Echo Finance
Having worked my way up in financial services from entry-level compliance roles to senior advisory positions, I knew that if I was going to build my own firm, it had to be done right. I wanted complete independence - a directly authorised brokerage built on solid regulatory foundations, cutting-edge systems, and a commitment to doing things our own way.
That vision became reality in 2012 when I co-founded Echo Finance alongside my close friend and business partner, Lee Trett. Today, it stands as one of the UK's largest directly authorised, whole-of-market brokerages of self-employed advisers.
How the Journey Began
Before launching Echo Finance, Lee and I both earned our stripes in the mortgage world. While Lee specialised in the residential market, I gravitated towards buy-to-let and complex property finance. Having previously worked on the compliance side of the industry at firms like Sesame and SimplyBiz, I understood the critical importance of a watertight regulatory framework just as much as high-level deal negotiation.
When Lee and I met at a brokerage in 2009, we quickly realised our skill sets and ambitions complemented each other perfectly. We shared a conviction that mortgage clients deserved a five-star, 'customer-for-life' experience, and that advisers needed better technology and support to deliver it.
We launched Echo Finance from a modest office in Mirfield, West Yorkshire. Rather than chasing short-term, reckless expansion, we spent our early years perfecting our operational model, refining our compliance oversight, and building our own proprietary technology - including our in-house platform, Echo CRM.
Evolving & Scaling Without Compromise
Echo Finance started with a focus on face-to-face advisory across Yorkshire, but our long-term plan was always national scale. When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, it challenged the entire industry. Fortunately, our early focus on digital infrastructure allowed us to pivot seamlessly to a national remote advisory model ahead of the curve.
That digital transformation opened the floodgates. We expanded our scope far beyond residential and buy-to-let mortgages, building specialised divisions for commercial finance, bridging loans, equity release, and protection insurance. To ensure our advisers always had a steady stream of enquiries, we also launched our sister lead-generation platform, LeadCrowd, which is now one of the biggest names in the lead gen space.
By refusing to join a restrictive network and staying true to our directly authorised status, Lee and I have maintained total control over our vision. We treat our 70+ advisers as true business partners rather than employees - providing them with lead volume, bespoke software, and the freedom to operate on their own terms.
Work With Me at Echo Finance
As Echo Finance continues to expand nationwide, I am always looking to connect with self-motivated professionals who share our drive for excellence.
We are actively recruiting:
- Mortgage & Buy-to-Let Brokers
- Commercial & Bridging Finance Advisers
- Equity Release & Later Life Specialists
- Protection Insurance Advisers
- Estate Planners & Mortgage Administrators
We also welcome strategic partnerships with:
- Introducers: Estate agents, solicitors, accountants, and property developers.
- Lead Providers: High-volume traffic providers looking to sell enquiries through LeadCrowd.
- Recruiters & Talent Partners: Helping us onboard top-tier advisory talent.
- Marketing Specialists: Professionals skilled in SEO, CRO, PR, and digital growth.
- Business Innovators: Anyone with a compelling proposition or JV idea in financial services.
If you’re looking for a directly authorised firm to call home, or want to explore a strategic collaboration, reach out via the form below.