Spotlight: Jonathan Fowler
At Mortgage Intelligence, we’re proud to work alongside a network of dedicated, passionate, and knowledgeable advisers who go above and beyond to support their customers every day.
Our Spotlight series highlights the individuals and businesses making a difference. In this edition, we catch up with Jonathan Fowler, Founder & Managing Director at Fowler Smith Mortgages & Protection.
How did you get started in the industry?
For me, it’s a bit of a long-winded story. I always had a dream of having an entrepreneurial career. Growing up, I would think of various business ideas and work out how to implement them. I ended up studying Film at Queen Mary University in London, then dropped out to start my first business – a consumer electronics firm – with my flagship product being an eReader, trying to compete against the newly released Amazon Kindle.
After some years running that, I then meandered into the property industry, ran my own estate agency and got intrigued by the financial side. I got my CeMAP, learnt the ropes in an employed role and then, with a like-minded colleague, Charlie Smith, we got our heads together, made a plan and the rest is history. That’s how Fowler Smith Mortgages & Protection was born.
It’s all about timing and circumstance – as Steve Jobs said in a commencement speech: ‘You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.’
What sets Fowler Smith apart from others?
This is a question that’s often asked, but one that I truly enjoy answering. We’re a company that wholeheartedly supports. Supports our clients, our contacts and our team. Advisers will share ideas, knowledge and tips to help each other excel. We all have a clear and unwavering vision that we’re all, together, driving towards. We celebrate wins through the week, we have quarterly events to take in what we’ve achieved together, and both Charlie and I hold regular meetings where ideas can be put forward, championed and implemented.
With regards to what sets us apart from other firms from a client perspective – it’s that we do not give up. We will constantly and consistently search for solutions. We won’t say no – we’ll continue and continue and continue in order to achieve a positive outcome for any client. If it doesn’t work right now, we set a plan in place, and eventually it’ll happen.
Our internal values prove this – we’re solution focused and client-centric. We want to be known as the firm that delivers, so we embody it daily.
How has Mortgage Intelligence impacted your career?
Over the years, and prior to Fowler Smith, I’ve been part of a number of networks. Large, small and in between. Mortgage Intelligence has been the most supportive, and accessible network I’ve experienced.
You can get on the phone easily to the compliance team. The relationship we have with our BAM and BDM is strong. We’re supported and listened to. I remember that only perhaps a month or so into the network, I needed a bit of support on a very large deal I was trying to place. Before I knew it, I had the then MD Sally Laker calling me from her mobile with a solution. It was then implemented and the deal went through. It was refreshing to see, and I still see the same level of support now for our firm, which is great.
Have you got any tips on navigating the market?
The only suggestion I can give people is learn. Learn, learn, learn. Question everything, read criteria, throw yourself into the deep end and deliver for the client. Don’t give up, learn the complexities. Within a week or so of being a broker, I remember saying to a BDM that all the enquiries I’m getting are tricky – he replied saying ‘that’s why you’re a broker. If they were straight forward they’d be going direct’. That stuck with me. And now, I feel that there are complexities to pretty much every case – so, get prepared and sharpen up!
Also, if you’re not learning criteria – learn processes, learn systems, learn anything that can set you as an adviser apart from others. We all have access to the same tools – make sure you use them better than the rest.
Oh – and I must say, stay in the good books of BDMs at lenders and providers! They genuinely are hugely beneficial in allowing you to grow as an adviser and firm!
What’s your message to new members of Mortgage Intelligence?
The main thing I would say is to get acquainted with as many people as you can. Compliance are on your side, as are case checking, BAMs, BDMs, everyone. Get to know them – they genuinely want you to succeed. If there’s a lender you really want on panel – voice it. They’ll usually work out a way to get them on! I remember within a couple of months I raised how important it was for MetLife to be on panel – I was told that they’d start having conversations. Here we are in 2025, with MetLife being a solid offering by the network.
The other message would be to go to the annual conference. It’s a great day out and an excuse to get the team together, meet other industry professionals and even grab a freebie or two! That always goes down well!
If you’re a member of Mortgage Intelligence and would like to feature in an edition of Spotlight, contact marketing@experiencemi.co.uk
