Continuing with our ambitious growth plans, we are delighted to announce the acquisition of fellow Derbyshire broker firm Peak Mortgages & Protection.
Peak was established by Rhys Schofield in 2018 and has since grown impressively in both size and stature.
This is our first acquisition and one that will see Mortgage 1st’s standing increase further across the intermediary industry as well as across Derbyshire.
Mortgage 1st was formed in 2008 by Jon Stones as the sole adviser and operated that way for the first 5 years, the company has grown exponentially since and is run by Jon and his wife Operations Director Lisa Stones.
During that time Mortgage 1st have helped thousands of clients, placed over 10,000 mortgages in arranging £1.67 billion of lending, it has been an incredibly successful 15yrs for the company as we continue to go from strength to strength, recently being recognised for our achievements winning a national industry award.
This move will see Mortgage 1st increase to over 70 staff and comes hot on the heels of our recently formed insurance brand, Protection 1st meaning we can now offer advice to even more customers across Derbyshire and nationwide.
Whether you are an existing customer of Mortgage 1st, Protection 1st or Peak Mortgages & Protection you will continue to receive the same exceptional service from our team.
Photographed left to right: Jon Stones Mortgage 1st Managing Director (with Alan the Dog!), Rhys Schofield Founder Peak Mortgages and Protection, Lisa Stones Mortgage 1st Operations Director.
“The opportunity to bring Peak in to Mortgage 1st is a unique and ideal scenario, one that will see us continue to grow but also maintain the exceptional culture that we have built at Mortgage 1st. Rhys has done a wonderful job with Peak, quickly establishing their standing as the go-to brokerage in Belper before expanding that proposition across Derbyshire. During preliminary discussions it became very apparent that we shared the same core values as business owners which played a key role in getting this deal done so quickly. We’re excited to welcome everyone from Peak into our team and can’t wait to see how both brands continue to grow alongside one another”
Mortgage 1st Directors Jon & Lisa Stones
“I’m over the moon that we’ve managed to pull this off. From the moment I met Mr Stones it was clear that we really shared the same vision and values.
Becoming the go-to business for great mortgage and protection advice in Derbyshire has always been our goal and we now have the opportunity to kick delivering this promise to our customers and staff into overdrive with the support of Mortgage 1st.
I also think that it’s clear Mortgage 1st and Peak will become the real destination of choice for exceptional mortgage brokers, admins and anyone else involved in our industry to build a career.
One thing I have learned in our 4 years of growing Peak is that it can be a lonely and hard existence to carry that burden without brilliant people around you to support, praise and yes pick you back up when you need it. I have to give special thanks to Olivia Smith, my first ever employee and absolute rock of a team member who has been a superstar throughout the complicated work that comes with any business sale. I shall certainly be treating her and her husband Jack now the dust has settled.
Olivia is actually taking the next step in her career and will be the first, new Peak adviser – She’s going to be brilliant and to have a really clear route to bring people like that into the world of mortgage advising is something I’m very passionate about.
To say I’m excited to carry on leading Peak with the likes of Jon & Lisa Stones and the rest of their senior team at my back is an understatement. Rest assured that the Metallica of Mortgages will not ‘fade to black’ but is very much ready to ‘ride the lightning’ instead.”
Rhys Schofield Founder of Peak Mortgages & Protection