UK’s largest franchise agency group to become leading mortgage broker

Belvoir is to roll out its recent-acquired mortgage broker business Brook Financial Services across its 300-strong branch network of four brands – Belvoir, Northwood, Goodchilds and Newton Fallowell – in a bid to become one of the high street’s larger agency mortgage brokers. The announcement, which will help reassure City investors following Belvoir’s recent failed attempt to merge with Martin & Co parent company The Property Franchise Group, reveals that the roll-out is beginning with its most sales-focussed brand, Newton Fallowell. It has 39 branches in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Rutland and Staffordshire and was itself bought by Belvoir in July 2015. Brook, which trades as the Mortgage Advice Bureau and is based in Barnsley at a business park (pictured, above), was bought by Belvoir for £2 million in July this year and its services are now available within 25 of the Newton Fallowell branches, including 17 new ones since Brook was acquired. This, coupled with more business from independent estate agents who use Brook’s services, helped the financial services firm write new business worth £570,000 over the past two months, putting it 40% ahead of its performance last year. “The roll out to the Newton Fallowell offices is underway…