Joined up thinking and a meeting of minds have added a new dimension to an already-successful Northamptonshire business.
Since 2010, Pendragon Protect has been providing clients with a range of insurance products, for individuals and businesses, backed up by specialist advice from owner Adam Kaplan and his team.
Pendragon Protect offers personal cover such as Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover and Income Protection, as well as the likes of Relevant Life Cover, Shareholder Protection, Key Person Cover and Business Loan Protection for businesses.
A natural fit with the insurance business seemed to be to offer a mortgage brokerage service. However, apart from a relatively short-lived attempt to move into that sector five or six years ago, Adam has never found the business partnership he needed to make it work for Pendragon.
Now, though, he has teamed up with mortgage adviser Kevin Newport, who has extensive experience within financial services – leading to the formation of Pendragon Mortgages.
Adam said: “It has long been an ambition of mine to add mortgages to our portfolio, our clients regularly ask if we can help them with mortgages and, of course, there’s a natural fit with taking out a mortgage and putting in place the necessary protection insurance once you’ve done so.”
Pendragon Protect did introduce a mortgage service in 2014 but, after a restructuring of the business in 2018, Adam found himself wholly focused on insurance and protection, until a chance introduction earlier this year made him realise the idea could again become a reality.
“I’d looked into it, however the time and circumstances just never seemed right,” said Adam. “I was searching for the right person, someone I felt could work with me and Pendragon and who would be a good fit and it just wasn’t happening, until I met Kevin.
“He was introduced to me through my social network as someone I might find it useful to make contact with. After a few conversations, we realised we could work well together. Lockdown, of course, had its effects, and I was so glad I hadn’t gone down that route six months ago, however now, with the situation returning to the ‘new normal’ and people looking at properties again, Kevin coming into the business is perfect timing and he and I both feel that we’re perfectly placed to get this new venture off the ground.”
From this month, Adam and Kevin will be working together so that customers benefit not only from a wide range of products across both sectors, but also a belief that personal service and a deep understanding of customers and their needs is at the heart of a successful business.
With the property marketing showing signs of revival after something of a pause during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, it’s the ideal opportunity to guide those looking to buy again, as well as those who may find that changed circumstances leave them assessing their mortgage payments and needs.
Kevin added: “This new venture brings together two things that I am passionate about – finding the right products and dealing with people. I am driven by ensuring my customers are happy with their mortgages, understand what they mean and what they are paying for, and building trust that they are dealing with someone who has their best interests at heart.
“Working from home is something we’re all going to be doing more and more, and even the large companies are embracing that way of working, but for me it’s important not to let that lead to a less personal way of doing business. By sitting down face-to-face and talking in depth about their needs means that I can get a real feel for someone’s situation, what they need and don’t need, what would work best for them and advise them accordingly.”
With a dauntingly large selection of mortgages to choose from, it makes sense for customers to put the task of finding the right product for them into the hands of a regulated, experienced, and knowledgeable mortgage adviser. A company that is not restricted to a fixed lender or small selection of lenders can work on a solution to all needs, tailored to each individual client.
“For instance, equity release is a major factor for many people now, freeing up capital from the property they own, but there are some horror stories about people being badly advised and losing out. Building trust is everything and I know that Adam, like me, is very much a people person and I think we’re going to develop a fantastic business together.”
Pendragon Protect and Pendragon Mortgages can be contacted on 01604 807531 or visit www.pendragonmortgages.co.uk
