Meet Suzanne, Business Development Associate

Suzanne, what do you enjoy about your role as a Business Development Associate?

I really enjoy being in a customer facing role. As a first point of contact on the helpdesk, my job is to provide clear information and an efficient friendly service. The helpdesk can act as a triage service, assessing broker queries so that we can provide the right course of action. Sometimes that’s helping a broker with our application platform, supporting with broker registration or referring an unusual case scenario to our underwriting team for approval.

I also enjoy the variety of enquiries we receive from brokers and talking about our specialist lending capabilities, including Multi Unit Freehold Buildings (MUFBs), holiday lets and buy-to-lets for limited companies and individuals. The information we provide has to be clear to ensure brokers are able to provide their clients with the best options for their own unique circumstances.

What Society developments are you excited about?

Developing our digital capabilities. The Society has come a long way in the past few years with regards digitisation and, of course, our journey has been accelerated by the pandemic. However, I love the fact that within a very short time we’ve developed our online capabilities, making it easier for our brokers to do business with us.

I’m also excited about the Society’s 5 year strategy including our commitment to developing Green Finance offers and supporting more eco-friendly initiatives in housing.

We’re all more mindful of our personal impact on the environment and this is really shining through at the Society. Not just at organisational level but also among colleagues through our newly formed Social Responsibility Panel.

What are your goals for the year ahead?

On a professional level, I want to help the Society deliver key milestones that will bring us closer to delivering the 5 year strategy. For me, that means supporting my department to identify areas for development that will contribute to business growth. How do we continue to improve our service and enhance the broker/customer journey, either through collaboration with other departments or, within our own processes? Outside of my business role, I want to support the Society to achieve its ambition to donate 1,000 hours of volunteering time to our communities by the end of the 2021/22 financial year, growing to 2,000 hours a year by 2026.

Personally, I am hoping to return to dressage competitions. I have a Welsh Cob and an ex-race horse and I really enjoy hacking through the lovely countryside in my area, especially when the weather is kind!

Suzanne is an established member of the team with over 7 years’ experience with the Society. If you’re an intermediary with a question for Suzanne or the team, email brokers@monbs.com or call direct on 01633 844380.