Connect Premier

Connect Premier, mortgage and protection advice in the United Kingdom

Connect Premier is the trading name of Cromwell Financial Services Limited, an independent mortgage and insurance advice firm operating under the Connect Premier brand. The company is registered in England and Wales under number 16513576 and acts as an Appointed Representative of Connect IFA Limited, an entity authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under reference 1040590 on the UK financial services register.

The firm presents itself as a boutique practice founded by Joe Smith and Bradley Moore, with a stated focus on transparency, specialisation and efficiency. Its activity is aimed at UK consumers, as expressly stated in its regulatory information.

Access to over 200 lenders

Connect Premier's main operational argument is its access to a broad network of financial institutions. The website puts that network at over 200 lenders, while the team presentation mentions more than 170 entities within the Connect IFA network, established in 1998. This breadth of offering is presented as an alternative to going directly to a high street bank, with the aim of widening the options available for each profile.

The firm defines itself as a credit broker and not as a lender. According to its commission policy, once the client's needs have been assessed it recommends one or more lenders whose products match their situation, with no obligation on the client's part to follow that advice. Its usual remuneration comes from commissions paid by the lender after the transaction is completed, normally calculated as a fixed percentage of the amount borrowed and varying according to lender and product. The firm specifies that this amount does not alter what the client pays the lender under their credit agreement.

Client profiles and mortgage solutions

The activity is organised around several types of client and need:

• First-time buyers: support throughout the process of buying a first home, explanation of the available options and a search for a mortgage suited to the budget. This includes a specific route for new build and another for profiles with a small or no deposit.
• Professionals: service for employees, self-employed workers and contractors, with analysis of complex income structures and a search for lenders that recognise that income potential. There are specific sections for legal professionals and medical professionals.
• Debt consolidation and adverse credit: access to specialist lenders for clients with a poor credit history, with solutions tailored to each circumstance.
• Property finance: residential mortgages, buy-to-let mortgages, bridging loans and development finance.

Protection insurance for individuals and businesses

In addition to mortgage brokering, Connect Premier offers protection insurance. The catalogue on its website includes business protection, life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection. The firm frames these products within a long-term relationship with the client: it does not limit itself to arranging the mortgage or the policy, but reviews the client's circumstances each year and offers support at the different stages of life.

Team and background of the founders

The firm is led by Joe Smith and Bradley Moore. Joe Smith began his career in financial services in 2016, working in life insurance and management roles before obtaining his mortgage advice qualification in 2019. Bradley Moore entered the sector in 2018, advising for one of the largest estate agencies in the United Kingdom, and later held senior positions and worked on start-up projects, as well as launching his own business in 2022. Both hold advanced mortgage qualifications: Joe Smith through the CII and Bradley Moore through the LIBF.

The firm states that it has received recognition for its customer service and claims to have helped thousands of clients secure their homes. Connect Premier also presents itself as a member of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) and the Financial Intermediary and Broker Association (FIBA).

Costs, regulation and client warnings

The published information details that the firm usually charges an administration fee of £199 at the time of submitting the mortgage application, plus an offer fee whose amount is communicated and agreed before the application is sent. The exact amount depends on the client's circumstances and is communicated before obtaining their authorisation to proceed.

The company warns that the property may be repossessed if mortgage or secured loan payments are not kept up. For complaints, it provides a postal address at the Compliance Department of Connect Mortgages, 39 Station Lane, Hornchurch, RM126JL, and a contact telephone number. If the complaint is not resolved with the firm, the client may refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Location and contact

Knoll House, Knoll Road, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 3SY