Meet The Team – Rachel
Rachel Lummis is the Business Owner and Lead Adviser at Xpress Mortgages. She is is CeCM, CeRGI and CeMAP qualified and is very well known in the industry and respected for her work. She is a regular contributor to industry publications Mortgage Solutions, Mortgage Strategy & FT Advisor and has been recognised in her local community for the charity work she has completed. We spoke to Rachel to find out more about her…
Describe your firm in three sentences.
Xpress Mortgages is a whole-of-market mortgage adviser that first opened its doors on 14th February 2006. We are a small but energetic firm, advising on and arranging residential and buy-to-let mortgages along with mortgage protection. We cover the whole of the UK but most of our clients tend to be in Surrey and London.
What led you to become a mortgage broker?
I had previously worked as an estate agent, with a brief spell as cabin crew. When I went on maternity leave with my second child I decided to retrain and study CeMAP. As soon as my son was at nursery, I joined a busy brokerage in East Croydon, but after just a few months with them decided to go it alone and open Xpress Mortgages and never looked back.
What do you like most about your job?
I think the main one must be helping my clients to achieve their goals. I have so many wonderful clients, some that I have been assisting time and time again for over 14 years.
My very first client was a first-time buyer. I remember going to her parents’ house and having a cup of tea with the family and helping with their plans, my client then met her husband and I arranged the mortgage for their first home together. When their first child came along, I arranged the next mortgage for their move, and more recently a remortgage to build a loft extension for the growing family.
To be part of our clients’ journey is amazing, it’s almost like they become part of the Xpress Mortgages family. That’s what it’s all about at the end of the day – support.
What is the best day you have ever had?
It has to be becoming a mother, you can’t beat that. Mortgage-wise, opening Xpress Mortgages.
You are going out for a meal, what would be your cuisine and drink of choice?
My favourite food is Italian, and my favourite tipple is Pink Gin!
What are some of your favourite hobbies?
I like to start my weekdays with an early morning run to get me going for the day ahead, and on weekends long country walks to clear my mind after what is always a very busy week!