Women In Wealth With Adele Forbes

‘Women In Wealth’ is all about showcasing women in the wealth management industry who are thriving and challenging stereotypes. We feature real perspectives of what it’s like, the barriers and the breakthroughs.

Here, Adele Forbes, Principal and Adviser at West Yorkshire Money Ltd shares her take.

What is your job title?

Principal and Adviser at West Yorkshire Money Ltd

How did you get into Mortgages and what makes it the career of your choice?

I’ve always had a passion for finance from an early age and was always interested in Economics, which led me to pursue a GNVQ & HNC in Business & Finance. After graduating, I thought about which area of Finance to get into. My thought process was that everyone needs a mortgage.

I started as a Customer Adviser with a Mortgage Lender which the ambition to be an Underwriter. From there, I moved into a trainee Underwriter, where I honed my skills, before working as a Roving/On-site Underwriter for Mortgage Lenders (from Self Cert, BTL, Conforming & non-conforming). After the credit crunch of 2008, my days were filled with Arrears Counselling roles, ensuring Clients made their mortgage payments and avoided repossession.

After relocating from Chester to West Yorkshire, I realised I was ready to be a Mortgage Adviser, after a miscarriage, I decided to leave my underwriting role and pursue my CeMap exams which I passed within 3 months.

I then secured a position as a Self-Employed Adviser within a mortgage network. In 2019, I set up West Yorkshire Money and became Directly Authorised.

It’s been an incredible journey, and some say, not for the faint hearted, nevertheless building a brand from scratch makes a real difference has been incredibly rewarding.

Are there any barriers you have faced as a woman working in the wealth management industry, and how have you overcome them?

It’s a very masculine industry, I would think there would still be a gap with income, if you are employed. Only recently, we have seen an increase in female Business Owners.

I don’t get discouraged by any challenges, I’m straight talking and bash my way through any obstacles.

What do you like the most about being a woman in Mortgages?

What I enjoy most is the opportunity to make a difference to Clients and enhance their lives by assisting them to obtain that dream home. I believe Women are more empathetic and organised to get the job done quickly. I often get referrals from Family Solicitors on this basis.

As a woman, I often bring a fresh perspective to the table, which I think is so important in an industry that’s rapidly evolving. It’s exciting to see more women thriving in Mortgages and to be part of a movement that’s challenging outdated stereotypes.

 What advice do you have for a woman wanting to get into Mortgage and those wanting to advance?

Firstly, start in an area where you can gain the most experience from. Often great Adviser’s have worked their way up from a mortgage Lender or Administration or from a Paraplanner. This is a great way to learn on the job and get qualified.

If you would like to get involved with the blog series and share your story as a woman in the wealth management industry, we’d love to hear from you. Follow us on LinkedIn for more!