Important Messages
We will be closed on Tuesday 11 February for essential staff training. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
We will be closed on Tuesday 11 February for essential staff training. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Saffron for Intermediaries offer support for you and your clients to ensure you have access to be best available products conveniently and efficiently - with knowledgeable, flexible and professional support. Use the search tool below to find contact details for your BDM.
We’re a team of eight joining forces with approximately 70 years industry experience between us, the majority of those being spent at Saffron. We thrive on being the first port of call for new case enquiries. Our ethos of embracing different, and the complex cases we look for, means naturally each call is a new challenge, so we have to be able to adapt and respond to anything that comes our way – that’s what keeps it interesting.
Embarking on a complex lending journey with your clients may seem daunting, but you're not alone. We are trained on policy, criteria and product to the same level as our underwriters. It’s this technical capability that sets us apart from other lenders and allows us to help unlock solutions.
There to ensure your journey with Saffron starts on the right path – we will give you a friendly, speedy and clear response – giving you that decision certainty you’re looking for.
Our role is about supporting brokers, but supporting each other too. Whilst outside of work we’re about family time, and exploring new places, we love a team dinner - occasionally we even throw in a boogie or something more competitive!
We have already helped thousands of broker partners make their clients’ housing dreams a reality. To find out how we can we help you – please contact us today, via your choice of three channels - phone, email, and LiveChat.
Lee Williams is our National Sales Manager, leading our team of seasoned Business Development Managers and Relationship Mangers who work with our broker partners and developers across England & Wales.
Lee is a financial services pro – he has over 18 years of experience in the sector, starting at C&G in 2005. Following that, he honed his skills as a Personal Mortgage Adviser at Royal Bank of Scotland and later as an Area Mortgage Manager. He’s also been Client Experience leader for Loans.co.uk and worked within Stonebridge’s business development team before jumping at the chance to join Saffron in August 2022.
This extensive experience, together with certifications like DipFA under his belt, means Lee’s expertise in mortgages sales is top-notch – and even award winning, with Lee being named BDM of the Year at the Financial Reporter Awards 2024.
When off the clock, Lee prefers spending quality time with his wife and his two young children who keep him on his toes.
Joining us in 2022, Jacqui Turner is our Business Development Manager for the North of England, bringing a treasure trove of experience in building and nurturing relationships between lenders and brokers.
Since moving across the pond, Jacqui has worked her magic with various building societies, including Marsden Building Society and Harpenden Building Society. She’s all about sharing her know-how – whether she’s educating and advising mortgage brokers and firms on the ins and outs of lending criteria and mortgage products, or unravelling tricky challenges, Jacqui’s got it covered. Plus, she’s a star presenter at mortgage clubs and networks, showcasing all the fantastic solutions Saffron has to offer.
Laura Smith is one of our Business Development Managers at Saffron for Intermediaries. She brings a wealth of experience in the mortgage and financial sectors to her role, having previously worked with Fleet Mortgages, Knowledge Bank, and One Mortgage System.
Laura is passionate about supporting brokers, offering clear guidance and practical solutions to help them navigate an evolving mortgage landscape. Her dedication to collaboration and service shines through in her approach, as she works to build genuine, value-adding relationships with brokers.
Outside of work, Laura’s got a knack for music – you’ll often find her playing the piano or guitar. She’s a keen artist too and has recently illustrated her first book.
Leah Kavanagh has been navigating the financial services landscape since 2015, starting out as a cashier at West Brom Building Society before quickly qualifying as a mortgage broker. From new builds and buy-to-lets to complex cases like limited companies and adverse credit, Leah has seen it all and loves finding solutions where others can’t.
As a broker, Leah thrived on turning tricky cases into success stories and previously honed her expertise as a CeMAP and CeRER qualified Regulated Trainer at Primis Network, coaching brokers to be at the top of their game.
Now at Saffron, Leah brings that same drive to help brokers find the perfect fit for their clients, using our flexible lending criteria to help clients with ‘out-of-the-box’ requirements.
Simon O’Donnell is an experienced Business Development Manager at Saffron for Intermediaries and will be a familiar face for brokers in the Southeast and London. Simon kicked off his journey with us in 2012, taking a brief ‘detour’ as an adjudicator for the Financial Ombudsman Service in 2014 before finding his way back to Saffron in 2016. Since then, he’s worn many hats in the business – managing branches, running marketing operations, delivery and more, before joining the mortgage team.
Simon’s knack for developing and growing lasting relationships is unmatched. His varied experience makes him an invaluable contact for the brokers he works with, providing honest and transparent communication at all stages.