Broker in Focus: Christina Oliver, The Old Bakehouse Financial Services

Broker in Focus is a dedicated series that highlights the unique journeys of mortgage brokers, providing them with a platform to share their experiences, insights, and expertise. Through compelling personal stories and professional reflections, each featured broker recounts the key moments that have shaped their careers, delves into the challenges and opportunities facing the industry today, and shares the valuable wisdom they have gained along the way.

Mortgage Introducer interviewed Christina Oliver (pictured), mortgage and protection broker at The Old Bakehouse Financial Services, who made the bold leap from back-office roles to launching her own brokerage. She described the move as both empowering and incredibly fulfilling, giving her the opportunity to run her own company and make a direct impact on clients’ lives.

Full name: Christina Oliver
Job title: Mortgage and Protection Broker
Company: The Old Bakehouse Financial Services
Years in the industry: More than 25 in financial services, seven as a mortgage broker  
Location: Swinford, Lutterworth

How and when did you become a mortgage broker?

I became a mortgage broker in 2018. I’d already spent over 25 years in the industry, starting out as an administrator at Legal & General, then moving on to work in admin roles at a large brokerage, eventually becoming a paraplanner. Once my children had grown up, it felt like the natural next step to move into advising. It was a smooth progression, and I’m so glad I made that leap.

What has been the most positive development for you?

For me personally, the most positive development has been finding the confidence to step out of my comfort zone. Moving from an admin role to taking on my own clients — and eventually starting my own business — was a huge milestone. It’s been empowering and incredibly fulfilling to run my own company and help people directly.

What challenges do you see currently facing the industry, and what solutions would you propose?

At the moment, interest rates are definitely a challenge for clients, especially compared to the historically low rates of recent years. From a broker’s perspective, procuration fees haven’t really kept pace with inflation. As a fee-free broker, that’s something I worry about because I don’t want to change my business model. It would be great to see lenders take that into account and increase procuration fees accordingly.

Can you share a memorable or challenging experience from your career as a broker and the lessons you gained from it?

One case really stands out. A client came to me after seeing a couple of other brokers who said they couldn’t help her. She was in quite a bit of debt and really struggling. I managed to place the case, reduce her payments significantly, and leave her with far more disposable income. It was life-changing for her, and she never forgot it — we even became good friends. That experience reminded me why I do this job.

Could you share any valuable advice for individuals aspiring to become brokers or those new to broking?

Be yourself and focus on offering the best service you can. Keep learning — criteria are always changing, so speak to your BDMs regularly and stay up to date. It’s a people-first business, and if you genuinely care about helping your clients, that will shine through.  

Broker in Focus is a weekly Mortgage Introducer feature, spotlighting mortgage brokers from diverse backgrounds and locations across the UK. Among those recently featured are Steve Dickinson of Momentum Financial Services, Paul McMath of Prosper Home Loans, Richard Noble of The Mortgage Finance Store, Luke Spellman of Spellman Financial Services, Daniel McLardy of Experts 4 Mortgages, Richard Dalgleish of Premier Financial Planning, Nick Cooper of Clark Marshall Associates, Shadab Sayed of Bennison Brown, Andrew Foligno of Foligno & Co, and Luke O’Sullivan of The Loans Engine.  

Are you a mortgage broker interested in being featured? Email the author with your details.