The Team


James Rice

Managing Director

James has been a mortgage advisor since 1997. Before he became co-founder of The Mortgage Finance Store Ltd. he was Head of Business Development at one of Scotland’s largest and most prestigious law firms, The PSM Law Group. James was recognised by the Institute of Directors when he took second place in their Director of the Year awards in 2004.
 

Michelle Liddell

Finance & Compliance Manager

In keeping with its progressive thinking and the ever changing regulatory requirements that accompany the modern financial services industry The Mortgage Finance Store Ltd. was proud to promote Michelle to this crucial role in 2015. With a financial services background spanning over 30 years, 15 of which within the Mortgage Finance Stores Ltd. in a variety of roles, Michelle has proved a crucial member of our team and a constant source of knowledge and support.
  


Jim Leary

Non-Executive Director

Following a successful career as an IFA, Jim joined The Mortgage Finance Store Ltd. in 2005. In addition to being a valued member of the team Jim took on a Non-Executive Directors role in 2008.
 

Richard Noble

Non-Executive Director

One of the original team, Richard has been with The Mortgage Finance Store Ltd. since its opening in 2003. An important member of our team, Richard took on a Non-Executive Directors role in 2008.
  


Louise Laing

Mortgage and Protection Advisor

Louise has been in Finance for 30 years.  She has worked for major high street lenders historically all over Scotland and has accrued a wealth of knowledge & experience. Since 2015 Louise has been a valued member of the TMFS family. Louise feels it’s such a privilege to be asked and to be able to advise clients on the best way to finance their next property project. When not solving mortgage and protection problems you will find Louise on her way to the top of some mountain or exploring some of the worlds most remote and exciting places.
  

Mike Connelly

Non-Executive Director

Mike has worked in the Financial Services industry since 1988. He held the post of Branch Manager for the East Coast of Scotland with Pearl Assurance before leaving to pursue a career as an Independent Financial Advisor. Since founding The Mortgage Finance Store Ltd., Mike has nurtured its growth into the established mortgage operation that it is now.
  


Lesley Grossett

Sadly on the 28th July 2023, we lost our beloved advisor and friend after a short illness.

Lesley was the epitome of empathetic and caring  advisor and she will be remembered by all who had the privilege to meet her.

Forever missed

Lesley Grossett

02/11/1964 to 28/07/2023


  

Kendal Ritchie

Mortgage and Protection Advisor

Kendal has worked in financial services for over 8 years, latterly with a high street bank providing mortgage services. She has vast knowledge of the complete house buying process having worked behind the scenes in a bank for so long. She is happiest when meeting new people and providing solutions to their problems and is keen to help you and make your journey with The Mortgage Finance Store as stress free as possible. 


Karolina Wrobel

Mortgage and Protection Advisor

Our first bonafide scientist to join The Mortgage Finance Stores team. 

After over 10 years of crunching data, Karolina has now transitioned into Financial Services. As Karolina put it “ the accuracy of data and working on complex problems is a thrill but the ability to interact with people and solve every day problems is just as fulfilling” With a bubbling personality and the energy of the energizer bunny we can’t wait to see what a success Karolina will be in this new career path.

Allan Johnston

Mortgage and Protection Advisor

After graduating from University Allan has worked for a local Charity for a number of years.  He wanted to build a career centred around his passion for customer service and his skills with figures and report writing – and working as a Mortgage Consultant was a perfect match.  He enjoys helping clients move into their new homes and providing clients with the peace of mind that their mortgage is adequately protected and would be taken care of regardless of what life may bring.
  


Erin Cruickshank

Mortgage and Protection Advisor

After 12 years working with a high street bank, with 9 as an underwriter (telling other advisors what they are doing wrong) Erin has made the brave move to come over to the other side to show us all how it’s done properly.  An instant hit with both clients and colleagues, Erin is enjoying assisting clients with both their mortgage and protection needs finally having access to the whole of the market.  As Erin put it, having recently brought little Aria into the world the freedom and flexibility of this new role and the chance meet and help new people is a thrill. 

Lauren McGeady

Trainee Mortgage and Protection Advisor

A successful entrepreneur since the tender age of 20 Lauren has built a successful business in, of all things Dog Grooming, over the last 6 years.  Having grown it to the point that it is now self running, Lauren felt it was time for a new challenge.   

Having been the beneficiary of TMFS’s mortgage process for her own personal finances, Lauren reached out to discuss the process of joining the industry and TMFS in particular.  So it was back to school for all her qualifications and a year later we were delighted to welcome Lauren to join our team.  A natural communicator and people person Lauren is thoroughly enjoying her new role and has proved extremely popular with both clients and our existing team.  


Samantha Carswell

Mortgage and Protection Advisor

One of the earliest recruits into the business, joining in 2004, Samantha played a vital role in the business’s growth and success as a mortgage researcher until 2020.  Having moved away for a few years to get her qualifications and gain some experience in the advisor role, Samantha (Sammi) has rejoined the fold in 2023 and now is a much loved and successful advisor in her own right. Samantha’s invaluable institutional knowledge and experience now spanning 20 years is a great asset for the business and a great benefit for all her clients.  

Linsey McCann

Trainee Mortgage & Protection Advisor

With an eclectic range of previous roles including support worker and various management positions, Linseys key background prior to financial services was in kitchen design as a designer. A proud mother of 3, Linsey made the decision to expand her range and sought a career that allowed more flexibility to spend time with her children.  A chance meeting with a friend who worked in Financial services saw her choose this path and in 2022 Linsey obtained all the necessary qualifications.  Having initially set out on her own, in 2023 Linsey made the decision to join our merry group, with all the support that that entailed.  Since then linsey has not looked back and is now an extremely popular member of our growing business.


Leanne Kelly

Mortgage and Protection Consultant

After achieving a 1st Class BA in accountancy and finance and spending 10 years crunching the numbers as a chartered accountant, in 2019 Leanne made the natural transition into Financial services, with The Mortgage Finance Store.  The move allowed Leanne to combine her experience with numbers and problem solving, with her natural outgoing personality and outstanding communication skills.  Since the move Leanne has never looked back and after a brief episode with an alternative mortgage company, Leanne rejoined in 2023 as a key advisor within our team.   Leanne’s expert ability to connect with her clients on a personal level, analyse their specific situations and then design bespoke solutions has made her a huge hit with her clients.

Julie Mitchell

Jem Financial Solutions (a trading style of The Mortgage Finance Store)
Mortgage & Protection Advisor

Julie joined our Team in 2014, initially as a Mortgage & Protection researcher helping colleagues source the best solution specific to their circumstances.  In 2018 Julie took the steps to obtain her qualifications and move on to an advisor position.  After a brief spell away to find her own way in the market, we were delighted to welcome Julie back into the fold in 2024.  Always popular within the team, Julie’s endless energy and attention to detail are now benefitting our clients direct and we all expect great things for her future.


Lauren Robertson

Lauren has been a key member of the TMFS family since 2013, originally as part of our Mortgage Research Team.  In 2016 Lauren made the transition into an advisor position, with great success.  After a career break to welcome into the world her two lovely boys, Lauren is back and doing what she does best namely assisting clients with their mortgage and protection needs, as well as supporting the admin side of the business as a key support for our mortgage research team. Laurens vast experience and historical knowledge is a great asset to both our business and her clients.