Meet Sophie Goodwin from our Business Development team
Sophie Goodwin is our Business Development Manager (BDM) for the North East and Scotland. Sophie joined us in 2013 as a Mortgage Contact Centre Administrator, progressing to a Mortgage Underwriter, and then as a Lead in the Mortgage Lending Team. She began her current role in May of this year and has spent nearly a decade with the Society.
She has always lived in the North East and, having bought her first home a year and a half ago, is aware of what it is like being a first-time buyer in an unpredictable market. She shares her home with her partner and their latest addition, Winnie, their cocker spaniel puppy. Unsurprisingly, long beach walks with the new arrival figure high in her downtime, as does a visit to her favourite Irish pub - a choice, which she admits, is shaped by her success at 14 as the North East Regional Champion in Irish Dancing. Step forward Sophie Goodwin.
We recently caught up with Sophie to find out more about:
- How her experience in Mortgage Operations has prepared her for her new role as BDM;
- How broker relationships inform her approach; and
- What her focus is in her role going forward.
"…my work across these functions means I've been able to develop a broad understanding of our lending business. I have spent a significant period in almost every function of mortgage origination, so I'm acutely aware of how important it is to get early decisions and maintain high service standards - especially now when pricing can change at the drop of a hat!" - Sophie Goodwin
Sophie, you were recently appointed to the Business Development Manager role. How has your experience at Newcastle Building Society prepared you for it?
Well, I've always been used to working in highly driven teams at Newcastle Building Society and this one is no different. I am one of six BDMs who report to Mark Wilkinson, our National Sales Manager. However, as I like to point out having worked across many of the mortgage lending support functions, it's important to remember we are the market-facing part of a much broader and bigger team in the Society who help write our lending business.
In nearly a decade at the Society, my work across multiple mortgage functions means I have been able to develop a broad understanding of our lending business. I have spent a significant period in almost every function of mortgage origination, so I'm acutely aware of how important it is to get early decisions and maintain high service standards - especially now when pricing can change at the drop of a hat!
Of course, understanding the process is only helpful if I can add value to it. Getting cases across the line requires a lot of understanding of the end borrower's circumstances, the broker's requirements, as well as knowing what the Society needs to make the decision. A speedy accurate decision, whichever way it goes, is more helpful than a protracted one. My background means I understand not only what is likely to get through but also the importance of accuracy and timeliness in communications with my brokers.
How do your broker relationships inform what you do?
I think it's important to understand the value of face-to-face communication in the context of every other means of communication we have available to us like email, video and phone calls. The most memorable conversations and insightful feedback is often when people are together because they have time to reflect and speak honestly in person that often technology does not encourage. Technology is great for process but less insightful for getting people's broader thoughts on products and service. I've found that brokers have welcomed the return of in-person meetings with open arms. They appreciate the contact. It results in their getting what they need and often means more business for us as they get to know about our entire range of mortgages.
How do you see your role going forward?
Of course, I will focus on delivering the business the Society requires of me and that means delivering and communicating what we do effectively with our broker partners - which means more contact, listening and delivery. To that end, we adopt a hybrid contact strategy of face-to-face meetings for three days of the week, leaving additional capacity on the other two days for video meetings. We will be led by our brokers as to how they want to interact with us, but I really value the face-to-face meetings where you can get under the skin of what people mean when they say something.
It's early days in my role as a BDM for the North East and Scotland but I am hugely excited by the opportunity to contribute to my team's success.
Got a case in mind?
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- Read and accept our terms of business;
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- Set up your user name, password and security question for future login; and
- We will then confirm that your application is complete.
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For more information about how we can help you do business:
Talk to your dedicated Business Development Manager or contact your Intermediary Support Team at Intermediary.lending@newcastle.co.uk or 0345 602 2338. Our lines are open 9am - 6pm Monday to Friday.