Meet Liz Syms: Chief Executive Officer and founder of Connect. With over 25 years in financial services, she brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the firm. Under her direction, Connect has grown from a local startup to a nationally recognised mortgage brokerage and adviser network.

Liz oversees a head office team of over 60 professionals. She also supports a national network of more than 300 mortgage advisers. Her expertise lies in complex mortgage cases, including specialist and portfolio landlord finance. Her approach combines deep industry insight with practical, tailored solutions for advisers and their clients.

From Early Career to Industry Leader

Liz started her career in financial services at 19, working as a financial adviser for Prudential. By 1998, she had launched her own brokerage, Connect IFA Ltd, operating from a single office in Essex.

Early on, she recognised the demand for expert advice in the buy-to-let and property investment sector. She focused on helping landlords secure finance tailored to their investment goals. This niche set the foundation for Connect’s ongoing commitment to specialist mortgage advice.  Liz Syms writes for Mortgage Strategy in a regular Buy-to-Let Watch series, offering expert insights on landlord trends, market shifts, and lending strategies. Read Liz’s articles on Mortgage Strategy.

Growth of Connect and Expansion into Adviser Support

As the business developed, Liz expanded Connect into a full-service brokerage. During the 2010s, she launched an adviser network that offered compliance, marketing, and training services. This became Connect for Intermediaries, which now supports over 300 appointed representatives across the UK.

The network caters specifically to mortgage advisers who need support with complex lending scenarios, regulatory compliance, and business development. Liz remains actively involved in strategic planning and innovation to ensure Connect continues to adapt to market demands.

Specialist Lending Focus

Liz has maintained a strong focus on specialist mortgage areas, including:

• Buy-to-let and portfolio landlords

• Commercial and semi-commercial properties

• Complex income and credit histories

• Limited company mortgage structures

• Bridging and short-term finance

Her deep understanding of these areas has helped position Connect as a go-to firm for advisers handling non-standard cases.

Leadership Style and Philosophy

Liz Syms is known for her innovative and adviser-first leadership style. She believes in leveraging technology to improve the mortgage journey, championing tools like AI-driven compliance checks and integrated CRM platforms to boost adviser efficiency.

She emphasises training and development, frequently delivering workshops and coaching sessions to elevate adviser expertise. Her commitment to continuous learning is demonstrated by her authoring of industry training modules and her contributions to professional qualifications in specialist finance.

At the heart of her leadership is a people-first philosophy. Liz fosters a collaborative culture, values team input, and ensures her network members feel supported. She upholds strong ethical standards and believes professional success should be built on trust, compliance, and client-first service.

Milestones and Industry Influence

Liz has achieved numerous milestones, including:

• Founding Connect and expanding it into a national firm.
• Establishing one of the UK’s leading specialist mortgage networks.
• Receiving industry recognition, such as Mortgage Network of the Year.
• Authoring a key module for the LIBF Certified Practitioner in Specialist Property Finance.

 

She also holds key industry positions, including Chair of the Society of Mortgage Professionals and board advisor to the Financial Intermediary & Broker Association. Through these roles, Liz actively contributes to raising professional standards and supporting adviser development across the industry. Liz Syms appointed: Chair of the Society of Mortgage Professionals, a milestone that highlights her dedication to advancing adviser excellence in the UK mortgage sector.

Achievements and Milestones at Connect

Each achievement reflects Connect’s commitment to innovation, education, and adviser support across the UK. Liz Syms’s direction has helped shape Connect into a respected name in the mortgage industry, known for its strong adviser network and expertise in complex lending.

The Personal Story Behind Liz Syms and Connect Mortgages

Liz Syms may be a successful mortgage expert, but her story is rooted in strong values shaped by family and community. Born and raised in Dover, Kent, Liz developed an early interest in business and finance, despite living far from London’s financial centres.

Strong Family Roots and Local Ties

Connect Mortgages has deep ties to Liz’s family. Her mother, Jeanette, edits the Temple Ewell Newsletter in their hometown. Connect proudly sponsors and hosts the newsletter, helping it remain a free local resource. The publication highlights its “strong family ties” with Connect, noting that Jeanette is Liz’s mother, and Liz’s brother Mike serves as the company’s IT Manager.

This family involvement reflects Liz’s grounded approach and genuine care for the local community. Referral commissions from Connect help fund the village newsletter, showing Liz’s commitment to giving back.

Values Shaped by Upbringing

Growing up in a small town taught Liz the importance of trust, long-term relationships, and community support. These values became the foundation of her work ethic and business approach. Today, Connect continues to embody these principles in its culture and team dynamics.

Colleagues often describe Liz as someone who knows every employee by name. She recognises birthdays, milestones, and achievements, helping to build a close, loyal team.

Focused on Helping Others Succeed

Liz often speaks about the satisfaction she feels when clients secure their first home or investment property. These moments drive her to improve Connect’s services continually.

She also supports the next generation of advisers. As a mentor to young brokers, she enjoys guiding them in their careers and watching their confidence grow. Her approach blends personal care with professional development, making a lasting impact across the company and broader network.

Liz Syms: The Driving Force Behind Connect

Liz Syms brings energy, expertise, and a deep commitment to the mortgage sector. Her leadership reflects Connect’s purpose of improving outcomes for advisers and their clients. Since joining Prudential at 19, she has built a career marked by persistence and professionalism.

Under her direction, Connect has grown steadily. The company supports brokers, develops innovative technology, and raises standards across the mortgage industry. Her success is not simply commercial. It has helped shape the way advisers work, train, and deliver value.

A Leader with Purpose

Liz’s knowledge and clarity have made her a respected figure in the mortgage world. She speaks at industry events, develops broker training, and contributes to thought leadership. Her actions are practical, results-driven, and focused on improving the client and adviser experience.

Whether guiding advisers through industry changes or supporting customers with complex cases, she maintains a calm and credible approach. Her style is direct and supportive, with a strong focus on doing what is right.

Forward Thinking with Strong Values

As Connect expands into new markets and services, Liz ensures that the company adapts while staying true to its values. She remains involved in every part of the business, supporting brokers, improving systems, and helping more people access the right mortgage or finance solution.

Her continued influence brings confidence to brokers, lenders, and customers. With a clear vision and grounded leadership, Liz Syms ensures Connect is prepared for every challenge the market may bring.

It’s the perfect time to join the Connect Family and make a difference with a purpose-driven mortgage network that truly supports its advisers.

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