OUR APPROACH
The way we work puts you at the forefront of everything we do. We get to know you so we can better understand how to approach your case.
For four decades we have been giving trusted, transparent, independent advice to arrange cost effective property finance for our clients. High service standards supported by the latest technology combine with access to all of the high street banks, private banks and specialised lenders.
OUR TEAM
Simon Holdsworth
Managing Director
Simon has been working in the mortgage industry since 1986. As a qualified Independent Financial Advisor he chose to specialise in property finance and has become one of the most respected figures in the industry. Simon was a shareholder and Senior Partner at John Charcol, founder of Towry Law Mortgages and most recently created Holdsworth Financial Limited to continue servicing a growing client bank. He remains at the forefront of our business and continues to advise clients from first time buyers to complex offshore situations.
His experience has seen him advise and arrange finance for some of the most substantial residential property transactions and he enjoys working with clients to develop and apply a strategy towards property ownership and finance.
Simon was a keen and competitive sportsman in his day but now focuses on his rather poor golf, a love of country sports, travel and cooking.
Paul Barber
Partner
Paul has worked in the finance industry since 1982, where he started by working through a few roles within a high street bank. In the mid 90’s he qualified as an Independent Financial Advisor. Paul found his speciality in mortgages and moved to John Charcol in 1999, where he became a partner and worked alongside Simon for several years.
Paul’s skillset is complimentary to Simon’s, allowing him to bring different strengths to the business and add to what Holdsworth Financial already provides. This allows us to cover a broader range of solutions and advise clients from a wide range of backgrounds.
Paul was also a part time golfer who probably spent more time looking for balls in the bushes and trees rather than anywhere else. Now, he prefers to spend time doing a bit more travelling both on the water and on land, and with his first grandchild.
Sandy Mcilvenna
Partner
Sandy started her career in property finance in 2002 and joined the Holdsworth team in 2009 where she built on her knowledge and natural attention to detail in supporting clients from first time buyers through to those with complex borrowing requirements.
Her wealth of experience has been delivering excellent outcomes for clients for almost 20 years and she is a key element of the Holdsworth Financial family.
Sandy is driven by a desire to get the best possible results for her clients. She drives a transaction forward on all fronts to deliver the right results in the required timeframes.
Outside of work her time is spent with her family, a love of travel, especially back to her native Trinidad, and a new found love of baking.
James Holdsworth
Junior Partner
James joined the family business in 2018, after working in luxury interior design. He strongly values the importance of client relationships and looks forward to continuing building strong connections with his clients as their careers evolve.
With regards to First Time Buyers, James has particular experience helping clients get onto the property ladder. Often with help from their parents in various ways. The intergenerational nature of the company gives us a unique perspective from both positions.
When he is not at his desk, you will find James playing cricket, watching rugby, enjoying country sports, or most likely in the kitchen cooking. All of this accompanied by his black Labrador Kikay, who you will likely also find in the office.
Rachel Barnett
Partner
Rachel has worked in financial services since 2004, starting with HSBC before progressing to private banking at both Drummonds and then C Hoare & Co. Her focus is on complex credit scenarios and just as importantly, implementing genuine client relationship management to the highest standard.
After a break from work to spend some time with her young children, it was on to Knight Frank Finance. Whilst there Rachel was able to utilise her experience and skills acquired in the Landed Estates team at C Hoare & Co to arrange finance against a range of rural assets, as well as assist a wider range on non-rural, high net worth and ultra high net worth clients across the spectrum of financing needs.
Rachel enjoys the challenge of getting the best possible solution for her clients and also working tirelessly on their behalf to take the stress of a transaction off their shoulders.
Martin Robertson-Bond
Partner
Martin has hands on experience of building a successful London buy to let portfolio, an award winning South West Furnished Holiday Lets (FHL) business and has carried out several light and heavy residential refurbishments, Flats, Houses, Basements, Self Builds etc in Prime Central and Prime South West London. He’s also restored some grand and historical country estates in East Anglia and Devon and understands the unique features that acquisition and ongoing ownership of such; often mixed use and Listed assets can entail.
Martin has always felt most comfortable in sales roles, looking after customers; so it was a natural step to become fully qualified in Mortgage Advice and leverage his experience of buying, funding, owning, developing and selling Residential Real Estate. His working relationship with Simon Holdsworth spans some 30 years so Holdsworth Financial is the natural home.
Connie Walker
Administrator
Connie started with us in October 2023, after working alongside Paul as his assistant at John Charcol. She has a track record of providing top-tier support to management staff and enhancing operational workflows.
Her wide range of experience in administrative support means that she is recognized for her exemplary organisational skills, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
When she’s not being our right-hand lady, you will find her camping, travelling or enjoying quality time with her friends and family.
CASE STUDIES
First Time Buyer
Our client was looking to purchase their first property in West London with the help of a gifted deposit from their parents. The client was in a job with the possibility of strong income as they progressed, but their current earnings didn’t quite get them to the borrowing amount they were after. In order to maximise their borrowing we made use of a joint borrower sole proprietor mortgage, using their fathers income to support their own. With the goal of remortgaging without their father on the mortgage in a couple of years once their income had increased. The application proceeded smoothly, and we were delighted to have helped the next generation onto the property ladder.
Diversification of a Rural Estate
A client who was the 7th generation custodian to a large estate approached us about borrowing to invest into a large commercial project. Whilst he did not need to borrow, his trustees and management team had spoken of the taxable benefits of doing so and keeping other liquid assets in place. We found the client an extremely competitive deal on a long term fixed rate without the need for the lender to be involved in any way with the project (given the estate was such a strong covenant). Whilst the client was somewhat nervous about being the first generation to acquire finance, it turned out to be a very astute business decision.
Capital Raise for Income
A client approached us looking for finance against a country house as they were asset rich and income poor. They had a liquidity event happening in 5 years’ time and were looking to borrow to provide a source of income for those 5 years. We sourced a lender who was willing to lend on this basis and also roll up any interest for those 5 years. Given the asset was such a good covenant and the clients could evidence their future lump sum we were able to negotiate favourable rates for them.
Restoration Project
Old Maids cottage in Devon was a picturesque but derelict, three bedroom thatched cottage in a quaint seaside village. Funding the restoration was further complicated by restrictions due to its Grade 2 Listing and its position at the base of an unstable cliff. We arranged a development loan, secured against the site, this funded a complete refurbishment and extensive landscaping, remedial drilling works to secure the stability to the cliff and a new thatch. Once completed the refurbishment loan was repaid and a facility arranged for holiday lets.
