Spotlight: Zita Latham
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 sit down with Zita Latham, Senior Mortgage & Protection Adviser at Zita Latham Mortgages.
Zita Latham, Zita Latham Mortgages
How did you get started in the industry?
I have worked in the financial services industry for over 15 years, predominantly as a Mortgage Adviser in London and the South East. I originally worked in a different field, prior to my banking career, I worked as an account manager for high-end brands and retailers such as Christian Dior, Givenchy, Natura Bissé in Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Fenwicks in London, and then, over 15 years ago I felt I was ready for a career change. I felt my skills would be well suited to banking and joined Barclays Bank as a personal banker. Once I joined the bank and learnt more about finance I realised that I wanted to do something meaningful in my career, and being part of people’s major financial decisions, such as buying a property, and this led me to mortgage advising. Once I completed my CeMAP qualification I joined the central London mortgage team at Barclays Bank and a few years later I joined Nationwide Building Society. At Barclays, I immersed myself in the fast-paced environment of financial services, where I gained invaluable insights into customer needs and market trends. Transitioning to Nationwide allowed me to further refine my skills, as I learned from industry leaders who emphasised the importance of customer-centric approaches and ethical lending practices. These experiences not only equipped me with technical knowledge but also instilled a deep understanding of how to navigate complex financial landscapes.
I really enjoyed being a mortgage adviser at Barclays and Nationwide but being a mum of twins, and from lifestyle point of view, I craved for more flexible working and this led me to setting up my own mortgage advising business as a self-employed broker 4 years ago.
What sets Zita Latham Mortgages apart from others?
We are entrepreneurial mortgage brokers with a modern approach – we utilise modern technology, communication methods and social media. One of the areas we specialise in is assisting foreign nationals navigating the UK market. We aim to continue expanding in this specialist area, a sector in which we have already gained a significant market share. We recognised that securing a mortgage can be particularly challenging for those unfamiliar with local regulations and processes, requiring extra support and guidance from specialists like us who themselves experienced buying properties in the UK, as foreign nationals, from Hungary and New Zealand respectively. We are operating UK wide rather than within a small geographical area like other brokers. As a family-run business, we value relationships over transactions. This means clients won’t just be another number; they’ll receive tailored advice and support throughout their journey with us.
How has Mortgage Intelligence impacted your career?
As a company we are aiming to be innovative and constantly coming up with new ideas in order to serve our clients better and to offer them a wider range of services. Mortgage Intelligence is receptive and supportive to new plans to help grow our business and client base.
Have you got any tips on navigating the market?
Navigating the ever-evolving mortgage market requires more than just a keen sense of numbers; it demands an acute awareness of the broader landscape, including economic trends and political shifts. As a mortgage broker, staying up to date on the economy is non-negotiable. Understanding how changes in interest rates, inflation, and government policies affect lending can empower you to provide informed guidance to your clients.
It’s not enough to simply offer advice; today’s clients crave education. They want to understand the “why” behind your recommendations. By taking the time to educate your clients about market changes and their implications, you position yourself as not just a broker but as a trusted adviser. This approach fosters loyalty and builds long-term relationships.
What’s your message to new members of Mortgage Intelligence?
Get to know the team and don’t be afraid of coming up with ideas and suggestions to grow your business. MI want to support its members and will listen to you. Their aim is to help brokers to improve their client experiences and they will consider streamlining processes to help you to achieve this.
If you’re a member of Mortgage Intelligence and would like to feature in an edition of Spotlight, contact marketing@experiencemi.co.uk
