Leaving her previous career in law behind, Claire decided to retrain as a mortgage adviser, as she was looking for a new challenge that would allow her to work more flexibly around her children.
Back in 2001, Claire was deciding on a career path and both law and finance interested her. She had a choice to make – that time she chose law. After working in her home town for a while, she began studying for her CILEX exams and then enjoyed a paralegal role in the beautiful city of York.
It was after having children that the commute became more of a struggle – anyone who knows York knows the torture of getting in and out of the city centre! – and when her firstborn had also started school, Claire realised that the commute was no longer viable or enjoyable. The life/balance had shifted, but not in the right direction.
Unfortunately, the level of flexible working needed was simply not available for Claire to be there at the school gates like she wanted, and after much soul searching, she reluctantly decided it was time to look for something closer to home.
After scouring local job advertisements, it soon became apparent that jobs to work around school hours were both scarce and likely unfulfilling. It was then that a career in finance once again beckoned.
Claire started her CeMAP training at home via the “Paul Archer Bootcamp”, whilst on maternity leave with her second child; and Paul pointed her in the direction of The Mortgage Mum.
“I quickly realised this was a life-changing opportunity to have the holy grail – both a rewarding career and all the time I wanted with the children. Sarah’s passion and drive for bringing women into the industry alongside flexible working really struck a chord with me, and feeling excited and emotional, I immediately applied to be a Mortgage Mum!”
This really buoyed Claire’s studying and 5 months later, she passed her CeMAP exams with distinction, and qualified as a mortgage adviser in February 2020. Claire is passionate about helping people to navigate through the muddy waters of the mortgage industry.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, loves to try out new recipes, and you can often find her sitting quietly with a ball of wool and crochet hook – when she’s not running around after the children, of course!
