NRG Insights

This week on the Rising Stars series, Marcus is joined by Chris Grant, Mortgage and Protection Adviser at Aberdein Considine, to talk about what it really takes to build a successful career in financial services. Chris didn’t follow a traditional path. He started out in admin and worked his way up, and now delivers advice across the legal, property, and finance spectrum. In this episode, he shares...

Some careers you don’t plan for but they turn out to be exactly where you’re meant to be. In this episode of the Rising Stars series, Marcus is joined by Will Calito, Business Development Manager at Magnet Capital, and former dental entrepreneur, to talk about his unusual route into the world of specialist finance. From dentistry to estate agency to specialist lending, Will’s story shows why relat...

In this episode of our Rising Stars Series, Marcus chats to Mortgage Advisor at Vibe Finance, about his unusual path into specialist lending. George spent five years at JP Morgan in project management and tech before taking a leap into the world of mortgages and property finance, with no prior lending experience. Fast forward four years, and George is now thriving in specialist finance and about t...

In this episode of our Rising Stars Series, Marcus sits down with Billie Cox, Commercial Associate at Sirius Property Finance and winner of the Rising Star Award at the British Specialist Lending Awards. Billie’s journey into financial services started young, joining the industry during lockdown while still studying for her A-levels. What began as an admin placement quickly evolved into a career p...

In this episode of NRG Insights, Rising Stars, Marcus sits down with Lloyd Whiting, Case Manager at Assetz Capital, to explore what it really looks like to start at the bottom and build a career in financial services. Lloyd’s journey is a great example of what’s possible when curiosity, consistency, and a willingness to learn meet opportunity.  Starting as a Relationship Support Assistant, he’s no...

What’s it really like entering the world of finance today? In this episode of NRG Insights, Marcus sits down with two rising stars of the lending world — Sam Hutchins and George Ormerod — to talk about the real experiences of launching a career in financial services. From non-traditional routes into the industry, to the learning curves, misconceptions, and career advice no one tells you early on —...

In this episode of NRG Insights , Marcus is joined by Anastasia Tfofis , co-founder and CEO of ILA , to explore what it really means to build a business (and a life) on your own terms. Anastasia’s path hasn’t been traditional. From high-stress roles in banking and finance law, she took a leap into the unknown, walking away from the corporate track to co-found ILA, a remote-first legal business tha...

This week on NRG Insights, Marcus is joined by Kelsey Phillips, founder of Arose Finance. From chasing a career in professional football to landing a role on the trading floors at Goldman Sachs, Kelsey's journey has been built on resilience, ambition, and a drive to succeed against the odds. After establishing herself in investment banking, she took the bold leap to entrepreneurship, founding...

In this episode of NRG Insights, Marcus is joined by Mark Harrington, CEO of L&C, to talk about what it takes to build a strong business culture at scale.  From his early days as a protection adviser to now leading a team of 440+ advisers, Mark shares the lessons learned, challenges faced, and what’s shaped his leadership journey. Whether you're building a brokerage, leading a team, or st...

In this episode of NRG Insights, Marcus is joined by Chris Schutrups, Founder and Managing Director of The Mortgage Hut, to unpack what it takes to build and scale a successful mortgage brokerage in today’s digital world. From dropping out of college at 16 to running one of the most recognised mortgage brands in the UK, Chris shares the key decisions, marketing strategies, and leadership lessons t...

This week on NRG Insights, Marcus is joined by Nick Hilton, Managing Director at Glenhawk, to talk about leadership, resilience, and standing out in specialist finance. From breaking into the sector during the 2008 financial crisis to helping redefine bridging finance as a credible, client-focused solution, Nick shares the lessons, risks, and relationships that shaped his career. Whether you'...

In this episode of NRG Insights , Marcus sits down with Andy Reid , Sales Director at TAB, to talk about the one thing that still closes deals in specialist lending — relationships . With over two decades in financial services, Andy has worked across underwriting, business development, and sales leadership. His career has taken him from humble beginnings as a lifeguard and pub worker to senior rol...

The way we build, manage, and scale teams is evolving. Strong leadership today creates a culture that keeps them performing at their best. In this episode of NRG Insights, we bring together Tanya Elmaz, Martin Stewart, and Louisa Sedgwick to break down what it takes to lead high-performing teams in financial services in 2025. From company culture to career progression to the future of remote work,...

Everyone talks about sales… but what about operations? The best mortgage businesses don't sell well, unless they run well. Operations might not get the spotlight, but without the right systems, processes, and people behind the scenes, scaling is impossible. This week on NRG Insights, I sat down with William Lloyd-Hayward, Group COO of Brightstar Group, to talk about why operational excellence...

The mortgage process is more about people, than numbers. In this episode of NRG Insights, Ky Benjamin, Operations and Lending Director at Century Capital, joins Marcus Nanson to talk about the mortgage customer journey and why every role in the industry, whether broker, underwriter, or lender, plays a part in sales. With experience across underwriting, lending, and operations, Ky explains how fina...

What does it mean to build a mortgage business with impact? In this episode of NRG Insights, Ross Jones, founder of Home Financial and Evolve Commercial, joins Marcus to share his journey from serving in the Navy to building a successful mortgage business.  What’s coming up... ✅ From the Navy to financial services – How Ross made the leap into mortgages and finance ✅ The corporate lessons that s...

How do mortgage brokers stand out online? Authenticity. In this episode of NRG Insights, Ash Borland, mortgage marketing strategist, business coach, and brand expert, joins Marcus Nanson to discuss how brokers can leverage content to attract clients, build trust, and grow their business without constantly chasing new leads. Here's what's coming up... ✅ The biggest mistakes brokers make...

What does it take to become a standout leader in the mortgage industry? From starting on a Youth Training Scheme with no qualifications to becoming Managing Director of Mortgages at Paragon Bank, Louisa Sedgwick has become a true leader in mortgages. But how did she do it, and what can mortgage professionals learn? In this episode of NRG Insights, Marcus Nanson sits down with Louisa to discuss: ✅...

What makes a top-performing sales team in specialist lending? Hiring the right people, training them properly, and giving them the tools to succeed, it all sounds simple, but few get it right.  A strong sales team is the backbone of any brokerage or lender, but building one is never easy. In this episode of NRG Insights, Tanya Elmaz, Director of Intermediary Sales at Together, joins Marcus Nanson...

🎙️ What does it take to thrive in the mortgage industry and beyond? In this episode of NRG Insights, Marcus Nanson speaks with Martin Stewart, Managing Director of London Money, about his journey in financial services, the challenges of scaling a business, and his transition into writing.  Martin shares insights on business growth, industry regulation, and creative exploration. In this episode, yo...

Looking to scale your business, challenge industry norms, or integrate new technologies?  This special episode of NRG Insights brings together standout moments from four industry leaders who are reshaping the landscape of financial services and beyond. Here’s what’s included: Matt Watson – Scaling Internationally Matt shares his strategy for scaling businesses in international markets, focusing on...

When speed and flexibility matter, bridging is the answer. In this episode of NRG Insights, Marcus is joined by Michael Clifford, Commercial Director at Signature Property Finance, to explore how bridging finance is transforming the property market. They discuss how bridging can provide speed, flexibility, and creative solutions for complex property projects. Heres what's coming up... Michael...

In this episode of NRG Insights, Marcus is joined by Andrew Cappaert, Group Head of National Accounts at Brightstar, to tackle the misconceptions surrounding packagers and their role in supporting brokers.  If you’re a broker who’s ever felt stuck with a complex case or unsure how to maximise your offeri, this episode is for you.  Andrew sheds light on how packagers like Brightstar bring value, fl...

Are brokers and lenders aligned for success, or drifting apart? In this episode of NRG Insights, Marcus is joined by Lorenzo Satchell from Trust Bank to discuss how broker-lender relationships are evolving and what the future holds for financial services professionals.  With over 25 years of experience across lending, packaging, and brokerage, Lorenzo offers a wealth of insights into today’s marke...

What does it take to build a global lending business from scratch?  Matt Watson, CEO of Tenn Capital, reveals the bold strategies and lessons that led him to success in international finance. In this episode of NRG Insights, Marcus is joined by Matt Watson, CEO of Tenn Capital, a leader in international lending. Matt shares his journey from an unconventional start to building a bespoke lending bus...