Business Details
24 Years
experience
Trusted Mortgage Advisers in Darlington
Established in 2002, we are a team of qualified mortgage advisers based in the North of England, dedicated to providing specialist financial advice across the UK. Our expertise spans mortgages, life assurance, and equity release, with access to a comprehensive range of products from leading lenders. We prioritise face-to-face consultations to tailor solutions to individual needs, ensuring a stress-free process. Our team brings decades of experience, having previously worked with institutions like Legal & General before partnering with Stonebridge Mortgage Solutions Ltd, a firm regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.We focus on affordability assessments, market research, and client protection, adhering to strict compliance standards. Our commitment to transparency, client education, and long-term relationships has earned us a reputation for reliability. We serve first-time buyers, mortgage prisoners, and commercial clients, offering guidance on remortgaging, buy-to-let investments, and protection strategies. Our goal is to empower clients with informed decisions that align with their financial objectives.
Services
Mortgages
Life Assurance
Equity Release
Mortgage Prisoners
General Insurance
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We offer decades of experience in mortgage advisory services.
- Our team provides access to a comprehensive range of UK mortgage products.
- We prioritise face-to-face consultations for tailored financial solutions.
- Our services are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
- Established in 2002, we combine local expertise with national reach.
Associations and certifications
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
- Companies House
What people say
Extremely helpful
Excellent advisor
Made the process easy
Very knowledgeable
Always in touch
Services
Mortgages
We provide access to a wide range of residential and commercial mortgage products, including fixed-rate, tracker, and buy-to-let options. Our advisers assess your financial situation to recommend suitable deals, handle lender communications, and simplify the application process. With partnerships across the UK market, we cater to first-time buyers, remortgagers, and investors.
Life Assurance
Our life assurance policies offer financial protection for dependents in the event of death, with options like level term, decreasing term, and whole-of-life cover. We help clients choose policies that align with mortgage obligations or personal needs, ensuring peace of mind through tailored solutions.
Equity Release
Designed for homeowners over 55, equity release allows you to unlock cash from your property without monthly repayments. We connect clients with specialists to explore lifetime mortgages, ensuring clarity on interest rates, inheritance impacts, and alternative options like downsizing.
Mortgage Prisoners
We assist homeowners trapped in unaffordable mortgages due to post-2008 affordability rules. Our advisers evaluate eligibility for modified assessments introduced by the FCA, helping clients switch to better deals or negotiate with lenders to reduce financial strain.
General Insurance
We offer buildings and contents insurance to safeguard properties against risks like fire, flood, and theft. Our advice ensures adequate coverage for home improvements, valuables, and liability claims, with options to bundle policies for cost efficiency.
People
Mike Drake
Director
Director since 2002, Mike has over 30 years of financial services experience, previously working with Legal & General. He focuses on client-centric advice and team leadership.
Nigel Waterfall-Brown
Director
Co-founder with Mike Drake, Nigel transitioned from teaching to financial services in 1987. He ensures operational excellence and client satisfaction across all services.
Mark Mercer
Mortgage & Protection Specialist
With 30+ years in mortgages, Mark specialises in residential and buy-to-let products. He combines expertise from roles at Halifax and TSB to deliver tailored solutions.
Clive Lyth
Mortgage & Protection Specialist
Clive transitioned from accountancy to financial advice, offering expertise in mortgage strategies and protection planning for clients across the UK.
Ian Spratt
Mortgage & Protection Broker
Ian has 35 years of mortgage industry experience, providing end-to-end support from research to completion, with a focus on complex cases and client retention.
Questions
What mortgage services do you offer?
We provide residential, buy-to-let, commercial, and equity release mortgages, along with remortgaging and first-time buyer assistance.
Are you regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority?
Yes, we are an appointed representative of Stonebridge Mortgage Solutions Ltd, regulated by the FCA under reference 211688.
Can you help with equity release?
Yes, we offer equity release advice through specialist partners, including lifetime mortgages for those over 55.
Do you serve clients outside the UK?
Our services are targeted at UK-based consumers, as per our regulatory permissions.
What protection services do you provide?
We offer life assurance, critical illness cover, income protection, and mortgage-related insurance products.
Reviews (3)
Lynsey Surtees
May 17, 2021
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Firstly I would like to say a big thank you for all the work Isabella has done to get my mortgage approved. I have not been the easiest of cases but she has done her best to try and support me through lease queries to general advice which is not necessarily in her job description! As I am on a fixed term contract I thought it maybe impossible to get a mortgage but she managed to source a lender and helped me tailor my application to give it the best chance of approval. I have waited a long time to get finances etc sorted and Isabella has been very patient and offered to help wherever she could
Amy Bennett
Oct 16, 2019
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Absolutely brilliant service. As first-time buyers we were quite unsure about the best way to get our mortgage but Mike took us through the process step by step making us feel comfortable & confident.
Mike found us the best deal for our mortgage and sorted out all the details saving us time, money and stress. I would highly recommend.
Mike found us the best deal for our mortgage and sorted out all the details saving us time, money and stress. I would highly recommend.
Richard Warne
Dec 21, 2017
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Excellent service, highly recommended. Looked after every detail for us taking away a lot of the stress. Know their stuff and definitely worth speaking to them to find out how they can help you.
