What is your role at J Finance?

In short, my role is to help people with all their needs relating to mortgage finance. In practice that means providing advice on mortgages, insurance, and the most relevant aspects of buying or refinancing a property. I try to convert financial jargon into understandable language, and that language is either English or Polish. I explain what to expect throughout the process and, most importantly, recommend solutions that I believe will put my clients in the best possible position.

How long have you worked at J Finance?

If I remember correctly, I started in December 2013. Property prices were beginning to climb after the recession and it was a very good and exciting time to be a mortgage adviser.

Why should someone listen to your advice?

I arrange various financial products for clients throughout the week and handle many applications. After many years I have developed a thorough knowledge of the criteria used by a wide range of lenders and a well-practised ability to find solutions to my clients' financial problems. When I meet a new client, whatever their situation, I have almost certainly worked with someone in a very similar position before.

The less obvious but perhaps more important answer is that all the advisers at J Finance share a strong work ethic and a genuinely fair and honest approach. We understand that the key to long-term success in this business is long-lasting client relationships, and honesty is the only way to build them. Sometimes telling a client "don't do it" is exactly the right advice.

Years of working with solicitors, lenders, and estate agents mean we understand how they operate. Asking the right question is often the only way to get the right answer, and that is something most clients would struggle to navigate alone.

I try to explain every option to every client regardless of their initial intentions, and it is surprising how often people change their plans simply because they were not aware there was another way. That is why I prefer to call myself an adviser rather than a broker.

What do you like best about working at J Finance?

There is no way to narrow it down to one thing. The number of job offers I have turned down while working here is probably the best proof of that. But to put it simply: we have a common goal and everyone understands there is more than one way to achieve it. We have different opinions and everyone understands we are working towards the same end. We all have good ideas and no one has a monopoly on them. We learn from each other.

Describe your typical day.

To increase efficiency, we all start the day with a cup of tea or coffee. Mornings are my email time. I now receive close to 100 enquiries a day, and working through these involves confirming things with lenders, submitting applications, and providing explanations on existing cases to keep them moving forward.

Afternoons are usually spent writing to clients to explain their mortgage or insurance arrangements and calling both existing and new clients. This is regularly interrupted by incoming calls and messages, which I try to deal with straight away if they are urgent. Late afternoons tend to involve more calls, as most people are free to talk after work.

Most of my evenings are taken up with client appointments, currently mostly by video call, where I discuss options and provide advice.

What makes you happy?

Work wise, it is under-promising and over-delivering. I love the moment when a client tells me they have spoken to several advisers and no one explained what I have just told them. And I especially enjoy it when those clients refer their friends with equally difficult situations, telling them with complete confidence that I will sort it out.

In my personal life, I am a family man. I work a great deal, so most of my free time is devoted to my wife and children. Though I will admit that after three days in a row with the family, fishing alone is what I enjoy the most.

What do you like to do at the weekend?

I often work half a day on Saturday, then spend time with the family going for walks or visiting the playground. Almost every Sunday is a family day out.

Janusz can be contacted on 07796 714480 or at janusz@jfinance.co.uk