The Connections Launching 2027

Echo Partners

Having built Echo Finance into one of the UK’s largest directly authorised brokerages, I’ve seen firsthand how much time and resources independent brokers sink into regulatory compliance, network administration, and backend operations.

Work with me

While directly authorised status gave Lee Trett and me total independence, we recognise that many exceptional advisers and growing firms want to focus purely on client advice and business growth without the administrative burden of direct FCA regulation.

To support these advisers, Lee and I are launching Echo Partners, an initiative to help Appointed Represenative (AR) mortgage advisers and brokerages the opportunity to obtain Directly Authorised (DA) status under Echo Finance.

Is Echo Partners a Mortgage Network?

No, it’s something much better.

Co-founded by myself and Lee Trett, Echo Partners is not another AR network. It is a dedicated initiative created by Echo Finance to help ambitious AR brokers transition into full Directly Authorised (DA) status - allowing you to keep 100% of your earnings while operating safely within proven regulatory guardrails.

How it works

Direct Authorisation grants your firm total independence, full client bank ownership, and direct FCA authorisation. However, going DA without proper systems exposes your business to unnecessary operational friction.

Echo Partners solves this by equipping your practice with "DA with Guardrails". You operate under your own FCA firm reference number, retain 100% of your procuration fees and protection commissions, and utilise the exact compliance frameworks, policies, and fintech software that have powered Echo Finance for sixteen years.

How Echo Partners Empowers Your Brokerage

When you transition from AR to DA through Echo Partners, you instantly upgrade your operational infrastructure while removing third-party revenue sharing.

1. The Echo Playbook (16 Years of DA Compliance)

Instead of spending tens of thousands of pounds on compliance consultants or struggling to draft manual policy documents, you receive The Echo Playbook. This includes our complete library of FCA-compliant advice workflows, Consumer Duty frameworks, file audit templates, and suitability guidelines. As regulatory expectations shift, updated policies roll directly out to your firm.

2. Embedded Technology via BrokerBricks

Every Echo Partner firm operates using a platform license for BrokerBricks - our custom-built mortgage and protection technology stack. BrokerBricks integrates real-time lending criteria, protection calculators, and automated administrative tools directly into your workflow, ensuring cases are packaged cleanly and compliantly from day one.

3. 100% Revenue Retention & Equity Growth

Networks exist to extract permanent value from your hard work. Under the Echo Partners initiative, you pay a flat, predictable software and platform fee rather than a percentage tax on your volume. You retain 100% of your procuration fees, client fee income, and protection trail, building genuine long-term capital value in your own brand.

Structural Comparison: AR Network vs. Echo Partners DA

Feature / Metric	Appointed Representative (AR) Network	Echo Partners (DA Initiative)
FCA Authorisation	Regulated through Network Principal	Directly Authorised (Your Own FRN)
Revenue Retention	80% to 90% (Network extracts 10%–20%)	100% (You keep all fees & commissions)
Client Bank Ownership	Subject to network terms and exit restrictions	100% Owned by your business
Compliance Blueprint	Imposed third-party network mandates	"The Echo Playbook" battle-tested frameworks
Tech Stack	Mandated legacy network software	BrokerBricks integrated fintech & AI tools
Lender Panel Access	Restricted network panel lists	Whole-of-market access & direct relationships

Is Echo Partners Right for You?

The Echo Partners DA initiative is designed for established mortgage and protection professionals who want to reclaim their margins and secure their financial future:

AR Brokerage Principals: Business owners tired of seeing six-figure annual commission splits funneled to network executives.
High-Producing Mortgage Advisers: Experienced brokers ready to establish their own regulated firm without regulatory isolation.
Growth-Oriented Advisory Teams: Firms seeking whole-of-market panel freedom, direct lender relationships, and modern client engagement tools like Xcho AI.

The Path to Direct Authorisation

Confidential Business Audit: We review your current trading volume, team structure, and timeline to map out your DA transition.
FCA Application Guidance: We assist you through the FCA Direct Authorisation application process using our proven templates.
Platform & Playbook Onboarding: We configure your BrokerBricks software environment and deploy The Echo Playbook across your team.
Independent Launch: You begin trading as a fully independent Directly Authorised firm - retaining 100% of your earnings with complete operational confidence.

Reclaim Your Margin Today

Stop paying away a percentage of your revenue for basic compliance oversight. Take control of your firm's regulatory status, brand equity, and profitability with Echo Partners.

Book a confidential DA transition consultation with me today - get started here.