HQ Mortgage & Finance

HQ Mortgage & Finance, independent mortgage brokerage in Taunton

HQ Mortgage & Finance Ltd is an independent mortgage and insurance brokerage operating across the UK, headquartered in Taunton (Somerset) with a strong presence in the South West of England and London. The firm presents itself as a whole-of-market intermediary, which in practice means it compares the offers available across lenders rather than limiting itself to the products of a single one. It is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and is listed on the financial services register under number 483295.

The company states it has access to more than one hundred lenders in the country and claims to have accumulated more than 2,000 reviews on Trustpilot, where it is shown with an "Excellent" rating. Its activity dates back to 2008, the year from which it says it has been dedicated to impartial mortgage advice.

Advice for every client profile

The range of services is organised around the most common situations in the UK mortgage market:

• First-time buyers: support for those facing a mortgage and the home-buying process for the first time.
• Moving home: advice on a new mortgage tailored to the client's current needs and future plans.
• Remortgages: searching for better terms, reducing monthly payments, releasing equity or shortening the loan term.
• Buy to let: financing for investment properties, with access to specialist lenders.
• Equity release: products for releasing capital tied up in a property.
• Insurance and protection: life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection.

The website also includes informative content on Help to Buy schemes and government-backed mortgages, as well as calculators to estimate borrowing capacity, affordable property price, mortgage repayments and stamp duty.

A three-stage working method

The firm describes its process in three steps. First, it gathers information about the client's situation and goals, either via an online form or by phone. It then compares the whole of the mortgage market to find the most suitable offer. Finally, once the proposal is accepted, it prepares and submits the full application to the chosen lender and supports the client through to completion.

The service is designed to be flexible: the company offers face-to-face or fully remote appointments, with availability in the evening and at weekends, and provides ongoing support throughout the process. The initial consultation is advertised as free.

Geographic coverage and offices

Although the company presents itself as local in the communities where it works, its service extends across the UK through an online process. Its advisers are distributed across the south of England and the firm identifies its service areas as Bath and Wiltshire, Bristol, Cheltenham and Gloucester, London, Taunton and Weston-super-Mare. The head office is located in Taunton, Somerset, and the company's registered office is in Bridgwater.

Leadership team

The management combines backgrounds in banking, estate agencies and independent brokerages. James Smith, CEO and co-owner, has more than sixteen years in the financial sector and leads the development of the advice team. Louis Down, Operations Director and co-owner, joined the company as an apprentice in 2014 and is responsible for marketing, finance and operations. Mark Bevan, Compliance Director and co-owner, brings experience in mortgage advice, management and compliance, and continues to serve his own clients alongside his board duties. Rob Plaistow, Advice and Sales Director and co-owner, previously developed his career as a mortgage and protection adviser.

Company and regulatory information

HQ Mortgage & Finance Ltd is registered in England under number 6585639 and holds consumer credit licence number 617762. Its registered office is 4-5 King Square, Bridgwater TA6 3YF. The company warns that the FCA does not regulate some buy to let mortgage contracts and reminds that a home may be repossessed if repayments on a mortgage or other loan secured on it are not maintained. The firm also states that the content and services on the site are intended exclusively for UK residents.