"A major objective for the coming year is to provide lenders with the risk partnership they need to grow safely"
FR: What drew you to work in the surveying sector?
Working for Legal & General is what initially drew me to the sector. The opportunity to work for a trusted and well-respected brand in the industry was key and something I couldn’t pass up. On top of that, my background of working with lenders and wider experience in the mortgage market meant that a career in surveying was a natural fit. It was truly a no-brainer and the perfect role for my skill set.
FR: How many years have you worked at Legal & General, and what have you learned during that time?
I have been with Legal & General for six years following a career with a lender where I undertook several different roles. During this time, my experience has been incredibly varied, and although our business can sometimes present complex challenges, as demonstrated by today’s rapidly changing market, it is exciting and incredibly rewarding. No two days are ever the same at Legal & General, which is something I have come to appreciate over the years.
FR: Can you describe a typical day as Legal & General Surveying Services’ strategic account director?
Since lockdown, I have made it a routine to kickstart my day with an early morning run with my husband. Then, I make my way to our office in Barnsley in South Yorkshire where I work closely with colleagues, as well as the wider Legal & General Mortgage Services team. Most days are spent supporting lenders, ensuring that they are receiving excellent levels of service. This also involves understanding their strategic roadmaps and working with our businesses to provide them with the support they need.
FR: What is your favourite part of the role?
Interacting with our lender clients is definitely my favourite part of the role. Each client has a unique set of requirements, and I find it extremely rewarding to engage with them, understand their bespoke needs and work together to find an effective solution. Alongside this, I truly value the diversity and variety that comes with my role as it allows me to keep growing and learning, expanding on my years of industry experience.
FR: Do you have any advice for anyone joining the surveying sector?
The best advice I can give is to just go for it! The surveying sector is a fascinating industry to be a part of, and it encompasses a wide range of roles. It is the perfect opportunity to discover your interests and form strong connections with lenders and the wider mortgage industry, all of which will help you develop both personally and professionally.
FR: What is your key goal for the year ahead?
A major objective for the coming year is to provide lenders with the risk partnership they need to grow safely, while also sharing our creative solutions for a more streamlined mortgage journey for their customers that has added green benefits. I am especially looking forward to continuing to develop the Legal & General Mortgage Services’ proposition to share with existing and new lenders.
FR: How can surveyors help make the mortgage industry more sustainable?
There is no doubt that we all have a role to play in developing a sustainable business, and surveying is an important piece of the puzzle. For example, desktop valuations are increasingly making the valuation process more sustainable and greener. Our surveying team has actually saved over 270,920 miles by completing cases as desktop valuations for one of our key lender clients.
Our strong commitment to net zero is also evidenced by our very own Director of Sustainability, Trudy Woolf, who is doing fantastic work on understanding sustainability within the mortgage and surveying industry. Having Trudy on board, with her dedicated remit, has definitely provided us with a greater understanding of how we can move the needle in the right direction in the future.
