Just Mortgages is launching a new ‘self-employed’ division, to be run by Carl Parker, who joins from Countrywide.

The new division, which launches on 6 March, is aimed at mortgage brokers who would prefer to be self-employed and run their own businesses rather than being employed. Each self-employed broker will operate as an appointed representative of Openwork, but will receive day-to-day support from the Just Mortgages team.

Parker was national financial services director at Countrywide, where he spent 22 years.

Every broker will receive leads from the group as well as training and compliance support. Those making the move from employed to self-employed will be shown how to set up their own business, how to create relationships with potential introducers and useful business relationships such as solicitors and estate agents.  They will also have guidance in setting up a marketing and business plan. Depending on location, there may also be the opportunity to work from one of the Spicer Haart estate agency branches, the firm said.

The aim is to grow the Just Mortgages self-employed division to at least 100 broker firms in the first two years.  There are already five brokers within Just Mortgages looking to join the new division and others expressing an interest.

John Phillips, group operations director of Spicer Haart and Just Mortgages, said: “We are launching this new division to provide career progression opportunities to our mortgage brokers and Carl Parker is exactly the right person to lead this for it to develop and grow. 

“It will also provide an exciting and supportive place to work for other mortgage advisers who have their own firms. Often when someone has worked as an employed mortgage broker for some time it is natural that they look for new opportunities and this new division provides them with the opportunity to move on without the need to leave the Spicer Haart group.”

Parker added: “Just Mortgages self-employed division will help people who want to take the first steps to being self-employed and running their own mortgage and protection businesses.

“We will help brokers to set up their own businesses, ensure they have robust plans in place and help them to find and develop business. We will also pay some of the best procuration fees in the market to ensure that they are well rewarded for what they do.”