Mortgage broker moves into Friar Gate Studios

A mortgage broker has made its fourth move within the Connect Derby portfolio of managed workspaces.

Create Finance, which was founded in 2015 by mortgage broker Gindy Mathoon, has taken advantage of the relaxation of rules allowing non-creatives to take office space at Friar Gate Studios and moved his 23 strong team of brokers to the headquarters of the Connect Derby scheme.

The company started life at Riverside Chambers on Full Street, which was the subject of a £2m refurbishment in 2015. Over the next three years its achieved significant growth – expanding from one to two offices and employing more than 15 mortgage brokers and 11 admin staff.

In June 2018, the company expanded still further taking over the historic Shot Tower building on the Morledge – with the creation of twelve new jobs.

The advent of the pandemic prompted the decision to adopt a hybrid working approach, resulting in a move away from the three storey Shot Tower building to offices at Friar Gate Studios.

Mathoon, said: “What we like about being with Connect Derby is the flexibility. This is our fourth office at Connect Derby, and we wouldn’t consider going anywhere else.

“Over the years. we have developed a tremendous working relationship with Ann and her team. In fact, when we told Ann we needed a bigger space at Friar Gate Studios than was available, she gave us her own office!

“We like the managed office space and the flexible tenancy agreement. Services like health and safety around the building are taken care of. If there are any issues, we just report it and it’s taken care of by the building manager, allowing us to focus on our day-to day business.

“Previously we had team of brokers working across the UK supported by local admin staff. When the pandemic hit, everyone reverted to working from home, so we no longer needed all the space at Shot Tower.

“Staff morale remains key, though, so maintaining an office will enable our admin team and brokers to touch base on a regular basis.”

Ann Bhatti, head of Connect Derby, added: “The relaxation of rules which enable non-creatives from the supply chain to the creative industries to take space at Friar Gate Studios and Sadler Bridge Studios has proved very popular and resulted in a dynamic and diverse community of tenants at both workspaces.”