The Intermediary – September 2025 - Flipbook - Page 55
MEET THE BDM
I wanted more face-to-face contact,
because that’s where I really get my
energy. That’s when the opportunity
at West Brom came up, and it just
felt like fate.
What brought you to
West Brom?
Interestingly, it wasn’t a job advert
that first caught my eye. I was
speaking to a broker about a case
involving a teacher whose income
came from a bursary. The broker told
me how West Brom’s policy worked
brilliantly for those situations. And
that really stuck with me.
Not long after, I saw the BDM role
advertised and it felt like the right
opportunity. My son was about to
start school, freeing me up to get
back out on the road. And, after
learning more about the society and
its policies, I knew it was the right
next step.
What makes West Brom
stand out?
For me, it’s the ethos. From the
moment I walked into head office, I
felt it. On my very first day, I spent
40 minutes chatting with someone
I met in the lift, a complete stranger
who just struck up a conversation.
That kind of friendliness is infectious,
and it mirrors the way we present
ourselves to brokers.
Of course, policy matters, but
it’s our affordability approach that
makes us stand out. And, ultimately,
it’s the human touch that makes
West Brom different. We genuinely
take an interest in both the individual
and their business, and that comes
through in every interaction.
What are the challenges
facing BDMs?
The pace of the market is intense.
Lenders are making frequent changes
to products and policies, sometimes
weekly. If you’re not careful, you
can quickly be overlooked in favour
of a new competitor. The only way
to stay front-of-mind is through
relationships. For me, that means
being accessible and responsive. I’ve
made it my personal rule to respond
to every call or email the same day,
even if it’s just to acknowledge the
query. Brokers know they’ll hear
from me, and that reliability builds
trust, which makes a huge difference
in such a fast-moving environment.
What about the
opportunities for BDMs?
I think we have a real chance to be
difference-makers. It’s not just about
driving business into the society, it’s
about genuinely supporting brokers
and helping their businesses grow.
If you take an interest in their
wider business, you can become
more than just a point of contact
for cases; you can become a trusted
partner. That helps builds loyalty,
and when their business grows, so
does yours. It’s a win-win.
How do you work with
brokers to ensure the best
outcomes for borrowers?
For me, it’s about being quick,
attentive, and honest. If a case
doesn’t fit, I’ll tell the broker straight
away. It might feel disappointing
to hear ‘no’ quickly, but it’s far
better than waiting three days for a
rejection. That way, they can move
on and place the case elsewhere
without losing time. On the flip side,
if there’s a way to make it work, I’ll
dig in and rework the case to find a
solution. Brokers have described me
as someone who always goes the
extra mile, and who takes a genuine
interest in your business. That
means a lot, because it sums up the
approach I try to live by.
What advice would you
give to borrowers in the
current climate?
Simple: trust your broker. The
mortgage market is more complex
than ever, and it changes constantly.
Even as a BDM, I don’t claim to
know everything, but a good broker
does the research and has your best
interests at heart.
Ask questions, absolutely, but
remember that their advice is there
to guide you through what could
otherwise be an overwhelming
process. Trying to go it alone in this
market is a recipe for stress. A broker
can remove barriers, explain things
clearly, and help you reach your goal
of owning a home.
What should people
know about you outside
of work?
First and foremost, I’m a family
man. My wife and son are my
world, and most of my free time is
spent with them, having fun and
enjoying life.
Beyond that, I’m a huge music
fan, especially pop-punk and rock.
Festivals are my escape. There’s
nothing better than spending a
day immersed in live music. It’s the
perfect way to recharge.
So, whether it’s at home with
my family or in a muddy field at
Download Festival, that’s where
you’ll find the real me.
Established
1849
Products
◆ Low deposit mortgages
◆ New-build and Shared Ownership
◆ Cashback mortgages
◆ Higher LTV lending
Contact details
07968513308
james.odonnell@westbrom.co.uk
September 2025 | The Intermediary
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