Name: Kerrie Carlyon
Company Role: Senior Mortgage & Life Adviser
Hi Kerrie! Could you please tell us a little bit about your professional background and what brought you to Cherry Godfrey?
I have worked in mortgage lending for almost thirty years, having started my career at Standard Chartered in their mortgage department. I moved onto mortgage broking in 2003 and worked at The Mortgage Shop for twenty years before making the move to Cherry Godfrey in January 2024. During this time, I have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience in this field, enabling me to advise on all aspects of residential and buy-to-let property financing, both in Jersey and the UK, as well as associated financial protection arrangements. I thrive on the challenges of finding solutions to match clients’ borrowing requirements.
Fantastic. What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?
Before I moved into the mortgage sector, my first ever job was working at NatWest Bank: this gave me a good understanding of how the banking system worked. Back then, you moved around the different departments every three to six months. This allowed me to understand how most areas of banking worked, which gave me a great grounding.
What a great introduction! And in your opinion, what makes someone a great leader?
Someone who is a good listener, who gives support and direction where needed and welcomes input. You must ensure colleagues feel valued and supported and encourage open and honest discussion to gain the results needed, working as a team.
Absolutely. Can you please tell us about the biggest challenge you’ve ever faced at work and how you overcame it?
This is a difficult question to answer, as the nature of my job is a constant challenge, especially now! With high-interest rates and lenders’ strict affordability testing, every day is a challenge. My job is to find a solution for our clients’ mortgage needs daily: nothing is ever straightforward!
That’s incredibly challenging! Can you please name one thing you love about Cherry Godfrey?
I like the fact that Cherry Godfrey help in so many areas: a one-stop-shop, offering everything from independent mortgage and life assurance advice, to arranging personal loans, car, and home insurance. Cherry Godfrey, therefore, become one point of contact for so many of their clients’ needs.
Absolutely – we put the client experience first. What would you say are the daily habits that help you succeed?
Being organised. I’m not sure if this is a habit or not but being organised plays a huge part in the way I work to ensure I provide the best customer service to my clients.
And it is very much appreciated! If you were able to invite any three people round for dinner (living or dead), who would you choose – and why?
I could think of so many famous people to be honest! However, I believe I would invite family members that have passed so that I could bring them up to speed with all of mine, and my son’s achievements that they have missed. Boring perhaps, but true!
That’s a lovely Kerrie! And, finally, what do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
Spending time with family and friends: I love a good long walk and spending time in my kitchen. I have also spent lots of time travelling to different parts of the world supporting my son and our National Jersey Cricket Team, who have succeeded on an international stage. For a small island team, they punch well above their weight!
Never underestimate an Islander! Thanks for giving up your time Kerrie!
