We have strengthened our leadership team as part of its continued commitment to supporting mortgage and protection advisers across the UK.

The move reflects Connect’s wider ambition to be recognised not only for specialist lending expertise, but as a complete network for brokers who want a stronger platform for growth. Experienced advisers need more than just access to lenders. They need responsive compliance support, practical training, technology, business development, case placement expertise, and a network structure that helps them serve clients across both mainstream and complex mortgage markets.

Connect’s leadership investment is designed to strengthen each part of that adviser journey.

Join Connect Network to explore how experienced brokers can grow within a network built around advice, compliance, lender choice, and long-term business support.

A Complete Network for Experienced Mortgage Brokers

Connect Network supports brokers across a wide range of client needs, from residential mortgages and protection to buy-to-let, commercial finance, bridging, second charge mortgages, development finance, and general insurance.

This breadth matters. Many experienced brokers no longer want a network that only supports one part of the market. They want the ability to grow with confidence, maintain client relationships, access broader product areas, and receive guidance as cases become more complex.

Connect’s strengthened leadership team supports that direction by focusing on the areas advisers value most:

• Practical compliance support
• Access to mainstream and specialist lenders
• Business growth guidance
• Training and development
• Case placement and packaging support
• Technology and CRM systems
• Adviser communication and network engagement
• Client outcome standards

This is why Connect continues to position itself as a complete mortgage and protection network, not a narrow specialist network.

Why Leadership Strength Matters to Brokers

For brokers considering a network move, leadership structure is more than an internal matter. It directly affects the service advisers receive.

A strong leadership team helps create clear communication, faster decision-making, stronger adviser support, and consistent network standards. For experienced brokers, this can make the difference between feeling restricted by a network and feeling supported by one.

Connect’s leadership approach is built around helping advisers operate with confidence and providing access to the tools, people, and processes needed to serve clients effectively.

Brokers who are reviewing their current network can also read our guide to switching mortgage networks for practical guidance on when it may be time to move and what to look for in a new network.

Supporting Brokers Across Mainstream and Specialist Markets

Connect is known for specialist knowledge, but the network is not limited to specialist lending. The aim is to support brokers across the full advice journey.

That means helping advisers place everyday residential mortgage cases while also giving them access to support for more complex scenarios. These may include landlords with portfolio lending needs, limited company buy-to-let clients, commercial property borrowers, semi-commercial cases, bridging finance, second charge mortgages, adverse credit, self-employed income, and protection planning.

This complete network model allows brokers to keep more client needs within their business, rather than turning away cases or relying on disconnected support routes.

Advisers can explore broader support options through Adviser Services, including referrals, packaging, commissions, and tools to help brokers manage more client scenarios.

Built Around Adviser Support, Not Just Authorisation

Experienced brokers often compare networks based on commission splits, fees, lender access, and compliance turnaround times. These points matter, but they are only part of the decision.

A complete network should help advisers build sustainable businesses. Connect supports brokers through a combination of compliance, training, lender access, systems, case support, and network resources.

This means advisers can focus on giving suitable advice, building client relationships, and developing their business while knowing they have a network structure behind them.

For brokers who want to understand the wider member environment, the Network Members area shows the resources, tools, services, and partner access available across the Connect ecosystem.

Leadership for the Next Stage of Growth

Liz Syms, CEO of Connect, welcomed the appointments and highlighted the experience both Nikki and Belinda bring to the business.

She said that Connect is delighted to welcome both new leaders at an exciting time for the business, noting that their experience, leadership, and industry knowledge will further strengthen the network’s ability to support advisers and firms.

Liz also explained that the appointments reflect Connect’s commitment to investing in its people, technology, and proposition, while continuing to deliver high levels of service and support to members.

Nikki’s experience in operations and business growth, combined with Belinda’s financial expertise and strategic insight, will support Connect as it continues to execute its growth plans and evolve its offering for advisers and their clients.

Stronger Leadership for Better Broker Outcomes

The strengthened leadership team supports Connect’s continued focus on adviser outcomes. This includes helping brokers work efficiently, remain compliant, access the right lenders, and understand how to grow in a changing mortgage market.

The mortgage industry continues to evolve. Advisers are dealing with changing lender criteria, Consumer Duty expectations, client affordability pressures, specialist finance demand, protection opportunities, and increased competition.

Connect’s leadership structure is designed to help advisers respond to these challenges with confidence.

That support includes:

• Guidance for brokers moving from another network
• Support for experienced advisers who want to scale
• Access to a wide panel of lenders and providers
• Case placement support for complex enquiries
• Training for new product areas
• Compliance guidance that helps protect client outcomes
• Technology that supports daily case management
• A network culture built around adviser development

A Network That Helps Brokers Be Found

Joining a network is not only about authorisation and access to lenders. Visibility also matters.

Connect advisers can benefit from the wider Connect ecosystem, including directory presence through Connect Experts, which helps clients search for mortgage advisers by location, language, gender, and company.

This supports brokers who want to grow their profile while remaining part of a recognised UK network.

For experienced brokers, this matters because visibility, trust, and online presence are now part of business growth. A complete network should help advisers serve clients and help clients find advisers.

Recognition Built on Adviser Support

Connect has been recognised within the mortgage industry for its adviser-focused approach. Awards and recognition matter because they show that a network is being assessed not only by what it says, but by the standards it delivers.

For brokers considering their next move, this provides another point of confidence. A network should be judged by the quality of its people, the strength of its support, the depth of its access to lenders, and its ability to help advisers grow.

Read more about Connect’s recognition as an award-winning mortgage network.

What This Means for Brokers Considering a Network Move

The strengthened leadership team gives brokers a clearer signal about Connect’s direction.

Connect is investing in the people, processes, and support structure needed to help advisers build stronger businesses. The focus is not on becoming a niche-only network. The focus is on being a complete network with the specialist knowledge, lender relationships, compliance strength, and adviser support needed in today’s market.

This is especially relevant for brokers who feel they have outgrown their current network or want broader support across more product areas.

If you are an experienced broker, appointed representative, directly authorised adviser, or adviser looking for a network that supports both mainstream and specialist business, Connect can help you explore the right route.