Office address: 50-54 St Paul’s Square, Birmingham B3 1QS
Website: www.charcol.co.uk
Year established: 1974
Company type: financial services
Employees: 230+
Expertise: general insurance, limited company buy to let, residential mortgage, remortgaging, specialist mortgaging, development and commercial mortgaging
Parent company: Pivotal Growth
Key people: Chris Wallis (managing director), Molly Brigg (financial controller), Lisa Walklin-Knight (operations director, head of interim network), Nicholas Mendes (mortgage technical manager), Jake Fielder (mortgage & protection sales manager), Colin Fletcher (marketing executive)
Financing status: private equity-backed
John Charcol is a Birmingham-based independent mortgage broker, offering tailored mortgage solutions by scanning the whole market to secure the best deals for clients. The company has over 230 employees, operating across the UK with over 120 networks of lenders. With over 50 years of service, it has grown to have more than 150 mortgage and protection advisers.
John Charcol was established in 1974 by founders John Garfield, Colin Studd, and Charles Wishart. Over the decades, the company has been advocating for borrower advantages and adapting to regulatory changes. Their reputation was solidified by their commitment to providing bespoke mortgage advice tailored to the unique financial situations of their clients.
The company faced administration and was acquired by Towergate in 2010, Palatine Private Equity then took over from Towergate in 2015. In April 2024, the company was acquired by Pivotal Growth. Post-acquisition, John Charcol aimed to double its adviser network.
John Charcol provides an array of products and services that are tailored to meet the needs of the customer. Key offerings include:
standard residential mortgages: tailored home financing solutions for standard property purchases
buy-to-let mortgages: specialised mortgage products designed for property investors
remortgaging services: options for homeowners looking to refinance their existing mortgages
first-time buyer mortgages: dedicated services and products to assist first-time homeowners
specialist mortgages: includes solutions for complex scenarios such as expat mortgages, freelance, and self-employed individuals
commercial and development finance: financing for commercial properties and new property developments
insurance services: comprehensive insurance products, including home and life insurance
The team of experts at John Charcol diligently works to ease the lives of their clients by thoroughly searching the market to ensure each customer receives a product uniquely suited to their needs. They are driven by a passion for mortgages and a commitment to client care. To aid its staff, the company provides them with comprehensive employee benefits for their personal and professional growth, including:
John Charcol is committed to ensuring that their services are accessible to the widest possible audience, including those with disabilities or impairments. They adhere to rigorous web content accessibility guidelines to guarantee that their digital offerings are usable by everyone. Some key aspects of their accessibility approach:
Chris Wallis has served as the managing director of John Charcol since 2022. Wallis has held directorial positions at several companies, including SOCOTEC, Butler & Young, Hospedia, and Patientline. He brings over twenty years of expertise in project management, CRM, market research, and business development across various sectors.
Under his leadership, the team at John Charcol includes key figures such as:
Molly Brigg, a financial controller, oversees financial strategies and health of the company
Lisa Walklin-Knight, as operations director, optimises operational efficiency
Nicholas Mendes, a mortgage technical manager, ensures mortgage solutions are technically compliant and innovative
Jake Fielder, serving as a sales manager, drives the mortgage and protection product sales
Colin Fletcher, as marketing executive, spearheads marketing initiatives that enhance brand visibility and client engagement
John Charcol recently added the Propp commercial comparison tool to their website, enhancing client access to top commercial mortgage rates. This tool allows real-time comparisons, helping clients find optimal rates during high-interest periods. This technological advancement underscores its commitment to improving client services and expanding their offerings.
The company's future looks promising following its acquisition by Pivotal Growth in 2024, a move that has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority. This acquisition is part of a wider strategy to expand and diversify John Charcol’s offerings, enhancing its market position in mortgage and protection brokerage. The company plans to grow its adviser base and develop its product range to better meet customer needs and respond to market demands.
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