Mortgage Soup fires the questions at Claire Askham, head of mortgage sales at Buckinghamshire Building Society.
Mortgage Soup (MS): What does your role as head of mortgage sales involve?
Claire Askham (CA): As head of mortgage sales, I oversee everything related to mortgages at Buckinghamshire Building Society. This includes managing our relationships with brokers, leading the mortgage sales team, and driving our product strategy. My role is a mix of day-to-day operations and long-term planning. I work closely with other departments to ensure our product offerings remain competitive and meet the needs of a wide range of customers, from first-time buyers to more niche areas like limited company buy-to-let.
MS: What new initiatives can brokers expect from Buckinghamshire Building Society in 2025?
CA: 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for us. One of our key focuses will be expanding our new limited company mortgage range, which we’ve recently launched. This includes products specifically tailored for limited company buy-to-let, holiday lets, and expat landlords. This move reflects the growing demand in the market for specialist products, and we’re keen to support brokers working in this space.
Beyond that, we’ll continue to strengthen our impaired credit mortgage range, ensuring we provide flexible solutions for clients looking to rebuild their finances. We’re also exploring more green mortgage initiatives, particularly given the increasing interest in sustainability from both brokers and borrowers. While we’re still in the early stages, we’re planning a green survey to gather insights from brokers on what support they need in this area.
MS: 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of building societies in England. How do you see the role of a smaller building society in today’s market?
CA: Building societies like Buckinghamshire can play a vital role in offering bespoke solutions that larger lenders might overlook. We have the ability to manually underwrite every case, which allows us to take a more personal approach. That’s particularly important for brokers who handle cases that don’t fit the typical mold—like those involving complex income structures or unusual properties.
Our focus on niche markets—whether that’s limited company mortgages, first-time buyers, or impaired credit—gives us an opportunity to stand out. We want brokers to know that if they have a case that’s a little different, we’re here to work with them and find a solution.
MS: Can you share more about your approach to working with brokers?
CA: Our relationship with brokers is fundamental to our success. We understand that brokers are on the front line, and they need lenders who are reliable, responsive, and flexible. That’s why we’re committed to maintaining open lines of communication and providing a high level of support.
We also recognise that brokers are under immense pressure right now, given the challenges in the market. Our goal is to make their lives easier by offering products that address real needs and providing quick, transparent feedback on cases. We’re also looking to boost engagement with brokers through regular updates, whether that’s monthly blogs or podcasts.
MS: What’s the thinking behind the upcoming limited company product range?
CA: The limited company product range is something we’ve been considering for a while. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a significant increase in landlords incorporating to manage their portfolios, largely due to changes in tax rules. By offering a dedicated range, we can better support these landlords and give brokers a clear proposition to take to their clients.
This new range includes limited company buy-to-let, expat buy-to-let, and holiday let products. We’re also reviewing criteria to ensure we can cater to a broad range of landlord needs. It’s about recognising a shift in the market and giving brokers the tools to respond to it.
MS: You mentioned green initiatives earlier—how do you see these evolving?
CA: Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important topic in the mortgage market, but we want to ensure that any green products we introduce are genuinely useful and fit for purpose. That’s why we’re conducting a broker survey to understand what their clients are asking for and where they see opportunities. It’s important to us that we build products around real demand, not just trends. Our aim is to stay ahead of the curve and help brokers have more informed conversations with their clients about green homes and sustainability.
MS: Finally, how do you unwind when you’re not working?
CA: Life outside of work is all about family for me and our puppy, Brody, who certainly keeps me on my toes! I also enjoy spending time with my husband and nieces, and I’m a big fan of getting out on my bike—it’s the perfect way to clear my head after a busy week.
