Name: Paige Golia
Age: 26
Location: Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire
Firm: Buckinghamshire Building Society
Education: Chalfonts Community College
Specialty: Buy-to-let cases
Interests: Spending time with friends and family, and long walks with my dog, Ellie.
Career and motivation
- You’ve been with Buckinghamshire Building Society for almost 10 years now, that’s quite a milestone. How did it all start?
It is, isn’t it? It still feels strange saying it out loud. I joined Bucks straight from school as an apprentice in the mortgage administration team back in December 2015. I knew very little about finance at that point, I just wanted to start earning and learn something useful.
I finished my apprenticeship after a year and stayed in admin for about five years before moving into sales. That’s where I started handling DIPs and helping with case packaging to make sure the underwriters had everything they needed.
The team grew a lot during that time, and so did my role. More recently, I’ve stepped into a brand-new chapter as a mortgage underwriter. I officially started in October, but I’d been working part time with the underwriting team since April while still supporting sales. It’s been busy, but honestly, I’m loving it. Every day I’m learning something new.
- What first drew you into the mortgage and finance world?
If I’m honest, I didn’t have a plan after school. I tried a business course at college, thinking it might give me some direction, but I realised pretty quickly that I wanted to be in a real job, not a classroom.
I applied for a few apprenticeships, including one with an estate agent, and then I came across Bucks. I didn’t know much about mortgages, but once I joined, I knew I’d found the right fit.
What I love is that we don’t just tick boxes; every borrower has a story, and we actually listen. It’s not just about credit scores or strict rules, it’s about understanding people, and that’s something I’ve valued right from the start.
Skills and development
- What personal talent or skill helps you most in your role?
Attention to detail, 100%. No two cases are ever the same, especially within our crafted lending range. You have to read everything properly, think about the person behind the paperwork, and make sure the story stacks up. Whether it’s a first-time buyer, someone who is self-employed, or a customer rebuilding their credit, there’s always something new to learn.
- And what about a skill you’d like to strengthen?
Definitely confidence. I’ve always been the type to listen first and speak second. But part of my role now means presenting cases to our internal credit committee and, even though they’re lovely, it’s still nerve-racking.
That said, every time I do it, it gets a little easier. I’m learning that confidence grows from experience, not from waiting until you feel ready.
- You mentioned working through lockdown, what was that period like for you?
Chaotic at first! I’d just moved into the DIPs team when the first lockdown hit, and suddenly we were all working from home, trying to figure things out from kitchen tables and spare rooms.
It was a big adjustment. Criteria were changing constantly, and communication had to happen in completely new ways. But it made me adaptable, and I think everyone came out of that period stronger. Now, hybrid working just feels natural, and Bucks has been brilliant at supporting that balance.
Lessons and experiences
- What’s the most memorable case you’ve worked on so far?
There’s one that still sticks with me. The broker told us their client cried with happiness after completion because no one else would help them, and that really hit home. It was one of those moments that reminds you what this job is actually about, not the figures or the paperwork, but helping someone move forward when every other door had been shut.
It made the whole team stop for a second and realise the impact a single case can have when everything comes together. That’s the kind of case that reminds you why we do what we do. For some people, a mortgage isn’t just paperwork, it’s a turning point in their life. Being part of that feels special.
- If you could give your younger self one bit of advice, what would it be?
Stop doubting yourself. When I started in the DIPs team, I spent too much time worrying about whether I was good enough.
It took me a while to realise that it’s okay not to know everything straight away and that you learn as you go. Every challenge is a lesson, and even when things don’t go perfectly, if you give it your best and keep the customer front of mind, you’re on the right track.
- What’s been your toughest challenge so far?
It’s a toss-up between finishing my CeMAP qualification while working full time or starting the DIPs role right at the start of lockdown. Both were intense. Studying after a full day at work was exhausting, but worth it in the end.
And during lockdown, everything was changing so fast that you had to think on your feet. Looking back, both experiences pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I’m better for it.
Looking ahead
- Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
Right where I am now, but with more confidence and even more knowledge under my belt. I’ve wanted to underwrite for years, so this feels like the start of a really rewarding path.
In five years, I’d love to be one of those people others come to when a tricky case lands on the desk – someone who’s seen it all and can help find a way through.
