Favourite meal? “Moussaka – I think it has something to do with it being the first dish I made in home economics.”

Favourite football team? “Manchester United, I am a huge fan. We recently exhibited at the landlord investment show, in Manchester. Luckily for me the venue was Old Trafford so I got to enjoy the atmosphere while also meeting and offering advice to property entrepreneurs.”

The thing you value the most about Vincent Burch Mortgage Services? “I love that I have a great degree of control and freedom within my job. I work full-time on a flexible schedule which is important to me as currently I have a very young family.”

What would your friends say about you? “As mentioned earlier friends and family often come to me for my DIY skills, so I’d like to think they would say I’m a great handyman.”

Tell us about your usual morning routine? “6.45am I get up and shower then proceed to fight 3 small people into eating their breakfast and getting dressed for the next hour and half, school run, then cycle to work. Hoping to squeeze in some breakfast and more importantly a cup of coffee at some point.”

Tea or Coffee? “Coffee”

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? “I would hope I am still here as I enjoy the approach to client care, it isn’t pushy so it suits my style. Hopefully I will continue to grow my client portfolio in addition to adding more Buy to Lets to my own property collection, all while still enjoying family life as much as I do now.”

Head of Expats and Overseas Lending

Steve Charlton

Head of Expats and Overseas Lending

Main responsibilities: To provide unbiased mortgage advice to enable clients to make an informed decision. Recently taking over the Expats and Overseas Lending arm of business.

Years in the industry: 7 years – Steve began his career with Legal and General as a pension admin moving up to an advisor and offering support with GPP, pensions and stakeholder pensions. Before joining Vincent Burch Mortgage Services Steve gained ample experience with another reputable mortgage brokerage.

Now lets hear a little more directly from Steve himself.

What was your dream job as a kid? “An astronaut as I always wanted to fly.”

Tell us an interesting fact about you?  “I was a contestant on Channel 5’s Brainteaser and had to use the producer’s Harry Potter-esque glasses as I couldn’t read the questions on the screen!”

Favourite food? “Chips with curry sauce and chips with gravy (I’m a Northerner, these culinary delights are part of our staple diet).”

Your favourite thing about working at Vincent Burch Mortgage Services? “Great team, great atmosphere and really the wealth of shared knowledge is invaluable.”

What would your friends say about you? “My friends would say I’m reliable, dedicated, family-oriented, fun, up for a laugh – I’m known as Happy Steve in the office.”

Tea or Coffee? “Coffee – strong with sugar & milk – don’t ask if I want one, please just make it!”

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? “Right here, why would I ever want to leave.”

Mortgage Administrator

Karen Reynolds

Mortgage Administrator

Main responsibilities: Mortgage administrating. Assisting clients with their cases and supporting our advisors with all elements of mortgage broking.

Now lets find out a little more from Karen herself.

Years in the industry: “21 -I began my financial services career with Virgin Bank, advising on pensions and ISAs (or PEPs as they were known back then). Then moving into mortgages when the Virgin One account launched. Finally I became an underwriter so really have experience in every step of the finance process.”

What was your dream job as a kid? “Professional gymnast, or failing that a nurse.”

Favourite film? “Calamity Jane – it was my mums favourite film, and knowing I all the words I would often sing it to her.”

Party Trick? “I have always been a keen Yogi so headstands are definitely my go to party trick (keeping the gymnast dream alive!)”

The thing you enjoy most about working at Vincent Burch Mortgage Services? “With such a variety of characters it definitely means there is never a dull moment!”

What would your friends say about you? “Direct, very precise, pedantic yet somewhat amusing!”

Tell us about your usual morning routine? “Wake up, give my cat a cuddle for 5 minutes, get out of bed, shower, get ready for work,
drink a cup of tea, then skip to work whilst humming a happy tune.”

Tea or Coffee? “Hot chocolate”

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? “Probably competing in some geriatric gymnastic competition!”

Mortgage Adviser

James Phillippo

Mortgage Adviser

Main responsibilities: Offering direct support to Gary the Head of Large Loans with administration, and communication with lenders and clients.

Now lets find out a little more directly from James.

Years in the industry: “Started with Vincent Burch Mortgage Services in July 2021. Although I completed my CeMAP in 2020, and am”

What was your dream job as a kid? “Shark Expert.”

Tell us an interesting fact about you?  “I am double jointed in both my arms.”

The thing you value the most about Vincent Burch Mortgage Services? “Working with such a fun enthusiastic, and experienced team.”

What would your friends say about you? “That I’m a cheesy and cant dance.”

Tell us about your usual morning routine? “Wake up at 4:30am, drink a few coffees then go for a run.”

Tea or Coffee? “Coffee”

Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? “- I hope to be a mortgage broker with a six pack and a full set of hair.”