From the counter to mortgage manager in five years
From a part-time role on the counter to leading the Direct Mortgage Team, Terri Lorimer’s career is a shining example of how The Cumberland encourages colleagues to progress.
Originally from West Cumbria and now living in Carlisle, Terri joined The Cumberland five years ago, seeking a better work-life balance after maternity leave.
"I went to university and completed a marketing degree. From there I worked as cabin crew for a while before going into retail.
"After a few years, I had my first baby and started my maternity leave. At that point I was looking for something different, but I needed to go part-time with set days. I saw that The Cumberland was advertising for someone on the counter three days a week, and I thought that would be great for me.
"I've always banked at The Cumberland, and I had an affinity for that personal touch that the Cumberland gave me as a customer.
“But if you’d told me I’d be managing the mortgage team now, I’d never have believed you."
Starting in the Rosehill branch as a customer service adviser, she was encouraged by her managers to progress, and then began training new staff through the society’s training initiative.
"My manager was really supportive, always believing in his team. And if you had the right attitude and you worked hard, it would pay off, and it has in leaps and bounds," she said.
But her biggest leap came after the birth of her second child, when she took on the challenge of becoming a mortgage adviser.
"I studied for the CeMAP (Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice) qualification all in my own time while having a nine-month-old baby, which, in reflection, was quite tricky to say the least."
From there the next step - with her manager's encouragement again - was to take over from him as mortgage hub manager, leading a 13-strong team of advisers serving customers across the UK.
She said: "Getting people a home is one of the most amazing things. And we as mortgage advisers play such an integral role in that.
"We will help our customers all the way through until they get their keys, they've got that one mortgage adviser, they're not passed from pillar to post.
"Sometimes when our customers are in a large chain, it can take as long year to go through, and it sounds cliche, but you do go on a journey with these people. So, it's really nice to see that end product, and we often get customers sending photos of when they're outside the front door of the property.
"It honestly is the best job in the world to be able to help customers and work with such a fantastic team at the same time.”
"What the last five years has taught me that anything is possible, that if you put the hard work in, it can pay off."
Liz Eastburn, Head of Direct Distribution at The Cumberland praised Terri’s career development, as well as her influence on the team: “In addition to her dedication and commitment to any task she undertakes, Terri has a hugely infectious personality.
“Her energy and enthusiasm are unwavering and makes working with her a joy for other colleagues. Not only has she developed her own career in the last 5 years she has also been instrumental in the progression of those around her, a real asset to The Cumberland.”