Simon Micklethwaite

National Account Manager

Meet…

Simon Micklethwaite

National Account Manager

Having developed my professional expertise in commercial banking, I made the shift to specialist finance in 2016 and for nearly a decade, I have supported brokers and property investors with their investment goals.

With Market Financial Solutions, I work closely with mortgage clubs and networks, along with their ARs and DA members to ensure they have what they need from myself and our BDMs. I recognise that what’s crucial in this market is developing close relationships with our partners, which is why I make it my focus with everything I do.

It’s my responsibility to work with key national accounts, and grow their member networks understanding of the specialist market. Where necessary, I help upskill them to diversify into more tailored markets such as bridging and bespoke commercial lending.

I add value to our national accounts and their members wherever I can. I also place and manage through my remit mortgage applications and enquiries with the assistance of the wider sales team, ensuring our end-to-end process runs as smooth as possible, and supports the broker every step of the way.

“I really enjoy building relationships and seeing people prosper on their journey, whatever that journey may be in the property market.”

Regions I cover and existing partnerships

Our partnerships cover the breadth and depth of England and Wales. This includes London & the South East, the Midlands, the South West & Wales, the Home Counties, and – where I’m based – the North. I can introduce brokers who reach out to us via a network to the best Market Financial Solutions BDM for their circumstances, and I currently do this for the following:

Brightstar
Connect for Intermediaries
Finanmply
Optimum Elite
Panthera
Sirius
Synergy Network
The Right Broker
White Rose
Key partners within the Mortgage Advice Bureau and more

If you’d like to find out more about how I am supporting your network, who is your main point of contact including your local BDM, or better understand how Market Financial Solutions operates, please feel free to reach out.

Contact me

Email: simon.micklethwaite@mfsuk.com

Phone: +44 (0)7946 121423

Introducing Simon Micklethwaite

What became very clear from the start of this interview is that Simon has the patience of a saint. Multiple times, the call cut off, yet Simon never showed signs of frustration, and remained professional throughout. We’re sure this temperament proves especially useful in our hectic corner of the property market.

Despite Simon’s warmth and ability to put people at ease however, it’s evident that he does not take his eyes off the property market ball. He clearly has plenty of insight into what’s going on in the industry, what’s on its way, and what it is that borrowers need from the bespoke lending market.

Interview with Simon Micklethwaite, national account manager at Market Financial Solutions

Eventually, after several attempts, Simon managed to (just about) hear the question of how did he find his way into the industry.

“Get ready because this is convoluted,” he politely warned.

“When I was at university, I had a part time job working in a pub and eventually I ran them. But I wanted to do something else so I actually took a pay cut to join HSBC. I worked my way up through the ranks and did all sorts of different jobs.”

This is a humble understatement on Simon’s part. Over the course of nearly 20 years, Simon was front and centre of HSBC’s business development efforts in the northern regions, covering everything from real estate to international business banking.

Eventually, Simon moved into the specialist lending market in 2016, and joined Market Financial Solutions towards the end of 2024.

What is it you enjoy about the specialist finance market?

“The ability to help people, and no one case is ever the same. I really enjoy building relationships and seeing people prosper on their journey, whatever that journey may be in the property market.”

Beautifully put. Simon also gave a few examples of the types of journeys he comes across, such as investing in housing for the first time, or converting rundown properties – both of which we can help with.

“What’s key for me is building those relationships and being able to help clients out. That’s the best thing about the specialist market and my role within it.”

On Simon’s role, he primarily works with our larger networks to figure out who the right point of contact will be for them.

“I answer the initial questions, and then refer our network brokers to the right Market Financial Solutions contact, who could be Michelle if I’m dealing with someone based in Manchester, or Harry for those operating out of Kent.”

What do you think Market Financial Solutions offers to mortgage clubs and networks that others don’t or can’t?

Simon is a big fan of the flexibility Market Financial Solutions’ embraces with every single deal it comes across. Especially for those cases that may not work with other lender’s rigid tick-box lending criteria.

“When people have been in the property industry for a number of years, they go through a lot of highs and lows during that time,” he said.

“So, there’s bound to be a couple things in their past that have gone wrong. Nobody’s perfect, and nobody does everything correctly all the time.

“There’s always going to be hiccups, and I think our flexible approach to those hiccups will certainly help out borrowers out.”

As Simon alluded to, Market Financial Solutions embraces an understanding approach to underwriting and serving the market. We take into account the wider financial picture, and we always look for reasons to lend.

Also, our brokers and borrowers can rest assured that when we say “yes”, we mean it.

Is there anything you’d like to see prioritised or focused on the specialist lending market?

Simon is hopeful that oncoming technologies will streamline the property investment process, from the valuations through to the legal processes. Unlike many others, he is not fearful of some of the worries that are prevalent when it comes to new tech.

“At the end of the day, I feel we’re very much in an industry where people do business with people,” he added.

“People do like to chat things through, and they do like to get differing opinions. I don’t think technology will ever replace that, I’m thinking it can only help us make the process more streamlined.

“Ultimately, whether it’s a specialist deal, or someone just looking to buy a house for themselves, we all want things to go as smoothly as possible. If technology can help people along that journey, for me, that’d be a massive improvement.”

Where do you think there’s opportunity for property investors in the current market?

In recent weeks, Simon and others in our sales teams have been delivering presentations on share purchase agreements and/or OpCo/PropCo structures, and how Market Financial Solutions may assist with them.

From the feedback we’ve received, it appears these kinds of set ups are coming to the forefront of the property market.

“With the Renters’ Rights Bill on its way, I think property investors and landlords are gearing for what lays ahead in the marketplace which will only make it more professionalised and that’s not a bad thing.

“Obviously, some people are dropping out of the marketplace, so there’s opportunities there for property investors who are already set up on a more professional basis who can jump in and purchase those properties.”

In terms of the Northern region specifically, Simon also thinks there’s opportunity for “sub-£1million” development projects, which have been underserved or underestimated amongst lenders thus far.

“There’s a big market up here and it helps that we’ve now got an extended team of BDMs and supporting BDEs covering the region, especially along the Manchester corridor, Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham etc.

“These are big cities, and I think Market Financial Solutions could do some real good work here.”

Are there any typical borrowers or cases that our mortgage clubs or networks tend to bring to Market Financial Solutions?

From Simon’s perspective, we’re dealing with a relatively even split between BTL, Commercial and bridging deals at the moment. But, regardless of the type of case involved, they all tend to share one specific trait.

“We’re not seeing those kinds of vanilla cases that anyone could handle coming over,” he said.

“We’re getting those headscratchers that brokers struggle to place. But it’s great because they’re picking the phone up and asking to speak to me about them and work out if we can work with them.

“Long may that continue!”

Indeed, if you have any deals on your books that you’re unsure of, we want to hear from you. Rest assured, even if we’re unable to help, we will provide you with a very quick “no”, rather than waste your time for weeks on end.

What do you do to get your mind off the world of property finance?

“Being of a certain age, I struggle to curb and manage my weight! So, I recently started running, I bought myself a treadmill and started the couch to 5k and once I got to the 5k, I carried on!”

Very wholesomely, Simon developed many friendships as he took up running. This comes as no real surprise though, given how affable he is.

Also, in typical fashion, he is a “taxi” for his two girls.

“They are very much into their sporting activities, both do trampolining and gymnastics so I have to run around and go watch them in shows and competitions.

“We’ve also got a full renovation going on at the moment, walls have gone up, and walls have come down! I’ve got a new kitchen coming with some fantastic windows which will allow me to better appreciate the rolling hills of where I live!”

As a reminder, we can accommodate a range of refurbishment projects with our funding, and it sounds like Simon will understand what these projects entail better than most! If you’d like to find out how best to progress your client’s plans, drop Simon a line.